Best Fleece Jackets of 2026/27
Tested for three years on trail runs, ski tours, and a CDT thru-hike, these are the warmest, most breathable, and coziest fleece jackets we found
November 12, 2026
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Updated with one new fleece jacket tested
A good fleece jacket works on a cold trailhead morning and on a winter bike commute. Some are built for sweating up a skin track. Others are the cozy layer you grab on your way into town. We tested dozens of men’s and women’s fleece jackets to find the best of both.
For three years, we wore them through Colorado winters, snowstorms near 0°F, and breezy summer mornings. We took them alpine climbing in Wyoming, snowshoeing in Idaho, backpacking in the Southwest, and on a Continental Divide Trail thru-hike. They served as insulating mid-layers and as everyday outerwear for trail running, ski touring, bike commuting, and errands around town.
We judged each fleece on breathability, softness, and how it fit and moved during hard efforts. We also looked at how it handled a range of temperatures and activities, and whether its pockets, hood, and zippers were worth having. A fleece for running uphill needs different features than one you wear to the coffee shop.
Top Pick: The Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody (men’s and women’s) is our best overall fleece jacket. Its zigzag-textured fleece, made from 100% recycled polyester, breathes well and dries fast when you’re on the move. It’s also soft enough to wear all day. If you want one fleece for cold-weather adventures and everyday life, this is the one.
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Fleece jackets comparison tables
Men’s comparison table
| FLEECE JACKET | TREELINE AWARD | MSRP | SIZES | FIT | WEIGHT | BEST FOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody | Best overall Read why |
$199 | XS-XXL | Slim | 12.9 oz / 365 g | Active lifestyle |
| The North Face Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE Full-Zip Hoody | Best lightweight Read why |
$170 | S-XXL | Slim | 7.9 oz / 224 g | Ultralight backpacking, running, and mountaineering |
| Mountain Hardwear Kor AirShell Warm Hoody | Best hooded Read why |
$230 | S-XXL | Standard | 11.5 oz / 326 g | High-output cold weather activities, ultralight backpacking |
| Patagonia R1 TechFace Jacket | Best zip-up Read why |
$199 | XS-XXL | Slim | 11.9 oz / 337 g | Snowy activities |
| Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip Fleece Jacket | Best big and tall Read why |
$65 | S-XXL, 1X-6X, LT-5XT | Regular | 7.2 oz / 204 g | Active lifestyle, Cool weather base/mid-layer, Casual |
Women’s comparison table
| FLEECE JACKET | TREELINE AWARD | MSRP | SIZES | FIT | WEIGHT | BEST FOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody | Best overall Read why |
$199 | XXS-XL | Slim | 10.9 oz/ 309 g | Active lifestyle |
| The North Face Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE Full-Zip Hoody | Best lightweight Read why |
$170 | XS-XXL | Slim | 6.3 oz / 180 g | Ultralight backpacking, running, and mountaineering |
| Mountain Hardwear Kor AirShell Warm Hoody | Best hooded Read why |
$230 | XS-XL | Standard | 10.8 oz / 307 g | High-output cold weather activities, ultralight backpacking |
| Patagonia R1 Fleece Pullover | Warmest Read why |
$155 | XXS-XXL | Slim | 8.6 oz / 244 g | Cold weather base/mid-layer |
| Ortovox Fleece Grid Hoody | Most breathable Read why |
$240 | XS-XL | Slim | 11.6 oz / 330 g | Cold weather mid-layer |
The winners
Best fleece jacket: Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody
Available sizes: XS-XXL (men’s); XXS-XL (women’s)
Fit: Slim
Weight: 12.9 oz (men’s), 10.9 oz (women’s)
Best for: Active lifestyle
What we liked: Soft, warm, breathable, dries quickly, feels like cotton but performs better
What we didn’t like: Small chest pocket
The Patagonia R1 Air Full-zip Hoody is our overall winner for best fleece jacket. This is our favorite fleece overall because it excels during active pursuits, is incredibly comfortable, and looks good enough to wear all the time. Most fleeces are either stylish, warm, and casual—or they’re technical garments that keep you warm during intense exercise and make you look like you’re going to a ski mountaineering race. The R1 Air Full-zip walks the line between these two—it’s a high-performing fleece that breathes, keeps you warm, and looks good around town. You’ll never want to take this fleece off, and you won’t have to, no matter the cold-weather activity.
We like this fleece so much that we dedicated an entire in-depth review to the R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody.
View the Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody
Men's
Women's
The R1 Air Full-zip Hoody is made with Patagonia’s 100% recycled polyester jacquard fleece. This fleece has a zigzag texture with a unique look and feel we love. The material is softer than any other fleece we’ve tried and is more comfortable than our favorite cotton hoody.
It wicks moisture well and is one of the most breathable fleeces we tested. We’ve worn this fleece on many long trail runs in Colorado, where temperatures range from 50°F to below freezing. With its full-length zipper, hood, and breathable, quick-drying fleece fabric, this jacket has kept us comfortable across a shocking range of temperatures.
There’s nothing we don’t like about this fleece zip-up. But if we’re being picky, the chest pocket isn’t big enough for a modern cell phone. We’re okay with storing our phone elsewhere, like in either of the two zippered hand pockets or in a running hydration vest.
With hundreds of rave reviews from customers online, we know we’re in good company when we say this is the best fleece.
Best lightweight fleece jacket: The North Face Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE Full-Zip Hoodie
Available sizes: S-XXL (men’s); XS-XXL (women’s)
Fit: Slim
Weight: 7.9 oz / 224 g (men’s), 6.3 oz / 180 g (women’s)
Fleece weight: 133 g/m² FUTUREFLEECE™
What we liked: Ultralight, very breathable, great hood, very comfortable
What we didn’t like: Tiny zipper gets stuck easily, not as warm as some fleeces
Best for: Ultralight backpacking, running, and mountaineering
The North Face Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE Full-Zip Hoodie is one of the lightest fleeces we tested and the lightest weight full-zip fleece we’ve ever seen. We love the versatility of a full-length zipper in a fleece mid-layer, but a longer zipper does add weight. With this fleece, you can have both.
