The Best Fleece Jackets for Men

Our Picks of Men's Fleece Jackets

Best Overall Fleece Jacket

Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody

The Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody brings a new level of comfort to performance fleece wear. Built from a proprietary “hollow core” fabric made from 100% recycled polyester, it is an exceptionally lightweight and breathable fleece that performs best in mild to cool weather. The zig-zag fabric pattern is unique to this model and facilitates high breathability. The material looks and feels more cozy than technical, but it stands up well. “Whether heading to the mountains or the coffee shop, I always always grabbed this jacket first,” our lead reviewer said. Its lightweight and warmth make it ideal for high-intensity activities like climbing and hiking.

Measured Weight	12.8 oz (Size S)
Type	Lightweight
Main Material	Body: 100% polyester
Hood Option	Yes
Number of Pockets	3

Though this layer is warm for its weight, it isn't the warmest fleece we tested. When not on the move, you will cool down quickly in chilly temps. If you prioritize warmth and you're just looking for a fleece to stay warm on crisp autumn days, a fleece like the Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Pullover or The North Face Denali will offer excellent heat retention. However, they're not as lightweight or breathable. The fleece on the R1 Air is soft but not as stretchy as some other hooded models like the Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody. A couple of other minor gripes with the R1 Air are that its chest pocket can't fit a smartphone, and our testers found the fabric to retain odors after wearing it for even small outings. Minor criticisms aside, we love this moderately warm, incredibly comfortable layer and find it ideal for anyone looking to upgrade their performance fleece wear.

Read more: Patagonia R1 Air Full Zip Hoody review

Best Bang for the Buck

The North Face Canyonlands Hoodie

The North Face Canyonlands Hoodie is a great fleece for anyone looking for performance on a budget. After several weeks of testing, our lead reviewer shared, “This was a fleece I kept on all day, going from the trailhead to dinner without missing a beat.” We loved the next-to-skin feel of the brushed interior, and the relaxed fit was comfy regardless of the activity we were engaged in. Hanging around town, this fleece was right at home in a coffee shop or dinner party, thanks to a clean aesthetic that all members of our review team found stylish. And it's warm: during our heat retention test, a water bottle tucked inside took 1 hour and 20 minutes to dip below 150 degrees Fahrenheit

Measured Weight	14.6 oz (Size M)
Type	Midweight
Main Material	96% recycled 75D polyester, 4% elastane fleece
Hood Option	Yes
Number of Pockets	3

Due to the baggier fit, the Canyonlands can be slightly harder to size than other fleeces we tested. A few of our testers even found themselves between sizes. The appropriate cut of a fleece depends on personal preferences and intended uses, so if you prefer a slimmer-fitting option, check out other contenders like the Rab Ascendor Summit Hoody. If you're searching for another affordable option, the REI Co-Op Flash Hyperstretch is worthy of consideration, with a decent all-around performance at an accessible price point. Despite the mentioned shortcomings, the Canyonlands offers incredible value, with great scores in several metrics at half the price of the high-end competition.

Read more: The North Face Canyonlands Hoodie review

Best Lightweight Fleece

The North Face Summit Series FutureFleece Full-Zip Hoodie

The North Face Summit Series FutureFleece Full-Zip Hoodie offers phenomenal performance in a very lightweight package. While wearing this fleece for high-output days, we greatly appreciated its breathability, hardly ever sweating out our base layers. One tester wore the FutureFleece on a cold day out ice climbing, and it kept him warm and toasty under his overlayers. The full-loop fabric also offered incredible next-to-the-skin comfort, making this a layer we never wanted to take off. If price is a concern, the Outdoor Research Vigor Grid Full Zip Hoodie offers a less expensive alternative to the FutureFleece. It provides even better breathability, though it is slightly heavier.

