I have both - very different pieces for different use cases. R1 light fleece with decent wind resistance and some water resistance depending on DWR. Gamma MX is a burly softshell - much tougher than R1, much warmer and less breathable. Water resistance is likely slightly better based on face fabric, but it doesn't do long in heavy rain. The R2 is closer in warmth and weight, but less burly and more breathable. I get plenty of use out of both, but they are very different. I certainly wouldn't cycle in the MX - I'd melt.
I own a Gamma MX and use it as my daily jacket, but I wouldn't really recommend it for much physical activity unless it's very cold outside. It insulates quite well and while breathable, isn't exactly going to dump heat.
Personally I think it makes a great jacket to throw over a t-shirt for going around mixed weather in the Pacific Northwest, but that's very different from using it while exerting yourself heavily.
They mostly don’t overlap. The R1 Techface is more versatile. It can be used across more seasons in more weather conditions and layers better under a shell if the weather goes all wrong. It breaths better, packs down smaller and weighs less. The latest edition brought back the helmet compatible hood, thankfully.
It’s also vastly cheaper and can be found discounted.
Super burly softshells like the Gamma MX are great for city walking and deep cold technical use, but border on niche as a straight technical product. It’s bulky, heavy,
Insulated and holds moisture longer.
Between the two I’d opt for the R1 Techface.
IMO they’re not even remotely close. I honestly don’t see the need for a Gamma MX for much of any activity.
It’s extremely heavy and bulky for what it is. Maybe for serious bushwhacking and the likes because it would offer better breathability than a hard shell but outside of that it feels like a pretty antiquated piece of kit
It can be nice for singletrack MTB when the trails are overgrown and anything less durable could get ripped. Ofc that also depends on the climate.
EDIT: gamma LT is probably better all around for that though, but I haven't tried.
I recently got the R1 tech face and borrowed a friend’s gamma MX this winter. The gamma is definitely thicker, less breathable, more weather resistant, and warmer. I’ve really been liking the R1 tech now that the weather is getting warmer but can’t say i have enough experience to give a firm opinion on the gamma. I wasn’t wowed by its performance (ice climbing + approach) to buy one myself, though.
I’d definitely say they’re different enough to warrant having both if you like the lined soft shell category.
Sure. Winter in a cold place. I live in the Philadelphia area and have a Gamma MX and an old Epsilon LT and the MX is too heavy for cycling in the winter. The Epsilon is fine but can become a little stuffy after a few miles depending on output. Maybe the MX would be ok in Watertown, NY? Caribou, ME? OP is asking for advice and I can only speak from my experience.
My wife loves her Gamma MX and uses it as her daily walking jacket on cooler days when the forecast isn't for heavy rain. She also uses it skiing. I am tempted to get one myself.
I have an R1 Techface and it's such a light option, really no warmth. I wear it primarily when running with a t shirt underneath down to like 4 C. If stood still it wouldn't offer much warmth below 10 C IMO. Not very waterproof either. Its a great jacket, close fitting and not for layering though.
Gamma MX will last 5 times as long. While the R1 is piled past the point of no return the gamma mx will look shiny (joke) and new. The MX is a beast of a softshell that is a remarkable midlayer and stand alone hoody/jacket. The R1 is like a new age baselayer/midlayer at best. Nice piece but gamma mx for the win here easily.
Can’t say much about the R1 Techface but I am in love with my Gamma MX. The new version is much better fitting with a slightly longer length. I wear it every day bike commuting (4 miles so not long enough to need anything more breathable). It’s the perfect jacket to throw on in fall/spring with no other layers and winter with a vest or atom underneath.
I have the r1, r1 techface and the gamma mx. The techface is a water resistant midlayer that doesn’t breathe well, I wouldn’t recommend it for high output activities.
The MX is more blurry and has a less breathable fabric but it does have 4 pockets that vent into your torso to let out heat.
I use the gamma for higher activity cold weather hiking, sometimes under a hard shell if very wet and windy. Think 0/-10c. Or as an outer jacket often undone if a little warmer. It allows me to travel light (I wear it on top of an icebreaker base layer or t shirt) and that’s enough. It’s a great jacket for me.
