HomeHikingPatagonia Midweight Crew Base Layer Assessment

Patagonia Midweight Crew Base Layer Assessment


Patagonia Midweight Crew Base Layer Assessment
The Patagonia Capilene falls properly right into a relaxed match. – Photograph Credit score: Brett Kretzer (CleverHiker.com)

Backside Line

The Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew is the proper weight and match to fulfill many recreation wants all yr spherical. The Capilene held as much as scrutiny in managed testing environments and was a pleasure to make use of whereas working and backpacking within the Rocky Mountains. 

The Capilene Midweight is a versatile base layer that appears good and features even higher. Its many advantages are from the distinctive diamond-grid sample, which traps heat, breaths, and wicks moisture. It’s heat if you want it however nonetheless light-weight and breathable, so it doesn’t really feel suffocating. It thrives in most conditions, excluding some extremes. It by no means fails to seek out its means into our laying package, from a comfy sleeping shirt to an early morning lively layer. It even comes with bonus thumb loops.

The relaxed match of the Capilene midweight is comfortable however could cause delicate bunching underneath some mid-layers. We additionally wouldn’t thoughts a couple of extra coloration choices on this base layer, however it’s not a deal breaker.

Fast Specs

patagonia midweight capilene base layer stock image in gray

Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew

Breathable Midweight Base Layer


Value:

$79


Weight:

6.2 oz.(Males’s M)


Material/Weight:

Midweight polyester

Professionals

  • Reasonably priced
  • Sturdy
  • Snug
  • Straightforward to layer

Cons

  • Not as heat or odor-resistant as wool

A hiker showing the waffled texture of the Patagonia Capilene.
The waffled texture on the Patagonia Capilene helps entice warmth. – Photograph Credit score: Brett Kretzer (CleverHiker.com)

Consolation

The Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew brings collectively quite a few considerate design parts that improve total consolation. The material is smooth in opposition to the pores and skin and has a slight stretch, permitting it to maneuver with you throughout cardio actions. The raglan sleeve development supplies additional freedom of motion and will get the shoulder seams out of the way in which of backpack straps and different gear. The remainder of the seams are nearly unnoticeable as properly.

The relaxed match provides to the general consolation, though we did discover some bunching underneath different layers when placing it by means of the motion take a look at. This isn’t a deal-breaker, however it’s price contemplating for those who plan on layering ceaselessly. Regardless of this, the low-profile thumb loops are a wise addition, serving to preserve the sleeves in place when layering and offering additional hand protection when wanted.

Whereas the material isn’t the softest on the market, the mix of its stretch, considerate match, and sensible options just like the thumb loops makes the Capilene Midweight Crew a cushty and practical base layer.

A hiker pounds in a tent stake while wearing the Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew. Trees are in the background.
The Patagonia Capilene is supremely comfy all day lengthy. – Photograph Credit score: Brett Kretzer (CleverHiker.com)

Heat

The Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew delivers a medium degree of heat that works properly in quite a lot of situations. A technique it stands out is its wonderful warmth-to-weight ratio, making it a really perfect selection for individuals who want heat with out added bulk. It supplies a formidable quantity of heat for under weighing 6.2 ounces. The Capilene Midweight is equally efficient as a standalone layer throughout chilly climate as it’s a base layer in colder, winter situations.

The distinctive diamond-grid sample of the material performs an essential function in maintaining you heat by each trapping warmth and wicking moisture. By successfully pulling sweat away out of your pores and skin, it prevents the chilling impact from evaporative cooling. That is essential throughout high-output actions, the place staying dry could make all of the distinction.

General, its reasonable heat makes it a flexible piece for layering, from shoulder-season hikes to winter outings, offering simply sufficient insulation with out weighing you down.

A hiker sitting in his tent and taking off his shoes while wearing the Patagonia Capilene base layer. A tent and trees are in the background with a balled up sleeing bag nearby.
The Patagonia Capilene makes a comfy sleeping layer. – Photograph Credit score: Brett Kretzer (CleverHiker.com)

Breathability

The Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew excels on the subject of breathability, making it a strong selection for high-output actions. Its capacity to let air circulation by means of the material retains you from overheating, whereas nonetheless providing sufficient insulation to stop a case of the chills. Throughout testing, it had the third quickest drying time amongst all of the artificial base layers.

We love the quantity of airflow that the diamond-grid sample lets by means of. You’ll be able to really feel simply the correct amount of breeze—sufficient to maintain you cool and cozy with out compromising quite a lot of heat. Whether or not you’re pushing by means of a tricky path run or just having fun with a brisk hike, the Capilene Midweight’s breathability performs an important function in sustaining consolation all through your exercise.

