Review: Patagonia R1 Hoody

When the temperature moves toward freezing, the first layer I reach for is the Patagonia R1 Hoody. The waffle-patterned construction of the Polartec PowerDry material makes the R1 Hoody warm enough that it can stand alone or fit under a soft shell or windbreaker when the weather is brisk, and the fit has a low enough profile that the R1 Hoody can easily layer with thicker pieces to fend off the bitterest cold.

Noteworthy Pros:

• Extended torso length gives full coverage, even when wearing a climbing harness or a backpack that can cause layers to ride up
• Stretch cuffs and thumb loops allow the sleeves to cover all the way to the knuckles for added warmth
• The zippered "Napoleon-style" chest pocket is big enough to carry essentials without being bulky

Cons:

• The sleeves are a bit long, so the cuffs bunch up when not using the thumb loops

Pushing the Patagonia R1 Hoody to 16,000ft. over Lhasa, Tibet

I love the mix of comfort and functionality Patagonia has found with the R1 Hoody. The low-profile, balaclava-style hood protects the ears from the wind, while fitting nicely under a cycling or climbing helmet. The zipper is longer than most 1/4-zip pullovers, allowing for maximum venting during high-output activities, and when fully zipped the collar covers all the way above the mouth, keeping cold air from getting into the neck and torso, even when cycling.

According to Patagonia - "Streamlined, light and versatile, the R1 Hoody pushes [Patagonia's] primary design principle: Perfection is achieved when there's nothing left to take away." For those adventurers and trekkers who like to travel and play "light and fast," the R1 Hoody can definitely be called perfection.