How to Choose Base Layers

This product is not available.
The men's Rho Heavyweight Zip-Neck base layer top from Arc'teryx is highly stretchy and pairs a durable, smooth face with a soft, brushed interior for warmth and wicking on cold, on-the-move days.
Shop similar productsImported.
View all Arc'teryx Men's Base Layer TopsBest Use | Multisport |
---|---|
Shirt Type | Partial-zip |
Fabric | Polartec Power Stretch Pro 53% polyester/38% nylon/9% elastane (bluesign®-approved) |
Moisture Wicking | Yes |
Underwear Weight | Heavyweight |
Sleeve Length | Long Sleeve |
Gender | Men's |
Sustainability | Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria |
XXS | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL | XXXL | XS Short | S Short | M Short | L Short | XL Short | XXL Short | S Tall | M Tall | L Tall | XL Tall | XXL Tall | 28 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 36 | 38 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chest | 33 | 35 | 37 | 40 | 43 | 47 | 51 | 54.5 | 35 | 37 | 40 | 43 | 47 | 51 | 37 | 40 | 43 | 47 | 51 | |||||||
Sleeve Length | 30 | 31.5 | 32.5 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | |||||||
Waist | 27 | 29 | 31 | 34 | 37 | 40.5 | 44.5 | 48.5 | 29 | 31 | 34 | 37 | 40.5 | 44.5 | 31 | 34 | 37 | 40.5 | 44.5 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
Hip | 32.5 | 34.5 | 36.5 | 39.5 | 42.5 | 46.5 | 50 | 54 | 34.5 | 36.5 | 39.5 | 42.5 | 46.5 | 50 | 36.5 | 39.5 | 42.5 | 46.5 | 50 | 35.5 | 37.5 | 39.5 | 40.5 | 41.5 | 43.5 | 45.5 |
Inseam | 31 | 31 | 31.5 | 32 | 32.5 | 33 | 33 | 29 | 29.5 | 30 | 30.5 | 31 | 31 | 34.5 | 35 | 35.5 | 36 | 36 | 31.5 | 31.5 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32.5 | 33 |
Measurements are stated in inches unless otherwise indicated.
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
I have had the chance to wear this fleece around 10 times. It’s stylish enough to wear around town yet capable enough to wear skiing or backpacking. I’m slender with a 30” waist and found the small to be snug yet comfortable because the material is super stretchy. I was comfortable in camp with a lightweight undershirt and this top when it was in the 50s. The chest pocket is tough feeling and practical for chapstick and maybe a handkerchief. It’s flat seams look sharp. Time will tell, but my guess is this is going to last a long time. The one thing that could be improved are the zipper pulls which fit loosely and flop around a bit.
Update: Yukon/mustard colour (mar 24) is longer, thinner, stretchier and has longer sleeves than the others green one (Dec 23). Both size S Would recommend green/pytheas, would not recommend Yukon personally. Updated with photos.
I purchase this zip neck on the beginning of February this year so at the end previous winter, this upgraded zip neck is 100% same as RHO AR ZIP NECK, except the color of the fabric on the chest pocket, (last year was darker). Like with the Rho Ar (Heavyweight) bottoms the top runs tight ( very close to skin) in comparison with other items such Kyanite AR or LT, which is good because you can have in results another layer of fleece over Rho AR/heavyweight zip neck top. Summarizing the only personal that I have with this top and all fleece from Arcteryx is that they do not come with cord in zip to make life easier when wearing gloves, I can forgive lack of this on the bottoms but not on the front zip and chest pocket.
This base layer is one I now use on every resort ski outing, as well as any instance where cold may be an issue. Even on cold days, with the wind blowing I can use this in the resort with no mid-layer and an uninsulated shell, or a thin mid layer for temps in the single digits or negative (Fahrenheit). Color: Love the color, fits well as a base layer, and the overall style has received compliments apres-ski Material and fit: This fits perfectly, can be worn on its own and not look out of place, I wear a size small and this fit well. The material is comfortable and can be worn comfortably for long periods of time. I winter camped with this for a night, and wouldn't have wished for something more comfortable or warmer. The material is also good at wicking away sweat in backcountry ventures and the zip is perfect for venting. Overall, a great, very warm baselayer, that is fitted well enough to keep me warm, but loose enough to look good. You'd be hard pressed to fins something warmer.