The North Face Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE isn’t the warmest, as you might expect of a jacket that weighs around seven ounces. But this lightweight fleece hoody is exceptionally comfortable, breathable, and works well in various conditions. We tested this fleece on winter trail runs, on hiking trips, and as a mid-layer while skiing in Colorado. It works well in chilly temperatures of around 40-50 degrees, and in colder temperatures it serves as a mid-layer between a wind shell and a base layer.
View The North Face Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE Full-Zip
Men's
Women's
This fleece has a smooth outer face with fluffy, sherpa-fleece-like insulation inside. The fleece insulation is arranged in a diamond pattern, creating gaps that trap warm air, much like grid fleece. These gaps also let heat out; we never overheated in this jacket. The face material feels like a soft woven shirt.
It has no wind or water resistance, making it more breathable. In fact, this fleece is one of the most breathable we tested and works well as an outer layer. The hood has elastic around the face opening, and it never blew off in windy conditions. It also has elastic cuffs, thumb loops, and a chest pocket.
While the full-length zipper generally works well enough, we consistently had difficulty fully unzipping this small, ultralight zipper. It always seemed to get stuck at the bottom, and we had to wiggle it to fully open the jacket. While this isn’t a dealbreaker, it’s hard to fully unzip while you’re moving, and therefore, it’s worth noting. This also isn’t the warmest fleece, but for the weight, we’re okay with that.
The small zipper on the FUTUREFLEECE adds very little weight to this lightweight fleece jacket. Most tiny zippers are finicky, so we’re used to gently wrestling with them. For a smaller zipper, the zipper on the FUTUREFLEECE isn’t as sticky as we've seen on many zippers of its size. Still, if you have any issues with the zipper, we recommend using zipper lube and reading our zipper care guide.
We consider the North Face FUTUREFLEECE, La Sportiva Big Wall Pullover Hoody, and the Outdoor Vitals Pursuit Hybrid Fleece all pretty similar. Each of these fleeces uses high-pile interior fleece material, which is warmer for the weight while maintaining better breathability. The FUTUREFLEECE is the most expensive, but we find it’s the most versatile, thanks to its full-length zipper and a more casual look.
You can wear the FUTUREFLEECE on the trail, then head out to lunch. While you can do the same with the Big Wall Pullover and Outdoor Vitals Pursuit Hybrid Fleece, you’ll look more like you’re going to climb a mountain in the Big Wall, and the Pursuit Hybrid Fleece doesn’t have quite as much style as the FUTUREFLEECE.
Best hooded fleece jacket: Mountain Hardwear Kor AirShell Warm Hoody
Available sizes: S-XXL (men’s); XS-XL (women’s)
Fit: Standard
Weight: 11.5 oz (men’s), 10.8 oz (women’s)
Fleece weight: AirMesh “fleece” lining
What we liked: Very breathable, warmth, tons of pockets, great hood
What we didn’t like: Expensive compared to regular fleece
Best for: High-output cold weather activities, ultralight backpacking
The Mountain Hardwear Kor AirShell Warm Hoody is one of the least fleece-like jackets we tested, but it performs better than traditional fleece in warmth and breathability, so we included it here. It’s a hybrid fleece shell, pairing a weather-resistant shell material with a fleece lining.
The AirMesh fleece lining is incredibly warm when you aren’t moving; this jacket is almost as warm as a light down jacket. (If you are looking for down options, check out our in-depth guide to down jackets as well.) But when your body generates heat, the Kor AirShell jacket breathes better than most fleeces we’ve worn. We’ve been using this jacket for two years—while alpine climbing in Wyoming, mountain running in Colorado, and on cold-weather backpacking trips in the Southwest. This jacket is constantly impressing us, whatever we do with it.
View the Mountain Hardwear Kor AirShell Warm Hoody
Men's
Women's
The Kor AirShell Warm Hoody features a soft mesh lining with sections of fuzzy fleece. The shell fabric is an abrasion-resistant Pertex Quantum Air stretch fabric that blocks wind, light rain, and snow. It has a great hood that fits over a ball cap or beanie and has a shock cord to tighten around the crown of your head.
It has four zippered pockets, two on the chest and two hand pockets. The chest pockets also double as vents to dump heat if needed. Finally, it has a full-length, two-way zipper, so you can open the bottom of the jacket while keeping the top zipped to your neck.
This fleece is one of the more expensive jackets we tested, and the price might scare some away. But one advantage of this jacket over others is that it can serve as a warm-when-wet synthetic puffy jacket in the summer and a mid-layer in the winter.
This jacket can replace several pieces of gear in your closet, which says a lot, so we think it’s worth the price.
Best men’s fleece zip-up jacket: Patagonia R1 TechFace Jacket
Available sizes: XS-XXL
Fit: Slim
Weight: 11.9 oz / 337 g
Fleece weight: 5.2-oz double-weave grid fleece
What we liked: Stretchy, durable, warm, snow- and windproof, very breathable
What we didn’t like: Expensive, doesn’t have a chest pocket
Best for: Snowy activities
The Patagonia R1 TechFace Jacket is the best fleece zip-up jacket for outdoor pursuits where you need more weather protection. This jacket has a heavier, more protective fabric than the other R1 fleeces we tested—straddling the line between a fleece and a softshell jacket—and we think it does a great job in both categories. We tested many variations of the Patagonia R1, and this one is the most protective against snow, wind, and light rain. It's a full-zip fleece jacket made of dual-sided fleece material.
The outside resembles a traditional jacket, while the inside is a soft-grid fleece. This jacket is also the most durable of the R1 fleeces we tested, and more durable than a traditional fleece. It’s also more breathable than a hardshell jacket, so it’s great for snow. It’s slim and very stretchy, so you can fit this under a shell or over multiple base layers.
View the Patagonia R1 TechFace Jacket
We tested the R1 TechFace jacket during a cold, snowy January in Colorado and were impressed by its breathability and versatility. It’s warm enough to wear with only a light T-shirt while trail running on milder days. And it works really well as a shell over wool base layers when the temperature drops below freezing. It also works great as a shell for ski touring. You can fully open it going uphill, then zip it up to your neck for the downhills. This would also make an excellent layer for rock climbing since the face material can withstand abrasions from rock.