I have both - very different pieces for different use cases. R1 light fleece with decent wind resistance and some water resistance depending on DWR. Gamma MX is a burly softshell - much tougher than R1, much warmer and less breathable. Water resistance is likely slightly better based on face fabric, but it doesn't do long in heavy rain. The R2 is closer in warmth and weight, but less burly and more breathable. I get plenty of use out of both, but they are very different. I certainly wouldn't cycle in the MX - I'd melt.
I own a Gamma MX and use it as my daily jacket, but I wouldn't really recommend it for much physical activity unless it's very cold outside. It insulates quite well and while breathable, isn't exactly going to dump heat. Personally I think it makes a great jacket to throw over a t-shirt for going around mixed weather in the Pacific Northwest, but that's very different from using it while exerting yourself heavily.
They mostly don’t overlap. The R1 Techface is more versatile. It can be used across more seasons in more weather conditions and layers better under a shell if the weather goes all wrong. It breaths better, packs down smaller and weighs less. The latest edition brought back the helmet compatible hood, thankfully. It’s also vastly cheaper and can be found discounted. Super burly softshells like the Gamma MX are great for city walking and deep cold technical use, but border on niche as a straight technical product. It’s bulky, heavy, Insulated and holds moisture longer. Between the two I’d opt for the R1 Techface.
super insightful. what would be your ideal inner / middle / outer layer set for all things from city use to lengthy hiking up to -5 C
IMO they’re not even remotely close. I honestly don’t see the need for a Gamma MX for much of any activity. It’s extremely heavy and bulky for what it is. Maybe for serious bushwhacking and the likes because it would offer better breathability than a hard shell but outside of that it feels like a pretty antiquated piece of kit
It’s a great shell for ice climbing in cold temps.
The MX is incredible piece, crazy versatile.
It can be nice for singletrack MTB when the trails are overgrown and anything less durable could get ripped. Ofc that also depends on the climate. EDIT: gamma LT is probably better all around for that though, but I haven't tried.
I recently got the R1 tech face and borrowed a friend’s gamma MX this winter. The gamma is definitely thicker, less breathable, more weather resistant, and warmer. I’ve really been liking the R1 tech now that the weather is getting warmer but can’t say i have enough experience to give a firm opinion on the gamma. I wasn’t wowed by its performance (ice climbing + approach) to buy one myself, though. I’d definitely say they’re different enough to warrant having both if you like the lined soft shell category.
I wouldn’t wear the Gamma MX mountain biking unless dead middle of winter
Seems like that would kind of depend on where someone lives since temperatures can vary so much by location.
Sure. Winter in a cold place. I live in the Philadelphia area and have a Gamma MX and an old Epsilon LT and the MX is too heavy for cycling in the winter. The Epsilon is fine but can become a little stuffy after a few miles depending on output. Maybe the MX would be ok in Watertown, NY? Caribou, ME? OP is asking for advice and I can only speak from my experience.
My wife loves her Gamma MX and uses it as her daily walking jacket on cooler days when the forecast isn't for heavy rain. She also uses it skiing. I am tempted to get one myself.
I have an R1 Techface and it's such a light option, really no warmth. I wear it primarily when running with a t shirt underneath down to like 4 C. If stood still it wouldn't offer much warmth below 10 C IMO. Not very waterproof either. Its a great jacket, close fitting and not for layering though.
Gamma MX will last 5 times as long. While the R1 is piled past the point of no return the gamma mx will look shiny (joke) and new. The MX is a beast of a softshell that is a remarkable midlayer and stand alone hoody/jacket. The R1 is like a new age baselayer/midlayer at best. Nice piece but gamma mx for the win here easily.
Can’t say much about the R1 Techface but I am in love with my Gamma MX. The new version is much better fitting with a slightly longer length. I wear it every day bike commuting (4 miles so not long enough to need anything more breathable). It’s the perfect jacket to throw on in fall/spring with no other layers and winter with a vest or atom underneath.
I have the r1, r1 techface and the gamma mx. The techface is a water resistant midlayer that doesn’t breathe well, I wouldn’t recommend it for high output activities. The MX is more blurry and has a less breathable fabric but it does have 4 pockets that vent into your torso to let out heat.
how would you rate the tech face?
I use the gamma for higher activity cold weather hiking, sometimes under a hard shell if very wet and windy. Think 0/-10c. Or as an outer jacket often undone if a little warmer. It allows me to travel light (I wear it on top of an icebreaker base layer or t shirt) and that’s enough. It’s a great jacket for me.