Measured Weight	7.9 oz (Size S)
Type	Lightweight
Main Material	Body: 55% polyester, 45% recycled polyester
Hood Option	Yes
Number of Pockets	1

The North Face FutureFleece Full Zip Hoodie has an odd cut that runs long in the waist and sleeves and is slim-fit around the chest and biceps. Depending on your body type, this unique cut may be challenging to size correctly, potentially putting you between sizes. If this fit doesn't work for you, we'd recommend the Rab Ascendor Summit Hoody, which is easy to size and a great technical layer. After weeks of field testing, the FutureFleece also started to pill, though this is common with many fleece options. Simply put, if this high-performance jacket is in your price range and fits you, we think it's a worthy buy.

Read more: The North Face FutureFleece Full Zip Hoodie review

Best Technical Layer

Rab Ascendor Summit Hoody

The Rab Ascendor Summit Hoody is a well-made technical fleece that can handle most mountain adventures. Rab's unique fabric body mapping offers a hybrid construction of both a fleece and a softshell jacket using a Pertex Quantum Air fabric around the biceps and chest. This blend of materials offers wind and abrasion resistance while maintaining a fleece's warmth. Our testers loved the athletic cut of the Ascendor, offering a slim fit with unencumbered movement and great coverage. “Even when I wore it rock climbing, it protected my body, no matter how contorted I was,” our lead reviewer mentioned. For much of our field testing, we were happy with the breathability of this piece, and we stayed toasty and warm during Arctic ice-climbing days.

Measured Weight	11.6 oz (Size M)
Type	Lightweight
Main Material	Body: 20D Pertex Quantum Air, Thermic G fleece, polyester knit
Hood Option	Yes
Number of Pockets	1

The Rab Ascendor Summit Full-Zip Hoody wasn't as breathable as some of the fleece jackets we tested, with slightly sweaty hikes during warmer days. Being more proactive about delayering helped with the sweat, but if you're seeking a jacket that breathes better, look at the Patagonia R1 Air Hoody. The Ascendor is also one of the more pricey options on the market, so if you're shopping on a budget, take a closer look at the Outdoor Research Vigor Grid Full Zip Hoodie, which is almost half the cost. Ultimately, the Ascendor is a fantastic option for your future mountain pursuits in all four seasons.

Read more: Rab Ascendor Summit Full-Zip Hoody review

Most Versatile

Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody

The Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody is equally at home in a cafe or on a mountain, making for a very versatile fleece. This piece boasts performance and comfort, with a nylon face acting as a shell and a brushed interior, providing a soft next-to-skin feel similar to the less pricey Canyonlands Hoodie from The North Face. “On long mountain days, I was surprised by the incredible breathability, given its heat retention,” our lead reviewer said. The Kyanite's 4-way stretch fabric allowed us to move freely from skiing to climbing to hiking without any movement restrictions. With a more urban aesthetic, this layer will likely meet multiple needs and is worthy of consideration if you're hunting for a do-it-all garment.

Measured Weight	14.8 oz (Size M)
Type	Midweight
Main Material	Body: 53% polyester, 38% nylon, 9% elastane
Hood Option	Yes
Number of Pockets	2

The Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody has a roomier fit, which might be less ideal for anyone who prefers an athletic cut. Its two zippered hand pockets are unusable when wearing a harness or pack's hip belt, and we missed having a chest pocket for a phone or a snack. If you seek a performance-oriented fleece with a chest pocket, we recommend the Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody, which weighs less but is also slightly less warm. We should also note that after several weeks of testing the Kyanite, its fabric began to pill. This was only cosmetic and didn't affect performance, but we'd expect less material degradation for the price. At the end of the day, the Kyanite is an incredible layer as an all-arounder as long as it fits within your budget.

Read more: Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody review

Great Pullover Fleece

Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Hoody

If you're hunting for a cozy pullover fleece rather than a zip-up style jacket, check out the Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Hoody. This is an incredibly comfy garment that we most commonly used as a close-to-the-body layer, and even sports a kangaroo pocket in the stomach area like your favorite hooded sweatshirt. “I loved snuggling into this fleece for cool summer mountain nights and as a daily base layer in the chillier seasons,” said lead tester Zach Lovell. Its 10.9-ounce weight makes it one of the lighter fleeces we tested, and it's particularly packable, which made it a useful layer on overnight trips. “The Summit Grid was so easy to squeeze into my backpacking backpack, and it was effortless to layer over it,” Zach shared. Outside of the Summit Grid's performance, several people shared how much they liked its style when our testers wore it out in public, especially for more outdoorsy gatherings. If you're not into the dual-tone colorway, it's also sold in some solid color options.

