The best fleece jackets are essential for various outdoor adventures. With a good fleece jacket, you will have a clothing layer that effectively ventilates and insulates at the same time. As a result, you can remain warm in cold conditions without experiencing signs of overheating.
Numerous fleece jackets exist in the market today. You have the right to choose which one is the best for you. Your preferences and usual adventures may play a factor in your selection process. Of course, ergonomics such as the pockets and hood should be considered as well.
Below are some of the top-rated fleece jackets in the market. Check them out and see which works for your needs and expectations.
| Fit | Fleece Weight | |
| REI Co-op Hyperaxis Fleece Jacket 2.0 | Women’s | Mid-weight |
| Patagonia Micro D Fleece Jacket | Men’s | Lightweight |
| Amazon Essentials Full-Zip Polar Fleece Jacket | Men’s | Mid-weight |
| The North Face Canyonlands Full-Zip Fleece Jacket | Men’s | Mid-weight |
| The North Face Osito Fleece Jacket | Women’s | Mid-weight |
| Columbia Park View Fleece Full-Zip Jacket | Men’s | Mid-weight |
| Cotopaxi Teca Fleece Jacket | Women’s | Mid-weight |
The REI Co-op Hyperaxis Fleece Jacket 2.0 is a superb outdoor layer that you should try. It has a rugged construction on the outside and a supple design on the inside. Moreover, it has a certain degree of stretchability, which makes it ultra-comfortable and durable at the same time. You can guarantee that this jacket is designed for people on the move--specifically, women. The jacket's Polartec Power Stretch Pro is a patented fleece that offers four-way stretch and breathability. It is also efficient enough in wicking sweat and moisture.
Meanwhile, the Lycra spandex binding on the hood, hem, and cuffs ensures that the jacket can give its users a flexible but secure fit. The hand and chest pockets are both zippered; they are ideal for stashing your small essentials. Interestingly, the hand pockets of this jacket are compatible with hip belts. Its shoulders are seam-free, which, in turn, decreases chafing when you are carrying a pack.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
For those who are looking for steadfast insulation during the cold weather, the Patagonia Micro D Fleece Jacket is definitely good clothing to try. It also offers quick-drying capabilities so that its thermal efficiency won't be compromised at all. The jacket itself is tailored from 100% recycled polyester microfleece so that it can be fully insulated. It both works as a mid-layer and a stand-alone jacket in conditions when temperatures aren't that low.
The jacket's full-zip construction has a stand-up collar that is integrated into its sleeves. It feels extremely supple even if your shoulders are under the straps of your pack. Its cuffs and hem have a clean finish so that they don't irritate your skin. Both its chest pocket and handwarmer pockets are spacious enough to hold the small essentials of your trip.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
The Amazon Essentials Men's Full-Zip Polar Fleece Jacket provides high-quality construction and performance for an entry-level option. Made from 100% polyester, this mid-weight fleece jacket offers superior comfort. It is soft to the touch and doesn't generate any itchy or irritating sensation to the skin. Moreover, the fabric has sufficient stretchability, which, in turn, enables it to become a convenient garment for people who are into hiking or trail running. But at the same time, this wear is also suitable for the concrete jungle.
Even if it is a machine-washable fleece, it doesn't shrink at all. It has a durable structure that can last for multiple uses. It has hassle-free accessibility, too, thanks to its full-length zippered closure on its front.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
The North Face Canyonlands is an impeccable fleece jacket. It provides sufficient insulation but without any added weight. Because of such a feature, this gear is an excellent layer for cold-weather adventures, thanks to its stretchability and durability. You can guarantee that it won't inhibit your movements, thanks to its hybrid raglan sleeve construction. The latter provides a full range of motion to your upper body; you won't feel restricted while wearing this jacket.
It has a smooth-face fleece that comes with a brushed backer so that it has a guaranteed plush quality. Furthermore, the jacket is breathable; it promotes good air circulation so that you won't get sweaty at all. The micro-elastic binding on its back hem and collar gives its users extra comfort and custom-fit performance.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
If you are looking for a fleece jacket that you can wear daily, then The North Face Osito is an excellent option to try. This gear has a lightweight high-pile Silken raschel fleece that provides decent insulation. By the way, this unit has a women-specific construction, so it is a great deal for female explorers and adventurers. Its architecture features an oversize collar, stretched hem and cuffs, and a well-tailored waist.
