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|  Average Rating: 5 out of 5 No. of Reviews: 1 Weight: 411g RRP: £90 Year: 2007 Description: R2 Polartec Thermal Pro (220g/square metre) full-zip fleece jacket. R1 stretch panels under arm and along torso (180g/square metre) with 2% lycra. Collar and neck lined with R1.
Zipper is slightly offset at chin, with fold-over cover for comfort.
Low profile hand pockets, left chest pocket and centre front zipper have reverse coil zippers laminated to supplex nylon for snag-free operation and a cleaner look.
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|  | | Posted: 24/07/07
Updated: 27/07/07 | | 'Highly effective update to the classic lightweight fleece.' | | Strengths:
Clean, close cut and high pockets makes it work very well with a climbing harness. Noticeably warmer than a standard Polartec 200 fleece and packs much smaller (higher lofting capacity). Open, variegated weave also makes it more breathable than standard 200 fleece and very luxurious feel against the skin. Stretch panels give it a close, efficient feel without being too tight. The best fleece I have yet encountered for use under a windshell. | | Weaknesses:
Collar is not a great fit for me and could be longer, though the rest of the jacket (arms & torso) are just right. The open weave of R2 makes it even less wind resistant than 200 fleece. | | Overall:
Another beautifully designed garment from Patagonia actually breathes some life into the 200-weight fleece concept. With the advent of Primaloft and other synthetic insulation, fleeces are losing ground - but this one puts the argument for their survival very well.
Why is this better than a standard Polartec 200 at perhaps less than half the price? Well, it is much less bulky to begin with. The judicious use of stretch panels means that there are no drawstrings. The sleeves just fit. The flat-seam pockets just disappear into the jacket and don’t snag. They are placed high enough to avoid interference with a climbing harness (though they don’t hold very much!). This particular version of Polartec Thermal Pro (and there are many incarnations!) is very open and airy. So it poses little barrier to vapour diffusion but still seems to trap enough air to insulate very well. That being said, even the lightest breeze goes straight through this jacket. For me this is an advantage as I like to be able to adjust my temperature using venting zips in my shell jacket or by adding/removing a windproof. When worn under a windproof or waterproof shell it is very warm for its bulk, but you can easily shed excess heat if you vent it.
It really does pack small for a fleece, and as a result of its close fit and lack of ‘features’ (drawstrings, handwarmer pockets etc.) it is much lighter than a Polartec Classic 200. In fact, it packs lighter and smaller than my Polartec 200 gilet. It also dries even faster, because the open weave traps very little water and a quick shake will restore it to damp instead of sodden.
It also seems to be holding up to use and washing as well, if not better, than other fleece garments. The R1 parts are more susceptible to pilling, especially around the collar, but the R2 sections (i.e. the majority of the jacket) look as good as when I bought it over a year ago. Since then it has been my favoured choice of active insulation and has been through the wash many times.
So what is it good for? Well, I personally can’t wear Primaloft while moving as I generate too much heat and perspiration (the double layer of windproofing is the main reason for this! It renders most venting options unworkable). On cold days, I can however use the R2 Jacket to take the chill away. It also works supremely well under a windshell (e.g. Pertex) as you suddenly stop all those little air pockets from being blown apart. It is great, therefore, for any high intensity activities in very cold conditions, or moderate activities for the rest of the year. The cut means that it works well under other insulation layers for stops, being only slightly bulkier than a microfleece. It isn’t the warmest item on its own, especially if there is even a slight breeze, but as part of a considered layering system it is supreme.
The only minor improvements for me would be lengthening and narrowing the collar to fit my neck better. Otherwise a pretty much flawless, if pricey, piece of kit.
Despite the steep price, I think the value is still good for two reasons. Firstly, with Patagonia's ever-changing kaleidoscope of colour options (some of which I can only describe as dubious), you are likely to find a bargain on the last season's model (I have a nice grey one that I got at half price). Secondly, if you consider the range of uses, quality and expected lifetime of the product, it is worth the step up from a £60 Polartec 200 in my opinion.
Highly recommended.
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| | | | Performance | | 100% | | Reliability | | 100% | | Value | | 80% |
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