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Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody - Women's Review

An extremely versatile fleece with lightweight breathability and stretchy comfort combined with midweight warmth and protection
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Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody - Women's Review
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Price:  $179 List
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Manufacturer:   Patagonia
By Maggie Nichols, Amber King  ⋅  Dec 9, 2023
80
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 13
  • Warmth - 25% 7.5
  • Comfort - 25% 9.0
  • Breathability - 20% 8.0
  • Layering Ability - 15% 7.0
  • Weight - 15% 8.2

Our Verdict

The Patagonia R1 Air is a great all-around fleece that performs well across the board and quickly became our go-to layer for traveling and camping. Its zig-zag pattern offers plenty of stretch, while a soft interior and exterior keep us warm and cozy. The R1 Air has a simple design that still features just about everything we could ask for — zippered hand pockets, push-up-able cuffs, a fitted hood, and a small chest pocket. However, it lacks thumbholes, and the wind easily cuts through the thin areas of its zig-zag pattern. But with a slim fit, this stretchy fleece easily layers under a puffy jacket or a shell when the weather turns sour. We couldn't find a more dynamic and useful fleece than this one. Check out how it compares to the competition in our article on the best women's fleece jacket.
REASONS TO BUY
Very stretchy and comfortable
Cozy and warm
Breathable
Comparatively compact
REASONS TO AVOID
Slim fit doesn't work for everyone
Not very windproof
Fuzzy exterior collects debris
Editor's Note: We updated this review on December 9, 2023, to reflect our findings from our most recent round of testing and to update metrics.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Women's Fleece Jacket
Top Pick Award
Best Mid-Weight Fleece Jacket
Best Buy Award
Best Value for a Technical Fleece
Top Pick Award
Best for Technical Performance
Best Buy Award
Best Midweight Fleece on a Budget
Price $159.00 at Backcountry
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$180.00 at Evo
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$88.95 at Backcountry
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Check Price at REI
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$60 List
$59.95 at REI
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line A very versatile fleece that offers lightweight comfort and breathability but midweight warmthSweatshirt level comfort but the performance of a more technical layerIf you seek a lightweight fleece that thermoregulates well at a great price, take a ganderProtective, breathable, and warm, this high-quality fleece hoody is designed for technical outingsA simple budget polyester fleece boasting soft fabrics and a cozy design
Rating Categories Patagonia R1 Air Fu... Arc'teryx Kyanite H... Outdoor Research Vi... Rab Ascendor Hoody... REI Co-op Trailmade
Warmth (25%)
7.5
7.0
6.5
5.0
5.5
Comfort (25%)
9.0
8.5
7.0
6.0
7.5
Breathability (20%)
8.0
7.0
7.5
8.5
5.5
Layering Ability (15%)
7.0
8.0
7.0
8.0
6.5
Weight (15%)
8.2
6.1
9.0
8.9
8.7
Specs Patagonia R1 Air Fu... Arc'teryx Kyanite H... Outdoor Research Vi... Rab Ascendor Hoody... REI Co-op Trailmade
Measured Weight 10.7 oz (Size S) 12.5 oz (Size S) 9.8 oz (Size M) 9.8 oz (Size M) 10.1 oz (Size S)
Type Lightweight Midweight Lightweight Lightweight Midweight
Main Material 100% recycled polyester 53% polyester, 38% nylon, 9% elastane 94% polyester, 6% spandex Main: 92% recycled polyester, 8% elastane.
Second: 96% recycled polyester, 4% elastane
100% recycled polyester
Hood Option Yes Yes No Yes No
Number of Pockets 2 hand, 1 chest 2 hand 1 chest 1 chest 2 hand, 2 interior
Features Off-shoulder seams, no armpit seams, moisture-wicking No-slip front zipper, chin guard, moisture-wicking, off-shoulder seams, no armpit seams Thumbholes, UPF 30, moisture-wicking, off-shoulder seams, no armpit seams, chin guard Flat-seam stitching, under helmet hood, fleece lined chin guard, chest pocket, body mapped fit. Seamless construction, UPF 30, large pockets
Cuff Construction Quick-drying woven binding Tanica stretch fabric binding Elastic cuff Lightweight Thermic G™ grid elastic cuff LYCRA spandex binding

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Patagonia R1 Air is a lightweight, recycled polyester fleece with near-midweight performance. It has two zippered hand pockets and a zippered chest pocket. We love the moisture-wicking fabric and the fact that there are no abrasive seams on the tops of the shoulders or in the armpits.