Super warm base layer but started pilling at collar in less than 3 months. If that bothers you then please don't buy this!!
Hi there. Thanks for sharing your feedback on the Rho Heavyweight Zip Neck. We are sorry to hear that you experienced pilling in the collar and that you are disappointed. We appreciate your comments and we will make sure to pass them to our team.
This is an excellent top for young men with athletic builds. For Christmas gifts, I bought one for each of my four nephews in Pytheas, a forest green shade. As I underestimated the size of one nephew and there were no more of the Pytheas, I had to buy the Phantasm…which is a gorgeous, rich color. All of the nephews love the warm, soft, but lightweight fabric, the flattering fit and and plan on wearing them for many years to come.
I'm 6'3", 210 lbs. I'd like to think myself as slim. The RHO Heavyweight Zip Neck is indeed a HEAVY base layer. It's a very thick base layer, the XL size arms are skin tight on me and the body is snug. Seems they should have compensated for the thickness of the material. This would be an excellent mid-layer if more room was provided in the arms. Impossible to wear a thin long sleeve base layer under it, must wear a short sleeve BL. Compare this to the XL RHO Hybrid 1/2 Zip base layer. Now this is as close to perfection for a base layer as I've seen. Very comfortable fit in the body and arms and warm fabric.
Bought the green one in December 23 and it's nice and thick, reasonably warm, smooth to the touch and fits quite snugly. Great purchase. Really lvoed it so just bought the mustard one (Mar 24) and it's much... floppier? While the material is super soft, it's not quite as warm and thick, and isn't as stiff (so the collar flops down and the sleeves aren't as snug). Not quite sure why this is the case, but I'm much less happy with the mustard than the green one. Will ask Arc and see if there's been a design change in the last month or so. 5* for the green (Dec 23) 3.5* for the mustard (Mar 24) Averaged at 4*
I'm on the muscular side, at 5'9 and 190 pounds, but I typically fit in between a traditional "medium" or "large" size. Most of my large-sized clothes are a bit roomy but still hold well to my body, and medium typically gives a more snug and slim, yet still comfortable, fit. I thought I'd get this quarter-zip in medium since it was a base layer and would probably look better not baggy. I also looked at the provided measurements and they just about line up perfectly with my proportions, so I wasn't expecting any issues from this product. However, what I got in the mail was ridiculously small. I have a few "small" -sized t-shirts laying around that honestly are easier to get into than this. It was more or less skintight, and not breathable at all. Although I get that "medium/large" is kind of arbitrary, the provided measurements are very deceptive, as they indicate that it should be slightly roomy for me if anything. I may have gotten a mismarked/defective one, but I recommend sizing up. Arc'teryx is a great brand, and the fabric for this top has an amazing feel and has really good warmth to it. I exchanged for a large that fit me way better. If you're in the same boat as me, where you can alternate between med/large, I recommend taking the upper limit, and perhaps even consider sizing all the way up to an XL if u want it relaxed more.
Really nice cozy fit and very warm but its not merino. As soon as you do one day skiing this and sweat its catches a smell really quick and clings onto it. Wore it for my first day skiing and a obviously got abit hot throughout the day. Couldnt wear it for any more days that wrrk. I stuck to my 260 knit merino top that i wore all eeek and didnt smell one bit by the end of it! As i say really warm base layer but any high output activities and its going to start to smell real quick! Wouldnt buy synthetic again for a top. Merino all the way. Highly suggest the rho heavyweight bottoms though.
Hello there, Thank you for reaching out and sharing your feedback on the Rho Heavyweight Zip Neck. We're genuinely sorry to hear that you're disappointed and that it did not suit your needs. Our customers will occasionally read these reviews, so we appreciate it when others share their experiences with us, and we will be sure to pass your comments along to our design team. If you have any additional comments or concerns, we welcome you to contact our Customer Service team, and one of our representatives would be happy to assist you. All the best