Measured Weight	10.9 oz (Size S)
Type	Lightweight
Main Material	100% Polyester
Hood Option	Yes
Number of Pockets	1

The Summit Grid Hoody uses a grid pattern that was breathable and allowed us to keep the layer on while ski touring, hiking, or even rock climbing. The tradeoff for this good breathability is warmth, and this lightweight layer isn't the warmest in our tests, so it's not great for keeping toasty while standing around in the cold. Consider something like the heavier Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody if you need a warmer layer. Overall, the Summit Grid Hoody is a well-made pullover and is offered at a very accessible price, especially compared to some of the high-end models in the lineup.

Read more: Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Hoody review

Best on a Tight Budget

Wrangler Authentics 1/4 Zip

The Wrangler Authentics 1/4 Zip is one of the lowest-priced fleeces we've ever tested. Compared to some models, this layer costs nearly ten times less and still offers decent performance in certain metrics. Our testers were impressed with the breathability and casual style of the Authentics, equally enjoying winter hikes and around-town hangs in this layer. This option isn't the most technical fleece, so if you need something more sport-specific, the REI Co-op Trailmade is worth your consideration, which still costs quite a bit less than high-end options.

Measured Weight	12.5 oz (Size S)
Type	Midweight
Main Material	100% polyester
Hood Option	No
Number of Pockets	0

The Wrangler Authentics ¼ Zip lacks pockets, and while that arguably improves its style, a pocketless design might be a deal-breaker for some. It also wasn't the warmest fleece we tested. One tester mentioned, “I found myself adding more layers on chilly days.” If you want another dime-priced option for comparison, check out the warmer Amazon Essentials Full Zip, which also has a chest pocket, even if it suffers from decreased breathability. If you're working with a very limited budget, the Wrangler Authentics is worthy of a close look, especially if your fleece needs are more casual.

Read more: Wrangler Authentics ¼ Zip review

A Budget Ultralight Option

Patagonia Micro D Fleece Pullover

If you want a fancy ultralight fleece but don't want to shell out big money, the Patagonia Micro D Fleece Pullover is an incredible model that weighs a modest 7.5 ounces in a men's small. A budget fleece is rarely heard of in the world of ultralight fleece jackets, but Patagonia has made this 100% recycled polyester layer much more accessible, and it offers some decent performance in a few key metrics to carry your dollar further. “I didn't mind its lesser warmth, since it was so easy to layer over when I got chilled,” one of our gear experts commented. The Micro D doesn't have a hood, so if you want to be able to cover your head, consider something like the Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody, which has better heat retention.

Measured Weight
Type
Main Material
Hood Option
Number of Pockets

The Micro D has a no-frills design that you'll either love or hate, since it only has a quarter-length zipper and doesn't offer pockets of any kind. This lack of features is the primary reason this jacket is so light, but on the upside, there aren't any pocket zippers to get bunched up or pressed into you if layering another jacket overtop. If you want pockets and a full-length zipper, consider the The North Face Canyonlands Hoodie, which is available at a great price. The Micro D might not take home the blue ribbon in warmth, but it's incredibly comfortable, and as one of our testers concluded, “This is a fantastic model if you're shopping on a skinny wallet and want to keep your layering system light.”

How We Tested

Our process begins with researching the market to see which models are potential top contenders. We have tested approximately 100 unique fleece jackets since we started testing fleece over a decade ago. However, we considered dozens more, only selecting and purchasing the most promising products to highlight in this review. Our testing process is comprised primarily of field use throughout the year in the Eastern Sierra, Wyoming, the mountains of New England, the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and the deserts of the Southwest, but it also includes a series of controlled indoor experiments. See our full How We Test article for more on our test processes.