Performance Comparison


The coverage and longer arms and torso add to the warmth of this cozy fleece.
Credit: Amber King

Warmth


Though the R1 Air is very lightweight, the warmth it offers is much more akin to a midweight fleece — in most situations. When hanging out in camp or traveling to far-flung locations, the soft, fluffy fabric of this fleece does an exceptional job holding in our body heat. Its slim fit keeps the heat close to your body, while stretchy fabric allows it to be reasonably accommodating of different body shapes.


A fitted, scuba-style hood that features a very high chin to keep your face even warmer stays up in the wind and layers nicely under shell hoods. Even our lead tester with self-professed “monkey arms” (an ape index of +4) found the R1 Air sleeves to be long enough for most things. Excessive reaching — like in rock climbing — exposed our wrists slightly, but during activities like cycling, we still felt protected.

patagonia r1 air full-zip hoody for women - we tested the patagonia r1 air while exploring the mountains of the...
We tested the Patagonia R1 Air while exploring the mountains of the San Juans. Turns out, this is the best performing fleece we've found on the market to day. It breathes beautifully, keeps you dry, and putting it on feels like a warm hug.
Credit: Amber King

If you're looking for thumbholes, though, the R1 Air doesn't have any. The biggest sap of this fleece's warmth is in any wind. Even more than “average” fleece jackets, the zig-zag pattern of the R1 fabric and its lack of any wind guard for the zipper lets chilly fall breezes slip right through. If you're encountering wind in the R1, you'll want an outer shell.

patagonia r1 air full-zip hoody for women - the r1 air has a tight fitting scuba-style hood that stays on in the...
The R1 Air has a tight fitting scuba-style hood that stays on in the wind and a tall chin to keep your neck warm.
Credit: Maggie Nichols

Almost none of the fleece jackets we tested offer meaningful water protection, so we didn't dock too many points from the R1 Air for soaking up a light mist during our testing. The exterior material of the pocket repels some water, and it takes a while for precipitation to make it through the face fabric to the interior. But the zig-zags in the main fabric — while adding extra comfort and breathability — are the weak point when protecting against the elements. The main zipper features fabric that mostly covers the medium-sized teeth but doesn't entirely stop water or wind from penetrating your core.

A look at the water resistance of the Patagonia R1 Air Hoody.
Credit: Amber King

Comfort


All our testers who wore the R1 Air commented on how nice it feels. It's equally as fuzzy on the inside and outside, giving it a nice cozy air. The fabric is very stretchy and accommodating to a diversity of body shapes. Seams have been moved away from key areas of movement to keep you comfortable while you do whatever it is you're setting out to do. The seams on top of the shoulders have been moved back to avoid conflicting with backpack straps. Seams typically located in the armpits have been lowered to the ribs, eliminating that annoying rubbing that makes us excited to take off form-fitting clothing at the end of each day. A drop hem helps keep your waist protected during movement. Our only real complaint about the comfort of the R1 Air is that its slim design, despite a good amount of stretch, isn't as accommodating for curvier body types or wider hips.


The R1 Air features a lot of pockets, compared to most fleeces in our lineup. The two zippered hand pockets are deeper than their zippers, helping to hold items even when unzipped. They drop all the way down to the hem of the jacket, though, rather than floating above it for easier access when wearing the hip belt of a pack or a climbing harness. On the inside, the pocket material has been sewn closed across the bottom to create two narrow but deep drop pockets. A small chest pocket on the left side is just large enough to hold some credit cards, cash, and a lip balm.

patagonia r1 air full-zip hoody for women - the interior and exterior of the r1 air are both fuzzy and this...
The interior and exterior of the R1 Air are both fuzzy and this jacket feels warmer than any other lightweight fleece we tested.
Credit: Maggie Nichols

Breathability


The R1 Air is far more breathable than your average fleece. In fact, the only models we tested that are more breathable are all made for high-output activities and sacrificed significant warmth to maintain breathability.


