These pants are the perfect solution for those who don't like wearing tights underneath
When it comes to winter outdoor activities, one thing I struggle with is the underwear and tights that form the lower body layer. I'm not used to wearing tight-fitting underwear or tights, so wearing tight-fitting tights feels strange. Of course, there are flexible models with a milder fit, and I know that there are many benefits to tighter tights when it comes to performance such as heat retention, quick-drying, and moisture absorption, but my criteria and characteristics for choosing clothing are that I can wear comfortably
The Patagonia Men's R1 Pants were the perfect choice for me, someone who wants to enjoy winter hiking and mountain climbing in a relaxed atmosphere without feeling uncomfortable. R1 Pants are in the fly fishing category , but they fit just right without being too tight. The silhouette allows you to layer them, making them a comfortable, stress-free pair of pants that I can wear from the time I leave home until I get home, making them the perfect solution for me.
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Key Features of Patagonia Men's R1 Pants
Height 185cm, normal build, wearing size M
The R1 series is a lightweight, breathable technical fleece that is ideal for regulating body temperature while on the move. The material is made of durable, stretchy, and breathable Polartec Power Grid, making these pants extremely flexible and suitable for any outdoor activity
The spandex grid fleece provides warmth and moisture-wicking comfort during active activities. The smooth exterior allows for easy layering. The tapered silhouette allows for socks to be worn over or under socks, and the comfortable fit is not too tight. The adjustable elastic waistband and handwarmer pockets on both sides make these pants ideal for use as your primary pants during field trips
Favorite points
- Comfortable fit and no pressure
- Smooth fabric that won't catch when lifting your feet while walking
- The silhouette allows you to wear it as your main pants and it has pockets
- The smooth outer surface allows for easy movement without feeling bulky when layering
- Polartec Power Grid material provides excellent heat retention and breathability
Points of concern
- High insulation is a disadvantage during high-intensity activities
Patagonia Men's R1 Pants: Key Specifications and Ratings
| Item Name | Men's R1 Pants |
|---|---|
| weight | 354g |
| color | Basin Green |
| size | XS / S / M / L / XL |
| material | 6.9-oz Polartec Power Grid 93% recycled polyester/7% elastane grid fleece with HeiQ Pure odor control |
| Women's model | can be |
| Left and right front pockets | |
| Reference price | ￥19,800 tax included |
| Outdoor Gearzine Review | |
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| Heat retention | ★★★★☆ |
| Stuffiness | ★★★★★ |
| Ease of movement | ★★★★★ |
| Functionality | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| Portability | ★★★☆☆ |
| durability | ★★★★★ |
| Versatility | ★★★☆☆ |
Detailed review of the Patagonia R1 Pants
Late autumn in Mt. Tateyama. The temperature dropped to minus 7 degrees Celsius, but I was able to stay comfortable thanks to the Men's R1 Pants
I'll be sharing my experiences wearing the R1 while snowboarding on backcountry skis, cruising the slopes, climbing snowy mountains, and running in a field where temperatures range from 0℃ to -15℃
A comfortable fit that doesn't compress too much, yet has an exquisite silhouette that doesn't feel bulky when layered
As I mentioned at the beginning, I understand that tight-fitting underwear is better for maximizing the performance of clothing, but I often choose clothing with a loose fit because I'm not comfortable with it. What I like most about the Men's R1 Pants is the perfect fit and silhouette. The cut is perfect, so there's almost no pressure when wearing them, but they don't feel baggy either, allowing you to wear them comfortably without feeling any stress from tightness
It is comfortable to wear, but has a silhouette that fits the body well, without compromising its performance as underwear.It also has high elasticity, so it does not feel stiff when layered with ski wear, hard shell pants, rain pants, waders, or any other type of clothing
Highly stretchy, it won't hinder movement even when layered
While tight-fitting underwear might make you feel uncomfortable walking around town in them (in fact, I wouldn't recommend it), the Men's R1 Pants can be worn on the way home after enjoying outdoor activities. With pockets on both sides, you can easily wear just the Men's R1 Pants while traveling, and being able to easily head out into the field without having to change clothes—just putting on a hard shell or ski wear—was a convenient feature for someone like me who hates to bother. The waist drawstring allows you to adjust the pants to prevent them from slipping down, even during intense exercise
Drawstring for easy waist adjustment
The smooth outer surface prevents catching when lifting your feet while walking, eliminating stress
I believe that the fit is not the only factor that affects the comfort of underwear. Mountain climbing and hiking primarily involve lower body exercise, and when moving your legs and walking for long periods of time, if layers of clothing get caught on each other, the resistance makes it difficult to move, which is stressful and can also cause your pants to ride up