We rate each of these men's fleece jackets on five rating metrics as follows:

• Warmth (25% of overall score weighting)

• Comfort (25% weighting)

• Breathability (20% weighting)

• Layering Ability (15% weighting)

• Weight (15% weighting)

Why Trust GearLab

The testing and review team for these jackets is Zach Lovell, James Lucas, and Ben Applebaum-Bauch. Zach is an IFMGA Mountain Guide who climbs and skis all over the world, utilizing fleeces on a sometimes daily basis. With a detail-and-gear-oriented mind that never turns off, Zach is a thorough product tester, writer, and photographer for many categories for GearLab. James has been a long-time climber, writer, and photographer who spends every free moment in the mountains outside his house in Boulder, Colorado. From early morning runs up the First Flatiron to late nights hiking out of Rocky Mountain National Park, James has put these fleeces to the test. Ben has a decade of experience in the outdoor industry, guiding backpacking, cycling, and canoeing trips and thru-hiking some of America's most iconic long trails.

Analysis and Test Results

A fleece jacket is a versatile part of any outdoor layering system. Worn as a stand-alone piece in moderately cold and dry weather or layered under a puffy or rain shell, or both, a good fleece jacket is essential in your outdoor arsenal. Though jackets differ in warmth, breathability, and weight levels, they're typically stretchy and built to move, making them ideal for climbing, hiking, and skiing.

What's the Best Value?

At GearLab, we compare price to a product's overall score when discussing value. Ideally, we find some diamonds in the rough — models with a high score relative to their price. The North Face Canyonlands Hoodie stands out as an exemplary option that carries your dollar very far, but we understand that a $100 fleece isn't necessarily the most affordable. The Wrangler Authentics 1/4 Zip and Amazon Essentials Full Zip jackets are warm, decently comfy, and several times less expensive than most of the competition. The full zip Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 is another comfortable and casual option that won't break the bank.

While most ultralight gear or clothing requires dropping a substantial bit of cash, the Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Hoody offers a fully featured fleece without totally draining the checking account. If you don't care for a hood on your fleece, the even less expensive Patagonia Micro D Fleece Pullover is jaw-droppingly light and still offers a cozy feel for those days you want to wear a fleece from morning to evening.

Multiple budget options from REI offer great value, including the REI Co-op Trailmade Fleece Jacket and the more performance-oriented REI Co-Op Flash Hyperstretch. Though not dirt cheap, they're a fraction of the price of top-tier models. The relatively affordable Outdoor Research Vigor is another higher-performance option for those seeking a more technical layer.

Warmth

Warmth is critical for fleece jackets, largely designed to capture and retain body heat in chilly conditions. Thickness and density are the two main fabric qualities that impact warmth. Features like fitted hoods, thumb loops, elastic cuffs (to create a tight seal), and drawstring hems also work together to block wind and retain heat.

The heavyweight The North Face Denali ranks as the review's warmest jacket, expertly trapping and retaining body heat. If you need a warm and toasty outer jacket and prefer fleece to a synthetic or down jacket, this model provides plenty of warmth. However, the weight and bulk make it less than ideal for active use.

Like the Denali, the Cotopaxi Teca Full-Zip is a high-volume, dense-weave fleece with a slightly looser fit that creates a nice bubble of body heat. But for the more active crowd, a slew of other top contenders offer a better balance of warmth and breathability. The Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody offers decent warmth without compromising breathability and movement. The Amazon Essentials Full Zip is another classic crew fleece with extra thick pockets that helps keep your core warm but performs a bit better if you're on the move. In particular, the Kuhl Interceptr 1/4 Zip, which uses Kuhl's Alpaca Gold fleece, kept our testers comfy and almost as warm as the Denali with a softer, more breathable blended fabric.

Classic sweater-style fleeces like the Arc'teryx Covert Cardigan, Patagonia Better Sweater, and Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip do an admirable job keeping you warm but are also susceptible to wind.

