Arc'teryx Proton SL vs Rab Evolute vs Patagonia R2 TechFace Hoody
Three Technical Hoodies For Cold Weather Missions
If you are looking for a technical hoodie you can trust on cold winter hikes, alpine climbs, or long days lapping the resort, this one is for you.
I am breaking down three of our favorite performance mid layer hoodies that punch way above their weight on cold, high output days. I have been wearing one of them a lot here in Toledo as temps dropped into the teens, in and out of the Ridge and River store all day, and it has been rock solid.
We are looking at:
All three are technical mid layers that regulate heat and moisture while you are working hard in cold conditions. The differences are pretty small, so we are splitting hairs here, but those little details are what make you fall in love with a jacket.
Rab Evolute Hoody
Purpose built warmth for serious ascents
The first piece is the Rab Evolute Hoody, which is the one I am wearing in the video.
This is a true mid layer for steep climbs, winter hikes, and stop and go alpine missions where you are putting out a lot of effort, pausing, then going again.
Insulation and comfort
Inside, the Evolute uses a synthetic, Primaloft style, fleecy insulation that is:
-
Very warm for the weight
-
Highly breathable
-
Designed to pull sweat off your body and push it out into the air
That combo is what keeps you from getting chilled once you stop moving. It pulls moisture off your base layer, dumps it outward, and keeps warm air trapped close to your body.
I have worn this on a classic cold, wet Midwest day here in Toledo, around 12 degrees, running in and out of the store, hauling cardboard, and working outside. I stayed genuinely cozy the whole time. No drama, it just worked.
Fit and features
The Evolute is pretty simple and mission driven:
-
Two hand pockets
-
Minimal fuss, minimal bulk
-
Athletic, performance oriented cut
This is not a lifestyle piece with tons of storage. It is built for people who care more about performance than extra pocket count.
Best for
Choose the Rab Evolute if you are into:
-
Steep alpine climbs
-
Snowy hiking where you are working hard then stopping
-
High output backcountry days in open terrain where abrasion is not your main concern
-
Wanting a cozy feel and strong performance at a better price than some of the more premium options
Patagonia Men’s R2 TechFace Hoody
Technical, weather resistant, and easy to wear every day
Next up is the Patagonia Men’s R2 TechFace Hoody.
Visually, this one just pops. The carbon gray outer with the orange zipper pulls, purple and blue zipper details, and that old school Patagonia logo all work together in a really fun way. On a rack, it is easily one of the best looking pieces.
Regulator fleece that breathes
The R2 TechFace uses Patagonia’s Regulator fleece on the inside. Functionally, it behaves very similarly to the insulation in the Rab Evolute.
It:
-
Regulates temperature between your body and the cold exterior
-
Moves heat and moisture outward
-
Keeps enough warmth in without letting cold air flood through
You get that same breathable warmth that works well for moving in the cold without overheating quickly.
Pocket layout and versatility
Where the R2 TechFace really stands out is storage and general versatility.
Compared to the Rab Evolute, which only has two hand pockets, the R2 TechFace has:
-
More external pockets
-
A layout that works well for everyday winter wear
-
Extra organization if you like having a spot for phone, keys, snacks, and small essentials
Because of that, it feels like a great crossover jacket that can:
-
Crush fall and winter hikes
-
Handle cold weather travel and daily use
-
Still be a solid technical piece, just slightly less focused on pure alpine missions
Fit and fabric feel
A couple of key points:
-
Patagonia cuts tend to fit a wider variety of body types
-
The R2 TechFace feels more true to size for most people
-
The face fabric is almost a soft shell style material, which gives it slightly more water resistance than the other two
So if you want one jacket that works for city wear, hiking days in Oak Openings Metropark, and colder shoulder season adventures, this is an easy pick.
Best for
Go with the R2 TechFace if you:
-
Want more pockets and everyday versatility
-
Like louder colors or more personality in your outerwear
-
Need a jacket that is still technical but not as narrowly focused on high output, alpine only use
-
Prefer a more forgiving, true to size fit
Arc'teryx Proton SL Hoody
Super light, abrasion resistant, and built to move fast
Last up is the Arc'teryx Proton SL Hoody.
SL stands for super light, and this is the lightest of all three jackets in this comparison.
Performance first design
The Proton SL is very stripped down and performance driven:
-
Lightweight synthetic insulated mid layer
-
Simple, athletic cut
-
Minimal pockets
-
Designed around movement and breathability
Just like the other two, its whole thing is temperature regulation while you are working hard in cold conditions. It moves moisture away from your body while trapping enough heat to keep you comfortable.
Think cold winter hikes, fast approaches, ski touring laps, or backcountry missions where you are producing a lot of sweat but still need real warmth.
