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Patagonia Women’s R1 CrossStrata Hoody: first impressions
Mountain weather can vary, and when the seasons seem to change so unexpectedly, so too should your layering system – which makes the Patagonia Women’s R1 CrossStrata Hoody arguably an ideal hybrid that’s well suited to the UK’s ever-changing wet, cold and drizzly climate.
One might be tempted to wonder, though, if the R1 CrossStrata Hoody is a bit of a zebra crossed with a donkey? Is it more of a fleece, more of a jacket, or both? If we’re rooting for it to be Team Zebra – aka fleece – then as a mid layer you’d be tempted to wear it underneath an outer shell to keep really warm and cosy, but there are arguably different weights of fleeces in the Patagonia range that would have more oomph as a standalone insulator. Or if you’re more Team Donkey – aka a jacket – then it’s arguably more so thanks to its accessible, useful pockets, its water repellent treatment and its features such as a hood and a drop-in pocket with button closure.
If you’re happy to be in Team Zedonk, then the R1 CrossStrata Hoody is a hybrid performance mid layer with versatile heat retaining and shedding properties that can be worn as an outer, which also performs really well in the UK’s ever changeable mountain climate.
• List price: £170 / €190 / $189
• Weight: 298g / 10.5oz
• Sizes: XS to XXL
• Colors: Touring Red / Buckhorn Green / Black / Conifer Green / Burl Red / Lagoon Blue / Steam Blue
• Material: 90% recycled polyester / 10% elastane
• Compatibility: Trekking, walking
Patagonia’s eco credentials help make this jacket stand out. Bluesign approval means that the fabric has been manufactured in a factory without producing harmful substances at each step of the supply chain, so it is certified as safe for the environment, workers and customers. Patagonia items are also Fairtrade certified, meaning a better deal for workers involved in their manufacture.
The durable water repellent (DWR) finish is made without the use of harmful per fluorinated chemicals (PFCs/PFAS), meaning at every stage the jacket has been made with consideration for the overall sustainability of the manufacturing process. The jacket is also made with 90% recycled polyester.
Patagonia Women’s R1 CrossStrata Hoody: on the trails
Feature wise, I particularly liked the fit and construction of the cuffs on the arms, the elasticised hood and hem. This low-profile design made sure the jacket felt more ‘fitted’ without the unnecessary addition of too many bulky toggles or pull cords flapping around in the wind. It was also good to note that a helmet can be worn with the hood up.
When it comes to warmth-to-weight ratio, the Patagonia Women’s R1 CrossStrata Hoody was warm enough to trap some heat without being too heavyweight, thanks to the double weave construction and unique zig-zag texture that feels soft and warm next to the skin.
The outer fabric has a DWR treatment so water can bead off, meaning that if you were hiking uphill and suddenly needed a bit of extra insulation on the move it would be ideal. I tested the R1 CrossStrata Hoody on a particularly dreich day, where it was neither dry nor wet and the mountain weather loomed over Buttermere in England’s Lake District. A light drizzle was visible on my backpack, so it was the perfect weather to test the water repellence of the hoody, which managed to stop the water from soaking into my mid layers. I also found the hoody was great at resisting odd showers, giving me time to reach in for a waterproof jacket when the weather started to turn to proper rain.
I did have to size the layering up to a medium as I wear a size 10-12 and found the small version of the jacket was a lot smaller than expected and came up a much slimmer fit than I liked.
One of my favourite qualities of the R1 CrossStrata Hoody though was the mobility in the jacket. Thanks to just the right combination of stretch fabric, it allowed me to move my arms and make sure I had protection across the shoulders and upper body without the jacket riding up. This makes it a highly versatile jacket for alpine climbing – for instance when the wind is blowing getting ready for a multi pitch rock climb, or when an extra layer helps standing in the shade of a sport climb.
