"Low profile, lightweight, with balanced warmth"
01/09/13
The new Patagonia Capilene 4 material is thin, breathable and slightly stretchy with a grid pattern of heavier insulation (think R1 with 1/2 the pile). This is a material for layer lovers. Compared to the old Capilene 4, this trades off a moderate amount of insulation for a great level of breathability. In effect, it is less effective by itself, but makes a better base layer overall.These are no exception. Unlike the old Capilene 4 "shirts" which could be used as a de-facto sweatshirt, these are far too thin to be used on their own. However, this lends itself much better to layering and I feel has given me much more liberty in insulation choices without overheating.
I've bought capilene 4 shirts for years and years and this year Patagonia changed the warmth to weight ratio by using a grid pattern of insulating fabric on a capilene 2 material. Very disappointing. I hike the OCT six days a week 4 seasons a year, get up in the Sierra Nevada sometimes and have done parts of the northern AT and McKinley a lot of years ago. But in walking the OCT on cold misty days this shirt doesn't hold a candle to its predecessor. Patagonia should rethink the weight to warmth ratio idea and consider going back to the earlier version. This is a waste of money. Sorry Patagonia and I mean that. I've been a big fan for years, but this shirt is junk.
$22.99 - $45.00
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