Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Related: How to Layer Clothing to Keep Warm. Other identifiers in casual fleece are kangaroo pockets (because for some reason kangaroos are the ultimate in cozy animals), exceptionally fuzzy fleece fabric, and heathered fleece, which is much more stylish. It uses Arcteryxs precise attention to fit, form, and function, and comes with a very high cost as well. The North Face Campshire is well-named, in that its perfect around camp and might make people think of the Shire, that famed land of Hobbits. Overall the warmth of this Lightweight Synchilla is between 200- and 300-weight, but we find its an excellent sweater for around the house on really cold days, or around town on cool days. While we love the functionality of this fleece, it isn't quite as warm as the original Patagonia R1. The style is also distinctive, and very retro. It's built with comfort in mind and can easily perform in the backcountry. It has four snaps at the top for when it gets real chilly, and one breast pocket with a snap for storing very small items. I am 85 yrs old, get cold very easy, living in Northern IN. The grid-style pullover fleece jackets are great even on mild days, and their breathability was so effective that we never felt uncomfortable or sweaty. That said, its a good rule of thumb to use. It offers one of the best warmth to breathability ratios. to create an exceptionally comfy and warm jacket. While a bigger price tag doesn't always correlate to better performance, the more expensive models typically use newer materials that are lighter and/or more breathable while still providing warmth. How can we improve GearLab? Additionally, the thin fabric and minimal bulk made this an easy piece to layer over. The grid fleece pillows are thin on the Techface, resulting in a less than toasty layer, but one that protects well from the elements. The combination of wind and rain resistance makes this fleece an excellent option for those that want a standalone piece that will keep them comfortable in rapidly changing conditions. While not quite as warm as the Denali, it does feel softer and less boxy. This fleece was fine for sustained athletics, but if you are going to be hanging around in the cold, you will need to layer up. A fleece in shoulder season is a highly versatile layer, especially for those that want to hike hard. The models that didn't fare so well were the heavier and bulkier ones, like the Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap T, The North Face Campshire Hoodie, The North Face Denali 2, and the Smartwool Merino Hybrid. Used by climbers, hikers, backpackers, and general outdoor enthusiasts for nearly 20 years, this fleece is usually a staple in most gearhead closets. We like it as a hoodie with its large kangaroo pouch, though its offered in many different styles. Many of the fleeces listed above are made with recycled material water bottles usually and we feel that this is an important part of buying a brand new fleece. It has a great weight to warmth ratio and most importantly, is incredibly comfortable to wear. While you can do that if you want, we think its better to be clear about what your activity intentions are with the jacket, find the fabric weight and style that suits you, and then narrow down by brand or individual product. Fleece has notoriously poor wind resistance. For hanging out in camp or cooking around the campfire, this hoody can't be beaten. For those looking for a great price on a quality fleece, the Outdoor Research Vigor Full Zip offers a reasonable price and good performance. The high percentage of wool used in this garment means that it will retain even more of its insulating abilities than the fully synthetic options when it gets wet. Heavyweight fleece trying to resist the garden hose. For your cold hands, there's a big handwarmer pocket behind the kangaroo pouch. The final bit about buying fleece is for the green-hearted readers. The Patagonia Better Sweater is our go-to heathered fleece jacket. The ScubaHood works under a helmet and theres an integrated neck gaiter that doubles as a balaclava, greatly increasing the cold-weather performance of the Fortrez. The North Face Campshire Hoodie became an instant tester favorite this season thanks to its supreme blanket-like comfort and high pile fleece. No ads. This piece bridges the gap between fleece and softshell. However, we find its overkill for most activities and the cost puts people off. The scuba-style hood fits underneath climbing helmets and does a great job at keeping cold air out while trapping hard-won body heat inside. The Marmot Reactor breathes well and has reinforced neck fabric to keep that delicate part of you warm. Required fields are marked *. Both the R1 and R1 Techface models from Patagonia use Polartec Power Grid fleece. balaclava What really sets this hoody apart from other fleece jackets is that we could actually stand in the rain and stay relatively dry. With its athletic cut and innovative fabric, our testers would happily wear it all day long. asos fleece face north glacier zip yellow exclusive Long fleece fibers collect dirt and sticks, Not as good an insulator as the original R1. Read review: The North Face Campshire Hoodie. The Arcteryx Covert Cardigan is a high-end, stylish fleece meant to replicate the classic cardigan. There are two zipped hand pockets and two internal drop pockets, with a chest zip for the mens version. Warmth is