Although the lightweight contenders aren't the warmest, they still have their place, depending on how you plan to wear them. Leading the pack in the lightweight class, the Rab Ascendor Summit Hoody and The North Face FutureFleece Hoodie offer incredible warmth-to-weight ratios. Jackets like the Patagonia R1 Air, OR Vigor, and Flylow Pierogi Hoody are not intended to thaw against a deep cold. Still, they are great options for active backcountry use where heavy activity demands good ventilation. The hoods also add a unique degree of warmth, all fitting snugly around the head.

The Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-Zip is a stylish pullover with a classic polyester build offering a decent amount of warmth. While lighter layers like the Patagonia Micro D have a similar construction, Cotopaxi put much more material into the Abrazo to retain your hard-earned body heat. Neither of these options has a hood, but toss on a beanie or a hooded overlayer if needing to reduce heat loss through the head.

Fleeces that excel as a base layer, such as the Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Hoody, aren't going to keep you the warmest as a stand-alone jacket in the coldest months of the year. You'll wait to pair with another layer, like an insulated jacket or a hardshell, to help retain additional warmth.

Comfort

Comfort is judged based on a combination of factors that result in a high-quality fleece we want to wear all the time. It often comes down to the softness of the fabric, how well a piece fits you, and your movements. Products that scored well in this metric were either incredibly soft, fit well, allowed excellent range of movement, or had minimal bunching. Products that came in at the very top were both soft to the touch and had a great fit.

Though all the models in this review use comfortable materials, the Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody was a tester favorite for its next-to-skin feel. The combination of a bunny-soft interior fleece, superior stretch, and cozy hood make this fleece stand out, with The North Face Canyonlands Hoodie coming in closely behind with a similar construction. The Patagonia R1 Air has a longer hem and is made of a lightweight fleece that fits snuggly to keep it from riding up, all while reducing bulk in areas where layers overlap. The Rab Ascendor Summit Hoody also topped the charts in this metric, largely due to its incredible fit and lack of bunching rather than the softest feel.

If you're seeking mobility, consider the REI Co-Op Flash Hyperstretch, which offers unencumbered movement in an affordable package. Unfortunately, the seams at the fabric change caused some rubbing in an otherwise high-scoring fleece in this metric.

The Cotopaxi Teca Full-Zip is a noticeably less technical fleece, but it is warm and thick and a great piece to cuddle into and layer under a winter jacket. Similarly, the Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Pullover is an incredibly comfy fleece for less technical use and has rightfully been a part of Patagonia's catalog for many years.

The REI Co-Op Trailmade offers a cozy feel and is less bulky than the material thickness suggests. While the OR Vigor is more minimalist, it still includes a form-fitting hood and thumb loops in the wrist to keep it from bunching. The trio of Kuhl Interceptr, Arc'teryx Covert Cardigan, and Patagonia Better Sweater all feature a very comfortable, slightly stretchy sweater-like fleece.

We loved the Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Hoody as a very cozy pullover that our testers never wanted to take off. We ended up wearing it most often next to our baselayers, and loved the feel of the Summit Grid on our bare skin. The hood was also well designed and was more comfortable than other hoods, thanks in part to its adjustability. Another well-priced pullover, the Patagonia Micro D, is very soft and just uses a classic single-layer brushed polyester, which was very comfy.

Breathability

Like warmth, fleece density and thickness of the weave affect how much air and moisture can move through it. Sweating in a fleece can feel gross against your skin, especially as it starts to cool, creating a damp, cold, and clammy feel. We are especially interested in jackets that mitigate this pitfall of an otherwise warm jacket.

The proprietary hollow-core fabric of the Patagonia R1 Air makes it exceptionally breathable. Its zig-zag weave creates a ton of porous surface area for moisture to escape. It's lightweight and works well for any aerobic activity in cold weather, from running and hiking to climbing and ski touring. The North Face FutureFleece Hoodie, with full-loop fabric, also offers excellent ventilation, allowing our testers to pursue any of their mountain objectives without excessive sweating. Another breathable option was the REI Co-op Flash Hyperstretch Hoodie, which was competitive with the high-end models despite its substantially lower price.

