Learn about Fleece Jackets and Pants

Fleece Material

Although the word fleece is sometimes used incorrectly to describe various fabrics, true fleece consists entirely of synthetic material, usually polyester. If it contains any cotton, it’s not fleece, and I don’t recommend it.

Polartec is widely regarded as the highest quality fleece.

Microfleece

Microfleece is made of thinner fibers than regular fleece. It is softer, more breathable, and more moisture-wicking than regular fleece.

Fleece Weight

Fleece jackets are typically sold in weights of 100, 200, or 300 grams per square meter. A higher weight means greater thickness and warmth.

Avoid 300-weight fleece jackets. They have poor breathability, are heavy and bulky, and are not versatile. A 200-weight fleece jacket worn on top of a 100-weight one is warmer and more breathable than a single 300-weight one. Instead of a 300-weight fleece jacket, wear an insulated jacket as it will be warmer, lighter, and more compressible.

Pilling

Pilling is when insulative material wears away and reduces insulation performance. High-end fleece fabric, such as Polartec, is expensive but resists pilling and lasts long. Low-end fleece products save you money in the short run but quickly pill and lose their insulation performance.

Full-zip vs Half-zip Configurations

Fleece jackets typically have either full-zip or half-zip configurations. Full-zip configurations are better for hiking because they let you adjust your body temperature.

Make sure the brand is reputable so the zipper doesn’t blow out. YKK zippers are known to be reliable.

Uses for Backpacking

A fleece jacket can be used as a single layer over your shirt or base layer. It can also be used as a mid layer under your insulated jacket.

You can sleep in your hiking fleece if it isn’t wet. You can also carry a separate sleeping fleece in case your hiking fleece gets wet, but this will add weight and bulk to your backpack.

Fleece pants are also good for sleeping at very cold temperatures.

Alternatives

If you already have a synthetic or wool sweater, you can save money by using it instead of buying a fleece. However, a sweater will be heavy and bulky and may require a larger and heavier backpack, defeating the purpose of saving money. Besides, low-end synthetic fleeces are affordable. If you use a sweater, make sure it doesn’t contain cotton.