When it comes to threading the needle of warmth and breathability, the R1 Air outshines the rest. Those ever-present zig-zags in the fabric between rows of fluffy fleece allow your body to expel extra heat whenever necessary. The cuffs are mostly unlined, making them comfortable to push up our arms if temperatures really start to sky rocket.

patagonia r1 air full-zip hoody for women - not only does this jacket layer well, but the zigzag patterns offer...
Not only does this jacket layer well, but the zigzag patterns offer breathable channels that allows heat to escape.
Credit: Amber King

Wearing this fleece unzipped when we needed to let off a little steam was more comfortable than most, and we never noticed the lightweight fitted hood of the R1 Air pulling the jacket in odd directions. Though some fleeces make the hand pockets out of mesh to facilitate venting, the R1's pockets are made of the same material as the small chest pocket, which helps seal in warm air. Combined with its other breathable features, we appreciated the extra warmth and didn't even notice the lack of pocket ventilation, as we could simply unzip the whole thing. We loved wearing the R1 Air for moderate output activities like hiking and even some extremely cold early morning runs well below zero.

patagonia r1 air full-zip hoody for women - our testing team takes to the trails to test this truly terrific...
Our testing team takes to the trails to test this truly terrific fleece. It releases heat and doesn't hold moisture easily. It also keeps you warm when we stop for a little snack.
Credit: Amber King

Layering Ability


Here again, the R1 Air finds a happy medium of functionality. Its slim shape and fit aren't ideal for wearing over a baggy t-shirt, but this fleece easily slides on over a next-to-skin baselayer. The fluffiness of the internal fabric doesn't catch as much as some others but also isn't the most accommodating fabric for an outer layer.


As a midlayer, the R1 Air excels. Its fitted shape and thinner material make it a joy to wear under a puffy jacket, waterproof shell, or both. Without thumbholes to encumber your layered wrists, the sleeves and hem length of the R1 prove to be a great length for layering — keeping you protected without awkwardly sticking out the openings of your jacket.

patagonia r1 air full-zip hoody for women - the r1 air strikes a happy medium of layering ability, though its...
The R1 Air strikes a happy medium of layering ability, though its two-sided fuzziness is a bit more grippy than many.
Credit: Maggie Nichols

Weight


The size Small R1 Air we tested weighs 10.7 ounces, which is on the lighter end of the spectrum of the jackets in our lineup. Once again, none of the fleeces we tested have specific packable features (like stuffing into their own pocket), so we didn't hold that against the R1 Air, either.


However, when packing this jacket into a backpack, the benefits of the lightweight design became evident in ways that they weren't during our warmth testing. The zig-zag material helps cut weight, while the thinner fabric is more compressible and easier to pack than many other fleeces. The weight and packability of the R1 Air considered alongside its warmth and comfort led us to reach for this jacket more often than we expected when packing for a trip.

patagonia r1 air full-zip hoody for women - we enjoyed wearing the r1 air for exploring the woods on camping...
We enjoyed wearing the R1 Air for exploring the woods on camping weekends.
Credit: Maggie Nichols

Should You Buy the Patagonia R1 Air?


In terms of value, the R1 Air is an excellent buy. It's one of the more expensive fleeces we tested but also one of the most dynamic layers to wear through a huge range of activities, locations, and weather conditions. It lacks some of the very specific features that niche users may be looking for, but as a general, all-around fleece, this one is our favorite.

What Other Fleece Jackets Should You Consider?


Though we love so much about the Patagonia R1 Air, its fit and function may not be exactly what you're searching for. We'd compare this hoody directly against the Outdoor Research Vigor Grid Quarter Zip and Rab Ascendor Hoody, both of which are also highly breathable, technical fleeces. But if you're hoping for more of a relaxed fit, sweatshirt vibe, the Arc'teryx Kyanite is a great choice for a fleece that still offers a solid level of protection and performance.

Maggie Nichols, Amber King