Fleece may well be the most influential fabric to emerge from the 20th century. Before Yvon Chouinard started tinkering with polyester toilet seat covers (more on that here), outdoor clothing meant heavy, unforgiving wool knits. After his original partnership with Malden Mills (now Polartec), fleece began popping up everywhere – and it’s been everywhere ever since.
There’s good reason for fleece’s immediate rise to fame – its lightweight, quick-drying, and highly insulating properties mean it’s good for just about every outdoor-related activity on the planet. Any serious hiker, climber, backpacker, skier, or cyclist will have some sort of fleece somewhere on their kitlist.
And if you’re not into moving your body, fleece doubles up as the ultimate fabric for lounging around – whether that be huddling inside a tent, or just planted on your sofa – mug of tea in one hand, a bundle of remote controls grasped firmly in the other.
As a way of saying thank you to one of our favourite fabrics, here’s a list of fifteen fleeces that have taken our eye in recent months.
Patagonia – Classic Retro-X Jacket
Undoubtedly one of the most recognisable, iconic, and endlessly copied fleece garments of all time. Like the rest of the world, we can’t get enough of Patagonia’s Retro-X, and this pine green colourway is among the most sumptuous of the past five years. Worth noting: it’s only available in a women’s fit, so sizing up is recommended.
thisisneverthat x GORE-TEX Windstopper Fleece Cap
If you thought this list was only going to be fleece outerwear, you’re sorely mistaken. thisisneverthat has partnered with GORE-TEX to produce what might be one of the cosiest items of headwear on the planet.
Snow Peak Thermo Control Pullover
Appearing as a sort of pullover/fleece hybrid, this Snow Peak garment utilises that style of super soft, super lightweight Octa fleece that is everywhere at the minute.
Arksen Vellum Sherpa Wool Fleece
Arksen don’t mess about when it comes to insulation, and nowhere is that clearer than in their Vellum Fleece. Soft Italian wool, reinforced with Cordura panels, and ready for just about anything.
TAION – Mountain W-Zip Boa Hooded Jacket
Although TAION cut their teeth making down products, the brand’s fleece offerings are right up there, too. This beautiful hooded fleece jacket looks like a distant relative of Patagonia’s Rhythm Hoodie (a true icon of fleece)
Not many brands are brave enough to create a set of fleece gloves – Elmer is not one of them. These look ridiculously warm!
Senchi Designs – Alpha 90 Half-Zip Hoodie
If you know someone who owns one of these Senchi Designs hoodies, chances are they wear it every second of every day. And you know what? We can’t blame them.
Adsum are masters at understated, functional design – instanced by this fleece beanie. So basic, but so good.
Norse Projects – Ulrik Reversible Fleece Overshirt
Fleece is the ultimate fabric to include in a reversible garment, exactly like Norse Projects have done here. One side comprised of classic quilting, the other cut from luxurious Polartec micro-fleece.
Gramicci – Thermal Fleece Pant
Gramicci have called these wonderful fleece pants ‘the ultimate in campsite comfort’, and we’re inclined to agree – just don’t stand too close to any stray embers.
Marmot & Better – Polar Alpine Fleece Jacket
In a world full of beige and brown fleeces, it’s refreshing to see Marmot select a colour so unapologetically ’90s.
Manastash – Mountain Gorilla Fleece Jacket
Any fleece named after a species of ape is clearly not messing about, and this Manastash Gorilla Fleece is proof enough. Absolutely bananas.
thisisneverthat – Fleece Beanie
Another bit of fleece headwear from our good pals at thisisneverthat.
Frizmworks – Polar Fleece Jacket
Of all the fleeces on this list, this Frizmworks option might just be the most wearable of the lot. Its typically restrained colour and styling render it suitable for just about any scenario you could ever find yourself in.
Montbell Climaplus 200 O.D. Ear Warmer Cap
We’re genuinely not sure what could be added to this Montbell fleece cap to improve it further. Phenomenal ear flaps, a great shape, cosy-looking fleece, and a tasteful embroidered logo. Hats off (or on?) to them.
