Design and Construction of the R2
The R2 is designed for those of us that actually intend to use it outdoors instead of a lot of the 'outdoor' clothing that is more for people who want to be fashionable for the après ski. Fortunately, however, this fleece could appeal to both crowds as it's both functional and fashionable. I did find the jacket to be a little tight in the shoulders, so you would be well advised to try this jacket on before buying it. The raglan sleeves and lie flat seams minimize chaffing when wearing a backpack, and the R2 stretchability makes it great for high-motion activities like skiing. The incredibly soft feel is nice against the skin and the R1 cuffs and neck lining add durability to those oft-abused places. The one thing I did find to be a little annoying with the jacket is the placement of the napoleon pocket. While I do generally like napoleon pockets, the zipper on the R2 is placed too close to the main zipper and often times I found myself unzipping the pocket when I wanted to unzip the jacket. I would like the see the pocket zipper be moved further away from the main zipper. In short, though, the construction of the R2 is what we've come to expect from Patagonia; perfect stitches and not a blemish to be found.
Patagonia R2 Jacket Performance
I tested the Patagonia R2 jacket on ski trips in Utah and on the streets of New York City. The jacket was extremely easy to pack -- it takes up almost no room in your bag. One thing I noticed (during a warm mid-winter stroll) is that this jacket provides almost no protection from the wind. Given the extremely lightweight construction of the R2, I guess this should not have come as a surprise, but it is worth noting. Under a shell the R2 performed great as a lightweight layer when the temperatures weren't plummeting or during periods of high exertion. Despite strenuous adventures in the R2 I could not get the jacket wet with sweat and when it did get wet from the elements I found that it dries very quickly.
Conclusions on the Patagonia R2 Jacket
The Patagonia R2 jacket is great highly-compressible fleece that provides a superior amount of insulation for the weight. At $175 there may be better options out there for the price, but if the R2 fulfills a specific set of requirements for you then you won't be disappointed. Why it's hot:
- Light-weight
- Highly compressible
- Soft against skin
- Comfort (raglan sleeves & lie flat seams)
Why it's not:
- Price
- Napoleon pocket zipper placement