$229 | als.com (Arian Stevens photo)
December 03, 2024
By Fly Fisherman Staff
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Have you heard of chemical compounds called per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)? They are also known as “forever chemicals” because they persist in our water, in the fish, in our bodies, and they have been linked to health hazards such as liver damage, asthma, and cancer. Patagonia has been busy replacing products that contain PFAS, and reported that as of spring 2024, “about 96 percent of Patagonia’s materials by weight with water-repellent chemistries are made without PFAS.” Their goal is to be completely rid of PFAS in all products by 2025.
The latest PFAS-free design is the new R2 TechFace Pullover with a soft, grid-fleece interior and a smooth, abrasion-resistant exterior. The R2 is light and surprisingly warm—perfect for under waders in the spring and fall when the weather is highly variable and you can expect to see large temperature swings through the day. The soft shell is also stretchy and comfortable in active situations like rowing, casting, or hiking. The R2 has a giant pass-through kangaroo pocket in the front, a half-zip at the front, and a single zippered chest pocket that can hold a large fly box. It has Patagonia’s new durable water repellent (DWR) treatment to shed water, but does not contain any of those nasty PFAS.
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It’s made from 93% recycled polyester and 7% Spandex. An overlay of smooth face fabric on the shoulders and cuffs delivers durability in high-wear areas where suspenders and packs might chafe. This contrast material on the pockets and shoulders is 86% recycled polyester certified by OceanCycle and sourced from coastal communities at risk of plastic pollution.
Total weight is 480 grams. It’s available in black or Pine Needle Green, and in six sizes XS to XXL.
$229 | als.com
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To read all of the nitty gritty, field-tested reviews of new fly-fishing gear for 2025, grab a copy of Gear Guide 2025 at https://www.osgnewsstand.com/product/ff-gear-guide-2025 .