The OR Vigor and Flylow Pierogi use a grid pattern that allows perspiration to escape easily. The grid provided great airflow on mild days and kept our testers from feeling uncomfortable or sweaty. When it warmed up, the full zippers on both layers quickly came down, perfecting each jacket's breathability. The Pierogi even has very loose mesh-lined pockets, which can open up for additional ventilation.

The Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody is surprisingly breathable considering that it's a midweight-class fleece, and it kept our testers dry while hiking but warm during breaks. The North Face Canyonlands Hoodie is a similarly designed fleece that boasts excellent scores as well. The Kuhl Interceptr and Arc'teryx Covert are heavier and thicker, but the sweater-like weave of their fabric is looser than most, and moisture and air still pass through more freely than we were expecting. One of our favorite surprises in this metric came from the dirt-cheap Wrangler Authentics 1/4 Zip, with a baggier waist aiding in its excellent breathability.

Sometimes you don't need a bunch of flashy tech to make a layer breathable. Inexpensive models like the Patagonia Micro D Fleece simply use less material than others to offer some ventilation, and the Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Hoody simply rocks a grid-pattern to help unwanted body heat escape.

Layering Ability

A fleece jacket is an essential part of a layering system, usually sandwiched between a light base layer and a down puffy or waterproof shell. How well a fleece can be layered is important for several reasons. A jacket that layers appropriately is key to creating an air pocket around the body that keeps you warm. Additionally, it can be frustrating to have to wrestle with a mid-layer that either bunches up or causes other layers to bunch. We tested each model with various other jackets, including other mid-layers and shells, and rated them on how easily they layer with both. We also noted how the fabric of the fleece lays against base layers.

Thinner models, like the Patagonia R1 Air, Rab Ascendor Summit Hoody, The North Face FutureFleece, OR Vigor, and Flylow Pierogi, layer easily underneath everything we tried them with. The thumb holes on the Vigor and Pierogi keep the sleeves from riding up when pulling on another layer, and the thinness of the jackets allows for increased mobility. However, they all have a more athletic fit, which creates a little more resistance when you try to pull them on over a base layer.

The Patagonia Better Sweater is emblematic of the traditional crew style's layering ability. It is loose enough to accommodate a layer underneath easily but not so loose that it bunches when putting on a jacket over the top. Other similarly bulky models like the Patagonia Synchilla, Amazon Essentials Full Zip, and Cotopaxi Teca Full-Zip are also great in between layers; that is, they can fit over a thinner fleece as well as underneath a shell. However, these jackets are less comfortable when worn underneath a puffy.

If you're looking for something easier on the wallet, the Patagonia Micro D was a great fleece for layering under a jacket.

Weight

If you're just wearing your fleece to the coffee shop, a low weight is unlikely to be important to you. Weight becomes an essential factor if you plan to take one of these jackets on a long-distance hike or a fast and light mission in the mountains. A few ounces may seem inconsequential initially, but optimizing lightweight gear will save many pounds overall. The lightest fleeces in the review are the 7.5-ounce Patagonia Micro D Fleece Pullover and The North Face FutureFleece Hoodie, which weighs just 7.9 ounces.

Both of these effortlessly pack down and can fit into a small corner of your backpack. The Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Hoody came in at 10.9 ounces, and the REI Co-Op Trailmade weighs 11.1 ounces. The Rab Ascendor Summit Hoody landed just behind at 11.6 ounces. With every option besides the FutureFleece weighing more than 10 ounces, each shopper must carefully consider how much weight they're willing to carry relative to each product's performance.

The top-scoring Patagonia R1 Air comes in at 12.8 ounces, which will be worth the weight for many when considering its scores in other metrics. Surprisingly, the much bulkier Cotopaxi Teca Full-Zip is just a fraction of an ounce more than the R1 Air, making it a lightweight (though not low-volume) contender. The Arc'teryx Kyanite comes in at 14.8 ounces, squarely landing in the midweight category.