The R1 TechFace has elastic inserts at the cuffs that can stretch over thin gloves. And it has zippered hand pockets. We tested the hoodless version. However, the hooded version is slightly heavier and might be a better fit for cold-weather needs. If you’re looking for the most durable and weather-resistant Patagonia R1 fleece, this is the one.
There isn’t much about this jacket that we would change. But if you like to store your phone against your chest to keep it warm, this fleece doesn’t give you that option. However, there are plenty of fleeces out there with a chest pocket, and we like the minimal pocket approach on this jacket. Best of all, you can sometimes find it in Patagonia's Worn Wear store, which keeps the price down for you and keeps jackets out of landfills.
Best windproof fleece jacket: La Sportiva Descender Storm Jacket
Available sizes: XS-XL
Fit: Slim
Weight: 15.6 oz / 445 g (men’s), 13.5 oz / 385 g (women’s)
Fleece weight: Recycled single-layer grid fleece softshell hybrid
What we liked: Stretchy, wind-resistant, keeps you dry in snow and light rain
What we didn’t like: Runs small, expensive for a fleece jacket
Best for: Ski touring, winter conditions
The La Sportiva Descender Storm Jacket is our winner for the best windproof fleece jacket. It will protect you on those days when a cold wind is howling, the snow is falling, or both. In January, we tested this jacket on frigid mountain runs on the Colorado Front Range. We also used this as a shell for backcountry skiing in Colorado. It works great for both. The material is stretchy enough to let you move how you want during any activity, making it an excellent layer for climbing, too.
View the La Sportiva Descender Storm Jacket
Men's
Women's
The La Sportiva Descender Storm fleece jacket features a similar hybrid construction to the R1 TechFace Jacket we mentioned above. However, the Descender Storm Jacket feels burlier and better suited to adverse weather and rough conditions, while still remaining stretchy and comfortable.
The fabric's exterior is thick and durable. It’s wind-blocking, water-resistant, and keeps snow out. The interior is grid fleece with an alternating square-and-rectangle pattern. This pattern helps trap more heat by creating more loft in the grid fleece.
The best feature of this jacket is the hood, though. The stretchy material gently hugs your head while conforming to most head shapes, with or without a hat. We wore this hood over a ball cap, a thin beanie, a thicker beanie, and under a helmet. It works well in all these applications.
In our experience, La Sportiva clothing runs pretty small. We had to size up for testing this. Also, like many of the hybrid fleece jackets we tested here, this is pretty expensive for a fleece.
But this is a technical jacket that’s ready for the mountains. It’s not simply a hooded fleece jacket; this is a fleece-softshell hybrid. We think it’s great for technical applications that require a durable, comfortably stretchy, protective active layer.
Best big and tall fleece: Columbia Men’s Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip Fleece Jacket
Available sizes: S-XXL, 1X-6X, LT-5XT
Fit: Regular
Weight: 7.2 oz / 204 g (men’s only)
Fleece weight: 100% polyester MTR filament fleece
What we liked: Fits great, size availability, very soft and comfortable, warmth while maintaining breathability
What we didn’t like: Not as many color options available in big and tall sizes
Best for: Casual outdoor activity, active lifestyle, layering in cooler temperatures
The Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip Fleece is our winner for best fleece for big and tall outdoor people. Treeline Review writer Clayne Zollinger writes in his guide to Best Outdoor Clothing for Big and Tall Adventurers that it is "one of my favorite and most versatile articles of clothing I own. I find myself wearing it camping, hiking, and around town."
With sizing from S to 6X and tall sizing from LT to 5XT, this fleece has more options than almost anything else on the market from major outdoor brands. Not only that, but everything fits right. We often find the cut of big and tall clothes doesn't account for different body shapes. With the Steens Mountain, everything fits just right without any pinching.
View the Columbia Men’s Steens Mountain 2.0
We found the Steens Mountain to be a good weight for a fleece—neither too light nor too heavy—making it ideal for staying active. However, it isn't warm enough to be a standalone piece in winter (it's fine for all other seasons). As with other fleece, if you're wearing it in winter, layer up. The fabric is also extremely soft. Compared to other fleece we tested, it also offers some wind protection.
Clayne says, "It’s a simple jacket in both looks and features, but that doesn’t make it any less versatile or usable. This is a great addition to anyone’s activewear collection."
Warmest fleece jacket: Patagonia R1 Fleece Pullover
Available sizes: XXS-3XL (men’s); XXS-XXL (women’s)
Fit: Slim
Weight: 10.8 oz / 306 g (men’s), 8.6 oz / 244 g (women’s)
Fleece weight: Polartec® Power Grid® 93% recycled polyester; 7% spandex
What we liked: Extreme warmth, breathable, ¾ length zipper
What we didn’t like: No plus sizes
Best for: Cold weather base/mid-layer
The Patagonia R1 Pullover is a lightweight, incredibly warm fleece pullover for high-output activities. We wore this jacket during several snowy runs in Colorado. It was often actively snowing as we ran up the mountains, but when we wore this fleece over a base layer, it was warm. In fact, we usually kept the ¾-length zipper open. When it got colder, or we stopped moving as quickly, we simply zipped it up and stayed much warmer. We also used this as a layer for backcountry skiing; it’s great for skiing for all the same reasons. This fleece is very fitted and is tight enough to use as a base layer in cold weather or a standalone layer when it isn’t as cold.
View the Patagonia R1 Fleece Pullover
Men's
Women's
Patagonia has many R1 fleeces, and many of them are winners here. We think the R1 Fleece Pullover is best if you want a traditional grid fleece to layer with. It fits tightly enough to layer over, is stretchy enough to fit over a base layer, and is breathable enough to wear as a base layer.
The R1 Pullover is a slim-fitting grid fleece that can stretch over a long-sleeve base layer. It uses two types of grid fleece: a larger grid pattern that covers your core and a thinner, more breathable grid-patterned material used in the armpits and along the bottom of the garment. The thinner grid-patterned material has less fleece, so it’s less hot and breathes better where your body generates the most heat.
