Fabric: Polartec Regulator 1
Item: Patagonia Flash Pullover, $98
With their quick-drying and warm-when-damp characteristics, polyester fleece fabrics are the insulation mainstay of most outdoor layering systems. Hard to improve on perfection, right? Well, the new Polartec Regulator series fabrics are warmer, lighter, and more compressible than conventional fleece. They're definitely worth a look.
Made exclusively for Patagonia by Malden Mills, the new and distinctive Regulator R1, R2, and R3 fabrics can be used together or individually as parts of a highly effective storm-wear system.
The Regulator R1 fabric is the lightest of the three Regulator fabrics at six ounces per square yard and is perfect as a base layer or a warm shirt/light sweater layer. It has a pronounced"egg crate" texture on the inside; the fleece forms one-eighth-inch-square pillars of fiber with open channels between them forming a grid pattern. The outside is a smooth jersey knit.
The open channels allow easier sweat evaporation and vapor movement, resulting in better cooling when needed. However, if you still overheat and get really sweaty the square pillars are engineered to move liquid moisture to the fabric surface. There it can evaporate easily because the smooth jersey knit spreads sweat over a wide surface area. The smooth surface also decreases the friction between clothes layers — a common problem with conventional fleece — and the pillars increase the overall fabric thickness to provide insulation.
Does it work? I've used a Patagonia R1 Flash Pullover ($98, 10.9 ounces for a size medium) very successfully for ski touring, hiking, and paddling. Initially the fabric seemed irritating against the skin, but that was easily fixed by wearing lightweight Capilene underneath. That's a good combination, but it's no longer necessary as the fabric now appears to have softened with washing.
The garment is quite warm, but the comfort range is wide because of the overall high breathability and the ease with which sweat evaporates.
In wet conditions, the R1 fabric shines. Condensation or seepage from rain wear trying to soak inward gets intercepted by the absorbent jersey before it starts moving down the pillars to your skin. You feel a bit cooler, but not as cool and clammy as you would with regular fleece.
Even if moisture does eventually creep down the pillars, it doesn't feel too uncomfortable because they only contact about 50 percent of your skin area. Fans of the old fishnet underwear will remember this design concept.
Details of the Flash Pullover ($98) include stretchy fleece panels under the arm and at the side and cuff. The neck zipper looks as though it's not been sewn straight, but in fact is cleverly offset at the top for less aggravation under your chin. Patagonia also makes a simple R1 Zip-T for $82.50, a vest for $55, and pants for $75.
High points: The Flash Pullover has great moisture management and a wide comfort range. It's light, packable, efficient, and versatile as a base or shirt/sweater layer.
Low points: The Pullover is tickly until washed several times, and the shoulder seam is a bit lumpy under pack straps.
For more information: Contact Patagonia at www.patagonia.com or (800) 638-6464.
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Article and photos © Keith Morton
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