Patagonia R2 Jacket - Men's Review

If you have the money this is a great jacket to have in the quiver. It's especially great for active people in cold climates. If you are looking for a more cozy fleece, go with the Mountain Hardwear Monkey Man. If you are looking for a more windproof jacket, check out the Patagonia R4 Jacket. If you just want a basic fleece that will get the job done, there are lots of cheaper options.

View our complete Men's Fleece Jacket Review to see how this product compared to others.

Likes
What stands out most about the Patagonia R2 is the fit and the breathability. It is tapered in all the right spots, which means there are nearly no dead air pockets when you are exercising and it fits great under other layers. It has a nice cozy feel but is not so fluffy as to keep it from breathing well (it has excellent ventilation). The pockets can be zipped open so that it breathes better. We like the extra cozy material inside the collar that keeps your chin comfy when the jacket is all the way zipped up.

A big part of Patagonia is the history, manufacturing process and philosophy behind their gear that is told in Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard. Highly recommended reading.

Dislikes
Somewhat detracting from the "green" rating, the R2 is made in Colombia. Also, the fuzz that is so cozy also collects pet hair, grass seeds, rain, and dust like a magnet. The chest pocket is a little small, not fitting much more than a wallet or car keys, and the mesh liners for the hand warmer pockets seem a bit fragile. Also, since this fleece is aimed at an athletic bunch of folks, it could use a slightly trimmer fit.

The new design of this fleece jacket has "glued-in" zippers that look cool but are a little alien to the otherwise coziness of this jacket. We like the old zipper style better. It also does not come in a lot of color options – only three if you don't count discontinued colors.

Value
This is one of the most expensive fleeces of this weight. It is a great jacket, but for such a "non-critical" function it is a little hard to justify the cost if you are on a budget. This as opposed to something more critical like a shell to keep of rain or a big down jacket, where splurging on the price is easier to justify. There are a lot of other fleeces that will get the job done at a fraction of the price. That said, since this layer is worn so often it's a good value if you absolutely love it and will wear it a ton.

Best Application
This can be a stand alone outer layer while active in cool conditions. Or, it can serve as "super long underwear" to be worn under other layers.

Other Versions
Patagonia R1 Full Zip - Men's

Patagonia Footprint Chronicles: R2® Jacket Design