You can also wear this jacket as a base layer. Its inner-facing fabric is soft against the skin, and it breathes well enough to wear in this way. It works great in cold, windy conditions, like on a ski lift or a mountain summit. It also has thumb holes to complete the cold-weather setup.
We love this fleece for early-morning runs in cold weather, skiing, and anything else that involves a mountain. It’s downright legendary among alpinists and backcountry skiers, and we agree that it deserves this legendary status, too.
Most breathable fleece: Ortovox Fleece Grid Hoody
Available sizes: S-XXL
Fit: Slim
Weight: 12.8 oz / 362 g (men’s); 11.6 oz / 330 g (women’s)
Fleece weight: Thin polyester/wool blend grid fleece
What we liked: Very breathable, odor-resistant, comfortable, ethically produced
What we didn’t like: Extremely expensive
Best for: Cold weather mid-layer
The Ortovox Fleece Grid Hoody is our winner for Most Breathable Fleece. It's a full-zip fleece jacket that uses a unique blend of wool and polyester to create a grid fleece material that’s warm, odor-resistant, and extremely breathable. We tested this fleece on many Colorado mountain adventures: trail running, skiing, snowshoeing, and winter peak bagging. During a 15-mile run in a snowstorm with only a base layer underneath, it kept us surprisingly warm even when we started to sweat.
The Ortovox Fleece Grid hoody was warm enough on a zero-degree (Fahrenheit) day, with only a base layer underneath. We rarely overheated in this jacket since it's so breathable, and the full-length zipper makes it easy to ventilate when you do get too hot.
View the Ortovox Fleece Grid Hoody
Men's
Women's
The Ortovox Fleece Grid Hoody is incredibly breathable. Most jackets we tested are 100% synthetic fleece. Grid fleece is always more breathable than standard fleece, but this grid fleece is 21% merino wool. The added wool increases the breathability and helps this jacket not stink as much. Some fleece can get quite smelly when you sweat in it, but so far, this fleece hasn’t stunk at all. It has a great hood that can fit under a helmet or over another hat. And, it has two chest pockets. One of the chest pockets is even large enough for a map, which is super helpful.
While many of the fleeces we tested here are pretty expensive, this Ortovox fleece hoody takes the cake. We were shocked by the price of this fleece. But after wearing it for the winter season, we’re more convinced it’s worth the price for the right person.
If you’re a mountain athlete who values a high-quality and breathable mid-layer, this is a great fleece. But this is an extremely expensive fleece. There’s no denying that. If this is too expensive for you, the Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip and The North Face FUTUREFLEECE are both extremely breathable and cost less than this fleece.
Ortovox is committed to fair wool practices, being climate neutral, and making their products in Europe using fair working conditions.
While this is still a very expensive fleece, we’re impressed with its performance and Ortovox’s commitment to ethics. We think it’s worth the price if you need a high-performing, comfortable, and breathable fleece for extreme conditions.
Most comfortable fleece: Patagonia Better Sweater
Available sizes: XS-3XL (men’s); XXS-XXL (women’s)
Fit: Casual
Weight: 22.5 oz / 638 g (men’s), 15.9 oz / 451 g (women’s)
Fleece weight: 100% recycled polyester knitted fleece
What we liked: Very soft, looks great, cozy, and comfortable
What we didn’t like: Too hot for active pursuits
Best for: Casual use
The Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece Jacket is the most comfortable fleece we tested. The fit is perfect. It’s loose, but not so loose that it feels baggy, and the way it’s sewn fits all our testers well. One of our testers described the Patagonia Better Sweater as “like wearing a hug,” and we all agree. It looks like a sweater and can be dressed up or dressed down. We wear ours in the office, on weekends in the mountains, and around town in Denver. This fleece fits in everywhere, and it’s comfortable enough to take everywhere.
View the Patagonia Better Sweater
Men's
Women's
The Patagonia Better Sweater isn’t the most technical fleece, but it’s not intended to be. It’s made of thick, cozy, 100% recycled knit fleece material with a fuzzy fleece interior. It has a jersey-knit material inside the collar, at the sleeve cuffs, and along the bottom hem to reduce wear from abrasion. This fleece sweater is pure comfort—we can’t say it enough.
Yes, the Better Sweater is not a technical performance fleece, but everyone needs a cozy sweater for when they aren’t getting after it. But even though this fleece shines most in casual settings, it’s still great for cold-weather activities like winter hiking. We still use this fleece on moderate hikes, and love wearing it on camping trips too.
The Better Sweater has over 500 positive customer reviews on Patagonia’s website and is a ubiquitous layer among outdoorsy folks. We wear this fleece most days when it’s cold out and will continue wearing it for years to come.
Best affordable fleece jacket: Decathlon Quechua MH100 Hiking Fleece
Available sizes: S-4XL (men’s); XS-3XL (women’s)
Fit: Slim
Weight: 7.3 oz / 212 g (men’s), 6.7 oz / 190 g (women’s)
Fleece weight: 100-weight
What we liked: Very light, packable, affordable, no special care needed
What we didn’t like: Not very breathable, runs small, no pockets
Best for: Ultralight backpacking
The Decathlon Quechua MH100 Hiking Fleece is the best fleece jacket on a budget for outdoor pursuits. We carried the Quechua MH100 Hiking Fleece as a mid-layer on a southbound Continental Divide Trail thru-hike, and it was perfect for this. We wanted a lightweight, affordable fleece to wear on cold mornings that we wouldn’t worry about ruining on a 3,000-mile thru-hike. This fleece fits the bill and exceeded our expectations. It held up surprisingly well on a multi-month backpacking trip. It withstood getting snagged by cacti, dragged across rock faces, and being packed and unpacked repeatedly. We still use this fleece for shoulder-season backpacking trips today, and it costs 75% less than many fleeces.
View the Decathlon Quechua MH100 Hiking Fleece
Men's
Women's
The Quechua MH100 hiking fleece is a lightweight fleece that weighs only 7 ounces—among the lightest we reviewed. It’s made of 100-weight fleece, the thinnest available, and has a quarter-length zipper. It’s a very basic fleece and has no pockets. There’s not much to it, really. But if you’re concerned with price and weight, a minimally featured 100-weight fleece might be what you want.
