The fleece jacket has become a staple for outdoor activities and everyday wear. Its fabric is well suited to sport, but it also offers a practical way to stay warm day to day. A fleece jacket is warm, comfortable and soft. It doesn’t irritate the skin, dries quickly and stands up well to regular use. Lightweight and highly breathable, it has earned a place in many suitcases and wardrobes. To help you choose the right fleece jacket, here is our complete guide to the different options and what to consider for your needs.
What is a fleece jacket?
Fleece fibres are used in fleece garments, whether short-pile or long-pile, as well as in softshell jackets. You’ll also find fleece trousers, gloves and hats. Fleece is sometimes used as a lining in other garments. Fleece fibres are generally made from polyester, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and other synthetic fibres, sometimes recycled.
The different types of fleece jacket
A thick fleece jacket has a fabric weight of 300 g/m² and provides the most warmth in winter. It forms an effective barrier against the cold but does not wick away sweat as well. Its thickness can also limit comfort. A thick fleece is often less suited to activities that require plenty of movement and is rarely used for high-intensity activities.
The lightest fleece jacket has a fabric weight of 100 g/m². It is designed to fit under a windproof jacket or another jacket. It provides a little less warmth, but its low bulk makes it much more comfortable.
It is an ideal fleece jacket for physical activity and is often chosen for winter hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and other sports that call for protection from the cold without restricting movement.
The midweight fleece is more breathable than a thick fleece and warmer than a lightweight one, making it the most versatile of the three. Wear it as an outer layer in mild weather or as a midlayer when it gets colder. Explore all our sleeveless hiking jackets too.
What are the advantages of a fleece jacket?
There are many advantages to equipping yourself with a fleece jacket as a mid layer or as an outer layer:
- Highly breathable: it easily wicks moisture and perspiration away from your body
- Dries very quickly: a natural capability linked to its breathability
- Excellent insulation: even when wet, a fleece jacket is a true thermal barrier
- One of the best weight-to-insulation ratios: certainly the lightest garment that delivers such a sense of cold insulation
- Affordable: an accessible product with outstanding value for money
- Very easy care and washing
- Durable: an extremely hard-wearing product with a long lifespan
- Very compact: it takes up little space in luggage and weighs very little
- Suits all styles: it can be worn anywhere — on the sports field, in the countryside or in the city!
When should you wear a fleece jacket?
A fleece jacket is often chosen for its versatility. Wear it as an outer layer between seasons or as a midlayer in the cold. Fleece fabric is also used to make gilets that are practical, warm and comfortable. It can be a good choice for:
- in dynamic winter sports
- in all outdoor activities during the shoulder season
- as a protective layer in the early morning and evening during the near-warm season
- as a comfort garment: it is highly appreciated for its cosy feel and softness.
- as a travel garment (lightweight, practical and easy to pack)
Choosing a fleece jacket is often a matter of personal taste, too. Today, you’ll find them in a wide range of colours and styles. And with affordable fleece jackets, you can even have several in different fabric weights and fits, so you always have the right one for the activity and the weather.
