Arc’teryx Rho Heavyweight Zip-Neck Base Layer Overview

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 possibility on our record of finest base layers and the one we attain for on the yr’s coldest days.

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

The Rho Heavyweight will not be solely sensible but in addition seems nice. We repeatedly put on it as a pointy fleece that claims, “I prefer to get after it, however I additionally love to relax with a glass of wine.”

The Rho Heavyweight makes for a wonderful base layer within the winter and mid-layer in the course of the shoulder months, but it surely tends to remain at dwelling in the course of 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.

Many 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 appears like a tremendous rabbit’s fur.

We’re at all times a fan of a neck zipper, and on this case, it means that you can dial in your required match whether or not you want some additional 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 comfortable wrist cuffs whereas the chest and shoulders are free 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 concerning 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 cloth 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 important arteries, making an enormous distinction in heat retention.

The artificial fibers on the Rho Heavyweight wick moisture surprisingly nicely, rivaling most wool layers. The moisture-wicking helps to maintain moisture away out of your physique, additional rising 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 comfortable fleece layer throughout shoulder seasons. It’s not your best 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 nicely 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 dashing 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 gentle wind from penetrating your entire garment. Thus, we didn’t really feel a lot of a breeze by means of the Rho Heavyweight. This might be a destructive in an lively base layer like a working shirt or solar hoodie, however as a result of this base layer is designed to insulate, we rely it as a win. Ideally, we attempt to keep away from extra sweat build-up in chilly climate. Nevertheless, due to the wonderful 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 great 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 below 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 lively base layer solely within the coldest climate, and a passive insulating layer the remainder of the yr. It doesn’t get a lot use within the summertime, however for those who reside in a colder local weather or camp at excessive elevations, it could positively function a light-weight fleece for cold temps.

Fashion

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

Whereas some base layers can look just a little pajama-like, the Rho Heavyweight is flattering, and you’ll really feel assured carrying it as an outer layer for nearly any event. The emblem 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 completely different colorways, a couple of of that are similar to one another. We wish to see a couple of extra coloration choices, however seven isn’t dangerous, and the colours which can 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 needs 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 the direction of chilly climate, but it surely’s a stable addition.

The Rho Heavyweight outperforms most base layers if 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 hold 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 drugs. 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. 

People seeking to put money into their first base layer that may be their go-to all yr spherical may wish 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 Think about?

REI Midweight Half Zip Overview: The REI Midweight Half Zip is similar to the Rho Heavyweight as it’s artificial, heat, and incorporates 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 Traditional Thermal: The Traditional 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 Overview: The Ortovox Rock’n’Wool has the perfect 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.