The North Face Osito Fleece Jacket has an anti-snag front zip with an added draft flap. Its zippered hand pockets are spacious enough for your small essentials and accessories. There are also bindings on sleeve and neck openings so that the jacket becomes more stable when worn. Meanwhile, the shell of this jacket is made from 100% materials.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Columbia's Park View Fleece Jacket is a stellar gear for different outdoor adventures. It has a rugged but smooth exterior, while its interior is extremely supple. It's the very reason why many people love to wear this unit as compared to other fleece jackets manufactured by Columbia. It has all the features that you need, too, such as the moisture-wicking Omni-Wick fabric that optimizes its quick-drying performance.
Moreover, the jacket is quite stretchable; this means that it will never inhibit your movement. Meanwhile, the thumbholes on the jacket's sleeves make the latter more stable and intact; they also extend the coverage of the sleeves. The cuffs' seals are elastic. Hence, they are efficient in sealing the warmth of your body. There's also an internal storm flap on the jacket's front that prevents cold air drafts.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
This women's fleece jacket from Cotopaxi is certainly a great option if you are constantly dealing with cold temperatures. In fact, it works well as a standalone jacket. But it also serves as a mid-layer for below-zero conditions. It has fantastic insulating capabilities, given that it is patterned from the Teca Windbreaker. Furthermore, it also has an eco-friendly construction, as its fleece is tailored from repurposed Polartec Micro Fleece. Its shell is made from leftover polyester that includes a durable water repellent finish.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
If you are always on the move, it is natural that you are used to the unpredictability of the weather. Hence, it is essential that you are clad with the proper layers so that you can remain comfortable.
Fleece jackets can give you a certain degree of insulation so that you don't get chilly. But at the same time, they aren't that heavy, which makes them an excellent stand-alone layer or mid-layer.
Most fleece jackets are designed to be cozy. They can be worn in different seasons--from spring to winter, which makes them extremely versatile. While there are many fleece jackets you can find in the market today, there are still some general considerations that you need to follow.
Fleece jackets can be tailored from different materials. These fabrics are designed to trap heat and provide insulation to your body. Of course, the kind of thermal efficiency they provide is nowhere near to winter jackets. But they can still implement heat retention.
Most of these fabrics are synthetic. Specifically, they are made from polyester, which is known for its durability and resistance against moisture. Nylon-made fleece fabrics are also introduced in the market. Compared to polyester, nylon is considered to be tougher. It also offers effective means of trapping heat and wicking sweat and moisture.
Wool and cotton may provide plushness and insulation for their users. However, they aren't that good when it comes to dealing with water and moisture. When they get, their performance deteriorates. It is also known that cotton and wool are heavier than their synthetic counterparts.
Interestingly enough, there are fleece jackets that molded the synthetic fabrics with the wool. In this way, they can provide sufficient suppleness, insulation, and durability.
You should also mind the weight of the fleece jacket. It is an important factor since it determines the warmth and loft that the garment can provide. No fleece jacket can provide high levels of insulation while remaining lightweight. But at the same time, there are those fleece jackets that are tailored to accommodate different seasons and temperatures. Therefore, weight is something that can indicate the level of comfort that you can feel from a fleece.
The general rule is this: the heavier the jacket, the warmer it is.
A lightweight fleece (100 - 200gsm) is definitely thin. They are suitable for the weather that isn't too cold or too hot. Specifically, they are the best choice for adventures that require you to move a lot, such as hiking and climbing. Meanwhile, a mid-weight fleece (200-300gsm) is considered to be the most versatile. You can use them on cold evenings on the campsite and hikes during fall and early winter. A heavyweight fleece (300gsm or heavier), on the other hand, is only ideal for frigid weather. It gives sufficient insulation but puts a lot of weight on your body.
For many people, searching for a breathable fleece jacket is seemingly counterintuitive. After all, their intention is to wear this jacket for added insulation. So does it mean that you should forgo this particular consideration?
I beg to disagree. You see, the overall comfort that you can feel from your layers may depend on ventilation. Just because you want to be protected from the cold winds and low temperatures doesn't mean that you should seal your entire body from proper airflow. It is essential that air can escape from your body so that you won't experience overheating. If you do activities like climbing, running, or hiking, you would need a breathable fleece jacket.
Fleece jackets are perfect layers for different outdoor adventures. You can use them regardless if you are in the wild or urban jungle. These jackets can provide extra insulation to your body without causing added heat or discomfort. You should just choose the right one to accommodate your daily travels and commutes.
If you want to refine your search, then I suggest that you check the options that I've listed in this post. They are among the best fleece jackets that you can get today because of the quality of their construction and features.
That's it for now. If you have inquiries, feel free to ask me in the comment section below.
