The best fleece jackets reviewed (2023)

Fleece jackets are popular winter mid layers and summer outer layers for hiking and hillwalking. We've been out testing to find the best.

Three photos of hikers wearing fleece jackets

by James Forrest |
Posted on

When it comes to hiking jackets, especially mid layers, one fabric rules supreme: fleece. First developed in the late 1970s, this synthetic fabric was lighter and softer than wool. It was also much cheaper than down.

Fleece jackets have proven to be a big hit. Almost every outdoor apparel brand makes fleece jackets. Today, they come in multiple variations, from lightweight, breathable gridded microfleece tops to uber-cosy, high-loft fleece hoodies. Fleeces range from technical outerwear to an everyday wardrobe staple.

Our shortlist:

Mountain Equipment Shroud Hooded - Best in Test

Berghaus Carnot Hooded - Best Value

Artilect Halfmoon Bio Fleece - Best sustainable fleece

OMM Core Fleece Jacket - Best fleece for breathability

Montane Protium XPD - Best fleece for layering

Haglöfs Pile Hood - Best fleece for warmth

Sprayway Saul Hoody - Best budget fleece

ThruDark Mantra - Best fleece for style

For outright warmth for weight, ducks and geese down are the undisputed insulation champs. That’s why down is used for the warmest and best insulated winter jackets. But fleece is versatile. It's quicker drying than a heavy woolly pully or a down jacket. Most aren't particularly windproof but on the flip side, they can be very breathable.

The best fleece jackets in detail

Best in Test

Description

This technical, high-performing fleece is good at everything. It’s tough and warm enough to be

Pros

  • Wind-resistance
  • Zoned construction
  • Great performance

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Too similar to a softshell
  • Quite long in the arms

Best Value

Description

This fleece jacket is made from Polartec Power Stretch, one of the best fleece fabrics out there.

Pros

  • Breathability
  • Warmth
  • Comfort
  • Stretch

Cons

  • Tad heavy
  • Bit bulky for a mid-layer

Best sustainable fleece

Description

The Halfmoon Bio Fleece is made from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, which are transformed

Pros

  • Eco-friendly
  • Innovative fabric
  • All-day comfort

Cons

  • Some might prefer a more 'technical' looking fleece

Best fleece for breathability

OMM Core Fleece Jacket
Price: £110.00

theomm.com

Description

The OMM Core Fleece Jacket is very specialist with a niche approach. The main benefit is

Pros

  • Amazing breathability
  • Ultralight
  • Good price

Cons

  • No wind protection
  • Very thin
  • No hood

Best fleece for layering

Montane Protium XPD fleece
Price: £130.00

montane.com

Description

his fleece jacket has a very technical design, with its body mapped construction. For improved

Pros

  • Well-priced
  • Zoned construction
  • Good freedom of movement

Cons

  • Not ideal as a standalone layer
  • Non-adjustable waist

Best fleece for warmth

Description

High-loft fleece – recognisable for its thick, fluffy, deeply-piled tufts – is about as thermally

Pros

  • Very warm
  • Super cosy

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Not ideal for layering
  • Risk of overheating

Best budget fleece

Description

Arguably some of the fleece jackets we’ve tested are overly complicated. The Sprayway Saul Hoody

Pros

  • Bargain price
  • No-nonsense approach
  • Good in a layering system

Cons

  • Not the warmest
  • No recycled content
  • No women's version

Best fleece for style

Description

Newcomer brand ThruDark, has been building a reputation for performance apparel over the past few

Pros

  • Warm
  • Technical
  • Thumb loops

Cons

  • Overpriced
  • No hood
  • No women's version

Fleece and the environment

Plastic pollution on a beach in Scotland
©Photo: Live For The Outdoors

In these more enlightened times, we’ve now realised that a fabric made from petrochemicals is not so great for the planet. For example, when put through the washing machine, fleeces release tiny strands and particles called microplastics into the environment. Some outdoor gear brands are trying to find solutions to these problems and many fleeces are now made from recycled material, which is something but more needs to be done.

However, innovation continues to amaze. In 2021, New Zealand outdoor gear brand Kathmandu launched a world-first range of fleeces made from Primaloft Bio. This fully recycled fabric looks and performs the same as traditional fleece, but it breaks down at an accelerated rate in oceans, wastewater, and landfill, the three places fleece fibres usually end up.

You can also help battle against microplastic release by using a washing bag that catches the dislodged fleece strands.

What to look for in a fleece jacket

Three hikers wearing fleeces
©Live For The Outdoors

Fit: A fleece needs to fit over base layers without feeling restrictive, but should also fit comfortably under a hard shell waterproof without being too chunky or boxy. Look for one with a snug, close-to-the-body fit, with warmth sealed-in at the wrist cuffs, waist hem and collar.

Fleece type: Since Polartec invented the first ‘polar’ fleece in 1981, there’s been an explosion in fleece material innovations. Traditional options include polar fleece, micro-fleece (lightweight and tightly-woven) and high-loft fleece (fluffy and warm). Modern offerings include gridded fleece and Polartec’s super breathable Alpha Direct fluffy mesh tufts.

Hem and cuffs: Adjustable drawcords or stretchy edging at the waist hem enable a snug fit tailored to your body shape. Adjustable wrist cuffs are rare, but some are elasticated for a closer fit that seals in warmth.

Hood: A fleecy hood provides excellent warmth and an essential feature for some. However, they can be annoying under other layers. If you prefer wearing a warm hat, you may not need a hood.

Materials: Historically fleeces have been made from polyester, but modern iterations are more varied. Some feature natural fibres such as merino wool. Others blend in additional synthetic materials like elastane. Hybrid fleece jackets mixing different materials are common. Their ‘zoned’ or ‘mapped’ construction optimises warmth, breathability and stretch. Many fleeces are now made from recycled plastic too.

Pockets: A selection of internal and external pockets is handy for storage. Handwarmer pockets are most common, but some jackets also feature Napoleon (breast) and bicep pockets too.

Thickness: Thinner fleece jackets work best as mid layers. Sleek, stretchy and technical, they provide better freedom of movement and overall breathability but don’t offer much warmth. Thicker fleeces with a deeper pile trap more heat. They work best as standalone outer layers on dry days, but they are heavier and may feel too bulky underneath a hard shell.

Weight: As a rough guide, a 100g/m² fleece is the most breathable and lightest; 200g/m² is ideal for a mid-layer; and 300g/m² is best for cold winter hikes. The higher the grade (measured in grams per square metre), the thicker, heavier and warmer the fleece will be.

Wind resistance: Most fleeces are neither windproof nor wind-resistant, and thus need to be paired with a windproof outer layer in blustery conditions. However, some fleeces use high-density, close-knitted yarns or the addition of wind-resistant face fabrics or membranes to keep the breeze at bay.

Zips: Fleece jackets have full-length, half, or quarter zips. Full length zips are easiest to get off and on, but they are heavier and slightly compromise warmth due to a longer seam.

Get half-price digital OS Maps. Trail and Country Walking magazine members get 50% off an annual subscription to OS Maps for 12 months. Find out more here.

Don't forget to subscribe to the Live For The Outdoors newsletter to get expert advice and outdoor inspiration delivered to your inbox.

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us