The low price does have some drawbacks, though. This fleece contains no recycled material, isn’t very breathable, and has no pockets. These days it’s quite common for outdoor brands to make fleece from recycled materials, but Decathlon doesn’t use recycled polyester fleece in this model.
On cold days, this fleece will keep you warm. But when the temperature rises, it gets hot pretty fast. Many days on trail, we spent a lot of time debating when the best time was to take this off before we overheated too much. That’s pretty common with a basic 100-weight fleece, though. Its affordability also comes at the cost of pockets—you won’t find any pockets here.
The Quechua MH100 also runs small—our tester usually wears a small, has a medium, and could wear a large in this fleece. So while it’s technically available up to 4XL, we’d take that number with a grain of salt.
The Quechua MH100 hiking fleece costs less than a quarter of the price of some more technical fleece jackets, and many ultralight backpackers have trail-tested it.
Other fleece jackets we tested
Stio Wilcox and Sweetwater Fleece Jackets
Available sizes: XS-XXXL (men’s); XS-XXL (women’s)
Fit: Regular (men’s); Trim (women’s)
Weight: 18 oz / 510 g (men’s); 14 oz / 397 g (women’s)
Fleece weight: 300 g/m² recycled Lofton™ sweater fleece with anti-pilling treatment
What we liked: Extremely comfortable, warm, sweater-knit look, longer torso length, room to layer underneath, heathered fabric hides stains
What we didn’t like: Our women’s test jacket pilled considerably over four years of wear
Best for: Casual wear, low-impact activities on cold days
The Stio Wilcox (men’s) and Sweetwater (women’s) Fleece Jackets are full-zip sweater fleeces with a lot in common with the Patagonia Better Sweater. Both have a heathered, sweater-knit face and a soft, brushed fleece interior, so they look more like a sweater than a technical layer. One of our testers has worn the women’s Sweetwater for four years, and our male tester has worn the Wilcox for two.
These jackets are extremely comfortable, and they’re warm. That makes them great for low-impact activities on cold days, like walks or hikes without much elevation gain. Our Sweetwater tester wears hers constantly through fall and winter in her mountain town. The heathered fabric also hides stains well, which matters when a jacket gets worn this often.
Both jackets fit well while still leaving room to layer underneath. You can even wear one over a button-down shirt. Our women’s tester especially likes the Sweetwater’s longer torso length. The Wilcox has a zippered chest pocket and two zippered hand pockets. The Sweetwater has two zippered hand pockets and a zippered pocket on the sleeve.
The biggest difference between our two test jackets is pilling. After four years, the women’s Sweetwater has considerable pilling. The men’s Wilcox, after two years of wear, has none. Stio’s current specs list an anti-pilling treatment on both jackets, but we haven’t tested a new one to see whether it holds up better.
View the Stio Wilcox and Sweetwater Fleece Jackets
Wilcox (Men's)
Sweetwater (Women's)
La Sportiva Big Wall Pullover Hoody
Available sizes: XS-XL
Fit: Fitted
Weight: 9.1 oz / 260 g (men’s); 7.9 oz / 225 g (women’s)
Best for: Ultralight backpacking, running, and mountaineering
What we liked: Lightweight, breathable, comfortable hood
What we didn’t like: Asymmetrical zipper feels weird when you’re not wearing the hood
The La Sportiva Big Wall Pullover Hoody is a wildly comfortable and breathable hooded fleece. It uses a combination of grid fleece and a high-pile fleece with a fluffy interior face for added warmth without extra weight. This fluffy material, La Sportiva’s proprietary TechStretch Aero Fabric fleece, is made with hollow fibers, similar to wool. The TechStretch fabric dries quickly and barely seems to hold moisture, even when you’re sweating a lot.
It has a half-length zipper that wraps around the side of the hood, so when the hood is up and the zipper is fully closed, the cold metal zipper pull doesn’t touch your face. This makes the hoodie more comfortable when you’re wearing it with the hood up and the zipper closed, but it can make the hood feel unbalanced when you don’t have it up.
This hoodie is great, and if you like its look over The North Face FUTUREFLEECE, we say go for it. It’s also less expensive than the FUTUREFLEECE.
View the La Sportiva Big Wall Pullover Hoody
Men's
Women's
Available sizes: S-3X Tall
Fit: Fitted
Weight: 9.4 oz / 266 g
Best for: Technical, lightweight, high-output activities
What we liked: Lightweight, affordable, warm, breathable, comfortable
What we didn’t like: Technical look is less versatile, Unisex fit doesn't work as well for women's testers
The Outdoor Vitals Pursuit Hybrid Fleece is a half-zip fleece hoodie that’s very breathable while remaining warm for the weight. It combines PrimaLoft Active Evolve fabric with stretchy grid fleece to balance breathability and warmth.
It uses stretchy grid fleece fabric under the arms, along the arms, and on the lower torso. This allows for more ventilation in these areas, and the added stretch improves comfort. The higher-pile PrimaLoft Active Evolve material, on the other hand, is warmer for the weight. With the half-length zipper and high breathability of this fabric, we’ve found we can wear this fleece longer than expected before overheating, even when working hard.
View the Outdoor Vitals Pursuit Hybrid Fleece
Cotopaxi Otero Fleece Half-Zip Pullover
Available sizes: S-XXL (men’s); XS-XL (women’s)
Fit: Slim
Weight: 14 oz / 397 g (men’s), 12 oz / 340 g (women’s)
Fleece weight: 200 g/m² grid fleece
What we liked: Looks great, lightweight, warm grid fleece, ½ zip vents well
What we didn’t like: Not as breathable as some grid fleeces
Best for: Hiking, casual wear
The Cotopaxi Otero Fleece Half-zip Pullover is a lightweight and stylish grid fleece. We love how this fleece looks, and we love Cotopaxi’s sustainability mission.
With this fleece, the brand is wading into the crowded performance activewear market. And while it’s an excellent fleece, we didn’t think it breathed as well as some other grid fleeces we tested. We ultimately didn’t pick it as a winner, but we still think it looks great and performs pretty well as an active mid-layer.
