REASONS TO BUY
Excellent layering ability
Warm
Comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Bulky
Below average breathability
Patagonia Better Sweater Review
A high-volume fleece with great layerability that will keep you warm on chilly winter days
The Better Sweater is a nice option for day hikes and casual wear around town.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
RELATED: Best Fleece Jackets for Men of 2024
Our Verdict
The Patagonia Better Sweater is a classic no-frills full zip fleece. It is a decent all-purpose option, meant as much for a night out with friends as it is for staying warm in the backcountry. The raglan sleeves make for a more comfortable wearer experience, and the knit-sweater exterior is meant to create a more fashion-forward aesthetic. During testing, we found it to be warm, durable, and super easy to layer with multiple other garments. The jersey-knit pockets and hem liners are super soft, adding to the comfort of this fleece.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Patagonia Better Sweater | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Fleece Jacket |  | Best Bang for the Buck | Best on a Tight Budget | |
| Price | $139.00 at Backcountry Compare at 4 sellers | $159.00 at Backcountry Compare at 4 sellers | $71.97 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $88.95 at Backcountry Compare at 4 sellers | $26 List $25.72 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A warm fleece that fits easily over base layers and under winter jackets for an effective winter wardrobe | A stylish and comfortable fleece that is lightweight yet warm | This lightweight and breathable fleece with excellent performance at a price that's hard to beat | A budget-friendly option that provides comfort and performance in an aesthetic package | A breathable fleece that’s several times cheaper than the competition |
| Rating Categories | Patagonia Better Sw... | Patagonia R1 Air Fu... | Outdoor Research Vi... | The North Face Cany... | Wrangler Authentics... |
| Warmth (25%) | |||||
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Layering Ability (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Patagonia Better Sw... | Patagonia R1 Air Fu... | Outdoor Research Vi... | The North Face Cany... | Wrangler Authentics... |
| Measured Weight (Size Tested) | 20.3 oz (Size M) | 12.8 oz (Size S) | 13.2 oz (Size M) | 14.6 oz (Size M) | 12.5 oz (Size S) |
| Type | Midweight | Lightweight | Lightweight | Midweight | Midweight |
| Main Material | Body: 100% recycled polyester sweater-knit fleece | Body: 100% polyester | Body: 94% polyester, 6% spandex | Body: 96% recycled 75D polyester, 4% elastance fleece (solid fabric); 56% recycled polyester, 40% polyester, 4% elastance fleece (heather fabric) | Body: 100% polyester |
| Hood Option? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Number of Pockets | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Features | Raglan sleeves, Fairtrade certified | Slim-fit hood, quick drying | Thumb holes, UPF 30, 3-panel hood with binding | 3 piece hood, smooth-face fleece with brushed back, elastic bound hood, cuffs, and hem | Quarter-length zipper, double fleece layering on back |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
Made from 100% recycled polyester and fair trade certified, this warm and comfortable fleece is a classic option for a wide variety of outdoor activities and social situations.
Performance Comparison
The Better Sweater is a classic knit-style fleece that's great for casualwear in the front country or a walk in the woods.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Warmth
This jacket is reasonably warm, though it underperforms expectations. The thick fleece holds in body heat when the weather is still, but wind also feels like it cuts through much more harshly than it should. The weave is not as dense as other models. For us, this meant we were left feeling the chill when the wind kicked up, and we weren't wearing another jacket on top.
The knit-style fleece fabric of the Better Sweater is thick, warm, and layers surprisingly well for its heft.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Comfort
If we weren't comparing it to other top contenders, we would say this fleece is comfortable. It has soft jersey knit fabric along the cuffs, waist, and pocket liners, which are actually some of the best in the category for keeping hands warm.
A soft interior fabric and jersey knit drop pockets add the the comfort of this jacket.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
However, we noticed a handful of features that were less than stellar. The fleece itself isn't nearly as soft as other models. And in spite of the fact that it is great for layering, the fabric is bulky and just stiff enough that when you bend your elbow, the bunchiness is definitely noticeable.
A convenient chest pocket allows for easy access for small items like glasses.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Breathability
Given how thick the Better Sweater is, this jacket is surprisingly breathable. Having said that, it's all relative. Once we started sweating out on a hike, the fleece didn't wick perspiration super well and left us feeling damp. The jersey knit liner that adds an element of comfort also covers about two-thirds of the interior abdomen, creating a second layer of fabric even denser than the main fleece, which makes it harder for moisture to escape.
The Better Sweater is thick and heavy but still has a lot of space between the fibers allows sweat to escape.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Layering Ability
This is one area where the Better Sweater really excels. Because of its unique fit, it performs well as both an overlayer and an underlayer. The sleeves and chest are loose enough that the jacket fits easily over a base layer. In addition, though the fabric is thick, it is not so loose that it bunches under a puffy or winter coat. In all, our testing showed that this model is one of the best in the fleet for layering, whether it is a mid-layer under a winter coat or an outer layer in its own right.
The Better Sweater fits easily underneath a shell for a complete layering system.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Weight
At 20.3 ounces, this jacket is heavy and bulky. In fact, it is the heftiest fleece in our review. Though it is certainly warm, it's not an ideal option for backpacking because of the amount of space it takes up in a pack. It is also worth noting that this weight is without a hood, so the material per unit of area is even heavier than other models.
The Better Sweater is one of the heaviest models in the category.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Should You Buy the Patagonia Better Sweater?
The Better Sweater is a classic fleece with a stylish look. The cut of this jacket makes it best for people with wider chests and shoulders, so slimmer wearers will likely find it bulky. Though it's fairly warm, it doesn't block wind as much as we would expect. It performs admirably in many metrics but doesn't excel at anything in particular. There are more functional options out there for outdoor use, but if the brand is a serious draw, you can't go wrong with this jacket.
What Other Fleece Jackets Should You Consider?
If you like the style of this model but it doesn't quite fit right, the Arc'teryx Covert Cardigan is extremely similar in style, performance, and features but with a slightly slimmer cut. The Kuhl Interceptr 1/4 Zip is another sweater-style fleece at an even lower price. If you like the Patagonia brand but need a little more active functionality, the Patagonia R1 Air Hoody is a phenomenal lightweight option.
—Ben Applebaum-Bauch
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