VPO Abbotsford - Laila
The start of fall in the Fraser Valley means a different layer every hour and constantly stopping to cool off or warm up. This week I got to test out the R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody from Patagonia, and it is now my go-to layer when I leave the house. The zig-zag pattern is designed to keep warmth in while allowing excess body heat to escape, and I was impressed time after time with the temperature regulation this fleece was able to do!
The R1 material is so soft next to skin and is cozy warm without being smoking hot. I have a hard time finding the right layers to hike in during the fall, but with the R1 I found I only
needed to unzip or zip up to be comfortable again. We took the dog for a 7km loop around Sasamat Lake and up into the surrounding trails, and I was comfortable wearing the fleece the whole time. I also popped the R1 Hoody on after my swim to warm up again and was so happy to have a warm layer without needing an extra jacket.
The slim fit of this fleece does also mean it works really nicely under a warmer jacket or
vest though. I stayed true to my usual size and love the way it fits, but it is on the slimmer
side around the arms and neck. I wore it under both my puffy jacket and raincoat (variable
Vancouver weather always keeps you guessing) and didn’t have to fiddle with getting the
sleeves to sit right against each other.
An update in this model of the R1 Full-Zip Hoody is that the seams in the shoulder sit
slightly to the side, making this an easy layer to toss on under a day pack or big overnighter. I tested it with both my day bag and my school bag this week and didn’t notice any of the stitching against my skin, even just in a short-sleeve top under. I also love the close fit of the hood as someone who always has cold ears, this meant I didn’t have to pack a hat or headband (and didn’t waste time tying to dig it out of my bag when it inevitably got lost).
Weighing in at only 11 ounces this is by far the lightest fleece I own, and it will absolutely be coming on every fall trip this year has in store! I also can’t wait to test this as a winter layer; I think it’ll be a fantastic addition for Nordic skiing and snowboarding. The breathability and moisture wicking I saw this week have me sold that this will also be my new favourite winter layer!
VPO Abbotsford - Thomas
Earlier last month I was given a new version of Patagonia’s R1 Air 1/4 Zip and asked to test it out in my day-to-day life and outdoor pursuits. After a month later and a number of chances to push the fleece in unique ways, I’m happy to report back what I liked, what I didn’t, and share where I feel this fleece shines the brightest.
Before we get into my experience though, let me share a bit about myself and why you should trust my opinion. My name is Thomas, I’m 23 years old, and I work at Valhalla Pure Outfitters in Abbotsford, BC. I love to climb, hike, run, and paddle board. When I’m not recommending gear at work or using my own for different pursuits, I’m studying kinesiology at Trinity Western University. Some of my noteworthy adventures include summits of Mt. Baker via its North Ridge, Mt. Rainier via the Kautz glacier, and Denali via its West Buttress in which I became tied as the youngest Canadian to do so. I’ve climbed huge WI5 ice routes in the Rockies and crack climbed away my summers in Squamish. All these adventures have taught me a lot about gear: what works and what doesn’t. I’ve set out to evaluate the R1 Air 1/4 Zip below as honestly as I would any piece I’d consider bringing with me on any serious outing and hope it offers you some insight as you consider whether it’s the right choice for you. Let’s dive in!
What I liked:
New for this season Patagonia updated their R1 Air fleece line with a brand new fit and fixed some of the complaints that were present in the previous iteration. I found the new fit to be excellent as someone with a more athletic build. The fleece was not suffocatingly tight on me, but not baggy like a casual sweater might fit. In other words, you don’t need to worry about looking like an Olympic Nordic athlete if you wear this piece out casually but still can feel confident in its ability to hold up as a performance-oriented piece in the backcountry. The updated pocket was a big win too. The larger chest pocket comfortably held my iPhone and a gel pack or small chocolate bar, which in the previous model would not have been accomplished with the same ease.
