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[Product] Assessment | CleverHiker


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.

Backside Line

Patagonia is an organization recognized for its reliability and high quality, and the Capilene Midweight Crew follows go well with. It’s the excellent 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 flexible base layer that appears good and performs higher. It positive aspects many advantages from the distinctive diamond-grid sample, which traps heat, permits breathability, and wicks moisture. It’s heat when wanted however nonetheless light-weight and breathable sufficient to not really feel suffocating. It thrives in most conditions, apart from some extremes. It by no means fails to seek out its approach into our laying package, from a comfy sleeping shirt to an early morning lively layer. It even comes with some bonus thumb loops, which aren’t included on all the bottom layers we examined.

The relaxed match of the Capilene midweight is comfortable, however it could actually trigger gentle bunching below some midlayers. We additionally wouldn’t thoughts extra shade choices, but it surely’s not a deal breaker by any means

Fast Specs

patagonia midweight capilene base layer stock image in gray

Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew

Breathable Midweight Base Layer


CleverHiker Score:

75.3/100


Value:

$79


Weight:

6.2 oz.(Males’s M)


Material/Weight:

Midweight polyester

Execs

  • Reasonably priced
  • Sturdy
  • Snug
  • Simple to layer

Cons

  • Not as heat or odor-resistant as wool

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 below fleeces and jackets. – Photograph Credit score: Brett Kretzer (CleverHiker.com)

Consolation

The Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew has a lot of considerate design components that improve general consolation. The material is tender towards the pores and skin and barely stretches, permitting it to maneuver with you throughout cardio actions. The raglan sleeve building gives additional freedom of motion and will get the shoulder seams out of the best way 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 below different layers when placing it by our motion take a look at. This isn’t a deal-breaker, however value contemplating if you happen to plan on layering regularly. Regardless of this, the low-profile thumb loops are a wise addition, serving to maintain the sleeves in place when layering and offering additional hand protection when wanted.

Whereas the material isn’t the softest, the mix of its stretch, considerate match, and sensible options makes the Capilene Midweight Crew a snug 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 stage of heat that works properly in varied circumstances. A technique it stands out is its wonderful warmth-to-weight ratio, making it a really perfect selection for many who want heat with out added bulk. It gives a formidable quantity of heat for less than weighing 6.2 ounces. The Capilene Midweight is equally efficient as a standalone and base layer in colder winter circumstances.

The distinctive diamond-grid sample of the material performs an essential function in protecting 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 sips from a water bottle while wearing the Patagonia Capilene base layer. Trees are in the background.
The Patagonia Capilene falls properly right into a relaxed match. – Photograph Credit score: Brett Kretzer (CleverHiker.com)

Breathability

The Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew excels in breathability, making it a strong selection for high-output actions. Its capability to let air circulate by 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. You possibly can really feel simply the correct quantity of breeze—sufficient to maintain you cool and cozy with out compromising a whole lot of heat. Whether or not you’re pushing by a tricky path run or just having fun with a brisk hike, the Capilene Midweight’s breathability is essential in sustaining consolation all through your exercise.

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

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)

Versatility

The Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew is likely one of 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 carrying 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 snug sleeping shirt for lengthy backpacking journeys. The thumb holes 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 searching for a base layer for high-output actions or a comfy high for a variety of circumstances, the Capilene Midweight Crew delivers the fitting stability of heat, consolation, and performance. Its adaptability makes it a helpful piece in any out of doors wardrobe.

A close up of the wrists on the Patagonia Capilene. Trees are in the background.
We love the additional protection that the thumbloops present on the Patagonia Capilene – Photograph Credit score: Brett Kretzer (CleverHiker.com)

Type

The Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew presents a clear, informal type that’s well-suited for varied 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, but it surely matches comfortably into informal environments. Whether or not you’re on the path or working errands, it blends in simply with out feeling misplaced.

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

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 closeup of the neck loop on the Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew.
The hanging loop is a sturdy piece of paracord. – Photograph Credit score: Brett Kretzer (CleverHiker.com)

Ought to You Purchase the Smartwool Traditional Thermal?

The Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew is a well-rounded base layer that balances heat, breathability, and luxury. With its wonderful warmth-to-weight ratio, it performs properly in quite a lot of circumstances. 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 perfect for high-output actions, whereas the low-profile thumbholes, building, and relaxed match contribute to its general 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 shade choices might go away some wanting extra selection, however its performance and flexibility are the place it shines.

This crew is a superb possibility for hikers, skiers, and runners searching for year-round adaptability with out an enormous price ticket. It might not be the only option for these in search of most heat or a light-weight summer season layer, but it surely’s arduous to beat for on a regular basis versatility.

A hiker shows a close up of the wrists and thumbloops on the Patagonia Capilene. Trees are in the background.
The thumbloops are minimal and understated, simply stowing away when not in use. – Photograph Credit score: Brett Kretzer (CleverHiker.com)

What Different Base Layers Ought to You Think about?

Smartwool Traditional All-Season Assessment: That is one other midweight base layer with a superb warmth-to-weight ratio. The Traditional All-Season is merino wool as a substitute of artificial, providing extra heat and odor resistance.

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.

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