The fleece jacket has become an essential product in the world of outdoor activities and more broadly in the world of clothing since its rise to popularity. The many qualities of this fabric make it perfectly suited to sport use as well as casual everyday wear for staying warm in a practical way. Fleece fabric is warm, comfortable and very soft. It doesn't irritate the skin, dries quickly and is durable over time. This lightweight and highly breathable fabric has ultimately become a must-have in any bag or wardrobe. To help you choose the fleece jacket model that suits you, here is a comprehensive guide with all our advice on this product and its different versions to match your needs.
What is a fleece jacket?
Fleece fibres are used in garments of the same name (fleeces can have short or long pile), as well as in softshell jackets. You'll also find trousers, gloves and beanies in fleece. Fleece is also sometimes used as a lining in certain garments. Fleece fibres are generally made from polyester, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and other synthetic fibres (sometimes recycled).
The different types of fleece jacket
The heavyweight fleece jacket has a density of 300 g/m² and offers maximum warmth in winter conditions. It acts as an effective barrier against the cold but doesn't wick moisture away efficiently enough. Its significant thickness therefore limits the comfort it can provide. A thick fleece is often poorly suited to physical activities requiring a high degree of mobility and is rarely used for dynamic activities.
The lightest fleece jacket has a weight of 100 g/m². This is the version chosen to layer under a windproof or another jacket. It provides slightly less warmth, but its low thickness offers far greater comfort.
It is the ideal fleece jacket for physical activity and is often chosen for hiking in the depths of winter, nordic skiing, snowshoeing and any other sport requiring good cold protection while maintaining freedom of movement.
The mid-weight fleece, which is more breathable than the heavyweight fleece and warmer than the lightweight fleece, is the most versatile of the three. It can be worn as an outer layer when temperatures are mildly cool, or layered as a mid-layer in the coldest conditions. Also check out all our sleeveless hiking jackets.
What are the advantages of a fleece jacket?
There are many advantages to wearing 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 quality 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 provides such a strong sense of thermal insulation
- Affordable: an accessible product with excellent value for money
- Very easy to care for and wash
- Durable: a product that is very hard to damage and has a long lifespan
- Very packable: takes up very little space in luggage and weighs almost nothing
- Suits every style: it can be worn anywhere — on the sports field, in the countryside and in the city!
When should you wear a fleece jacket?
The fleece jacket is often chosen for its versatility and multi-functionality. It can be worn as an outer layer in mid-season and as a mid-layer in cold conditions. Fleece fabric is even used for gilets that are highly practical, warm and comfortable. It can be the go-to choice:
- in dynamic winter sports
- for all outdoor activities in mid-season
- as a protective layer on cool mornings and evenings in near-warm seasons
- as a comfort layer: highly appreciated for its cosy feel and softness.
- as a travel layer (lightweight, practical and compact)
Choosing a fleece jacket is often a matter of personal taste too. The advantage is that today you'll find them in every colour and a range of different styles. And with affordable fleece jackets, you can even treat yourself to several in different weights and cuts — so you'll always have the right fleece jacket to hand for your activity and the weather conditions!