The look of the fleece grew on me too. Being somewhat particular about the way my gear looks, I originally wrote off the zigzag pattern of the R1 Air pattern as an unnecessary redesign of the classic grid fleece look. Yet as I wore the fleece more and more, I found myself reaching for it on those cooler casual September evenings out. I chose the Smolder Blue colour, being a big fan of blue, and I found it looked at home both at a social event or a trailhead.
On the topic of the grid fleece versus the Air zigzag, the R1 Air material blows out the standard grid R1’s warmth (or any grid fleece for that matter) by a long shot. Where on a warm fall day, rock climbing or disc golfing, I would be comfortable in any standard grid fleece, I found the R1 Air material to be too warm for anything above 12 degrees. On cooler days, or early alpine starts, I think the fleece would’ve shown itself to be a more appropriate.
What I didn’t like
There weren’t a lot of things I didn’t like about the R1 Air, but a couple things would have me hesitating to reach for it in certain circumstances over other pieces.
Firstly, I found the packability of the jacket to be significantly less than a standard grid fleece. On trips where I would be limited on space, I would feel slightly more partial towards a piece like a standard R1 even being slightly heavier and less warm given how much more packable it is.
On the topic of warmth, while a lot warmer than an R1, I feel like the scope of use for the R1 Air is limited in that there are a number of pieces already in my kit that I feel do the job the R1 Air does in venting heat during high output activities in colder temperatures such as the Nano-Air vest, also from Patagonia. If I were to have to give up a less warm fleece for the R1 Air, I’d feel limited in layering options when a piece like the R1 Air or Nano-Air vest are too cold on their own, but too warm together.
Finally, I would also feel slightly hesitant to choose this fleece for highly bush-wacking trips. Having taken this fleece disc golfing (which I am very bad at), when digging through the bushes looking for my missed drives I became a bit worried about snagging the material on the thick west coast black berry bushes or the branches of fallen trees.
Where I think this Piece Shines:
There are a lot of great qualities about the R1 Air lineup. There are some limitations. Overall, I am very impressed with this piece and believe it would shine best as a high-output winter piece for sports such as Nordic or backcountry skiing, running, or even ice climbing. If you’re considering the R1 Air for one of these activities and would rather simplify your kit, I would also consider checking out Patagonia’s Nano Air Light Hybrid Insulated Hoody which takes the R1 Air Material and combines it with their super breathable Nano Air Light material.
Canmore - Kerstin
The neck on Patagonia's R1 Air Crew fits well but might be harder to get over if you have a bigger head.
Arm length is awesome for people who have slightly longer arms than normal.
Torso length is great if you have a regular torso length and want a mid to shorter fit in the area. Width of the fit is great when looking for a comfortable looser fit. Overall the size and fit, you want to go with your most popular sizing you'd normally get.
This piece is great for almost everything. The materials are soft, lightweight and breathable on it's own. Once paired with a shell jacket the sweater becomes a great temperature regulating layer letting air flow, and keeping more heat in. Great for hiking in the fall. I had used it a bunch for coaching, and was pleased when it started raining and got colder that I was still at a good temperature. Normally I end up wearing 4 or 5 layers, with this sweater I had a tee-shirt on, sometimes just the sweater and then a light jacket.
I do find the R1 Airs are amazing for people who tend to run colder (me) as it can help hold heat or release it a lot better during standing still outside, but when you are running or exercising it let's the air in and can keep you cool a lot faster than the sweat can build up.
VPO Invermere - Matthew
As someone who's used the previous versions of the R1 air extensively, I was very excited to try out the latest iteration. First off the bat I want to state that I'm already a big fan of this piece. It makes a great fall MTB/hiking layer for the Kootenays as well as an awesome later for lounging around camp.
I'm typically someone who runs pretty hot when I exercise and I've tried many other midlayers and found this to be the best option for me in cooler temps. It keeps me nice and toasty when I'm warming up and thanks to the zig zag pattern on the fleece it
breathes extremely well and packs down a lot nicer than other fleece layers when I'm
not longer using it.
The R1 Air Full Zip Hoody is also my go to midlayer for ski touring as its equally at home as my outer layer on the climb as it is under my shell keeping me toasty on the descent.
