Arcteryx Rho Hybrid Crew Review

The Arc’teryx Rho Hybrid Crew, warm enough for the ski tour, cool enough for the Aprés

Arcteryx swings for the fences with the Arcteryx Rho Hybrid Crew by combining their proprietary Phasic™ AR II material with merino wool panels to create a base layer that keeps you warm, doesn’t stretch out, and tames the funk of multi-day adventures. Read on to see if they knocked it out of the park or hit a foul ball.

Overview

Main Material: Polyester (Phasic AR II:100% polyester with DAO finish)
Underarm Material: Nucliex 150 (87% Merion Wool, 13% Nylon, RWS wool)
Sizes Tested: XL
Certifications: Fair Trade Certified
Country of Origin: Vietnam

What is the Arc’teryx Rho Hybrid Crew?

Arc’teryx bills the Rho Hybrid Crew neck as a performance base layer for diverse activities and conditions. I’ve used it splitboarding, heliboarding and on the resort and it has done an exceptional job. Mid-weight in warmth, I’ve worn it down to -30 all the way to nearly zero and found it to be a great all arounder.

What is Phasic AR 2?

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The primary material of the Rho Hybrid Crew is Phasic AR II. This is Arcteryx’s proprietary polyester that is treated with silver ions to neutralize body odor. It’s a mid-weight polyester that has a good amount of stretch allowing for free movement. The Arc’teryx Rho Hybrid Crew is very fast drying. Sweaty days on the skin track, if met with a little ambient warmth and body temp could dry out the shirt while in wear. Hand washing at night was never an issue either as the shirt was always dry in the morning.

All of the seams on the Rho Hybrid Crew are flat lock, and much like the Phasic AR 2 and Merino Wool are very soft to the touch.

Where’s the Wool?

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Underneath each arm are oblong-shaped panels of 87 percent merino wool blended with 13 percent Nylon. That’s enough Merino to keep all of it’s anti-microbial and soft wear properties and enough nylon to make it last longer than 100% wool.

I don’t notice they are there at all and that is the point. The merino wool does the job it is supposed to do by helping wick away moisture thus reducing the chance of bacteria building up. Fewer Bacteria equals less smell. Job Done. Of course, the

Overview

The Back of the Arc’teryx Rho Hybrid Crew

The last Arcteryx Base Layer I bought was over five years ago. It still looks relatively new and is a long way from needing replacing. As it’s made entirely of Polyester, it needs frequent washing to keep me sociably acceptable. When I got the chance to check out the Rho Hybrid Crew I jumped at it and I wasn’t disappointed.

I spent almost the entire winter in the Arcteryx Rho Hybrid Crew. It has been fantastic at regulating temps and wicking sweat away thanks to the Phasic AR II material. Under the arms, the Merino has done a great job of keeping the funk away like a traditional full Merino shirt. This doesn’t mean I have carte blanche to not shower, but by following good hygiene, I can get at least a week out of this shirt before anyone notices.

Who is the Arcteryx Rho Hybrid Crew for?

Sweaty fans of the durability of polyester who want to avoid the funk that’s commonly accompanied by polyester-only base layers.

Who is the Arcteryx Rho Hybrid Crew not for?

Fans of 100 percent Merino as they sweat, everywhere. Fans of thumb loops.

If you are interested in picking up an Arcteryx Rho Hybrid? Head on over to ARCTERYX and pick one up. Are you looking for more Arcteryx reviews? Smash the SEARCH button.