Patagonia R3 Hi-Loft - Men's Review

Original and outdated R3 Hi-Loft review:

Likes

This is as cozy and huggable as fleeces get. One female reviewer, when she first saw the yellow one, couldn't help but call it “Big Bird.” Stretch panels on the side keep the fit trim and avoid the baggy look without strangling you. The zipper chin guard is great if you've got a beard or a sensitive chin. As always, Patagonia's build and quality is second to none and they're great about recycling.

Dislikes

The fabric's appeal is also its downfall as the zipper keeps trying to take little bites out of the fuzz at the bottom. It's a small thing to manage, granted, but fatigued on a cold night in the dark when it gets stuck and the snow is going sideways? Small things matter. On that note, just as everybody remembers with their favorite stuffed animal, this fuzzy awesomeness might look dingy after getting loved to death. Finally, the long hair collects burrs and seeds like no other and the contrasting chest panels were not a favorite look.

Best Application

Take it cross-country skiing as a warm-up layer in dry, cold conditions. Use under a shell at the resort on frigid hoarfrost missions out of bounds. Cool-weather lounging is perfect, too.

Value