To begin with, the structure of the jacket is much more than regular fleece jackets. It is constructed with a moisture-wicking, brushed-mesh lining that increases its stability. When I first took it out of the box, I was surprised by its stiffness, but the nylon panels along the side make it easy to move in without compromising on protective layers of warmth. In addition, a windproof barrier in between the lining and the fleece is perfect for the biting New England winds that seem to whip through around now (and all season...). Also, I have to give props to Patagonia for also thinking green. Their polyester pile is 78% recycled.
When I bought my coat, it only came in the "irregular" color of mushroom. Since I don't tend to trust myself with light colored clothing, I was hesitant at first. However, now I love it! The light brown is a perfect fall color and it pairs well with just about anything. I also haven't worn it as a layer yet and am worried it might be too bulky to put under my Oakley bomber coat (review to come cause I absolutely love it!).
You can check out more stats on Patagonia's Retro-X fleece here.
I layer my retro-X all the time and it is fantastic. Of course it depends on the type of coat you're putting it under, but under a heavy shell it is perfection in bitter cold. I've put it under a Patagonia micropuff jacket too; that was a bit bulky but that is what happens when you wear two insulating layers... I'm willing to compromise some mobility for warmth when the temp is -20F.
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