Alex Roddie awards the Patagonia R1 Thermal midlayer his Best in Test and his Greener Choice. Find out why.
The Patagonia R1 Thermal is a superb fleece with a winning combination of performance, features, and sustainable credentials. The fabric is a lightweight flat-faced grid fleece that Patagonia call Technostretch.
Alex Roddie’s Best in Test & Greener Choice
Patagonia garments are not cheap, but the R1 Thermal has become my go-to lightweight fleece for pretty much everything.- superb breathability
- pong resistance
- quick drying
- comfortable
- looks good
- not the lightest
- sleeves and hem too long
- price
| Quick specs |
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| Price: $199 / £180 (available from Cotswold Outdoor) Weight: 398g (M) Fill: 6.5-oz 91% recycled polyester/9% elastane flat-faced Technostretch fleece Hood: no Shell: n/a Pockets: 2 zipped external handwarmer, 1 zipped internal chest Hem: no Cuffs: simple Sizes: XS – XXL Men’s version: yes eu.patagonia.com |
In terms of performance, it’s up there with the best fleece I’ve ever used, and has a remarkable ability to cope with a wide range of temperatures and conditions. It’s impossible to overwhelm this jacket with sweat or perspiration and it dries quickly.
The fit has its pros and cons for me. My medium sample was spot on on the torso, and freedom of movement unbeatable thanks to the high level of fabric stretch as well as the cut of the arms. However, the sleeves are too long for me and I often found the cuffs obscuring my palms or bunching up at my wrists.
The jacket is also quite long in the hem. If you like a fleece that covers your bum, then great – and this is my preferred fit when I’m wearing a fleece as an outer layer, too. But when worn as a midlayer, I found that it’s longer than some waterproof jackets, which means you risk getting the bottom of the fleece wet when it’s raining. It fits beneath some of my waterproofs, but not others.
It’s not the lightest fleece jacket with this level of warmth, but it does seem immune to pong! No odour-control technology is mentioned in the spec sheet, but I’ve washed this twice in five months (including a week of nonstop wear) and it’s fine.
Patagonia have announced that they are moving away from silver-based anti-odour treatments due to environmental reasons. Fewer washes = less microplastic shedding, which is another point in its favour. Finally on the sustainability front, it’s made from 91% recycled polyester.
The zip is very low-profile and adds no bulk, and the pockets are roomy, especially the chest pocket, and backed with stretch fabric. Patagonia garments are not cheap, but the R1 Thermal has become my go-to lightweight fleece for pretty much everything.
Testing conditions
Alex wears a men’s medium. He tested his midlayers on a variety of Autumn and Winter walks in the Scottish Highlands and Lake District, including routes at low and high levels, day hikes and multi-day hikes in full winter conditions. He also took them on a snowshoe tour of the Stubai Alps. Weights are as measured on Alex’s digital scale.
To compare this midlayer with others we rate, see our guide to the best fleece jackets and midlayers.