View the Cotopaxi Otero Fleece Half-Zip Pullover
Men's
Women's
Orvis Horseshoe Hills Fleece Pullover
Available sizes: S-XXL
Fit: Casual
Weight: 14.1 oz / 399 g (men’s), 12.1 oz / 343 g (women’s)
Fleece weight: 100-weight grid fleece
What we liked: Looks good, easy-to-operate zipper closure, lightweight
What we didn’t like: Not as comfortable as some fleeces
Best for: Hiking and casual wear
The Orvis Horseshoe Hills Fleece Pullover features a grid-fleece interior with a smooth exterior face. We like that this fleece straddles the line between activewear and casual style.
It’s a super durable, well-made fleece that’s great for a chilly hike with the family or sitting around a campfire with friends. It’s not quite as comfortable as some of the more casual fleece sweaters we tested, and it isn’t really a high-performance piece of activewear either. So, we didn’t choose it as a winner.
View the Orvis Horseshoe Hills Fleece Pullover
Men's
Women's
The Orvis Horseshoe Hills 1/4 zip is a stylish fleece that is incredibly durable.
Available sizes: S-XXXL
Fit: Casual
Weight: 13.7 oz / 389 g (men’s only)
Fleece weight: Body: 305 g Alfpaca™ fleece; side panels: 210 g Kashmira™
What we liked: Very comfortable, looks like a knit sweater
What we didn’t like: Too warm for active pursuits, heavier
Best for: Casual wear
The KÜHL Interceptr ¼ Zip fleece is a heavyweight fleece for casual settings or cold conditions. We love the wool-like fleece interior and the knit-sweater look of the exterior.
It’s thick, warm, and comfortable, but not quite as comfortable as some fleece sweaters we tested. Ultimately, this wasn’t quite as cozy as some other fleeces, so we didn’t choose it as a winner.
View the KÜHL Interceptr 1/4 Zip
The author walking around Denver in winter wearing the stylish KÜHL Interceptr 1/4 zip fleece.
Available sizes: S-XXXL
Fit: Average
Weight: 11 oz / 312 g (men’s only)
Fleece weight: 100-weight Kashmira™ Fleece
What we liked: Wool-like lining that isn’t itchy, looks great, fits great, very comfortable, lightweight, warmth while maintaining breathability
What we didn’t like: Not performance-oriented
Best for: Casual outdoor activity
This was one of the coziest fleeces we tested, and we happily wore this for weeks during a cold Colorado winter. It isn’t the most technical fleece, but it looks great, feels super comfortable, and fits many different body sizes. It’s also very light and holds up well during active pursuits. This fleece is one of our favorites for everything from bike commuting around town to cozy winter nights indoors.
This fleece features a soft, wool-like interior with a knit exterior. Even though we say “wool-like,” this soft and fuzzy lining is not even remotely itchy. It feels soft against your skin and is incredibly warm for the weight. The exterior looks and feels like a classic knit sweater. You don’t always want to look like you’re ready for a mountaineering expedition, and with this fleece, you don’t have to.
We love that this fleece looks great and is super comfortable, but there isn’t much more to it. The Revel isn't the best option if you’re looking for a performance-oriented fleece. Also, the care instructions for this fleece are more complicated than some because of the loose-knit polyester micro-threads. We recommend washing this in a fleece washing bag to keep these tiny polyester threads from becoming microplastics in the waterways.
View the KÜHL Revel ¼ Zip Sweater
Available sizes: XXS-3X (women’s), with petite sizes available
Fit: Slightly fitted
Weight: 9.9 oz / 280 g
Fleece weight: High-pile 300-weight sherpa fleece
What we liked: High collar, pockets, warm, soft, jersey lining
What we didn’t like: Can attract lint; may shed in the wash
Best for: Casual outdoor activity
Treeline Review writer Gabi Reyes-Acosta writes about the L.L.Bean Sherpa Fleece Pullover in her article on Best Plus Size Winter Outdoor Clothing. “It’s become one of my favorite clothing items, no matter the season,” she writes. The Sherpa Fleece Pullover is available in Regular, Petite, and Plus Sizes, making it among the most inclusive fleece options out there.
Gabi finds L.L.Bean’s sizing to be consistent, but recommends sizing up if you want to layer underneath.
Favorite features include the high collar for extra warmth and comfort. It also has 2 snap hand pockets that keep bulk to a minimum.
Although it wasn't an issue for us, the biggest concern customers have is shedding. It appears as if a batch around 2020 pilled and lost fuzz in the wash. Customer complaints since 2020 have not mentioned this issue, so it seems to have been fixed. We recommend washing this in a fleece washing bag to keep these tiny polyester threads from becoming microplastics in the waterways.
View the L.L.Bean Sherpa Fleece Pullover
Fleece jackets can encompass a wide variety of different kinds of outdoor apparel. We delve into their similarities and differences in this article.
What is fleece?
Fleece is a soft, fuzzy insulating fabric. Most fleece jackets we cover here are made primarily from polyester, though some incorporate wool or other fibers. Polyester fleece is a good alternative if you find wool itchy, and many jackets use recycled polyester.
There are many different kinds of fleece fabric. The names below describe fibers, textures, and fabric constructions, so they can overlap. A grid fleece, for example, can also be stretchy and made from recycled polyester.
Polyester and polar fleece
Polyester fleece is often smooth on the outside and plush on the inside, but some fabrics are plush on both sides. Traditional polar fleece comes in different weights, from lightweight layering pieces to thicker jackets and blankets. It doesn’t have to be a heavy, 300-weight fabric.
The Patagonia Better Sweater, KÜHL Revel 1/4 zip, and KÜHL Interceptr 1/4 zip are all thicker "polar" fleece sweaters.
Microfleece
Microfleece is a thin, soft fleece commonly used in lightweight outdoor clothing. It’s useful when you want a little extra warmth without much bulk, whether you wear it alone or underneath another jacket.
The Decathlon Quechua MH100 Hiking Fleece and MH900 Hiking Fleece Jacket are both microfleece jackets we tested.
Stretch fleece
Some fleece fabrics include spandex, also called elastane, to help them stretch. Others get stretch from their knit construction. Stretch is useful when climbing, skiing, or doing anything that requires reaching and moving without your jacket pulling against you.