The men's R1 pants have a smooth outer surface that prevents the garment from catching on other garments, resulting in less resistance when lifting your legs and no stress or discomfort when walking. Not only the outer surface but the material itself is flexible, so even if it rubs against your skin, it doesn't cause chafing or other discomfort, making them comfortable to wear
The smooth outer fabric of the Men's R1 Pants reduces friction when layering
High heat retention from Polartec material and high breathability from Power Grid construction
The front lining of the Men's R1 Pants uses Polartec Power Grid, which provides an excellent balance of heat retention, moisture absorption, and breathability.When you actually wear them, you can feel the high breathability of the grooves in the grid, and they feel cool and refreshing when you walk
Polartec Power Grid provides a good balance of warmth, breathability, moisture wicking, and quick drying
The areas that touch the skin retain heat and absorb moisture, and when you sweat, the areas that touch the skin absorb the moisture while allowing air to circulate through the grooves. The absorbed sweat then spreads across the grooves, making them quick-drying. At Tateyama BC in the fall, the temperature was around -7°C, and I sweated profusely while carrying my snowboard for long periods of time. However, the Men's R1 Pants were breathable and quick-drying, so I didn't feel sticky even after sweating
When you hold it up to the light, you can see that the grooves are like a very thin mesh
Be careful, as high thermal insulation can be a drawback during high-intensity activities
The Men's R1 Pants are moisture-wicking, breathable, and quick-drying, but in our testing, we felt that their high insulation could actually be a drawback in less cold conditions
For example, I found it very comfortable wearing the Men's R1 Pants (with hard shell pants on top) on early mornings in the Yatsugatake Mountains in January when temperatures dropped to around -15°C, but on the other hand, when I walked in the Tanzawa area, where the temperature was around 5°C, wearing trekking pants over the Men's R1 Pants, I felt a little hot. Everyone perceives the cold differently, so it's hard to generalize, but I felt it was important to take the outside temperature and sweat rate into consideration to some extent when engaging in active activities in the fall and winter
The Men's R1 Pants are recommended for the snowy season, when temperatures are lower than in the non-snowy season. However, their high thermal insulation can be a drawback in temperatures that do not drop below freezing
It's great for situations where you need to stop and go, such as cruising down the slopes!
I mentioned that the Men's R1 Pants' heat retention is a drawback in environments where temperatures aren't particularly low, but that only applies when exercising. In situations where warmth is required, the Men's R1 Pants' heat retention is highly effective. I also tried the Men's R1 Pants in low-intensity environments, but I found them particularly comfortable when snowboarding on the slopes. Unlike BCs, the lifts are running, so the exercise isn't continuous; instead, you exercise while skiing and the lifts are stopped and started, resulting in repeated stop-and-go movements. While sitting on the lifts, your body gets cold, and while exercising while skiing, your body heats up. However, wearing the Men's R1 Pants provided a good balance of heat retention and sweat evacuation, making them extremely comfortable
The slopes were perfect for skiing and snowboarding
Summary: There is no right or wrong when it comes to layering. Depending on the combination, you can maximize the performance of the R1 Pants
I've worn the Men's R1 Pants for several months from late autumn through the depths of winter, and I'd like to summarize my impressions of what scenes and activities they are perfect for
I wouldn't recommend wearing it for high-intensity exercise like running when the temperature isn't too low, but for high-intensity activities like snow mountain climbing or backcountry skiing in bitterly cold weather, it provides just the right amount of warmth while also providing a good balance of moisture absorption, quick drying, and breathability, keeping the inside of the garment comfortable throughout the activity. It's also great for low-intensity activities like snow camping or skiing on the slopes, so you can stay comfortable without any issues
With countless clothing options on the market, pinpointing the optimal layering solution can be extremely difficult. Furthermore, layering also varies depending on the season, weather, and the environment you visit, so there's no single correct answer. However, for those who enjoy mountain climbing in the dead of winter, trout fishing in early spring, or cruising on the slopes, the Men's R1 Pants are sure to be a staple
Written by: Yosuke.C
A person who travels around with just one backpack, with the motto of "as light as possible" without causing inconvenience
From spring to autumn, I go fishing in mountain streams in pursuit of char deep in the mountains. I hike the mountains in search of spectacular views that cannot be seen from the ground. I camp to relax by a bonfire. I snowboard to experience the feeling of floating in the silvery white mountains
A freelance writer with over 20 years of outdoor experience who enjoys the outdoors in his own way all year round. Based on his experience writing articles for over a dozen outdoor web publications, he will share his own experiences and the best tools he has used
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