On the heavier side, the Patagonia Better Sweater tips the scales at over 20 ounces, and the Arc'teryx Cardigan and The North Face Denali are both over a pound, making them less than ideal to throw in your pack for a long hike. However, their warmth might ultimately be more important than their weight. The Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-Zip is a midweight model that also offers a decent amount of warmth and has a similarly classic style to the Better Sweater, but is much lighter at 13.1 ounces.

How to Pick the Best Fleece Jacket for You

A dizzying number of fleece jackets are available on the market today, from featherweight models that add minimal warmth to heavy-duty options that top the charts in heat retention. Keep reading to learn more about the world of fleece jackets and how to determine which option is ideal for you and your needs.

Why Use a Fleece Jacket?

Amongst softshells, hardshells, puffy coats, parkas, and synthetic insulators, it can be hard to determine where exactly a fleece jacket belongs in the world of outdoor garments. First and foremost, fleeces offer a comfy option for near-body warmth that can be more difficult to find in other jacket classes. While they can potentially reduce breathability, they're warmer and offer unparalleled next-to-skin comfort compared to the other layers you may incorporate into your outdoor kit. Whether you're recreating in chilly environments, need more robust basal insulation, or want a light layer around town, fleece jackets deserve a spot in your closet.

Intended Uses of a Fleece Jacket

While there are dozens of activities for which one can use a fleece, there are a few distinct considerations to make when shopping for your first or the next fuzzy jacket to add to your wardrobe. For active outdoors people, lighter and more breathable models are typically preferred, offering less warmth but can be worn during high-output cardio missions. On the other end of the spectrum, heavyweight fleece jackets prioritize warmth over breathability, making them more ideal for indoor/outdoor activities that keep the heart rate down. Lastly, midweight options often strike a middle ground, offering an impressive weight-to-breathability ratio while providing warmth.

Layering a Fleece Jacket

One of the most important considerations when shopping for a fleece is how it will fit into your layering system. While most fleece jackets are worn closer to the body, the exact place they will sit in a jacket combination will depend on your intended uses and the overall cut of the layers you intend to wear with your new fleece. Slimmer-fitting fleece garments work best when placed closer to your base layers, while baggier models may be more ideal slightly further away.

Assessing the construction of the specific garment will help you capitalize on warmth or breathability. We found lightweight models that excel at ventilation perform best when worn close to the body. For heavier-weight models, we found it best to wear them one layer away from the base, as they also typically had a more relaxed cut. We also recommend paying attention to the length of your fleece as you determine how to layer it. Shorter length hems often can ride up if it's your closest to skin layer, while longer length models are less of a consideration. Either way, if you're trying to look stylish, keep an eye on the hem, as varied lengths can look goofy, especially if an underlayer is sticking out below your fleece.

What are Fleece Jackets Made Of?

Fleeces are primarily made from polyester fibers, which are synthetic and lightweight, providing insulation by trapping air to retain heat. The fabric is often brushed on one or both sides to create a soft, fuzzy texture that enhances warmth and against-skin comfort. Many manufacturers are starting to use recycled polyester, and they may also contain blends with spandex or elastane for stretch. Additional materials like nylon are sometimes used for reinforcements or linings, and water-resistant treatments like DWR are sometimes added to improve weather resistance, although we never recommend relying on a fleece jacket as your main form of rain protection.

Adjustability in a Fleece Layer

Some fleece models offer adjustability, most commonly in the hood and hem. There are sometimes shock cords in a fleece's hood, allowing you to cinch down the hood against your head to provide a better seal and to encourage better heat retention. Fleeces with baggier fits sometimes have drawcords in the hem for sealing in the heat around your waist, but if you're trying to go light, consider a layer that fits you closely already, which will help keep heat close to your body.

Conclusion

While a puffy coat offers a great deal of warmth, it's much more bulky and less versatile, making the fleece jacket a quintessential layer that can potentially be used 12 months of the year, depending on the climate you live in. Whether you're prioritizing warmth or weight, we're in a golden era of clothing design where you don't have to compromise as much as in years past, and the technology of a fleece is getting better and better every year. We've done the heavy lifting of first-hand pushing these jackets ourselves. Now all you have to do is determine your needs and find the right layer that also fits your budget.