Best Fleece Jackets In 2022

How We Chose Our Selection Of Fleece Jackets

Brand - There is a lot of great brands for picking the best fleece jackets, but we only want to find the top of the range. Doing this requires heavy research and means we need to keep a close eye on what brands continue to pop up above all others.

Quality - What’s the point in buying a men‘s fleece coat if it doesn’t do what you want it to? Quality is always a huge factor to us when considering any list, and we would never want to recommend something to you that falls below the threshold for quality - and even products skirting around this threshold are often not enough.

To make the best selection we can, we look for reliable products which offer much more than what you’d see in your average fleece jacket and which are constructed with high-quality materials you can trust.

Reviews - We don’t always get the chance to try out our selection as much as we’d hope, so to counteract this, we rely on the wonders of reviews written by those who have had the chance to test out their fleece jackets in the proper environments.

These reviews give us the chance to identify the good and the bad from our perspective choices and whittle them down until we’ve found the kinds of products that are universally accepted as only the best. If there’s a problem with one product, these reviews let us know, and we love that.

Price - Fleece jackets are something that everyone can use no matter what they do although we will admit they’re probably more frequently worn by those who love to camp and hike. The great thing about these hobbies is that you don’t need the most awesome and expensive gear for it to be a fun and successful trip.

Knowing this, we looked for products that offered a wide range of prices so that our selection could appeal to the experienced fleece wearers and those who may not need the best option on the market. This meant that we could be as inclusive as possible and find something for everyone and every budget.

Features To Look For In Fleece Jackets

Warmth - Warmth is one of the key things to look for when shopping for a men‘s fleece jacket. All fleece jackets offer a certain level of warmth, so you must think about how warm you’ll need to be on your adventures or when wearing your fleece.

The thicker the fleece, the warmer you will be, but you don’t want to get overheated by being too warm. Likewise, you may not need the warmest fleece if you’re planning to wear additional layers on top of below your jacket.

Comfort - The best fleece jackets come with special designs to ensure comfort for all-day wear. This includes features such as abrasion and friction-free stitching that prevents rubbing and rashes, which is especially useful with the slim fit and tight designs worn against bare skin.

Breathability - Some fleece jackets will have breathable panels which enhance breathability and keep you cool even during more intense activities. Breathable designs ensure you won’t get overheated and suffer premature exhaustion and will keep you going throughout your journey.

Layering Ability - Layering is a key part of staying warm no matter what you’re doing and is something that’s recommended to achieve optimum comfort no matter your situation. A thin fleece jacket gives you better layering options over your fleece, but a thick fleece jacket may be better for layering beneath it.

Something such as fleece vest is a good in-between option for those who need a little protection from the chill, but not too much. A men‘s fleece vest is also good for hikes or treks in the warm weather and will provide extra pockets of fleece jackets while not restricting your movement as much as full-sleeved fleeces are.

Pockets - Everyone loves having extra pockets to store many crucial things like snacks (or your smartphone, which we guess might be more important), so this is definitely an essential thing to consider when shopping for your fleece jacket.

There is a variety of pocket options to look at such as front hand pockets (as you’d expect) but also a chest and sleeve pocket for extra storage options. If you want extra security for your devices, invest in pockets with zips so you don’t lose your phone down the side of a cliff face.

Style - Fleece jackets aren’t always the most varied in terms of style, but there are some that can help affect how versatile they are.  A full zip fleece will be more like a regular jacket whereas one with a simple vest zip is more like a sweater.

You can also look for multi-sport styles which cover a wide range of exercise options, and if you want a hooded jacket, you will find something that suits what you need.

Weather Resistance - Fleeces are not waterproof, so be sure to bring a waterproof garment to wear over it if you’re going somewhere it’s likely to pour. However, you will find a windproof fleece jacket to keep you protected from wind gusts atop mountains and hills. Long sleeve fleeces will also protect your arms from the sun, and if you want extra head protection, you can invest in a fleece with a hood.

