Patagonia Lightweight R4 Jacket

Avg. Weight:	510 g (18 oz)
Core Venting:	No
Fabic:	R1 panels
Fabric:	100% polyester
Fabric Description:	Lightweight R4¨ shell: 8-oz Polartec¨ Windbloc¨ 100% polyester microfleece laminated to R1¨ Polartec Power Dry¨ polyester. R1 panels: 6.5-oz Polartec Power Dry 93% polyester (60% recycled)/7% spandex. Recyclable through the Common Threads Recycling Progra
Fit:	This garment has a Slim Fit
Hood:	No
Laminate:	Windbloc
Manufacturer Warranty:	Lifetime
Material:	Polartec Windbloc
Patagonia Product Number:	36151
Pockets:	zippered chest and zippered handwarmers placed above harness-line; two internal drop-in
Powder Skirt:	No
Recommended Use:	Climbing, hiking, streetwear
Seam Taped:	No
Waterproof Rating:	Water-resistant
Weight:	1lb 2oz (510g)
Zip-in Compatibility:	No

Great Jacket - one of my favorites
Rating:
Sometimes when it's windy out you want windproof protection but without massive bulk and insulation. This jacket delivers in those conditions. I wear this jacket when snowshoeing in 25-35F conditions with a R1 Flash pullover (and Cap 2 t-shirt if more cold out). In these conditions, you produce a lot of your own heat and the jacket prevents it from escaping. Similarly, the cold winds don't get in and strip you of that heat. If you need to cool down, just open the pockets! If some wet snow comes down, put a thin shell on top... In these conditions, I think this jacket is a very flexible piece of gear while you're moving but you'll need a lightweight down jacket for when you stop for lunch. The other time I wear this jacket is for walking around the neighborhood on those crisp and chilly fall days. Again, it's about keeping the wind out. I do find it a little odd that Patagonia would call this an R4 jacket. In my opinion, it's not really that warm of a jacket. I wouldn't use it when warming up after a day of backpacking. It's only really warm when you're moving... I don't have a better idea, but I think that some people may assume it's warmer than it really is, even though the description does state that it's for "high-output activity in cold conditions".
nwbackpacker at Patagonia on 10/13/2008
Great for Cold-Weather Activity
Rating:
This jacket truly does block the wind out when I am on my fall and winter walks. Not only does the material block the wind, but the elastic drawstring around the waist can be cinched up to prevent wind from blowing in from underneath the jacket. The R1 panels under the armpits, together with the ability to create minor ventilation by opening the side and chest pockets, makes this a great jacket for aerobic activity in cold weather. It keeps you warm, but not too warm when you start sweating. I usually wear this in combination with my wool 4 zip baselayer, which is a perfect combination. The downside to this jacket is that the fit is quite slim. The neck is cut so tight that I can't zip this jacket all the way up without feeling like it's choking me. And while it fits well over a single wool layer, it feels a little tight over a shirt and sweater. (It won't go over my bulkier sweaters at all.) It is also a tad shorter than I would like; if I have a polo untucked or a longer sweater, it comes down below this jacket. So for casual daily wear around town, I usually turn to another jacket (e.g., the Patagonia down sweater). But for aerobic activity in the cold, this jacket is almost a perfect piece.
FleeceWitherspoon at Patagonia on 10/14/2009
A winner!
Rating:
Great all-rounder, warm and windproof...pits don't have a windproof laminate negating the need for pit-zips, so sometimes you can feel a gust sneak in there, but not a major issue and doesn't adversely affect the overall protection factor. Makes it great to layer under a shell with pit-zips in wet/severe conditions, therefore no need to worry about unzipping 2 sets of pit-zips to dump heat. Sleeves are slightly longer than I would have liked, so they tend to bunch at the wrists...but that helps if you wear them over gloves to eliminate wind from penetrating keeping heat loss from your gloves minimal...but makes you look like you have disproportionately long arms, who cares though..it's function over looks for the most part. Simple design, no clutter, very minimalist, very lightweight, packable, yet still has an enduring kind of style. I did have a zipper issue with the first one I ordered but altrec very quickly sent me a replacement jacket, which still had a minor zipper problem again..so I took it to a Patagonia store and they exchanged it for a perfect one. Patagonia is a great company and their stuff is top notch. I was also considering the Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech jacket but seems like everyone has that jacket already.
Anonymous at Altrec on 02/03/2008
Ouch!
Rating:
I just bought this earlier today and have been wearing it since I left the store. From the drive home to walking around the house I'm finding the end of the zipper on the left keeps scratching my neck. Not fun. When it's all the way up, though a bit stiff, it's absolutely fine; but if I don't have it three quarters unzipped it's either catching my neck or my chin. I'm going to run to the store tomorrow to make sure there isn't a mistake. (btw, the right side is fine as you're protected by the internal zipper flap.) If nothing can be done about the zipper I may regret having just returned the microfleece mock-turtle zip pullover I originally planned to wear serving as the same layer I'll use this one for... However, I'll try and figure something out - I love the chest pocket. I'll return to update this should anything change. Everything else seems to be just fine... Lastly, I'm wearing a Medium; I'm 6'3, lean and 180 with longer arms than most. The fit is perfect for me.
AlbertOMG at Patagonia on 02/16/2009
Rating:
Patagonia's Regulator line are among the best products you can get anywhere. The Lightweight R4 is comfortable throughout a broad temperature range and also a beautiful balance between mountain and town needs. It is not too hot to be worn when sweating up a trail with a heavy pack in the winter; the underarm vents of R1 material and the full zipper really let off the heat. It is also lightweight and stretchy enough to fit well under a shell. I find that the waist and neck draw cords really seal out wind (the neck on the R4 that I've had for years lacked this feature). The pocketing is also excellent. The chest fits both a cell and sunglasses and the interior "drop in" mesh pockets are great for drying glove liners or stashing a hat. It is almost impossible to have a single jacket which is both warm enough on its own for very cold winter weather and breathable enough for high exertion. The Lightweight R4 comes about as close as you can get and it looks sharp as well.
Hermit at Patagonia on 03/15/2009
The Breathable Windblocker
Rating:
If you want the wind-blocking of the R4 with plenty of stretch and significant breathability this one's for you. I'm 6'3" & 190, with long (some say chimp-like) arms. The large fits me dead on with the trim/slim fit they claim, even on the arm length, with enough room left underneath for light layering (Wool 2 crew shirt under an R1 full-zip jacket). I bought it with the intent to use it for late-autumn to early-spring bike riding in New York. The first test on a windy day in the mid-30's: it cuts the wind nicely and the R1 panels under the arms help prevent overheating. For heavy exertion you'd only need a base layer underneath it. Typical Patagonia in quality, fit and finish: superior in all regards. Major plus: the styling doesn't scream "sports geek", so you can wear it out for whatever reason. Patagonia delivers as usual.
Joel at Altrec on 12/20/2009
Prefer R2 + Shell
Rating:
I have tried so hard to love this jacket. It is beautifully trimmed. Several steps above the old synchilla jackets I still wear. A truly nice jacket, to be sure. But it is an in betweener that just doesn't work for me. It is either too windy or too warm (or cold) for this jacket. Despite the clever R1 under arm patches, I tend to sweat in this jacket, and the wind lining makes it less breathable than my R2 jacket. If it is really windy, I want a shell. As nice as this jacket is, I think the combination of an R2 and Ascensionist Jacket has it beat. Much more flexible. You can take the shell off entirely when the wind dies down. Wind and warm in one jacket just doesn't work for me.
Chazzz at Patagonia on 04/01/2009
Great Jacket
Rating:
Patagonia's Mens Lightweight R4 jacket is an inimitable windproof fleece jacket. This season's improved fit and cooler P logo, are welcomed small details.(There is still no inside zippered security mesh pocket that could be so useful). Still, there is no match for warmth to weight ratio, compressibility, breathability, and durability. However, I bought (and reluctantly returned) a Medium in the beautiful Lunar Eclipse. Reason for returning it: sleeve length. I had the jacket on for only a few moments, and the accordion-like accumulation of excessive fabric around the cuffs made my wrists very warm right away. This, I suppose, it is or it isn't a problem--it depends on your built. (...Thinking about reordering and giving it another try since it's such a versatile piece). Buy from altrec with confidence.
gabi at Altrec on 11/16/2007
R4 Jacket Review
Rating:
An excellent jacket; lightweight, comfortable, and warm. It is too good to rank only four stars, but, it does have a few things to comment on. I must have short arms; the sleeves are pretty long on me and because there is not an elastic wrist, it doesn't fit well there. Then again, you can pull your hands in pretty easily and keep them warm if you have no gloves. I also tend to bind the zipper about halfway up/down, on the material behind the zipper (to block the wind coming through the zipper). A minor inconvenience. Personally, I'd leave the sleeves the same length, but make the wrists lighter/w/elestic. And how to fix the zipper issue? I'm being nitpicky - a really great piece of gear.
dc82 at Patagonia on 06/08/2009
Great piece from Patagonia.
Rating:
Love it. It's lightweight, but super warm, and very effectively windproof. The laminate makes it a little bit stiffer than a regular fleece, but it doesn't affect comfort or packability, and it is what makes the jacket so windproof. It's a more breathable alternative to a warm soft shell (though not DWR). The weight is nice. I can even wear it around town in So Cal during spring evenings, but I think it's too warm to wear hiking even during the "winters" we have down here. As others have noted, the fit is nice and trim. I'm 5'9", 145lbs and the small fits me perfectly. Looks great, well made, and well thought out. Pretty much everything you'd hope for from Patagonia.
chris at Altrec on 06/01/2009

