Patagonia’s R1 line has been a staple in my layering kit for over a decade, from cold alpine starts to fall days at the crag. This year’s updated Patagonia R1 Air Fleece Crewneck takes the classic high-loft, high-breathability waffle fleece and gives it a more relaxed, sweater-like fit — and in my opinion, it’s the most versatile and comfortable version yet.

Drew Thayer

A Real Pocket This Time (Finally)

The biggest functional upgrade is the chest pocket. The old R1 Air pocket held… not much. A lighter, maybe a gel packet — basically a symbolic pocket.

This year’s pocket fits a full-size smartphone, and that completely changes the crewneck’s utility. Hiking, fishing, climbing, bikepacking — I can stash my phone securely and keep moving. Huge improvement.

A New Fit: More Sweater, Less Skin-Tight Baselayer

Previous R1 Air pieces had a trim, athletic cut suited for skiing, running, or being buried under a shell. This updated crewneck goes roomier, almost like a casual sweater.

I love this change. The extra space layers comfortably over a wool long sleeve, sun hoody, or even a shirt and flannel. 

It hangs better, looks better (especially in the brown or off-white colors), and feels like a piece I actually want to wear around the house, at the climbing crag, or into town for coffee. Patagonia basically turned the R1 Air into an everyday cool-weather sweater without compromising its mountain utility.

Same Excellent Fleece: Warm, Fuzzy, and Extremely Breathable

Patagonia kept the R1 Air’s signature fuzzy, lofted zig-zag fleece, which remains one of the most breathable midlayer fabrics on the market. It’s just as warm as the R1 TechFace or R1 Thermal, but dumps heat far better — a big advantage for:

• high-output winter ascents
• ski touring beneath a shell
• cold-weather hiking
• bikepacking on shoulder-season mornings

The tradeoff is predictable: less wind resistance. This is not the top layer you want for windy Nordic skiing or ski mountaineering on an exposed ridge. Combined with a windbreaker or alpine shell, though, it becomes a fantastic midlayer system.

Crew vs. Zip-Neck vs. Hoody — Which to Choose?

Patagonia now offers the R1 Air in multiple silhouettes, and each one fills a slightly different niche.

Crewneck (the standout for mountain use)

The crew remains my favorite because it’s the lightest (~280 g), packs the smallest, and layers cleanly under a variety of shells. For climbing, backpacking, or bikepacking, it delivers the most warmth for the least bulk.

Zip-Neck

At ~300 g, the zip-neck adds just enough functionality to appeal to runners and ski tourers who heat up fast. Being able to unzip after the first 10 minutes of effort and blow out excess steam is genuinely useful.

Hoody + Full-Zip Jacket

The hoody and jacket versions are both bulkier options, and despite their extra volume, they don’t block wind. That can make them a little awkward as standalone layers in winter conditions.

They can work as midlayers for ice climbing or backcountry skiing, but honestly:

• For ice or multi-pitch climbing, I still prefer the traditional R1. The longer hem stays put under a harness and doesn’t creep upward with movement.

• For ski touring, the R1 Thermal wins because it offers better wind resistance without sacrificing breathability.

In short: the hoody and jacket feel more like cozy, around-town or basecamp pieces; the crew and zip-neck are the true performance layers.

New This Year: R1 Thermal Vest

Patagonia also released an R1 Thermal Vest, which looks like a home run for cold-weather running and Nordic skiing. It offers core warmth while leaving the arms free to blow off heat — and you can unzip as you warm up to regulate temperature. For fast-moving winter sports where sleeves become a liability, this vest should slot perfectly into a breathable layering system.

Bottom Line

The updated Patagonia R1 Air Crewneck is the most versatile and comfortable R1 Air yet. The relaxed, sweater-like fit makes it just as at home around the house or at the climbing crag as it is on a winter ski tour, and the new chest pocket — finally big enough for a phone — adds real everyday utility.

It keeps everything great about the original R1 Air: excellent warmth, unmatched breathability, and that fuzzy, high-loft comfort that works across a huge range of aerobic winter activities. The tradeoff is the same as ever — it dumps heat so well that it also dumps wind — so pair it with a shell for skiing, ice climbing, or any exposed mission.

Among the style options, the crew and zip-neck are the true performance pieces, while the hoody and jacket feel bulkier without adding wind protection. Patagonia’s new R1 Thermal Vest also looks like a promising companion for cold-weather running and Nordic skiing, where breathability and core warmth matter most.

If you want a warm, breathable midlayer that fits more like a cozy fall sweater but still performs in the mountains, the R1 Air Crewneck is one of Patagonia’s best updates this year.

I like to pack the R1 Air crew in my climbing pack as a swear to wear while belaying. It packs down compactly and offers a lot of warmth, and in chilly temps if I want to wear it climbing, the stretchy fabric and somewhat boxy sweater-like make this a mid-layer that doesn’t feel tight or constricting. 

The update R1 Air series finally has a useful pocket – large enough to fit a phone. This is really handy while scrambling, fishing, or summer backpacking, where I’m often just wearing running shorts and want a pocket on my sweater.

I’ll continue to pack my R1 Air crew in the backcountry. It’s a super comfortable and utilitarian sweater that breathes great and remains comfortable across activities ranging from cozying in camp to running and bikepacking in cold weather.

Drew Thayer