I purchased this fleece to accompany my Patagonia Liquid Sky waterproof shell. Although my fleece looks a bit different from the one pictured on this site, it is the fleece that was especially designed to zip into the Liquid Sky Shell. I believe it was retail about $110 but I got it on a small sale for about $95. Anyway, it does exactly what it is supposed to do, and it does it well--it is designed to be the perfect companion to the shell. Every small feature of this fleece makes it perfect to zip into the shell, but my problem with it is to wear alone. I use this mostly to wear around town (I live in New York, where it can get pretty chilly), but to wear it alone is more bad than good--especially when you look at the same-price-range competitors. Firstly, the wrists aren't elastic, so they don't conform to your wrist--this is really annoying to always have the sleeves go over your hand, and wind always blows inside, but again, when you put it into the shell, you wouldn't want elastic around the wrist because of the velcro on the shell. I also think it is very form-fitting. I weigh a little over 200 Ibs., and I wear a large in everything, but this really hugs my body--I wish it was a bit more baggy, but the XL size is much bigger. This is also made to be an insulation layer that breathes incredibly well, and it does--it compliments the shell perfectly--you are almost always comfordable. Yet when you wear it alone, because it is made to be so breathable, the wind goes right through it. I know people that have the windproof version of the Synchilla fleece, or the North Face Denali fleece, or some type of Gore Windstopper material, and those are so superior to this! Wind cuts right through this thing--you can feel cold winds go right through it and onto your arm. But, put it under the water and windproof shell, and that ain't a problem. Other than that I wish it had some sort of drawcord hem around the waist to seal out winds. It was nearly $100, and on many sites on the internet now you can get Gore Windstopper Marmot or Northface fleeces for that much! Bottom line? This is like toast and jam when combined with the Liquid Sky shell, but I'm going to have to buy another, nicer fleece for wearing alone.

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