How Patagonia Made Its Best Layering Pieces Even Better

Fabric and fit updates are all it took for the popular R1 line to reach a whole new level.

Published February 12, 2025

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With 383 reviews and an average rating of 4.7/5 stars on Patagonia’s own site, the R1 Air Zip-Neck is easily one of the brand’s most popular pieces — and a standout in the layering space in general.

But while some insist “don’t mess with success,” that adage has never really matched the attitude of Yvon Chouinard and co.

patagonia r1 fleece pullover full — The new R1 Fleece Pullover is available in Utility Blue (shown), Graze Green and Black.

How else can you explain the recent release of the R1 Fleece Redesign, which the brand calls “a modern update to Patagonia’s classic R1 fleece, designed with input from thousands of climbing hours”?

While merely introducing new colors causes the brand’s passionate fans to pounce, this new vest, pullover and jacket make a more substantive case for even casual acolytes to upgrade.

Layer cake

The update to the R1 (short for Regulator, for those taking notes) focuses on two key elements of the garments: fabric and fit.

The fabric shift is the more notable of the two. Made from 100% recycled polyester jacquard fleece with hollow-core yarn, woven into a zigzag texture that is breathable and moisture-wicking, the classic pieces are no slouches.

The hybridized fabrics also feature increased underarm venting and HeiQ Pure odor control, so that when you do lift your arms, you don’t send bystanders fleeing in terror.

To improve upon them, Patagonia had to get blend-y. Toward that end, the new items feature Polartec Power Grid fabric hybridized with the brand’s own Capilene Thermal Weight baselayer fabric.

The emerging material retains the former’s durable, stretchy and breathable qualities while keeping the weight low.

In truth, the closest analog to the R1 Air Zip-Neck is the new R1 Fleece Pullover (shown on this page), which is actually 0.6 ounces heavier (10.8 vs 10.2 ounces).

The extra weight of the Polartec fabric is likely accountable, but you can bet it’s worth more than that in terms of the warmth it supplies.

patagonia r1 fleece pullover stretch — More stretch, more venting and more odor control under your arms make life a little easier for everyone.

The original R1 apparel generally fit slim and great, but the new stuff offers an additional benefit: The hybridized fabrics offer more stretch and mobility, especially when reaching your arms overhead.

They also feature increased underarm venting and HeiQ Pure odor control, so that when you do lift your arms, you don’t send bystanders fleeing in terror.

One other point worth mentioning here is that with the new garments, Patagonia did not fix what wasn’t broken.

patagonia r1 fleece pullover backpack — All R1 garments employ offset shoulder seams to prevent straps from digging into your skin.

That means this apparel retains the qualities that make the original R1 pieces so beloved: easy packability; a center-front half-zip for additional venting; a “zipper garage” that goes easy on your chin skin; a handy zippered left-chest pocket; and offset shoulder seams that sit comfortably under pack straps.

The end result is a smart, functional, good-looking piece that is ideal for not only high-alpine activities but also for snow sports, travel and simply hanging around town.

In other words, it will be no surprise if hundreds more rave reviews begin rolling in soon.

Availability and pricing

The new Patagonia R1 Fleece Pullover is available now for $149. The redesigned R1 line also includes a Fleece Vest for $119 and a Fleece Jacket for $169.