one of the critical things to consider when buying a fleece jacket; the purpose of this layer is to help trap and retain our body heat in chilly conditions. Thumbholes are clutch when layering in the cold. Backpackers.com Affiliate Policy: This guide contains affiliate links, which help fund our website. While this is great for breathability, its not the best for warmth. mitten mittens sports outdoor fingerless convertible We do. verto trailspace Its heathered design appeals to the eye as much as the skin, and wearing it is truly like wearing your favorite sweater. In the above list you may be able to spot the performance fleece jackets from the casual ones typically you can tell just by the fit and style. The downside of all this luxury? The Columbia Steens Mountain 2 is a wildly popular fleece, mostly for the price and coziness. The lightweight and breathable nature of this fleece did come at the cost of warmth and wind resistance. The Arcteryx Fortrez Hoodie is a classic rock and alpine climbing lightweight fleece that excels as a multi-purpose layer on the trail. The Campshire is perfect for hanging around the campsite relaxing or doing a few (but not too many) chores. Do you care about the planet? This thin fleece is wind resistant, has an effective water-resistant DWR treatment, and even a brimmed hood like you would find on a rain jacket. This piece really only has a few downsides. asos fleece face north glacier zip yellow exclusive Our only other complaint is the lack of thumb loops built into the cuffs. The fleece material is quite fuzzy, and it tends to shed, so watch out. Top it all off with a noggin-encompassing hood, and you're ready for late nights at the fire with your friends. Got feedback? Keep in mind that if you want to use your fleece as part of a layering system, then a jacket can be too warm, so warmth might not be your top priority. Using this as a standalone piece is inconsequential, but when you're sliding it underneath other layers, thumb loops keep things from getting all bunched up. But fleece jackets are typically stretchy and built to move, making them ideal for climbing, hiking, skiing, or any outdoor activity you need an unrestricted range of motion. In a similar vein, the breathable nature of the material doesn't take to the rain very well, and you'll find yourself needing a rain layer for all but the lightest of drizzles. The North Face Denali 2 has large panels of different material to block wind in key areas, while the Arcteryx Fortrez has wind-blocking threads built into the whole jacket. All in all, this fleece is a highly comfortable and warm layer that is best suited for anyone looking to upgrade their performance fleece wear. There are no extra features, like pockets or cinches or reinforced areas. The synthetic fabric is synonomous with cozy, and were pretty sure cozy is the ultimate goal. Fleece is that surprisingly versatile fabric that can perform for high-energy activities and around-the-house lounging. Fleece itself is plastic, so every time it gets tossed it becomes another piece of plastic in the landfill. The crew neck version of this fleece is equipped with only one chest pocket, so if you're using it as a standalone piece, your storage options are limited. The breathable R1 Air Crew is the lightest fleece we tested, weighing in at a featherweight 9.7 ounces. With the added breathability, it'll keep you warm when it's cold, and cool when it is warm. Whether you're looking for a cozy standalone piece to wear on cold mornings or for a technical fleece to be used in a more robust layering system, our expert recommendations will help narrow down your selection so that you can choose the right jacket for your needs and budget. If you just need a layer for car camping, though, and weight is not an issue, you'll appreciate having a warm layer like the Denali 2, Campshire, or the Lightweight Synchilla Snap T when hanging around the campfire at night. For high output activity in the spring and summer, this fleece might not offer the breathability you want when early morning and evening temps are rising. The hood is sized to fit over a helmet, and the wider cut of the jacket easily accommodates warmer mid-layers underneath. Follow his personal adventures and stories at betterhiker.com and on Instagram. A well-fitting jacket will provide full coverage when you lift your arms above your head. Polartec, the leading manufacturer of fleece, helped to define these categories with their Polartec Classic 100, 200, and 300 offerings. Common traits for Midweight fleece: The North Face Denali 2, a heavyweight fleece with windblocking sections. The North Face Denali 2 is the second edition of a world-famous fleece. This works wonders as a midlayer around camp and as an outer layer while moving through chilly backcountry or while climbing. While all the models that we tested are made with materials that are quite comfortable, some stood out from the rest. With some products, we tell you it really is best to buy from a well-reputed brand and to get it new. And, if you want a deeper explanation of what fleeces fit for what Backpacker Types, see our informative guide to fleece! The perfect mid-layer for chilly days around town, or an excellent outer layer for moderate weather when you a want a durable and warm jacket on-hand. We took these fleeces on backpacking trips, dragged them up granite walls, chopped wood, hung out around campfires, and took them out on the town. The