I am looking for a good midlayer for this winter for climbing and backpacking. I like the looks of both the Ibex Indie and the Patagonia R1 hoodies. I am wondering if one comes more highly recommended than the other and why? How effective is the odor resistant treatment on the Patagonia? Thanks for any input.

I don't see these pieces as comparing apples to apples, as I think they do different things (both well, but not the same). I have the R1; I don't have the Indie but I have other similar merino garments. The Indie is 195 g/m2 merino, meaning it is a baselayer-weight garment. The R1 is made with Polartec PowerDry, which is a lightweight gridded fleece fabric. The R1 is a much warmer garment, and suitable for colder temps than the Indie.

Personally, I'd use the Indie (or similar merino hoody, e.g. Icebreaker 200) as a hooded base layer for temps between about 40F and 15F, under a light wind shell. I would add a merino T-shirt or LS shirt underneath at the lower end of that range. Below 15, I break out the R1, with a merino t-shirt or long sleeve shirt or hoody under it as temps dictate. Getting into negative digits, I add a fleece vest over top. All this is presuming fairly strenuous activity, of course. I live in Ottawa, Canada, so your temperature comfort ranges may differ from mine depending where you are and what you are used to.

The R1 is excellent for keeping you warm and wicking moisture during strenuous activity in cold temperatures, but I've found it only so-so in the odor department. I can wear my merino clothes for weeks without odor issues, but I need to wash my R1 every few times I wear it. Fantastic garment, though.

for winter climbing r1 or the equivalent ... its warmer, breathes well and dries quickly ...

and is very durable

stinkiness just keeps away the polar bears ...

you want something that dries very quickly in winter from all yr sweat ... there is no such thing as "warm when wet" in winter ... just "frozen when wet"

i have no experience with the ibex, but i do have experience with R1.

the R1 held on to odor like crazy for me, but i'm a stinky guy. i've yet to find a synthetic that is odor-proof anywhere near merino wool. i have a smartwool ziptop that is exclusively my baselayer for backpacking because of stink.

the R1 is not a bad piece, but it is stinky for me.

hope that helps.

So buy both? Sounds good.

Yes, purchase both, as each one has their place. For what it's worth, I've yet to wash my BPL Beartooth hoody and I'm going on 1yr., it's been on about 5 trips, a dozen short trail runs, a day hike or 2, and I still haven't laundered it besides the occasional ring out at a creek crossing. It doesn't stink in my opinion, smells like merino with a hint of Dr. Bonners.

Different tools for different jobs. I have the R1 Hoody and the BPL beartooth and they are both great. I use the beartooth for winter running as it regulates body temps better and I use the R1 in the mountains when I am more concerned about pure warmth.

One thing you might try is wearing a light (3-4 oz) merino T under your R1 - feels better against your skin, keeps stink down.

I have the R1 but not the Indie, though I have lighter and heavier garments than the Indie from Ibex and they work very well and have been surprisingly durable.

I have had both and must concur that they are two different pieces. The Ibex will not keep you as warm as the R1 but the R1 can also not be worn is as warm of a temperature.