Bought this for a friend who works at a hospital and wanted something the same color as her scrubs. She loves it. It's enough to fight off the chill when she's working on a cold floor but isn't ever too much. Kind of a theme for the whole Patagonia Better Sweater family.

This vest is so soft and cozy. I bought the Hemlock Green, which as a nice neutral color and versatile. I was debating between a XS and S (5'2", petite but athletic build), and I went with a S so I'd have room to layer underneath. I've only worn it a few times so far but can already tell I'll get more wear out of it into the fall.

I really wanted to like this vest especially because it was cotton and would not cause my hair to go every which way from the static. But.. I have a long torso and unfortunately this was too short on the front side, it seemed like a nice vest but I ended up returning it.

I ordered the M in Raw Linen for a trip to Scotland and future trips to Maine/ New England. It was great to wear over a simple sweater or long sleeve tee while venturing all day through hills. Average temperature ranged between 45-60 degrees. Great product and great brand!

I have worn it every day since I got it with long sleeve t-shirts and crewnecks. I love the size as it's a bit looser to fit thicker clothes underneath!

So I got this for my mom and she loves it and so do her friends. Says this vest does a great job at keeping her warm. Also, it feels great.

I gave this as a gift. Here is what they had to say: The better sweater vest is awesome! Very lightweight, yet very warm. Patagonia continues to amazing me with their clothing!

Bought this vest for my girlfriend and she loves it! She says its so soft and warm, but still incredibly lightweight!

I gave this vest to my adorable grandma who said she wore it for 5 days in a row! Here's what she had to say :
"My Patagonia vest is perfect. I am a 5 foot 132 lb female and the medium fits just right. I have washed it and the size and color stay the same. It is just perfect for these cold days. I give it 5 stars!"

I have owned too many Better Sweater pieces to count and found that if I don't dry them, then they stay in great shape much longer. Frequent trips in the dryer can cause the fabric to pill up.

Looks and fits true to size. I bought the medium

God I love this vest. It literally goes with everything too. It's great for outdoor activities as an extra layer to keep the core warm but I also wear it at work over a button up for a casual look. It's just so cozy! I'm 5'8 and bought the small. It's not very long, it hits right at the top of my hips but I usually wear it over longer shirts so it doesn't really bother me.

I never used to wear vests (being from California and all) but now that I'm in the mountains in Virginia, I've realized that vests come in handy. I have two down vests and decided to get this vest to just wear more casually. The even better part for me is its small enough to wear under my jackets (looks dorky, I know) & keep my core super warm.

Love this vest! It's basic and comfy, and a great layering piece on top of casual or classy button ups or with anything really. I also enjoy this vest because the shoulders don't span out really far, which is important for someone like me with small shoulders.

The only thing that would make it better is if it were a bit longer on the waist. However, I'm pretty long waisted so if you're average waist size, it will fit perfectly! Even still, it's a wonderful fit and flattering cut and goes with almost anything!

Overall, a great staple or layer for any outfit. I definitely wouldn't mind owning a second one in the Birch color.

This is my first Patagonia item, I am usually a tried and true North Face girl, but I wanted a light fall vest that was not fleece and I had heard great things about the better sweater. I am so pleased with my purchase! It is exactly what I was looking for. Light weight, great color (I bought the popular birch white), and fit really well. It definitely fits longer on your hips compared to some of the other Patagonia vests (ie. Re-tool and Los Gatos, which I also tried), but I prefer the slightly longer version of the better sweater. Overall, I am so happy with my purchase and will definitely be getting my use out of it!

I bought a Better Sweater 1/4 Zip for my husband for Christmas and decided to order the vest for myself since I could not find a 1/4 Zip in my size. I really like it however I think it is a bit small. I am 4'11" and generally wear a small. Now I am so disappointed that I can't find a replacement in the size/color combo (medium/ birch white).

I was looking for a non-puffy vest and really liked the style of the sweater-knit on this. The fleece on the inside is soft and keeps me plenty warm. I like the softness of the pocket linings and that the pockets are nice and deep. As long as it's not zipped up all the way, the collar will lay down, so you're not getting poked in the face constantly. Took this on a hike (in CT) with just a long sleeve shirt and was totally warm. Keeps the core toasty while allowing the arms to vent, perfect for me. After several months of wear, there has been no pilling of the material, a testament to the quality of the materials. 5'-1", 145, and the medium fits just right. Loved it so much I got the full-sleeved version for my mom, who is loving it already.

Size reference: (Female) 5' 4.75", ~34A, 25 in. waist, 110 pounds. I have this vest in an XS. **Fits true to Patagonia's "Slim Fit" size**



FIT & USE: The fit, as noted in the tech specs, is "slim". I usually get a small in Patagonia slim-fit items, but I went with an XS for this one, since I knew that at most, I'd be wearing it over a baselayer or very light sweatshirt. I had chilly weather camping & hiking in mind when I got this vest, and also use it as a layer underneath my more dressy jackets whose sleeves are a bit snug. It is perfect for all of those uses, & so many more--commuting on your bicycle on a cold day but you get that awkward warmth from riding, skiing and not wanting another layer on your arms, being lazy and not wanting to wear a coat, etc. Despite having an awkward ~33 in. bust, the rest of my torso is pretty thin & it fits me just right; the body mapping is exceptionally precise.



PROS: The front zipper is super fluid, & the wind guard lining the zipper is great--Patagonia definitely didn't skimp on that. The pockets are excellently roomy (great for hand-warmers), & they double as pockets in the inside of the vest as well, which is great protection for your wallet or phone if you're in a crowded place. It is definitely WARM! I really love this alternative to their down vest because the fit is slimmer on this model, & I'm a big fan of their better sweater material. I think a vest is an excellent addition to your closet, and if you're only looking for one, I highly recommend this one. It doesn't restrict movement & the jersey lining is very soft & comfortable. The collar isn't restricting & is not tight on your neck.



CONS: The zipper pulls on the pockets are a bit small, and if you have larger gloves on, you probably would have to take them off to (un)zip the pockets. The chest may fit too tightly for women who are thin but have a larger cup size than I do, so be sure to try it on beforehand or order two sizes & send back the ill-fitting one.