Greatest Fleece Jackets of 2023

A fleece jacket is a warm, protective layer that retains warmth and boasts stellar next-to-skin comfort. Functional year-round in cool or cold weather, a fleece simultaneously retains the heat our bodies give off while providing airflow. From the skin track to the chair lift or a stroll around town — these cozy jackets are essential elements of your layering system whenever you step outside.

While many fleece silhouettes fit sleekly beneath a shell or rain jacket, some designs are constructed to be wind- or weather-resistant and function equally well as light outerwear. Other fleeces are bulkier and comfier for everyday or post-adventure use.

Conventional designs are extremely fine-tuned, offering a spectrum of warmth, breathability, wicking capability, and integrated weather protection. There’s also a range of features like thumbholes, pockets, and hoods that boost their useability for different activities.

Our team has collectively tested hundreds of fleece jackets over the history of this guide, with current author and Senior Editor, Chris Carter, having put over 35 different models through grueling tests in the past year alone. He clung to tiny crimps thousands of feet in the air, trudged along endless miles of trail, and curled up next to countless campfires wearing these fuzzy layers to bring you the streamlined selection you see today.

Choosing a tailored style for your outdoor pursuits will help you move around with greater comfort and safety, helping your core temperature hover at its sweet spot. We’ve highlighted a variety of our favorite options so you can find the best fleece jacket for your needs.

Check out our comparison chart for a comprehensive look at our selection. If you’re not well-versed on fleece or need a refresher, thumb through our buyer’s guide and FAQ at the end of this article before picking your new pullover or zip-up.

Editor’s Note: We updated this guide on October 26, 2023, adding a product to the lineup, additional details about our testing practices, and information regarding the weather resistance of fleece jackets.

The Best Fleece Jackets of 2023

Fleece Jackets Comparison Chart

How We Tested Fleece Jackets

Our team has tested, reviewed, and published fleece jacket guides for men and women for several years across all seasons. To challenge and determine the best designs, our product testers have worn these jackets across a spectrum of environments and tasks in the Rockies including in Colorado’s Gunnison Valley, one of the coldest, snowiest destinations in the U.S.

Our crew of testers includes an AMGA-certified (American Mountain Guides Association) rock guide, sugar beet harvester, ski patrol tail guide, triple crown thru-hiker, professional wildlife photographer, rancher, lifelong backcountry and resort skiers, and hunters. Between the lot of us, we’ve worn these cozy layers in just about every environment imaginable.

Staff author Steve Graepel, a dedicated runner, traveler, and all-around outdoor athlete, kicked this guide off in April of 2021 with an initial roundup of nine jackets. Senior Editor Chris Carter took over this guide in August of 2022, and has been obsessively combing online catalogs, bugging brands at gear shows, and generally keeping his finger on the pulse of the fleece jacket market ever since to bring you the most current, deserving selection possible.

Chris has thru-hiked the Triple Crown of long trails, (the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail) and continues to pursue long-distance hiking around the world. He’s had the chance to test a range of different fleece jackets on these trails, and considers them one of the most vital elements of your layering system on both long journeys and casual weekend adventures alike.

For this guide, we considered the most popular, highly acclaimed, well-made, and size-inclusive fleece jackets made for a variety of activities and across a range of prices. We know the competition in the fleece market is fierce, which is why we have slotted this guide into a regular update schedule, and work hard to stay on top of new trends, technologies, and models the moment they become available to the public. Rest assured, the list you see above represents the best of the best.

Material

Most fleece jackets are completely polyester or polyester blend with fibers like nylon, elastane, or spandex. There’s a growing trend of brands using recycled nylon or polyester for all or a portion of the mix.

Some designs incorporate technical Polartec fleece fabrics that offer weather and abrasion resistance or temperature-management properties like the stretchy and sweat-wicking Power Stretch Pro textile or Polartec Alpha active insulation.

A handful of fleece jackets integrate wool fibers into the synthetic blend to bridge the qualities of both.

Fit — Comfort & Performance

There’s a lot to consider when adding a fleece to your layering system. These jackets truly shine in their use as additional layers when temps plummet, or as a cozy, warm layer while walking around camp. They work well as a ventilating barrier underneath a rain jacket, and help prevent water from seeping through breathable rain shell fabrics during heavy storms.

They are wildly popular for their versatility and comfort, but aren’t the best option as a sole outer layer in most cases. The jackets above that use technical fabrics are usually made with a more athletic fit, and catered towards those looking for an active-use layer. These jackets need to be extremely breathable while moving, yet offer significant warmth while static. In this area, an active insulation synthetic jacket may work better given their greater protection, warmth, and packability.

What a fleece jacket lacks in technical performance and warmth though, it makes up for in breathability. While many fleeces have a more casual, lifestyle-oriented look, some manufacturers provide form-fitting, extra-breathable fleeces that offer greater mobility and durability for high-output activities.

Jackets like the Arc’teryx Kyanite Hoodie and Patagonia R1 TechFace or Air fit this bill. Some of these may not be as cozy as the less athletic, comfort-oriented models, but will regulate temperature better during intense activity like rock climbing or trail running. It’s important to consider how you plan on using your fleece, and the ratio of comfort to performance that you want on your adventure before deciding what to buy.

Recycled Fibers

A portion of fleece jackets such as the Patagonia R1 TechFace Hoodie and Helly Hansen Daybreaker Fleece Jacket use recycled fibers like nylon and polyester. One recycled fabric, for instance, is made by Repreve, which uses post-consumer plastic water bottles to create the textile.

