HomeHikingPatagonia Light-weight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover

Patagonia Light-weight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover


Man standing in a snowy field.

Backside Line

The Patagonia Light-weight Synchilla Snap-T (males’s / girls’s) is an extremely snug pullover with an iconic fashion that’s remained unchanged because the Eighties. It’s made with high quality, double-sided, light-weight, and sturdy fleece. Plus, it has tremendous cozy spandex-trimmed wrist cuffs and hem to lure warmth and assist it maintain its form.

The marginally outsized match and funky, distinctive colorways give the Synchilla a retro look. The design and materials make it additional cozy and heat – which is why it’s grow to be our go-to for stress-free and nights across the campfire. This fleece prices greater than others that made it on our checklist of the most effective fleeces, however as a result of Patagonia clothes lasts for a very long time(and affords repairs), it seems like a good worth.

From October all through the winter, we discover ourselves sporting the Synchilla virtually day by day. For our testing, we took this on the whole lot from hikes within the excessive nation of Colorado with early snow on the bottom to fishing journeys on fall rivers that concerned leaping throughout streams and bushwhacking via brush. Except for choosing up some burrs and thorns, the fleece stored us heat and cozy. Whereas this fleece performs nice on the path and round city, we even wish to put on it inside as a lounge layer.

Fast Specs

stock image of the synchilla fleece by patagonia

Patagonia Light-weight Synchilla Snap-T

Snug, Light-weight, & Sturdy Fleece


CleverHiker Score:

72.5


Value:

$149


Measured Weight:

13.2 oz.(Males’s M)


Fleece Weight:

Light-weight

Execs

  • Snug
  • Light-weight
  • Sturdy
  • Nice worth
  • Inclusive sizng

Cons

  • A bit cumbersome for backcountry use
  • Unfastened match is usually a bit tough to layer

A man's hands hold the snaps on a fleece.
The Synchilla Snap-T may help ventilate when utterly undone. – photograph credit score: david younger (cleverhiker.com)

Heat

Heat is the excellent characteristic of the Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T. Like a fuzzy safety blanket you can put on all day, we love how immediately cozy this layer makes us really feel. 

We examined this climbing alongside the Poudre River in northern Colorado on a number of chilly fall days. Day hikes on this fleece in cool climate are ideally suited. It stored us heat and comfy. We additionally love sporting it round city from fall via the winter. This versatile fleece works properly in lots of situations and we put on it on 60-degree days right down to 30-degree days. 

Like most fleece layers, it’s not essentially the most breathable, so that you don’t wish to put on it on strenuous hikes. However for informal outings round city or strolling alongside snow-covered trails excessive within the Rocky Mountains, the Synchilla retains the wintery nip at bay.

A man stands in a snowy meadow.
The Synchilla Snap-T offers nice heat and luxury for chilly days on the path. – photograph credit score: david younger (cleverhiker.com)

Consolation

Its smooth, 100% recycled polyester is velvety clean. We mainly reside within the fleece as quickly because the leaves begin delivering Colorado. From watching soccer on the sofa to fly fishing excessive alpine lakes, this fleece is equally snug in all circumstances. 

The hip-length design is meant to pair with a hip belt or a harness. Nonetheless, it tended to journey up on our backs whereas sporting a pack with a hip belt.  As a result of it’s a heavier-weight fleece, layering it may be a bit uncomfortable if the outer layer is fitted. Including a vest labored properly, however a full jacket can really feel restrictive.

The hem of a fleece
There may be spandex trim on the cuffs and hem, which assist maintain chilly air out and are fairly snug on the wrists. – photograph credit score: david younger (cleverhiker.com)

Sturdiness

The Synchilla is well-built, thick, and sturdy. But it surely does have its limits, like tough trails. In our testing, we took it off the path and located that thorns, branches, and burrs tended to get caught within the smooth materials. Taking it on and off revealed some pilling of the fabric.  In researching the fleece, some customers say this can final a lifetime, whereas others point out it confirmed vital shedding. Nonetheless, sporting this for day by day or informal use is not going to deteriorate the jacket and may final a very long time.

The back of a man in a blue fleece.
One of many potential weaknesses of this fleece is its sturdiness. In our testing we discovered the smooth materials can get snagged in branches. – photograph credit score: david younger (cleverhiker.com)

Weight

At simply over 13 ounces, the Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T is true in the midst of the highway for weight. It’s nonetheless gentle sufficient to put on on the path, however packing it right into a pack or bag takes up more room than a light-weight puffer would. For that motive, we don’t convey it backpacking, however we do depart it within the automobile to alter into as soon as we get again to our automobile.

Man opens a fleece chest pocket.
We’d have favored hand pockets along with the Synchilla Snap-T chest pocket. – photograph credit score: david younger (cleverhiker.com)

Options

The primary characteristic is a left chest patch pocket. This flap pocket has a snap closure and is extra of a nod to the unique fashion of the synchilla design. We used the pocket to retailer an iPhone in testing however didn’t discover it sensible or snug. There aren’t any hand pockets on the Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T, which is one thing we want to see greater than a chest pocket. The fleece additionally has 4 snaps on the entrance placket, and undoing all of those offers restricted airflow.

Inversely, buttoning all of them up places the smooth, heat collar in your neck. There are Y-joint sleeves, which make it straightforward to maneuver in. We scrambled over rocks and boulders on this fleece and didn’t really feel restricted. There may be additionally spandex trim on the cuffs and hem, which assist maintain chilly air out and are fairly snug on the wrists. 

A man's writs in a fleece.
The spandex trim on the writes are a pleasant characteristic. – photograph credit score: david younger (cleverhiker.com)

Ought to You Purchase The Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover?

In case you are searching for a trendy fleece that performs like a sweater and can work in quite a lot of situations and environments, then the Synchilla Snap-T is for you. It’s excellent for fall and a few hotter winter days. It’s a good life-style fleece, which works for somebody searching for a non-technical versatile fleece that appears good, however doesn’t have a ton of options.

It is not going to work for somebody searching for a great multi-day or backpacking fleece as a result of it doesn’t pack down properly.

Man walking on a snowy trail.
The Synchilla Snap-T is fundamental, however heat with only one chest pocket. – photograph credit score: david younger (cleverhiker.com)

What Different Fleeces Ought to You Think about?

Cotopaxi Teca Fleece Overview: Just like the Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T, the Cotopaxi Teca is a heat and smooth fleece you can put on all fall and winter. From day hikes to yard campfires, the Teca will work properly. It has extra pockets and a zipper, including a number of extra options. 

North Face Denali Fleece Overview: The North Face Denali has an analogous feel and look to the Synchilla Snap-T. The Denali can be a really smooth and hulking fleece. Nonetheless, it’s going to have a full zipper versus buttons.

Man looking at a trail sign.
The Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T works nice for chilly day hikes. photograph credit score: david younger (cleverhiker.com)