{"id":37614,"date":"2023-01-20T10:00:39","date_gmt":"2023-01-20T09:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test-01.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/fleece-jackets-a-purchase-advice\/"},"modified":"2023-01-20T10:21:39","modified_gmt":"2023-01-20T09:21:39","slug":"fleece-jackets-a-purchase-advice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\/blog\/fleece-jackets-a-purchase-advice\/","title":{"rendered":"A buyer’s guide to fleece jackets"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Fleece<\/a>
Fleece is the optimal material for outdoor uses<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Fleece? What\u2019s fleece? Well, isn\u2019t it that soft, fluffy polyester fabric<\/strong>? You know, the incredibly breathable<\/strong> fabric that boasts outstanding insulating properties<\/strong>? That\u2019s basically correct, but not every fleece material is the same. There are several aspects that come together to make this functional outdoor material<\/strong> what it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Modern fleece is no longer just the soft polyester we know and love, but rather blended fabrics with polyamide, elastane or wool. Plus, fleece can also have a smooth surface or the design of a knitted wool pullover. In any case, fleece is soft on the inside, highly breathable, and its weight and insulating properties are always perfectly balanced, particularly when compared to fabrics made of pure wool (or cotton).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides synthetic shirts, fleece is the fastest-drying<\/strong> material among all functional fabrics. It instantly makes you feel warm<\/strong> and it is easy to clean<\/strong>, it retains its shape<\/strong>, and it\u2019s sometimes even (very) elastic<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the following, you\u2019ll find out all you need to know about fleece, or more specifically, outdoor jackets<\/a> made of fleece. Not every fleece jacket is the same, either. A few tips and tricks will guide you through the maze of fleece jackets and help you find the perfect one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why get a fleece jacket?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Fleece<\/a>
Fleece jackets are highly breathable and easy to clean<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Have you ever asked yourself what kind of outdoor jacket you would need for warm, cold, dry, windy, and calm weather conditions? The most sensible answer would probably be a light windproof or softshell jacket<\/a>, a weatherproof or hardshell<\/a> jacket, a breathable or fleece jacket and a well-insulated down or synthetic jacket<\/a>. Put these four jackets and you\u2019d have year-round protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Light softshell jackets offer versatile and breathable weather protection for demanding adventures. Hardshells are an impenetrable shield against strong winds and bad weather and provide you with durable protection in wet conditions. Jackets with down or synthetic fibres are warm and light at the same time. They can be worn with or without an outer jacket and don\u2019t take up too much space. Finally, fleece jackets are the breathable and insulating second layer<\/strong> that can be worn with or without (depending on the type of fleece) an outer jacket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fleece jackets are great for outdoor activities because they are well-insulated<\/strong> and hydrophobic<\/strong> and perspiration is able to pass through the fabric<\/strong>, which is not so much the case for jackets insulated with synthetic fibres or down. In addition, they are perfect as a mid layer<\/strong> for strenuous physical activities at mild temperatures, regardless of whether you\u2019re skiing<\/strong>, mountain biking in winter<\/strong>, mountaineering<\/strong>, hill walking<\/strong>, kayaking<\/strong>, or slacklining<\/a><\/strong>. When temperatures drop, your fleece jacket will keep you warm without a build-up of heat. Thus, these jackets are just as important for outdoor enthusiasts as waterproof functional wear and extra warm, insulated clothing. Fleece jackets are the most versatile underjackets<\/strong> for all imaginable activities and capable of adapting to changing weather conditions<\/strong>. Depending on the individual model, a fleece jacket can also be worn as an outer jacket on windy days for there are models that are almost entirely windproof as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What types of fleece jackets are available?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Knitted fleece, pile fleece, high loft fleece, bipolar fleece, micro fleece, stretch fleece, hard fleece, waffle fleece, fleece in various weights (100g\/m\u00b2, 200g\/m\u00b2, 300g\/m\u00b2, etc.), there are countless designations for different kinds of fleece, some of which are irrelevant. We will only examine the most important ones so that you can make a sensible choice.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Norr\u00f6na<\/a>
Norr\u00f6na – Falketind Warm1 Jacket – fleece jacket<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Classic fleece<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The traditional fleece<\/strong> is usually made of polyester<\/strong> and very soft on the inside<\/strong> as well as the outside<\/strong>. It is made in different weights. Weights<\/strong> around 200g\/m\u00b2<\/strong> are most common. These jackets are nice and warm and perfect for wearing underneath outer jackets. They usually come in the form of inner jackets<\/strong> for 3-in-1 jackets<\/a>. Lighter fleece jackets made of thinner fabrics serve as mid layers<\/strong> for strenuous physical activities<\/strong> (micro fleece). Some of these jackets are made of fabrics with grid-like pattern<\/strong>, which increases their breathability<\/strong> and stability<\/strong>. At the same time, it provides better moisture management<\/strong>. These models are called waffle fleece jackets<\/strong>. You\u2019ll often find waffle fleece in the form of Pontetorto Tecnostretch<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knitted fleece<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Knitted fleece<\/strong> has a weight of approximately 200g\/m\u00b2<\/strong> and a design reminiscent of a knitted jumper. Despite its urban look<\/strong>, it is functional as well. Most jackets made of knitted fleece come with a hood<\/strong> and a somewhat more casual fit<\/strong>. It looks fantastic, but bipolar fleece<\/strong> looks just as good. Its fashionable outer surface is somewhat rougher, but its interior is rather conventional. These jackets are rather heavy<\/strong> and have a thick layer of insulation<\/strong>, but are also pretty uncommon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teddy\/high loft fleece<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

High loft fleece<\/strong> is a nice and fluffy type of fleece (also known as teddy fleece<\/strong>). Even though such jackets are rather lightweight<\/strong>, they are also quite warm<\/strong> because of their very long and fine polyester fibres. Therefore, even thin jackets are well-insulated<\/strong>. These fluffy little jackets are just as suitable for physical activities as they are for the couch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smooth outer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Smooth-face fleece jackets are the most versatile types of fleece<\/strong>. The so-called stretch fleece<\/strong> comes with a Hardface outer<\/strong>. It is made of polyester, polyamide, and elastane. These jackets are nice and soft on the inside. On the outside, they are tough and wind resistant (to varying degrees). This allows you to wear the relatively tight-fitting jacket<\/strong> for a variety of activities because it is suitable for rucksacks<\/strong>, light breezes<\/strong>, and those particularly strenuous physical activities<\/strong> that require a lot of freedom of movement<\/strong>. Polartec<\/strong> is a name you should remember if you are interested in one of these jackets. Make sure to check out Polartec Power Stretch, Polartec Power Stretch Pro, Thermal Pro, and Power Dry<\/strong> as well. The so-called Hardfleece jackets are woven on the outside and so robust that they\u2019ll remind you of softshell jackets. They are made of a water-repellent<\/strong> and nearly windproof material<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n