The full zip is great as it's easy to quickly take on and off with other gear as well as to give yourself some quick extra ventilation when your working extra hard. It has 2 zippered hip pockets, 1 internal stash pocket and 1 zippered chest pocket perfect for stashing snacks and other goodies.
I found the fit of the newer R1 air hoody to be a little more generous than it's predecessor with more room around the shoulders and chest. I'm 6'3" and 175 pounds and wear a size large. While I would say it still fits true to size I would consider sizing down if you prefer a more fitted feel.
All in all the R1 air is a fantastic piece for all sorts of cooler weather fun in the outdoors.
VPO Invermere - Ryan
The R1 Air Jacket has earned a permanent spot in my pack year-round. I’ve owned several over the years, and it still surprises me with how much warmth it provides while remaining highly breathable. It pairs easily with a shell to create a versatile layering system, and I often wear it throughout the entire day—from cold early mornings to warm afternoons. The cuffs are thoughtfully designed to stay out of the way when layering. The fit is relaxed yet streamlined enough to wear comfortably between layers. For reference, I’m 5'9", 165lbs, and wear a size Medium.
The R1 Air excels during high output activity because of its unmatched breathability. It keeps me warm on exposed ridgelines while often being able to dump enough heat for the ascent. I’ve moved away from my 200 weight merino base layers that seem to offer comparable warmth in favor of the R1 Air. They tend to be heavier, less breathable and take forever to dry. I also appreciate that Patagonia is offering the R1 Air in a handful of different styles and colours.
VPO North Van - Julia
The updated Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Women’s Hoody (2025 model) sets a new benchmark for performance mid layers. Designed for those who want versatility from their outdoor apparel, this piece combines exceptional breathability, lightweight insulation, and sustainable materials all in a refined, body-conscious fit.
Constructed from 100% recycled polyester, the R1 Air features a distinctive zigzag knit pattern that efficiently balances heat retention and ventilation. The texture helps shed excess warmth during high-output activity while trapping just enough heat during rest breaks. A full-length zipper adds adaptability, offering easy temperature regulation as conditions shift throughout the day. It’s a simple, yet effective design, executed with Patagonia’s trademark attention to detail.
On a recent ascent of Vancouver’s Grouse Grind, the hoody proved its worth as I climbed the 800-meter (2,624 ft) elevation gain. Through shifting temperatures and varied exertion levels, the R1 Air maintained an impressive equilibrium, keeping me warm without ever feeling stifling. The moisture-wicking knit effectively managed sweat buildup, while the stretch fabric allowed complete freedom of movement during steep, uneven sections of trail.
Patagonia’s women-specific fit stands out here. The cut is slim and flattering, yet never restrictive, layering effortlessly under a shell or puffer when the temperature drops. The interior is soft against the skin, and the exterior has a clean, technical aesthetic that transitions easily from backcountry to casual wear. It’s the kind of piece you’ll reach for just as often at home as you will on the trail.
True to Patagonia’s values, the hoody is Fair Trade Certified, ensuring responsible manufacturing alongside high performance. Between its environmental credentials and reliable functionality, the R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody makes a strong case as one of the best mid layers on the market, particularly for outdoor enthusiasts navigating the varied climates of the North Shore.
Pros:
Fair Trade Certified construction
Breathability and moisture management
Streamlined, flattering fit
Versatile for layering
Available in both crew, hoody, and vest versions
VPO Vernon - Peter
The R1 Air Full Zip Hoody is a fantastic fleece for any outdoor pursuit. The balance of warmth and breathability in the material allows for high physical output while regulating temperature. Under a shell Jacket is where this fleece shines. The wave pattern of the material enhances air movement and a natural cooling, further enhancing the breathability of the shell. Whether you are working in a shop preparing skis for winter, skinning up through fresh snow in Rogers pass, or need a little warmth over a collared shirt, this fleece will play the role you need it to. A fast drying, multi use, durable garment that will not disappoint.