The Patagonia R1 Pullover and La Sportiva Descender Storm Jacket are two of the stretchiest fleeces we tried.
Sherpa fleece
Sherpa fleece is fluffy and wool-like. It’s often used to line jackets but is also common in cozy fleece sweaters. These thicker, high-pile fabrics can be comfortable for casual wear, though they may be too warm when you’re working hard.
The North Face Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE and Mountain Hardwear Kor AirShell both use a lightweight sherpa fleece-like lining for warmth and breathability.
Grid fleece
Grid fleece has a grid-textured pattern, usually on the inside. The raised patches of fleece trap warm air, while the spaces between them allow heat and moisture to escape. We tested several grid fleeces for running, skiing, and other activities where breathability matters.
A comparative shot of all the grid fleeces we tested.
Cotton or cotton-blend fleece
This is the familiar fuzzy fabric found inside many sweatpants and sweatshirts. It’s comfortable around town, but we wouldn’t choose it for cold, wet mountain conditions. Cotton holds moisture and dries slowly.
How to choose a fleece jacket
Start with how you’ll use it. A fleece built for climbing a mountain is different from one you’ll carry on a backpacking trip, and both are different from a casual fleece meant to look good around town. One fleece can handle most activities, but it won’t be ideal for all of them.
For high-output activities like running and ski touring, choose an active fleece that breathes well and dumps heat when you’re working hard.
For backpacking, weight and packed size matter. You’ll carry the fleece whenever you aren’t wearing it, so skip any extra bulk.
For everyday wear, comfort and good pockets matter more than saving a few ounces. A thicker fleece that’s too warm on a steep climb can be just right for a walk around town.
For wind and weather, look at hybrid fleece-shell jackets. These pair a fleece lining with a more protective outer fabric, so they work well in exposed conditions. How much protection and breathability you get varies by jacket.
Material
Most fleece jackets are made of polar fleece, a soft open-structure insulating fabric made from polyester. Polar fleece was first developed in 1979 by Malden Mills (now Polartec LLC) and Patagonia. This first fleece, Synchilla (synthetic chinchilla), revolutionized the outdoor fabric world when it came out in the early 80s.
These days, fleece comes in many forms. When we say fleece, we generally mean any of the countless varieties of soft, fuzzy synthetic insulating materials. There are many different kinds of fleece fabric out there now beyond the original Polartec Fleece, and we’ll shed some light on the differences above.
Some fleece fabrics have even started incorporating natural fibers into their fleece weaves. In a sense, fleece with natural fibers has come full circle, since fleece was initially developed as a warmer, lighter alternative to wool. The Ortovox Fleece Grid Hoody we tested uses a polyester-wool blend to create a high-performing grid fleece material.
In fact, many of our favorite synthetic insulation jackets (insulation plus a shell material) on our Best Synthetic Jackets list are variations of similar fleece or 100% polyester, though not all.
A close-up of the Ortovox fleece jacket, which also includes some merino. This is rare in the fleece world. Most fleece are made of 100% polyester.
Material density / Fleece weight
Fleece is categorized by weight per square meter, in grams per square meter (gsm). Fleece traditionally comes in the following densities: 100, 200, and 300-weight. 100-weight fleece is the thinnest and lightest but the least insulating type of traditional fleece. On the other hand, 300-weight fleece is three times as heavy and will be much thicker and warmer.
The 100-, 200-, and 300-weights are rough classes, not exact grams per square meter, so overall jacket weight varies widely within each class. Other factors will affect the overall weight of a fleece jacket, such as the length and size of zippers, pockets, and other features. But the density of its material affects a fleece jacket's weight the most.
The author running in the Patagonia R1 CrossStrata fleece jacket in the desert southwest.
Fit and sizing
A fleece should fit loose enough for you to fit a base layer underneath. However, it shouldn't be too loose, because you’ll probably want to layer a jacket on top.
Most high-quality fleece activewear jackets are designed not to be bulky, so you can wear them under a shell. You'll be ready for most cold-weather pursuits with a base layer, a fleece mid-layer, and a protective shell jacket.
Wind and water resistance
Not all fleece is wind-resistant. However, some kinds of fleece block wind better than others. Most standard fleece materials don’t stop the wind entirely, but they block a fair amount. Some fleece jackets are constructed with wind-blocking material on the exterior face. These are the most wind-resistant fleece jackets.
Fleece does not absorb much water. Though you can’t use fleece instead of a rain jacket, it will stay relatively dry in the rain. If you’re out in the rain wearing only a fleece, you will get wet whether or not the fleece material feels wet.
Some fleeces with a wind-resistant outer layer also have a DWR (durable water-repellent) coating. This DWR coating makes the wind-resistant fleece relatively weather-resistant, but it still shouldn’t replace a rain jacket because it won’t keep you dry in a heavy downpour.
Breathability
Some kinds of fleece jackets are more breathable than others. Generally, the thinner the fleece, the more air can pass through it and the more breathable it is. However, thinner fleeces won’t have as much warmth. And if something isn’t very warm, it doesn’t need to be as breathable because your body won’t build up as much heat.
Some fleece jackets are highly breathable but aren’t very warm when you stop moving. Some fleeces are less breathable but much warmer. Unfortunately, it is tough to find a jacket that is breathable enough to keep you from overheating while you’re moving and warm enough to keep you comfortable when you stop. Some fleece jackets are warm and breathable but usually cost more.
We tested several fleece jackets that are warm and breathable. Most of our top picks were surprisingly breathable, using innovative fleece designs to achieve this. The most breathable fleeces we tested were the Ortovox Fleece Grid Hoody, the Mountain Hardwear Kor AirShell, Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody, and The North Face FUTUREFLEECE Full-Zip.
Pockets
Close up of the Patagonia R1 CrossStrata pullover horizontal zipper pocket.
Most fleece jackets have some pockets, but not all do. Pockets help keep your hands warm and store maps, your phone, and more. But pockets also add weight, bulk, and cost.
The least expensive fleeces probably will have no pockets. A basic fleece without pockets will also weigh the least. For this reason, a good ultralight backpacking fleece will have no pockets or other extras that add weight.
