Fleece is so 1990’s. At least that’s been the case for the past few years as the micropuff jacket has dominated with superior warmth and compressability. But 2010 may mark the comeback of the classic fleece if the Patagonia R3® Hi-Loft Jacket is any indication of the future.
The R3® Hi-Loft Jacket is a step back to a retro design for Patagonia, but don’t be fooled, this fleece is seriously modernized. The jacket is made from an improved hi-loft Polartec® Thermal Pro® polyester yarn that is very warm, especially considering how light weight the garment is. In fact, Patagonia claims the R3® is their warmest layering piece. And after months of testing, I’d say their claim holds up.
Upon receiving the R3® Hi-Loft Jacket, I immediately took it along on an Oregon road trip where the fleece was my companion as we hopped from brewery to brewery. Temperatures were cold at night, and the jacket’s Regulator® R3® fabric kept me toasty between pubs stops. It also kept me warm in camp, especially when layered under a breathable shell during unending coastal drizzles.
Next up was even colder camping in Southern Utah, where the fleece stepped up in temperatures cold enough for it to snow. By itself it provided enough heat, but when covered by an outer layer, all the heat generation was trapped where needed.
From cool autumn camping to backcountry skiing in frigid temperatures, the R3® Hi-Loft Jacket continued to impress, but also exposed its weaknesses. Wearing it on the skin track in 15-degree weather, I was kept very warm, even too warm. Despite the awesome breathability thanks to the directional knit that wicks moisture fast, the jacket still made me sweat while ascending Mount Baldy for pre-season turns in Alta. On the second lap, I switched to the Patagonia Ascentionist Jacket just to cool off.
On another backcountry day, it was lightly snowing on the ascent. Turns out, snow sticks to the fuzzy fabric of this fleece. In fact, powder piled on the arms as I continued up the mountain. In addition, wind, even a light breeze, cuts right through. The verdict is that the Patagonia R3® Hi-Loft Jacket is a true mid-layer. To really make the jacket perform at its peak, you’ll need an outer layer if there is any sort of wind, or precipitation.
Aside from excellent technical performance outdoors, the R3® Hi-Loft Jacket is also a cozy fleece to wear at home or while out walking the dog. Small details like stretchy side and armpit panels, microfleece collar and cuffs, and deep pockets to warm gloveless hands. Even more excellent, the polyester fabric is made from recycled materials like plastic soda bottles.
If I had only one complaint about the jacket, it’s the look of the yellow color (Patagonia calls it Autumn Leaf.) Of course other colors are available such as black, blue and brown. But the yellow, combined with the feathery fabric, made me feel like Big Bird when I wore it alone. Needless to say, I didn’t wear it out on the town very much, but while outdoors, the pine trees don’t care how you look.
Here’s all those technical details, courtesy of Patagonia:
•Extremely warm and superlight high-loft directional knit provides maximum warmth-to-weight ratio, wicks moisture and speeds dry time
•Polartec® Power Stretch® fleece stretch panels provide improved fit and enhanced durability in high-wear areas
•Microfleece-lined collar, cuffs and hem enhance comfort
•Shoulder yoke offset for comfort with pack straps
•Stretch-woven chest pocket for quick-access storage
•Drawcord hem helps reduce heat loss and trap warmth close to the body
•Body: 7.4-oz Polartec® Thermal Pro® 98% polyester (70% recycled)/2% spandex. Side panels: 6.6-oz Polartec Power Stretch® 88% polyester (60% recycled)/12% spandex. Pockets: 4.9-oz 95% polyester/5% spandex. Recyclable through the Common Threads Recycling Program
•473 g (16.7 oz)
•Made in Colombia.
You can purchase the Patagonia R3® Hi-Loft Jacket online at Patagonia.com
Just got mine! I’m interested to see how it holds up to 2012-2013 brutal weather predictions – http://www.truenorthoutdoor.com/2012-2013-winter-weather-predictions/