Insulation & Weight

The insulation provided by fleece jackets varies based on the material’s density, which is measured in grams per square meter (gsm). Generally, the designs are also categorized as lightweight, midweight, or heavyweight, and warmth increases with the gsm number:

• 1-150 gsm: Lightweight (warm)
• 150-250 gsm: Midweight (warmer)
• 250+ gsm: Heavyweight (warmest)

Lightweight fleece jackets (100 gsm) work well for 32-50 degrees and moderate aerobic activities. This is a good choice for extra insulation on a winter run, for instance.

Midweight fleeces (200 gsm) are thicker for 0-32 degrees and are the most versatile. This loftier option works well beneath a ski shell or while walking on an autumn evening.

Heavyweight designs (300 gsm) are created for the heart of winter and standstill activity. Without precipitation, this layer can also function as an outer layer in cold weather.

Naturally, the greater the gsm, the more the overall jacket weighs, too. You’ll need to balance your preference for overall fleece weight with the warmth properties needed for your activity.

Fleece Verses Synthetic and Down Insulation

As we touch on above, fleece jackets vary from synthetic and down jackets in that they are generally more breathable, but also less packable, protective, and lightweight. Down and synthetic jackets tend to run more expensive, but provide a beefier barrier from the elements, and have a higher warmth-to-weight ratio.

While layering a fleece with another heavier jacket is usually the move on longer adventures, if you are trying to choose one of the three as a primary jacket there are some benefits to fleece over down and synthetic. Both down and synthetic insulation need to be sandwiched between an inner and outer liner.

This fabric usually doesn’t boast the same next-to-skin comfort or breathability of a fleece jacket, and can get sticky and clammy once sweat begins to build up. Also, the fabric of fleece jackets is often more durable than the thin lining material used on lightweight puffy jackets, which can make them better for technical off-trail travel.

Fleece jackets generally have better moisture-wicking abilities, and are therefore great for high-intensity activities where weight and bulk aren’t a primary issue.

Weather and Water Resistance

Some fleece designs are treated for weather and abrasion resistance, increasing the fabric’s durability and resilience to harsh weather like rain, wind, and snow. These types of jackets can be an especially good choice for activities like rock climbing, mountaineering, or backcountry skiing when recreationists need to move quickly and desire a layering system that works well across variable conditions.

While we don’t necessarily consider a DWR treatment an important feature for fleece jackets, some models like Helly Hansen’s Cascade Shield Jacket boast hefty DWR coatings that boost both water and wind resistance. If heavy rain is in the forecast, you’ll obviously want a rain jacket or hardshell to throw over top, but jackets like these can keep you cozy and dry in a light sprinkle — and also tend to land on the more durable fringe of the spectrum.

Breathability

One of the greatest properties of fleece is it’s inherently breathable, even when the blend includes a weather treatment. That said, if you tend to run hot and pull on a heavyweight fleece, the warmth can outweigh the breathability.

Some models are much more breathable than others, however, such as Patagonia’s R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody and Mountain Hardwear’s Polartec Power Grid jacket, as they feature a grid fleece pattern that increases moisture regulation, while still trapping a significant amount of heat.

Using your fleece jacket as an element of your layering system allows you to weather much rougher conditions than if you were to wear it as a standalone piece. Pairing your fleece with a burly rain jacket or hardshell when the clouds open is a must for weathering the storm with ease. If it’s just wind you’re worried about, throw a thin windbreaker jacket over your insulator for an ultralight solution to thermal efficiency.

Collar & Cuffs

Many fleece designs feature a short or tall cuff that zips up to protect the chest and neck from the cold and zips down to expel heat. Some fleeces also include a hood any may be streamlined for bike, ski, or climbing helmet compatibility.

The cuffs are usually closed via a gentle elastic closure at the wrist or farther down the hand toward the base of the fingers. Some sleeves have an extended thumbhole design, which is popular for folks who need extra protection and warmth on their hands. Only a few designs have unique cuffs like the snap-button closures on the Stio Turpin Fleece Half Zip.

Pockets & Zippers

Fleece jackets usually have two external zippered hand pockets in the front. If you need to wear a harness for climbing, ziplining, or ski mountaineering, be sure to check if the pockets are placed higher up to pair well with a harness.

Occasionally, designs have a kangaroo-style front pocket, which offers a nice place to stash a small purse or many snacks.

Some models include a zippered chest pocket that can be internal or external. Occasionally, designs add a small zippered pocket on an arm. A handful have roomy internal pockets, too.

Traditionally, jackets will have a full zipper closure in front or be a pullover with a partial zip or button closure from the chest to neck. Zippers are generally seamless but vary in size and quality — YKK is the most robust.

Caring for a Fleece Jacket

While most fleece jackets are built to withstand a good amount of torture on trail, you can take a few steps to prolong their life and get your money’s worth. Fleece jackets can be quite susceptible to pilling if cared for improperly, which can reduce the life of your jacket and its insulating properties. The biggest way to avoid this is washing it on a gentle cycle, using cool water, a mild detergent, and line-drying.

Price and Value

The majority of fleece jackets range from high-end technical pieces at $200-300 to budget-friendly $50-100 fleece and everything in between. Generally, the higher the cost, the more durable, weather-resistant, and multi-functional the fleece is for a broader range of activities and conditions.

FAQ