Arc’teryx Rho Heavyweight Zip-Neck Base Layer Evaluate

Backside Line

From our climate-controlled lab to frigid alpine begins within the Rocky Mountains, the Arc’teryx Rho Heavyweight Zip Neck base layer impressed us with its superior heat and luxury. It’s the warmest choice on our record of finest base layers and the one we attain for on the 12 months’s coldest days.

The fleece internal lining is extremely comfortable, whereas the sturdy nylon exterior stands as much as abrasion and simply slides beneath jackets. This prime’s moisture-wicking is supposed to maintain you heat and dry, and the neck zipper enables you to dump extra warmth.

The Rho Heavyweight isn’t solely sensible but additionally appears to be like nice. We repeatedly put on it as a pointy fleece that claims, “I wish to get after it, however I additionally love to relax with a glass of wine.”

The Rho Heavyweight makes for a superb base layer within the winter and mid-layer through the shoulder months, but it surely tends to remain at dwelling through the hottest months, awaiting its subsequent frigid journey.

Consolation

Out of all the bottom layers we examined, the Arc’teryx Rho Heavyweight is the one we’ve essentially the most bother taking off. It’s so extremely snug that we’ll put on it till we sweat.

A lot of the coziness comes from the brushed internal fleece materials, which is tremendous snug in opposition to naked pores and skin or layered over a t-shirt. Regardless of being an artificial fiber, the polyester fleece seems like a effective rabbit’s fur.

We’re all the time a fan of a neck zipper, and on this case, it permits you to dial in your required match whether or not you want some further heat up the neck or just a little extra airflow and mobility. The seams are unobtrusive and are rolled down to remain out of the best way of backpack straps. The match is the right steadiness of slim but relaxed. The arms taper all the way down to cosy wrist cuffs whereas the chest and shoulders are unfastened and roomy.

Whether or not layered as a base layer or a mid-layer, the Rho Heavyweight strikes precisely the way you need it to with out bunching up or constricting. We actually can’t say sufficient in regards to the consolation of this base layer.

Heat

The Rho Heavyweight is the warmest base layer that Arc’teryx makes and the warmest one we’ve examined. At 10.1 ounces, the quantity of material alone contributes to the heat of this base layer, but it surely goes a lot deeper than that. The Nylon exterior creates a breathable shell whereas the brushed Polartec fleece inside traps warmth.

The neck zips up past the attain of a typical crew neck, extending the shirt’s heat into vital areas. It gently hugs the underside of your neck round very important arteries, making an enormous distinction in heat retention.

The artificial fibers on the Rho Heavyweight wick moisture surprisingly properly, rivaling most wool layers. The moisture-wicking helps to maintain moisture away out of your physique, additional growing its thermoregulation.

Due to its superior heat, we love utilizing the Rho Heavyweight as our first line of protection in essentially the most arctic environments, chilly nights within the tent, in addition to a comfy fleece layer throughout shoulder seasons. It’s not the only option for summer time use or in case you are planning for a extremely cardio exercise and plenty of perspiration.

Breathability

When subjected to our managed drying check, the Rho Heavyweight carried out surprisingly properly for being such a thick base layer. It wicks moisture very effectively to the outer layers of the garment, the place it’s extra uncovered to wind, thus rushing up drying time. The Rho Heavyweight’s drying time is akin to that of different midweight wool and artificial base layers.

The nylon outer materials is shell-like, stopping mild wind from penetrating the complete garment. Thus, we didn’t really feel a lot of a breeze via the Rho Heavyweight. This is able to be a unfavorable in an energetic base layer like a operating shirt or solar hoodie, however as a result of this base layer is designed to insulate, we depend it as a win. Ideally, we attempt to keep away from extra sweat build-up in chilly climate. Nevertheless, due to the superb moisture wicking and fewer breathability of the Rho Heavyweight, sweat doesn’t trigger as a lot of a chilling impact.

Versatility

The Arc’teryx Rho Heavyweight is particularly made for chilly climate, however the fantastic thing about it’s that it really works as both a base layer or a mid-layer, extending its utilization. The match is simply slim sufficient, and the outer nylon materials is slick sufficient to layer beneath a fleece layer, puffy, and/or shell. Alternatively, the match is relaxed sufficient, particularly with the assistance of the neck zipper, to comfortably match over one other base layer and even a t-shirt.

The neck zipper additionally extends this prime’s utilization into shoulder months with the power to dump some extra warmth and get just a little extra airflow going. 

In contrast to different base layers we examined, the Rho Heavyweight comes with a useful breast pocket. The pocket simply suits a snack bar, sun shades, and most smartphones. 

We usually reserve the Rho Heavyweight as an energetic base layer solely within the coldest climate, and a passive insulating layer the remainder of the 12 months. It doesn’t get a lot use within the summertime, however if you happen to reside in a colder local weather or camp at excessive elevations, it may possibly undoubtedly function a light-weight fleece for cold temps.

Fashion

The Rho Heavyweight not solely performs properly, but it surely appears to be like phenomenal too. We’re suckers for a great neck zipper – one thing about it simply makes a fleece look higher. The zipper enables you to get so many various appears to be like out of 1 shirt.

Whereas some base layers can look just a little pajama-like, the Rho Heavyweight is flattering, and you may really feel assured carrying it as an outer layer for nearly any event. The brand retains a low profile, the arms are slim, there’s simply sufficient area within the chest and shoulders, and the waist tapers with out including an excessive amount of size.

The Rho Heavyweight is available in seven totally different colorways, just a few of that are similar to one another. We wish to see just a few extra shade choices, however seven isn’t dangerous, and the colours which might be provided are tasteful and understated.

Ought to You Purchase the Arc’teryx Rho Heavyweight Zip-Neck?

The Arc’teryx Rho Heavyweight Neck Zip is right for somebody who already has a flexible base layer or two, and desires so as to add one thing hotter to their quiver. We wouldn’t need this to be the one base layer in our closet, as it’s particularly focused in direction of chilly climate, but it surely’s a strong addition.

The Rho Heavyweight outperforms most base layers once you want final safety from the chilly and wind, like on a severe mountaineering expedition. It successfully traps warmth, wicks moisture away out of your physique, and dries surprisingly quick. The sturdy artificial fibers will preserve this base layer performing over years of heavy use.

The added options of the neck zipper and breast pocket make this layer a greater all-around piece of substances. The neck zipper can be utilized to dump warmth throughout cardio exercise, and the breast pocket is useful when worn as an outer or mid layer. 

Of us trying to spend money on their first base layer that may be their go-to all 12 months spherical would possibly need to look into one thing just a little extra versatile. Throughout summer time months, the Rho Heavyweight is sure to see extra closet time, eagerly awaiting colder climate.

What Different Base Layers Ought to You Contemplate?

REI Midweight Half Zip Evaluate: The REI Midweight Half Zip is similar to the Rho Heavyweight as it’s artificial, heat, and contains a neck zipper, however at round half the worth. The REI Midweight isn’t fairly as heat however has hand thumb loops and is healthier for year-round utilization. 

Smartwool Basic Thermal: The Basic Thermal is among the warmest wool base layers we examined. It doesn’t have the options of the Rho Heavyweight, however it’s almost as heat and has pure odor-resistant properties.

Ortovox 185 Rock’n’wool Lengthy Sleeve Evaluate: The Ortovox Rock’n’Wool has the very best warmth-to-weight ratio of any base layer we examined. It’s not as heat because the Rho Heavyweight, but it surely’s extra breathable, higher for cardio exercise, and hotter than most midweight base layers.