General, the optimum mix of breathability and quick-drying efficiency makes it a dependable choice for lively pursuits from fall to spring.

A hiker zips up a puffy jacker over the Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew. Trees and trekking poles are in the background.
The Patagonia Capilene layers simply underneath fleeces and jackets. – Photograph Credit score: Brett Kretzer (CleverHiker.com)

Versatility

The Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew is among the extra versatile base layers that we examined, making it a dependable selection for year-round use. With its wonderful warmth-to-weight ratio, it transitions simply between seasons, whether or not you’re sporting it as a standalone layer in cool fall temperatures or as a part of a extra complete layering system throughout winter actions.

The Capilene Midweight Crew performs properly throughout quite a lot of out of doors pursuits. It’s a strong go-to for working, uphill and downhill snowboarding, and even as a cushty sleeping shirt for lengthy backpacking journeys. The thumbholes are a pleasant contact, serving to to maintain the sleeves in place whereas layering or providing added hand protection on brisk mornings.

Whether or not you’re in search of a base layer for high-output actions or a comfy high for a spread of situations, the Capilene Midweight Crew delivers the proper stability of heat, consolation, and performance. Its adaptability makes it a invaluable piece in any out of doors wardrobe.

A close up of the wrists of the Patagonia Capilene base layer while being worn by a hiker. Trees are in the background.
The refined thumb loops on the Patagonia Capilene do an excellent job of maintaining the sleeves in place. – Photograph Credit score: Brett Kretzer (CleverHiker.com)

Fashion

The Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew affords a clear, informal type that’s well-suited for quite a lot of settings. With a pleasant, relaxed match, it doesn’t look an excessive amount of like activewear. It gained’t stand out in a crowd or flip heads, however it suits comfortably into informal environments. Whether or not you’re on the path or working errands, it blends in simply with out feeling misplaced.

That stated, with solely 5 coloration choices, there’s not a ton of selection to select from, and a few the shades are fairly related. Extra coloration selections would add some pleasure to the lineup. Nevertheless, the design is sensible and doesn’t veer too far into the “pajama-like” territory that some base layers can.

General, it’s a low-key, versatile piece that appears simply as at house on the town because it does within the backcountry, providing informal type with out compromising on performance.

A close up of the wrists of the Patagonia Capilene base layer while being worn by a hiker. Trees are in the background.
This high is usually underneath one other layer, so the “it will get the job completed” look is suitable. – Photograph Credit score: Brett Kretzer (CleverHiker.com)

Ought to You Purchase the Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew?

The Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew is a well-rounded base layer that strikes an excellent stability between heat, breathability, and luxury. With its wonderful warmth-to-weight ratio, it performs properly in quite a lot of situations. It really works as a standalone layer throughout cool-weather actions or as a part of a layering system in colder climates. Its breathability and quick-drying capabilities make it best for high-output actions, whereas the low-profile thumbholes, development, and relaxed match contribute to its total consolation.

It’s even fashionable sufficient for informal put on. The Capilene Midweight is simply as at house on the mountain as it’s on the espresso store. The restricted coloration choices might go away some wanting extra selection, however its performance and flexibility are the place it shines. 

This crew is a good choice for hikers, skiers, and runners in search of year-round adaptability with out an enormous price ticket. It might not be your best option for these in search of most heat or a light-weight summer time layer, however it’s onerous to beat for on a regular basis versatility.er.

A close up of the wrists on the Patagonia Capilene. Trees are in the background.
We love the consolation, protection, and versatilityl that the Patagonia Capilene supplies – Photograph Credit score: Brett Kretzer (CleverHiker.com)

What Different Base Layers Ought to You Contemplate?

Smartwool Basic All-Season Assessment: That is one other midweight base layer with a superb warmth-to-weight ratio. The Basic All-Season is merino wool versus artificial which affords slightly extra heat and odor resistance.

Ortovox 185 Merino Rock’n’Wool Assessment:The Rock’n’Wool is a good different for primarily cold-weather use. It’s slightly cozier whereas sacrificing among the breathability of the Capilene Midweight.

Helly Hansen Lifa Stripe Crew: The Lifa Stripe excels as an lively base layer with a really inexpensive price ticket. It’s artificial, extra slim becoming, and supremely breathable.

REI Midweight Half Zip Assessment: The REI Midweight is one other nice artificial layer with slightly extra heat and some added options. The thumbholes are a lot thicker and the neck zipper permits for additional versatility.