If you don’t care as much about weight, pockets are a useful addition to a fleece jacket. In cold weather, the chest pocket on many fleece jackets is a great place to store your phone to keep it warm and preserve the battery.
Zippers
Close up of the Patagonia R1 Pullover Fleece zipper and zipper closure.
A zipper lets you quickly regulate temperature by venting body heat. If you’re too hot, you can unzip it. If you’re cold, you can pull the zipper close to your neck. Zippers also make it easier to put a fleece jacket on or take it off, especially while wearing a helmet.
Most fleece jackets have a zipper that unzips at least a quarter of the way down the jacket. These fleeces are usually referred to as ¼ zip. Some fleeces have longer zippers: ½ zip, ¾ zip, or a full-length zipper. Longer zippers add weight and versatility since you can fully unzip the jacket for maximum ventilation and breathability. Keep in mind, though, smaller zippers can get caught and tend to be less durable, so they’re not necessarily better even though they save weight.
Choose your fleece jacket based on the activities you are most likely to do while wearing it. Here, a Treeline Review tester is climbing in the Mountain Hardwear KorAirShell.
Fleece jacket categories
There are endless categories of fleece jackets, but we'll define a few of the major ones here.
Active fleece
This fleece is the lightest and most breathable. It’s best for running, skiing, and other high-intensity activities.
Casual fleece
A casual fleece jacket is best for warmth and looking good. Weight won't matter as much here, but well-placed generous pockets matter a lot for a casual fleece.
Backpacking fleece
This sub-category of active fleece prioritizes weight over all else. If you’re carrying it on your back whenever you aren’t wearing this fleece, you want it to be lightweight.
Hybrid fleece shell
This category is a bit of a catch-all, but fleece hybrid jackets all combine a fleece inner with a shell material. Fleece hybrid jackets are usually warm and breathable, and tend to have better wind and water resistance than traditional fleece jackets. They’re also often the most breathable kind of fleece.
A fleece jacket can keep you warm outdoors without overheating. Here, the author is on a trail run in The North Face Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE Hoodie.
FAQ
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They’re useful for different things. A breathable fleece can be comfortable while you’re hiking in cool weather. A down jacket is generally better at providing warmth for its weight when you stop moving. Depending on the conditions, you may want both: a fleece for the trail and a puffy for breaks and camp. Neither replaces a rain shell.
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It depends on what you want from the layer. Synthetic fleece is a good option if wool feels itchy against your skin. Merino’s odor resistance can be useful on trips when you won’t have a chance to wash your clothes. Some jackets combine the two materials, so you don’t necessarily have to choose one or the other.
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Pills form when loose fibers tangle into small balls, often where the fabric rubs against itself, a pack, or other clothing. Pilling doesn’t automatically mean the jacket is worn out. Follow the manufacturer’s advice before using a fabric shaver or sweater comb, since not every fleece surface should be treated the same way.
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Not everyone needs an expensive technical fleece. We carried the budget Decathlon MH100 on the Continental Divide Trail and found plenty to like about it. More expensive fleeces may offer better ventilation, a more comfortable hood, or a fit that works better under a harness. Those details can be worth paying for if you’ll use them.
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Fleece can release loose fibers during wear and washing, and some fabrics shed more than others. A little fuzz doesn’t necessarily mean the jacket is defective. If it’s losing large amounts of material or developing thin patches, contact the manufacturer rather than assuming that’s normal wear.
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Let it air out and dry rather than leaving it damp in your pack. If the smell remains, wash it according to the care label. Wool-blend fleeces may need washing less often, but they aren’t odor-proof. Ortovox recommends airing out its merino clothing between washes when that’s enough to freshen it up. For more, read our Best Sports Detergent story.
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There isn’t a set replacement schedule. Look at whether it still keeps you comfortable and works for the activities you use it for. A little pilling or a faded color isn’t a reason to replace it. If a broken zipper or damaged seam is the main problem, check the brand’s repair options before buying another jacket.
How we tested
We tested these fleece jackets over three years by using them while running, hiking, backpacking, cycling, and skiing.
We wore them when it was cold and snowy, or just plain cold, all winter. We carried them while backpacking and thru-hiking on cold mornings. We wore them on winter trail runs and while riding our bike during a Colorado winter. We also used them while skiing, both in the backcountry and at ski resorts.
We also wore these fleeces in more casual settings as we went about our lives. But casual is a relative term, especially when commuting by bike with a foot of fresh snow on the ground.
We assessed how comfortable each fleece was compared to the others. We noticed how warm each fleece sweater kept us and how much it caused us to overheat when working hard. We also paid attention to which fleeces breathed best, because some fleece jackets just don’t provide enough ventilation during high-output activities. We used all the pockets, hoods, zippers, and other features, noting what worked and what didn’t.
Care and maintenance
Always follow the care instructions on your fleece’s label. The jackets here use different fabrics, so they don’t all belong in the same wash. KÜHL recommends a cold, delicate wash and line drying for the Interceptr. Ortovox’s merino-blend clothing has its own washing instructions and shouldn’t go in the tumble dryer.
For machine-washable synthetic fleece, we recommend a microfiber-catching washing bag to help reduce the fibers entering wastewater. Remove the collected fibers and put them in the trash. Follow the jacket’s instructions for detergent and drying, and avoid high heat. Only tumble dry if the label allows it.
The author testing fleece jackets on a run in the snow.
About the author / Why you should trust us
Sam Schild is a thru-hiker, bikepacking cyclist, and mountain athlete based in Colorado.
He has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, and the Colorado Trail twice.
He has biked and bikepacked over 50,000 miles in the last decade on the Colorado Trail, Kokopelli Trail, across the American Southwest, and while commuting around Denver.
Sam started to love fleece’s lightweight and cozy warmth during a cold, wet month on the PCT in Washington.
Now, he brings a fleece on every shoulder-season thru-hike and other cold-weather adventures.
He regularly gets outside in the wintertime, whether on a trail run, peak bagging mission, snowy bike ride, or uphill ski mission, and he’s definitely wearing a fleece whenever it’s cold.
You can read more about Sam on his author page or on his website.
