msnafu

I had a Mt. Hardware Monkey Man fleece that was warm but uncomfortable so I returned it for the R2. While the R2 is not as warm, it is a overall better fleece. The R2 is more durable, looks great and is welcome on the slopes as well as casual dinners, and it fits great. It has great side pockets that are very roomy and a double as vents when open. It has a great breast pocket that I put my phone and keys in and it keeps them warm, accessable, and protected. The R2 has provided confort on 28 degree 10 hour days of teaching with my Backcountry Shift softshell and on sunny 40 degree spring days I have really enjoyed this jacket with my Arcteryx Sidewinder Jacket. When the temps climb I just break open the pit zips and open the pockets on the R2 and I have direct venting. I bet the R3 will more closely resemble the warth of the Monkey man and I plan to try it next year for the 20 degree days. I don't get touched as much as I did with the Monkey but the look is still fuzzy and is more civilized. I find Myself wearing this fleece everyday and can see it as a useful item until temps are above 70 degrees.

I bought this fleece and tried it out after reading many good reviews of this product. After trying out, there were too many negitives of this product that caused me to return it. The fit was very form fitting but very tight in places like under the armpits and around the neck. The medium was definantly not the same medium fit as the other products of Mt. hardware. I actually went to another store to try and another medium and IT was different and LESS tight but still uncomfortable. I also tried a large but it was too long all around(5'6" 155lbs.)The material WAS soooo soft but it is not durable. I was alway checking my elbows after resting on a table to see if I had worn away the material. After teaching snowboard lessons in 4 hours rain, my Backcountry shift soft shell(great product) finally soaked through and wet the monkey man fleece and although uncomfortable I was still warm. In between lessons I changed to my Arcteryx Sidewinder Goretex jacket and the warmth came back alive and actually dried by the end of my 10 hour day. After I got home the fleece matted together and looked like a wet dog even when dry and would not separate apart. I didn't want to look like a wet monkey so I returned it and preformd a very easy exchange for a Pantagonia R2. I really like the R2, although it is not as warm as my monkey. Maybe the R3 will be closer to the warmth? I also miss the Extra large pockets on the monkey.

I really like this jacket! The red is different and keeps me visible and identifiable to my students in snowboard lessons. The jacket keeps wind and rain out althoungh it is not weather proof, but rather Very weather resistant. After teaching in 4 hours of rain the jacket finally let the water through but I could not ask for any thing more from a softshell. I was very impressed! I wish the interior and sleeve pockets were a bit bigger and direct venting through the pockets would be a great upgrade as spring aproaches. I'm not complaining, this is my go to jacket until it rains again. Only then do I grab my Arcteryx Goretex. I would recommend this jacket to anyone looking of a technical softsell with great features, great fit, and great savings over other brand names.