R1 Hoody features Polartec Power Grid, unique to Patagonia, which is small checkered squares of surprising warmth that feel good against the skin and allow ample breathability. In all seriousness, the Covert Cardigan line (there are a few styles) competes directly with the Patagonia Better Sweater, and uses a heathered, casual style, which is a step away for the typical high-alpine gear that Arcteryx puts out. It has an active fit and is made for high-output activities, which means its a 100-weight fleece that is meant to fit close to the body. While a few ounces here or there might not seem like much, when you shave ounces off of all of your gear, those weight savings start to add up. On the heavier side, TNF Denali 2 weighs 27.1 ounces, twice as much as the lighter models, making it too heavy and bulky to throw in your pack when heading for a long hike; ditto for the supremely comfortable TNF Campshire Hoodie. It has a slim fit for active pursuits, but the cut is a little more casual than, say, the R1 Hoody, so it works well for casual outings too. We have you covered literally with in-depth reviews of the best gear, ranging from down jackets to base layers. It doesnt weigh much, packs down small for a fleece, wont break the bank, and the fit is a tiny bit baggier than your typical active fit. trailhead trailspace The fleece backing is packed with hundreds of raised squares with breathable venting channels throughout. Our team constantly finds basic fleeces (and even some advanced ones) at thrift stores. The Patagonia R2 fleece jacket is hybrid fleece that aims to hit a number of lifestyles, and does so with aplomb. This fabric is a tried and true option used in performance fleece wear. Our testers, however, actually found the Vigor to be more comfortable and a full ounce lighter than the R1 Full Zip Hoody. Its a naturally hydrobophic material, meaning it doesnt want to get close to water. When you're not sure what conditions you'll be encountering, a quality fleece will help you stay adaptable. This fleece is excellent for anyone that wants a basic midlayer for warmth and breathability. However, it was also the heaviest and bulkiest model we tested and did not perform well for active use. When you click on the links to purchase the gear we get a commission, and this goes a long way to creating guides, gear reviews, and other excellent content. They kind of invented fleece as we currently know it, and we believe they have the most varied and applicable collection to our difference Backpacker Types, thus the many listings. This thing is baggy and bulky and definitely not technical, but it is literally made for sitting around a campfire or your apartment when a cold snap comes around. For this comprehensive review, our experts put these fleece jackets through 170 individual tests to help you find the best option for your needs based on value and performance. It will get soaked, and it will be uncomfortable. GearLab is reader-supported. A built-in neck gaiter/balaclava in the hood, three zip pockets, and a climbers cut make the Fortrez a go-to for alpinists and hikers alike. The Kuhl Interceptr 1/4 Zip is another option that is a little too heavy to use for long missions into the backcountry, but it is a perfect midweight choice for wearing around town and the occasional hike. The Patagonia Synchilla Lightweight Snap-T harkens back to the original fleece, called the Synchilla, which was debuted by Patagonia decades ago. Read our About page for more information, and check out our gear reviews and outdoor guides. Over the past ten years, our teams of apparel experts have tested more than 45 of the best fleece jackets on the market. The Patagonia Synchilla Lightweight Snap-T is a classic fleece designed for maximum coziness. The Outdoor Research Full Zip Vigor offers one of the best values of any fleece currently on the market. But with as often as it will get worn (every day), it'll show its wear eventually. balaclava Though its smooth face won't pick or pill and layers nicely, it may eventually get holes; just the nature of the grid pattern creates thin, weak sections of fleece that eventually will fail. The new Patagonia R1 Techface Hoody is thinner and even more breathable than the original R1, but it doesn't make for a cozy mid-layer like its sibling, the standard ole trusty R1. This jacket offers a terrific range of motion, including overhead movements, making it an ideal choice for climbers, hikers, or skiers. Its zig-zag weave offers more warmth retention and increased breathability. Finally, we do list Patagonia a high number of times. It's also worth mentioning that sweating in a fleece can feel downright gross against your skin, especially as it starts to cool. Not overly styled, not overly heavy, not overly light, and with a small amount of wind blocking this fleece is nice enough to wear out, durable enough to wear outdoors, and cozy enough to wear in the house. This fleece is a good balance between cost, weight, and function for those who want something that can layer well on long hikes or backpacking trips. While none of the fleeces we reviewed are waterproof, some fleece is certainly more weather resistant than others. Patagonia's R1 series has been a longtime favorite of our testers. The gridded fleece on the Outdoor Research Vigor is highly breathable. The Denali 2 then uses 70D nylon fabric on the chest and arms to create thorough windblocking, which is a notorious issue with