Comfort
Nothing stood out as overly comfortable or uncomfortable with the Capilene Crew. The fabric wasn’t as soft against the skin as the Outdoor Research or Smartwool tops which largely contributed to the average ranking. Double knit polyester design helped give the tee a light and airy feel, which allowed for unrestricted movement. Seams were noticeable, but not in anyway irritating or uncomfortable.

Fit
Compared to other tops, the Capilene Lightweight Crew fit as expected for a base layer, snug against the body. The sleeves fell perfectly just past the wrist with ample space to pull them up when needed. There was some tension throughout the sleeves when using the thumb loops, however due to the elasticity of the loops, it never became an issue.

Wicking Ability
Patagonia Capilene is legendary amongst skiers and climbers for its ability to wick sweat during high activity outings, so it’s no surprise it excelled during running. Being one of the thinnest tops in the test, the Capilene Lightweight Crew performed best on warmer days when moisture output is high. The open grid pattern next to the skin provided excellent breathability and moisture wicking. This shirt had the fastest drying time of all the tops.

Warmth
There is very little protection from the cold with this top and it was the thinnest in the test using 2.3-oz (80-g) recycled polyester. Although it’s designed to be one layer among many, it did serve as a nice standalone long sleeve option for mild days.

Features
The Patagonia Lightweight Crew is loaded with features, mostly designed to help it excel as a base layer. Elastic thumb straps kept the sleeves from riding up and a full underarm gusset offered unrestricted range of motion.

Durability
For such a thin shirt, the Capilene Lightweight Crew held up surprisingly well. There were minor pulls in the fabric over time, but that didn’t affect the performance of the top.

Fabric: 2.3-oz (80-g) 100% Recycled Polyester Double Knit