Weight - Weight is an often understated factor for buying anything, but it’s always an important feature to consider when buying clothes. Fleece jackets are typically lightweight, but thicker models will weight more than thin ones. If you’re planning to pack your fleece in your backpack instead of wearing it, you may want to consider buying one that won’t weigh you down too much.

Types Of Fleece

Different fleeces are better for different environments. Depending on what you’ll use your fleece jacket for, keep these different options in mind before purchasing.

Lightweight Fleece - As the name suggests, lightweight fleece is the lightest kind of fleece jacket. They are thin and easy to carry, and won’t take up a lot of space in your backpack. These fleece jackets are ideal as an additional base layer, as they still provide decent protection from wind and chill, but they perhaps won’t provide the excellent wind resistance on their own.

Lightweight fleece is best worn in the spring and summer. You might see it referred to as a microfleece in some places.

Mid-Weight Fleece - Fleeces that are in the middle are considered mid-weight fleeces which are great for wearing as outer layers on treks and hikes as long as it’s not too cold. It’s warmer than a lightweight fleece and is more insulated so you won’t need to wear as much underneath to keep warm.

These jackets are best worn as an everyday layer and, as long as you’re not climbing steep and hazardous terrain, are excellent for keeping you warm enough on your treks.

Heavyweight Fleece - A heavyweight fleece is a thick fleece jacket that’s ideal for wearing under a winter coat to give you that extra protection when high on the mountains or camping in colder locations. They are less flexible than more lightweight fleeces, but they offer the best insulation and are generally considered the top of the range.

They are great for winter activities, but not if you are exerting yourself, as you risk overheating. You can also use them as a single over layer sometimes without feeling the chill.

Fleece Jacket FAQ

Q: What is fleece?

A: Fleece is a soft and fluffy polyester fabric that is typically worn by those who love to hike. It’s a very Dad kind of garment, but that shouldn’t put any youngsters off wearing them, as they are massively versatile and incredibly underrated. Fleece is breathable and lightweight and suitable for just about any occasion.

Q: Is fleece warmer than wool?

A: Wool provides better initial insulation, but this is useless if you get wet, as wool can take hours to dry. Knowing this, you could say that fleece is technically warmer, as it dries quicker and therefore prevents insulating the chill within, therefore keeping you much warmer.

Q: What type of fleece should I get?

A: The type of fleece you should get will depend on what you need your fleece jacket for. Lightweight jackets are better for general wear and walking in temperate climates, mid-weight jackets are an excellent outer layer for standard, everyday wear, while heavyweight jackets are suitable for cold, chilled climates.

Q: Do fleece jackets shrink?

A: We have found no evidence of fleece shrinking, even when placed in the dryer (even though this isn’t something we’d recommend). One of the best things about fleece jackets is their durability, and we’re almost certain that there are fleeces jackets hidden deep away in your basement which would still work perfectly if taken out and worn right now.

Q: Are fleece jackets waterproof?

A: Fleece jackets are not waterproof, so you won’t be protected from rain. However, any decent jacket has moisture wicking properties, which helps keep you dry from the inside and pulls sweat away from the body.

Q: How do I care for my fleece jacket?

A: The best way to care for your fleece jacket is to keep it away from heat as this can lead to pilling and giving it that weird bumpy feeling which causes the fleece to feel cheap and ineffective. For the best results, turn the jacket inside out when washing it and select a gentle washing cycle.

It’s important to remember not to use fabric softener, as this will also cause pilling, and keep the washing temperature as low as possible to prevent damage. When the cycle is complete, line dry your jacket instead of placing it in the tumble dryer, as fleece can be flammable when dry.

Don’t let the jacket sit soaking as this can cause bacteria to build up and dry it in a well-ventilated area.

There are different types of fleece, though, so if you’re ever unsure about how to wash your jacket, we recommend you follow the label instructions as closely as possible to prevent damaging your jacket.

Sources:

1. How to layer outdoor clothing - Kathmandu
2. Fleece vs. Wool: Which Offers the Best Protection from the Elements? - Orvis News
3. Care Instructions For Your Fleece - Alpinetrek