We've said it many times before, but we'll say it again - fleece is a massively underrated bit of kit. In an age of more complex softshell layers, fleece is still unbeatable in terms of its versatility and simplicity. Patagonia know this, which is why the R1 (in various guises) has been a staple of their collection for a long, long time. Throughout that time there have been updates, but at its core it retains the same character it's always had - light, stretchy, breathable, and well-cut. After all, if you've got a winning formula, and it works, then why change it?
© Penny Orr
In Use
We are looking here at the R1 Pullover Hoody, which does what it says on the tin with a half zip and a hood. It's hard, maybe even impossible, to narrow down what this is good at, because it's good in every outdoors niche. You can use it for just about every activity imaginable, in any season, and it can be worn in a variety of different ways depending on the weather (warm base layer, mid layer, outer layer). It doesn't matter if you're climbing, mountaineering, walking, camping, running, riding, or wanting something comfortable to wear on a day-to-day basis - the R1 Pullover Hoody does it all.
At just 289g (men's size M) the R1 Pullover Hoody is at the lighter weight end of the fleece spectrum. This further adds to its versatility, as something heavier would be a lot less suitable for spring/summer use, or when worn as a midlayer. It does feel a little less durable as a result, although it's worth noting we haven't had any issues with durability whatsoever. With Patagonia you're always reassured by the fact that their aftercare service is second to none, and if you do get a small rip in it then a) it just makes it even more breathable and b) you can always get it repaired free of charge.
© UKC Gear
Fit
Rob: Whilst I like many things about the R1, one of the things that sets it apart is its cut. I've got long arms, and the R1's sleeves are generous enough to accommodate them, with a bit of room to spare courtesy of the thumb loops. Whilst I don't tend to use these, it's nice that the extra material/length can keep my wrists warm - plus it's stretchy enough to be pulled up over my elbows whenever I get too hot. There's also a generous amount of length in the body, which is perfect since the last thing you want is for your fleece to ride up and expose your midriff - something short-cut clothing tends to do. Overall it has quite a slim fit, but it's so stretchy that it's very forgiving, and can accommodate multiple layers underneath if required, on an exceptionally cold day. We also think it's also true to size, so there should be no need to size up or down.
Penny: The R1 Pullover Hoody is nicely fitted, with a good length in the body. I wouldn't describe it as long, but it's also definitely not short - it's just spot on. The arms are nice and long, and stretchy, so they can be easily pulled or rolled up, and they also fit around a climbers' sized forearm. The only thing I'm not so convinced by is the chest pocket, simply because due to the lightweight nature of the fabric it looks a bit funny if there's a phone in there which is the only thing I'd ever use it for; however, I know that Rob loves his, so each to their own.
© UKC Gear
Features
We've got the Pullover Hoodie in for review here, but there is also a non-hooded version of the R1 half-zip top available for those who've got enough hoods in their lives already. Both feature a very deep front zip (more 3/4 length than 1/2 length really), whihc is good for dumping a lot of heat.
It uses a 6.9oz Polartec Power Grid (93% recycled polyester / 7% elastane grid fleece) throughout the body, then a lighter weight 3.8oz Polartec Power Grid (92% recycled polyester / 8% elastane jersey) in the hood, back, inner arm, side panels and lower sleeves to provide a bit more breathability in warmer/sweatier areas, and to help shave off a bit of weight.
Ethics and environment
Patagonia more or less wrote the book on corporate responsibility in the outdoor industry. As you'd expect from Patagonia the R1 is made in a Fair Trade Certified factory and all the fabrics used are bluesign approved.
R1 range - don't get confused!
We've been looking at the R1 Pullover Hoody. Patagonia have many different fleeces all prefixed R1, so it's worth summarising them to ensure that you the reader get the one you actually want!
- R1 Thermal Full-Zip Hoody: A thicker, warmer, more techical fleece - £200
- R1 Thermal Jacket: The hood-less version of the above - £180
- R1 Pullover Hoody: the one we're reviewing today - £160
- R1 Jacket: Hood-less, and with a full-length zip - £150
- R1 Pullover: Hoodless, with a half zip - £140
- R1 Air Full Zip Hoody: Lightweight and breathable - £140
- R1 Vest - £110
Summary
It's hard to give the R1 Pullover Hoody anything other than a glowing review, because it's a great product - and has been for years. Whilst there are cheaper fleeces out there, the R1 range does set a high standard in terms of quality, and the fact that if anything does break, you can get it repaired, definitely counts for a lot.
Comments
Agreed! I've got 3-4 grid fleeces and although they aren't cheap, I can't think of many (any?) pieces of gear that I use, in some capacity, 12 months of the year across lots of different activities. The drying time, whether from rain or sweat is in unbelievably rapid too.
Also the R1 song by Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll and co is worth a mention, very catchy https://youtu.be/kni-AVRYwA8?si=UMm9qpLiU5Pngw7I
Ultimate? No! Dead bird Delta MX for me, thanks !
i’d agree with arc’teryx being sufficiently higher in build quality to warrant the term ‘ultimate’ (i pretty much live in my gamma lt), and it’s other manufacturers battling for the price point vs quality that is ‘best choice for most cases.’ but jeez, they do make it hard in recent years.
i remember the delta line as very performance-oriented light grid fleece midlayers. breathable and meant to fit snugly, thumb holes to ensure sleeves stay put. nowadays, there is no more delta lt and delta mx, there’s just plain delta, and it’s some high tech grid fleece inner (reads similar to what was in the mountain equipment kinesis) with a 40D hardface covering, like the r1 techface. and to top it all off, they changed the delta line’s fit to, quote:
‘The Deltas offer a roomier fit in the body and sleeves than their predecessors, for improved comfort, versatility, and freedom of movement during high-output activities.’
i always found arc’teryx’ sizing to be weirdly inconsistent at the best of times, but they seem to be all in on the fashion crowd now with their design and fit choices. (i even plotted this out some years back – their M is fairly trim in the midsection and has reasonably wide shoulders, and the L allows an athletic back but the midsection balloons to massively tubby. mountain equipment and rab came out much more consistently athletic in their sizing)
‘ultimate’ might hold true for the old delta line, but it looks like present day arc’teryx isn’t offering anything that can compete with the plain r1’s technical goldilocks role. (patagonia was there a couple years back as well, when they had only the r1 air and the r1 techface available for a while.)
What can this Patagucci fleece do that, say, the Griffon by Alpkit (another "green credentials" but UK-based company) doesn't do at £59 instead of £160? Can you really give a rave review to overpriced products? One of my favourite fleeces cost me £15 last year. I feel like climbing sometimes is becoming unapologetically a persuit for the SUV-driving classes.