Whenever I find a garment that can perform double-duty, such as perform well both as both a base layer (moisture wicking) and an insulation layer (warmth), I always jump at a chance to check it out. And that's exactly what I did with the Patagonia R.5 Top. The R.5 Top offers the best features of a base layer and light insulation, helping you to reduce the number of layers you need to bring along on your adventures. In fact, this top has become my single most favorite top. I wear them all the time.

The R.5 Top is a long sleeve pullover with a long zipper in the front that allows extra ventilation. There are no unnecessary extras, such as pockets or design features, which detract from the overall function of the garment. The collar can be folded down when it is warmer, or folded up (and zipped) for colder weather. The design is simple, but elegant. It doesn't look like your typical base layer, in fact, it can be worn any time.

The R.5 Top is made from Patagonia's Regulator fabric, which consists of 5.3-oz. Polartec Power Dry polyester with 2% spandex. On the outside of the material, it has a dull shine that is resistant to collecting lint and forming wrinkles, and the smooth surface makes it fairly easy to put on additional layers as needed.

The inside of the material is an open, velour fleece knit surface that is soft and comfortable against the skin. When you look at it closely, the fabric has square ribs, forming air pockets against the skin for added warmth and less weight. Regulator fabric is designed to quickly wick moisture from the skin and move it to the outer surface where it spreads out and evaporates. Based on my experience, both these claims are true.

I would rate the weight of the fabric somewhere between a medium- and expedition-weight base layer, probably learning more towards the medium weight. In most cases, you could substitute the R.5 Top for any lightweight, mid-weight, or even expedition-weight base layer, depending on the climate.

Because the material of the R.5 Top is designed to quickly wick moisture, it also dries quickly. You can easily wash it at night before you hit the sack, and it will be dry for you the next morning.

The fit of the R.5 Top is loose, not tight like most base layers. This makes it easy to move around in the top. The little touch of spandex in the garment also helps to make it easy to move about. The seams are flat-locked, which means that they shouldn't cause you any discomfort if they are rubbed against your body by a pack.

The R.5 Top only weights 8 ounces (medium) and is very compressible. There can't be any excuses for not bring one along, even if you are fastpacking. 

Using the Patagonia R.5 Top In the Real World

As you might expect, the R.5 Top is not for warm or hot weather physical activity, although wearing it in warm weather while staying inactive is comfortable. I often wear the top inside, and it is very comfortable. Outside, I generally break out the R.5 Top when the temperatures fall below 70 degrees and long sleeves are appropriate.

With moderate to high physical exertion, and little or no wind, the R.5 Top is comfortable from about 50 degrees to 70 degrees by itself. If the temperature falls below this, or if there is a stiff wind, then another layer, such as a wind shirt, works well with the R.5 Top until you get down to about 40 degrees to 50 degrees. Below this range, you will need to replace the wind shirt with a soft shell or fleece top, or Gore-Tex shell.

If it is raining, you will want to put on a waterproof shell. If the shell doesn't breath enough, most, if not off the moisture will be collected off your skin and move to the R.5 top where it well then do its best to let the moisture evaporate. How successful this is will depend on your shell and how well it breathes.

When it gets real cold (below 15 degrees), I often find myself using the R.5 Top as my base layer, then adding the appropriate layers on top of it to keep warm.

I have also done some experimentation with wearing a silkweight or lightweight base layer, then wearing the R.5 on top of it as an insulating layer. This works good for moderately cold temperatures and negates the need for wearing a fleece jacket.

I guess one of the reasons why I like the R.5 Top so well is that I don't like to wear a base layer with another shirt on top, as is commonly done. I much prefer to wear just a single layer, such as the R.5 Top, because it breathes so much better by itself, and because it reduces what I have to carry with me on adventures.

The R.5 Top seems to do a fairly good job of minimizing foul odors after several days, which makes my adventure pals a little bit happier.

Recommendation

I highly recommend the Patagonia R.5 Top. It often takes the place of both a base layer and a light insulating layer, keeping it down to a single layer instead. It is also good for those who want to wear a base layer, but don't want to look like they are wearing a base layer. This is a very versatile garment, and I think you will find it a very useful addition to your gear closet.



Product Notes

The Patagonia R.5 Top is available for both men and women, and in a variety of colors. It retails for $69.00. Also available from Patagonia are the R.5 Crew (like the R.5 Top, but with no zipper) and the R.5 SuperFly Tights. I have not tried either of these, but since they are made of the same material, I am sure that they are good products. 

Note that this review is for the Patagonia R.5 Top that was released in the fall of 2002. Before this, the R.5 Top was slightly different, although just as worthy as the new one (I have both the old and new models).