Tops

Patagonia now make four Capilene fabrics for different levels of exertion and temperatures; it is still a moisture-wicking polyester fabric that keeps you warm even when wet and dries quickly, but now Capilene polyester is also at least 50% recycled (made with more than 50% recycled polyester, derived in roughly equal measures from plastic bottles and fabric scraps), and features Gladiodor* (how do they think of them!) natural odour control. All these garments are machine washable.

C1 is the silkiest and can be worn alone or as a baselayer.

C2 is a great weight for aerobic use in mild to cool conditions.

C3 is a versatile, do it all baselayer for active use in cool to cold conditions.

C4 is the warmest Capilene fabric. It features an inside-facing grid pattern that disperses moisture, aids in compressibility and retains warmth in cold conditions.

Polartec Powerstretch®: is a very lightweight and stretchy fabric that is none-the-less very warm and quickdrying though not especially windproof. It is ideally suited as an extra layer in summer and for high aerobic activities in winter. ("Microfleece" and "Powerfleece" are a similar fabrics of a similar weight to Powerstretch but are usually a bit cheaper as it comes from many sources.)

Light Weight: Lightweight quick wicking tops from other manufacturers that are similar to Patagonia C1 and C2 in performance.

Rab - Men's Aeon Tee

£24.99

Relaxed fit tee in luxurious ultralightweight silkweight superfine polyester fabric. Excellent next to the skin as part of a technical layering system but can also be worn on its own in warmer climates. A man's version.

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Rab - Women's Aeon Tee

£24.99

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OMM - Men's Rapid Zip

£37.95

A men's light weight short sleeved zip top first layer for running and biking. A two way stretch first layer top with good wicking properties, it is designed to be worn under a pack which it why it has additional mesh panels on the back to increase the movement of perspiration.

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OMM - Women's Rapid Zip

£37.95

A women's light weight short sleeved zip top first layer for running and biking. A two way stretch first layer top with good wicking properties, it is designed to be worn under a pack which it why it has additional mesh panels on the back to increase the movement of perspiration.

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OMM - Vector Zip

£39.95

A mid weight first layer or light weight second layer, the Vector Zip, with its long venting zip, is great to have in your pack. It can either be worn next to the skin on cooler days or be used as a light weight fleece substitute, giving warmth without weight.

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C2: A great weight for aerobic use in mild to cool conditions.

Patagonia - Men's C2 Capilene® Crew

£39.99

Long sleeved top made with open, highly breathable knit and feathery weight of Capilene® 2 to afford unhindered airflow, excellent wicking for endurance activities in warm to moderate temperatures--it's also the fastest-drying Capilene®. Ideal for fell-running, glacier travel etc.

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Patagonia - Women's C2 Capilene® Crew

£39.99

Lightweight long-sleeved base layer - perfect for highly aerobic activities and alpine glacier travel.

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C3: A versatile, do it all baselayer for active use in cool to cold conditions.

Patagonia - Men's C3 Capilene® Crew

£44.99

Ideal as a baselayer for endurance activities in cool to cold temperatures - eg winter climbing. Capilene® 3 moves moisture effectively to keep you dry. Its brushed "honeycomb" fabric interior retains heat, while its smooth jersey exterior glides easily beneath layers. The fit is contoured and sleek without being restrictive.

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Patagonia - Men's C3 Capilene® Zip-Neck

£54.99

Ideal as a baselayer for endurance activities in cool to cold temperatures - eg winter climbing.

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Patagonia - Women's C3 Capilene® Zip-Neck

£54.99

Midweight baselayer with a zip-neck for extra ventilation and neck coverage. Good for winter climbing/walking.

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C4: The warmest Capilene fabric. It features an inside-facing grid pattern that disperses moisture, aids in compressibility and retains warmth in cold conditions.

Patagonia (Sale) - Men's C4 Capilene® Zip-Neck

Special Offer £42.50 !!

Very warm thermal underwear for very cold places. Only S left now.

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Patagonia - Women's C4 Capilene® Zip-Neck

Special Offer £42.50 !!

Very warm thermal underwear for very cold places - the warmest and most breathable baselayer in the Capilene® family.

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Powerstretch®: A very lightweight and stretchy fabric that is none-the-less very warm and quickdrying though not especially windproof. It is idealy suited as an extra layer in summer and for high aerobic activities in winter. ("Microfleece" and "Powerfleece" are a similar fabrics of a similar weight to Powerstretch but are usually a bit cheaper as it comes from many sources.)

Rab - Men's Power Stretch Zip Top

£59.95

A fast wicking and quick drying Polartec® Power Stretch® half zip pull on top designed as a midlayer or warm base layer. A man's version.

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Rab - Women's Power Stretch Zip Top

£59.95

A fast wicking and quick drying Polartec® Power Stretch® half zip pull on top designed as a midlayer or warm base layer.

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*Most companies use heavy-metal (silver) ions to kill the bacteria that causes unpleasant pongs in their clothing, but heavy metals are a major groundwater pollutant which are not safe for human ingestion. Also bacteria can build resistance to silver. These risks were unacceptable to Patagonia, so they have developed a safe, non-polluting alternative which they call Gladiodor. This is a natural odour control which comprises naturally derived amino acid chains which kills odour-causing bacteria. It is non-polluting and safe for humans. It is also durable.