Show all positive reviews...

Bonfire Orange	Olivine	Continental Blue
Henna Brown	Bright Green	Black
Llama Brown	Pirate Blue	Black w/ Black

	Patagonia Lightweight R4 Jacket - Women's	$115.00 - $225.00
	Patagonia R4 Jacket - Women's	$147.50 - $250.00

	Orage Albany Jacket Men's Clothing > Jackets & Vests	$139.98 - $279.99
	Marmot Exergy Jacket Men's Clothing > Jackets & Vests	$98.95 - $125.00
	Outdoor Research Frenzy Jacket Men's Clothing > Jackets & Vests	$113.97

Altrec

Features:

Patagonia

Features:

Paragon Sports

Features:

Rock/Creek Outfitters

Features:

Al's Sports

Features:

Oregon Mountain Community

Features:

Massey's Outfitters

Moosejaw (Spring 2010)

Features:

Backcountry.com Outlet

Mountain Gear

Features:

Patagonia Lightweight R4 Jacket Reviews Summary:

Positive Reviews:

Great Jacket - one of my favorites

Great for Cold-Weather Activity

A winner!

Ouch!

The Breathable Windblocker

Prefer R2 + Shell

Great Jacket

R4 Jacket Review

Great piece from Patagonia.

Neutral Reviews:

M's LW R4 Jacket

Stuck Zipper

Good fleece but expensive

Warm, light ... but grabby

Not exactly windproof

Awkward cut

Sizing

Disappointing