fleece. If you want a super warm and wind-blocking fleece outer layer, this is nearly the best youll find. If you need a warm and toasty outer jacket and prefer fleece to a synthetic or down jacket, then this is the one for you. Thinner models, like the Patagonia R1 Hoody, and the Arc'teryx Konseal, layered easily under everything we tried them with. When it warmed up, we took advantage of the long zippers, some of which came down past our belly buttons! Common traits for Lightweight fleece are: The Patagonia Better Sweater, a midweight fleece. The Patagonia R1 Air series is made from a new proprietary hollow-core fabric. Patagonia, The North Face, Arcteryx, Marmot, Columbia these are some of the largest apparel brands in the outdoor industry, and the only brands we list above. Our testers loved climbing, skiing, and hiking in this piece. It doesn't score as high as some but has a great bang for the buck. It is made of 100% polyester knitted fleece, has two zippered hand pockets, and the mens version has a zippered chest while the womens has a zippered bicep pocket. A baclava style hood, thumb holes, and extra long hem make it highly versatile, while the quarter zip allows for heat venting or solid protection. To counteract this, youll see many fleece jackets with wind-blocking fabric. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. The Patagonia R2 is a solid and rugged do-it-all midlayer jacket. While we think the Columbia Steens Mountain 2 is a solid choice if you want a cheap fleece, we dont love that it sheds, and we find it pretty bulky overall. It can be worn as a standalone piece in moderately cold and dry weather or easily layered under a puffy, rain shell, or both, depending on how extreme the conditions are. The Techface R1 is breathable but is a heavier weight than the R1 and is not as suited to aerobic activities. The Patagonia R1 Hoody is a high-performing active fleece. (You will look like a Hobbit in winter!) These traits increase optimum coziness, and are usually styled to be worn around town or in the house next to a roaring fire (that good life!). While these jackets are made of a tighter, more weather-resistant weave, they are so thin that they still vent fairly well. The scuba style hood excels at keeping out the wind. It has a single breast pocket with a snap-t button, and three buttons up the color. Are there other brands making decent fleece? The Patagonia R1 Air Crew was both soft and well-fitting. One of the warmest models that we tested was The North Face Denali 2 Hoodie. The sweater is slightly baggy and uses midweight fleece for a good balance of warmth and actual weight when worn, and it is Fair Trade Certified sewn, in addition to 100% recycled polyester fleece. Most of the lightweight fleeces we tested also forego hand pockets, presumably to reduce weight and bulk. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. Are you chilly? The Columbia Steens Mountain 2 is a go-to inexpensive fleece from a large brand. Weve got the best fleece jackets for you, below. Fleece is, by nature, is a plushy material, and it typically makes for very comfortable jackets. The fabric itself lets air in and out, which means it can keep you cool even has you heat up. The material is four-way Polartec Power Stretch, which is great for a range of motion, and it uses Hardface technology that blocks the wind, a common issue with fleece. Thin, stretchy underarm panels increase breathability, Extra-long hem fits well under waist belt strap or a climbing harness. No sponsored content. Its got enough pockets to be useful and is so soft youll never want to take it off. Fleece isn't traditionally known for its water-resistant properties, and we don't expect a fleece jacket to keep us dry. Cozy hoods, thumb loops, elastic cuffs, drawstring hems, and tighter weaves that help block the wind all add up to additional warmth, warranting a bump in the score. These are usually the midweight fleeces, like the Patagonia R2, which is quite warm yet has paneling for extra breathability. While we had no trouble putting them on over another light fleece layer, they were not very comfortable to wear under another jacket like a shell or winter puffy jacket. Overall this is a fantastic fleece if you want to be warm, active, and well protected. The Patagonia R1 Hoody is a staple in our outdoor clothing arsenal. Unlike cotton, synthetic materials retain a significant amount of their insulating abilities when wet, so if you do manage to get caught in the rain without a shell, you'll be in much better shape than if you were wearing a cotton hoody. The R1 Techface Hoody is a good fleece for variable weather days. Your email address will not be published. Weather resistance only counts for 10% of our scoring. Thicker thread doesnt really correspond to increased wind resistance, so youll really want that wind-blocking material if you plan to use it outside often without another layer. mitten mittens sports outdoor fingerless convertible However, the fleece's thickness and the tightness of the weave will affect how much air and moisture can move in and out of it. The material looks and feels more cozy than technical, but don't let that fool you this fleece means business. That said it comes with a warranty and Columbia often has it on sale for nearly 50% off, so if you want a simple fleece you cant go wrong. Note that its layered with a down puffy on the right.

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