Abrasion resistance and shell feel
The big difference you notice right away is the outer fabric.
Compared to the softer face on the Rab Evolute:
-
The Proton SL has a more structured, slightly crunchy outer
-
It feels more abrasion resistant
-
You can hear that tougher fabric as you move it around
This makes the Proton SL a great choice for:
-
Cold weather rock climbing
-
Scrambling and ridge travel
-
Missions where you are brushing against rock, ice, or trees
You still get great breathability and warmth regulation, but with more protection from rough surfaces.
Best for
Pick the Arc'teryx Proton SL if you:
-
Want the lightest and most mission focused piece
-
Plan to be around rock and rough terrain a lot
-
Do ski touring, fast hiking, or almost trail running in winter
-
Prefer a more technical, athletic cut with minimal extras
Side by side comparison
Here is a quick breakdown in simple terms.
Weight and feel
-
Lightest: Arc'teryx Proton SL
-
Next light: Rab Evolute
-
Heaviest (still pretty light): Patagonia R2 TechFace
The difference is in grams, so nothing here is bulky. But if you really care about keeping weight as low as possible, the Proton SL comes out on top.
Breathability and warmth
All three are designed to:
-
Pull moisture off your body
-
Push it outward
-
Trap enough warm air to keep you comfortable in the cold
For pure performance and high output use:
-
Rab Evolute and Arc'teryx Proton SL feel the most similar
-
Both are very breathable and great for serious effort in cold conditions
The R2 TechFace is still very capable, but leans slightly toward all around versatility.
Durability and weather resistance
-
Most abrasion resistant: Arc'teryx Proton SL
-
Softest feel against the hand: Rab Evolute
-
Most soft shell like and slightly more water resistant: Patagonia R2 TechFace
If you are weaving between rocks and scraping against rough surfaces, the Proton SL wins. If you want something a bit softer and cozier to the touch, the Rab Evolute feels great. If you expect light precip or wind and want a soft shell style outer, the R2 TechFace is a strong choice.
Pockets and storage
-
Minimal pockets: Rab Evolute and Arc'teryx Proton SL
-
Most pockets: Patagonia R2 TechFace
If you like to carry small items on your chest and in hand pockets and do not want to dig in your pack as often, the Patagonia has the layout you will enjoy most.
Fit and who each jacket suits
-
Rab Evolute: More athletic cut, performance focused, cozy interior, great price to performance
-
Arc'teryx Proton SL: Narrow, very athletic cut, highly technical, ideal for rock, ski touring, and fast moving missions
-
Patagonia R2 TechFace: Fits a wider range of body types, more true to size, works for both trail and town
Which technical hoody should you choose
If you want a simple way to decide, here is the quick breakdown.
Choose the Arc'teryx Proton SL Hoody if:
-
You focus on ski touring, fast hiking, backcountry missions, or cold weather rock climbing
-
You want the most abrasion resistant option
-
You like that super light, stripped back performance feel
👉 Shop Arc'teryx Proton SL Hoody at Ridge and River
Choose the Rab Evolute Hoody if:
-
You want something cozy with excellent thermal regulation
-
You are doing high output activities in open spaces where abrasion is not a big worry
-
You like a purpose built performance piece at a friendlier price
👉 Shop Rab Evolute Hoody at Ridge and River
Choose the Patagonia Men’s R2 TechFace Hoody if:
-
You still want a technical mid layer but with more pockets
-
You like a slightly more soft shell like exterior and a bit more water resistance
-
You want a jacket that works just as well in town as it does on trail
-
You need a fit that works on a wider variety of body types
👉 Shop Patagonia Men’s R2 TechFace Hoody at Ridge and River
You really cannot go wrong with any of these. All three lines have been around for years, are well proven, and continue to perform in real world use.
Grab yours at Ridge and River and save
If you want to see how these fit on your body, feel the fabrics, and decide which one is right for your kind of cold weather fun, come see us in person.
📍 Visit our brick and mortar store in Toledo, Ohio:
Ridge and River Toledo Location
📍 Or stop by our Levis Commons location:
Ridge and River Levis Commons Location
You can also shop all three online at ridgeandriver.com, and use the code YouTube10 at checkout for 10 percent offyour next purchase.
Watch the full breakdown on YouTube
If you want to hear all of this in my own words and see the jackets up close, check out the full video review here:
Drop a comment on the video and let us know which mid layer you are using this winter and why you like it.
Stay connected with Ridge and River
For more gear breakdowns, real world testing, and outdoor inspiration, make sure to follow us:
-
Instagram: @ridgeandrivergear
-
YouTube: Ridge and River YouTube Channel
Hit subscribe, leave a like, and share with a friend who is always freezing on winter hikes. That support helps us keep making these videos and guides for you.
