Not the warmest of like clothes i have worn but hands down best insulators. Alone it gets a bit chilly, depending on weather, but with as little as a cotton shirt of the top, it keeps a body my size (6'1 210) very warm. Material is very comfortable and durable in a way only Patagonia does. Little pricey but if found on sale its a great buy and you shall not regret it.
I wear my Capilene 2's everywhere! Both the tops and bottoms! They are the near perfect base layer. The only gripe I have against them is the infamous synthetic stink, but this is hardly Patagonias fault, all syn base layers will start to stink after some sweat is worked through them. I wear this as a single piece when backpacking in the spring/fall and it has held up great! No, rips, tears, pilling, etc.... In fact im on the same pair for the last three years! In camp they make a must have layering piece and awesome sleepwear on those colder nights! I love my Patagonia Capilenes!!
The capilene 2 is a little lighter than I was expecting, so I think I may want to try out the capilene 3 for really cold days on the slopes, but it's fits well, and is stretchy so it will move well with your body. My only complaint is that it feels slightly scratchy on the skin.
"Great Layering and Main shirt depending on season and activity!"
09/11/11
While layering this thing is excellent in the winter and chilly mornings of spring and fall. It holds in heat awesome and wicks sweat well not to mention it remains relatively stink free for a couple of uses. I couldn't be happier with this piece.
I bought one of these shirts four years ago. I chose a black one and I wear it almost all year around. After being washed countless times it is still just as black as a new shirt and it is holding up like new. I wear this shirt backpacking, hunting, salmon fishing, at work, and it is my go to weekend shirt on cooler days. It reminds me of a 1981 Mercedes I used to have that I just couldn't wear out or kill after 250,000 miles.
For being a long t-shirt, this shirt breathes surprisingly well... Breaths well. A little baggy for bring considered slim, but none the less I would buy another in a heart beat.
Though not the lightest of their Capilene line, It seems to be just as cool and breathable as Cap 1. It has a more open weave pattern, which is also a bit rough to the touch, but not to bad. Also works good as a baselayer in cooler temps too. It's just not as warm as the Cap 3.
"Great. Runs a lil' big for a "slim fit""
02/28/11
I use this for my base layer and it works well. I can't find a big difference between this and the Cap1. Also this runs a large for a slim fit (I am 5'9" 165lbs and order everything in medium from Patagonia and Arcteryx) - but the medium in this is roomy.
I have had the Capilene for years but usually only the Cap 3 but I decided to expand my horizons and try the new Cap 2. I could not have made a better choice! This stuff is awesome and the Moosejaw rep, when I could not decide on the color, suggested the Feather Grey w/ the Crossdye. Great color, does not look as green as in the picture. I will use this for years to come. May even get some more.
I bought this in store as well as the Capilene 2 bottoms back in august. Needless to say I didnt have much use for them then but I just got back from a mid Oct. trip at Pictured Rocks in the U.P. of Michigan where they performed beautifully. The wind coming off of lake Superior was pretty brutal and most of the time I only needed this top to keep me warm. I didn't even have to use the heavier layers of insulation that I brought along.