Arc’teryx Rho Heavyweight Zip-Neck Base Layer Evaluation

Backside Line

From our climate-controlled lab to frigid alpine begins within the Rocky Mountains, the Arc’teryx Rho Heavyweight Zip Neck base layer impressed us with its superior heat and luxury. It’s the warmest possibility on our checklist of greatest base layers and the one we attain for on the 12 months’s coldest days.

The fleece inside lining is extremely smooth, whereas the sturdy nylon exterior stands as much as abrasion and simply slides below jackets. This high’s moisture-wicking is supposed to maintain you heat and dry, and the neck zipper permits you to dump extra warmth.

The Rho Heavyweight just isn’t solely sensible but additionally appears to be like nice. We often put on it as a pointy fleece that claims, “I prefer to get after it, however I additionally love to sit back with a glass of wine.”

The Rho Heavyweight makes for a superb base layer within the winter and mid-layer in the course of the shoulder months, however it tends to remain at residence in the course of the hottest months, awaiting its subsequent frigid journey.

Consolation

Out of all the bottom layers we examined, the Arc’teryx Rho Heavyweight is the one now we have essentially the most bother taking off. It’s so extremely comfy that we’ll put on it till we sweat.

A lot of the coziness comes from the brushed inside fleece materials, which is tremendous comfy towards naked pores and skin or layered over a t-shirt. Regardless of being an artificial fiber, the polyester fleece seems like a positive rabbit’s fur.

We’re all the time a fan of a neck zipper, and on this case, it means that you can dial in your required match whether or not you want some further heat up the neck or a little bit extra airflow and mobility. The seams are unobtrusive and are rolled down to remain out of the way in which of backpack straps. The match is the right stability of slim but relaxed. The arms taper right down to comfortable wrist cuffs whereas the chest and shoulders are unfastened and roomy.

Whether or not layered as a base layer or a mid-layer, the Rho Heavyweight strikes precisely the way you need it to with out bunching up or constricting. We actually can’t say sufficient in regards to the consolation of this base layer.

Heat

The Rho Heavyweight is the warmest base layer that Arc’teryx makes and the warmest one we’ve examined. At 10.1 ounces, the quantity of material alone contributes to the heat of this base layer, however it goes a lot deeper than that. The Nylon exterior creates a breathable shell whereas the brushed Polartec fleece inside traps warmth.

The neck zips up past the attain of a typical crew neck, extending the shirt’s heat into essential areas. It gently hugs the underside of your neck round very important arteries, making an enormous distinction in heat retention.

The artificial fibers on the Rho Heavyweight wick moisture surprisingly nicely, rivaling most wool layers. The moisture-wicking helps to maintain moisture away out of your physique, additional growing its thermoregulation.

Due to its superior heat, we love utilizing the Rho Heavyweight as our first line of protection in essentially the most arctic environments, chilly nights within the tent, in addition to a comfy fleece layer throughout shoulder seasons. It’s not your best option for summer time use or if you’re planning for a extremely cardio exercise and plenty of perspiration.

Breathability

When subjected to our managed drying take a look at, the Rho Heavyweight carried out surprisingly nicely for being such a thick base layer. It wicks moisture very effectively to the outer layers of the garment, the place it’s extra uncovered to wind, thus rushing up drying time. The Rho Heavyweight’s drying time is akin to that of different midweight wool and artificial base layers.

The nylon outer materials is shell-like, stopping mild wind from penetrating your entire garment. Thus, we didn’t really feel a lot of a breeze by the Rho Heavyweight. This could be a adverse in an energetic base layer like a working shirt or solar hoodie, however as a result of this base layer is designed to insulate, we rely it as a win. Ideally, we attempt to keep away from extra sweat build-up in chilly climate. Nevertheless, due to the superb moisture wicking and fewer breathability of the Rho Heavyweight, sweat doesn’t trigger as a lot of a chilling impact.

Versatility

The Arc’teryx Rho Heavyweight is particularly made for chilly climate, however the fantastic thing about it’s that it really works as both a base layer or a mid-layer, extending its utilization. The match is simply slim sufficient, and the outer nylon materials is slick sufficient to layer below a fleece layer, puffy, and/or shell. Then again, the match is relaxed sufficient, particularly with the assistance of the neck zipper, to comfortably match over one other base layer and even a t-shirt.

The neck zipper additionally extends this high’s utilization into shoulder months with the flexibility to dump some extra warmth and get a little bit extra airflow going. 

Not like different base layers we examined, the Rho Heavyweight comes with a helpful breast pocket. The pocket simply matches a snack bar, sun shades, and most smartphones. 

We usually reserve the Rho Heavyweight as an energetic base layer solely within the coldest climate, and a passive insulating layer the remainder of the 12 months. It doesn’t get a lot use within the summertime, however when you dwell in a colder local weather or camp at excessive elevations, it may possibly undoubtedly function a light-weight fleece for cold temps.

Type

The Rho Heavyweight not solely performs nicely, however it appears to be like phenomenal too. We’re suckers for neck zipper – one thing about it simply makes a fleece look higher. The zipper permits you to get so many various appears to be like out of 1 shirt.

Whereas some base layers can look a little bit pajama-like, the Rho Heavyweight is flattering, and you may really feel assured carrying it as an outer layer for nearly any event. The brand retains a low profile, the arms are slim, there may be simply sufficient house within the chest and shoulders, and the waist tapers with out including an excessive amount of size.

The Rho Heavyweight is available in seven totally different colorways, a number of of that are similar to one another. We wish to see a number of extra colour choices, however seven isn’t dangerous, and the colours which might be provided are tasteful and understated.

Ought to You Purchase the Arc’teryx Rho Heavyweight Zip-Neck?

The Arc’teryx Rho Heavyweight Neck Zip is right for somebody who already has a flexible base layer or two, and desires so as to add one thing hotter to their quiver. We wouldn’t need this to be the one base layer in our closet, as it’s particularly focused in direction of chilly climate, however it’s a strong addition.

The Rho Heavyweight outperforms most base layers once you want final safety from the chilly and wind, like on a severe mountaineering expedition. It successfully traps warmth, wicks moisture away out of your physique, and dries surprisingly quick. The sturdy artificial fibers will preserve this base layer performing over years of heavy use.

The added options of the neck zipper and breast pocket make this layer a greater all-around piece of drugs. The neck zipper can be utilized to dump warmth throughout cardio exercise, and the breast pocket is helpful when worn as an outer or mid layer. 

Of us trying to spend money on their first base layer that may be their go-to all 12 months spherical would possibly need to look into one thing a little bit extra versatile. Throughout summer time months, the Rho Heavyweight is sure to see extra closet time, eagerly awaiting colder climate.

What Different Base Layers Ought to You Think about?

REI Midweight Half Zip Evaluation: The REI Midweight Half Zip is similar to the Rho Heavyweight as it’s artificial, heat, and contains a neck zipper, however at round half the worth. The REI Midweight isn’t fairly as heat however has hand thumb loops and is best for year-round utilization. 

Smartwool Traditional Thermal: The Traditional Thermal is without doubt one of the warmest wool base layers we examined. It doesn’t have the options of the Rho Heavyweight, however it’s practically as heat and has pure odor-resistant properties.

Ortovox 185 Rock’n’wool Lengthy Sleeve Evaluation: The Ortovox Rock’n’Wool has the most effective warmth-to-weight ratio of any base layer we examined. It’s not as heat because the Rho Heavyweight, however it’s extra breathable, higher for cardio exercise, and hotter than most midweight base layers.