Generally used as a mid layer in the winter or an outer layer in the warmer months, there’s nothing quite as cosy as a good ol’ fleece. I’ve been out with the women’s gear team testing a whole range of different fleeces to find out which ones are the best for hiking.
Related: Best Waterproof Jackets for Women
Related: Best Hiking Leggings
Invented way back in 1981, fleece as we know it has changed a lot over the years. While it used to have a reputation for being very bulky, these days you’ll find every type of fleece you can imagine, including lightweight performance fleeces, burlier polar pieces, everyday outer fleeces, cosy campfire classics, and many more. I headed out on some UK trails and mountains to find out which ones performed the best when hiking and hillwalking. These are the women’s fleece jackets that impressed me the most.
The Best Women’s Fleeces for Hiking 2025
The majority of these fleeces were tested across UK landscapes such as Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, the South Downs and the Cairngorms, as well as Glenveagh National Park and the Dartry Mountains in Ireland. Including short day hikes, everyday dog walks, a cheeky bit of bouldering and multi-day walking trips along iconic trail routes – we’ve really put these jackets through their paces.
Best Hiking Fleece for Women Overall: Arc’teryx Kyanite Hoody
The Warmest Hiking Fleece for Women: Artilect Supermoon Bio Hoodie Fleece
Best Microfleece Jacket for Women: Passenger Ayla Recycled Micro Polartec Fleece
Best Technical Women’s Hiking Fleece: Patagonia R1 Fleece Jacket
Best Everyday Hiking Fleece for Women: Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-Zip Fleece
Spoiler alert: our gear team’s favourite fleece at the moment is the Kyanite from Arc’teryx. Based on its weight, warmth, breathability and sustainability efforts, amongst other factors, we decided that it performed best overall. In particular it performed well on some hikes in the Dartry Mountains in Ireland, and in the Cambrian Mountains in Wales.
If you need something a little warmer, we’d go for the Artilect Supermoon Bio fleece, or the Salomon Chroma if you need something on the bulkier side. For all-out technical performance, on the other hand, the Patagonia R1 Fleece Hoody performed well on some fast hiking tests and quick bouldering sessions across the UK.
Note: We will be continuing our tests throughout the seasons so keep an eye out for updates and changes, including fleeces that have stood up to the almighty test of time.
Arc’teryx Kyanite Fleece Hoody
Best Overall Women’s Fleece for Hiking: This gets our pick for best in test due to its comfort, versatility and warmth.
Price: £180
Weight: 360g
Best for: three-season hiking, climbing, everyday
Breathability Rating: 4/5
Warmth Rating: 4/5
Here we have the classic Kyanite fleece from Arc’teryx. Recently updated to include an internal key pocket and a more streamlined fit, the Kyanite features a relatively straightforward design combined with thermo-regulating, four-way stretch Polartec textiles. Abrasion-resistant nylon is also used to prevent ripping in the fabric.
Elsewhere on the Kyanite you’ll find a stretchy hood and hem, two zippered hand pockets, a flatlock seam construction to reduce bulk, more stretchiness at the cuffs, and articulated patterning throughout.
While I wouldn’t use it for ultra-cold weather, during my tests I found that it was great as an all-rounder fleece for activities such as day hiking, multi-day treks, bouldering and general campsite shenanigans. It fits nicely in between a base layer and a shell jacket but also provides enough warmth for those milder days too. I particularly liked the super soft interior that really elevates your comfort when out hiking and wicks away sweat quickly too.
The only downside I’ve found is that it’s started to pill a little on the back from when I’ve sat down on rough surfaces, however, the rest of the jacket has held up well against abrasion so far. The stretchiness is another big plus for me as it really gives that unrestricted feeling in your movements out on the trail.
And yes, as anyone who’s been in any major UK city recently will be able to tell you, you’ll be right on trend if you wear it around the town too.
Pros: versatile, warm, very stretchy
Cons: seems prone to pilling
Buy The Arc’teryx Kyanite Fleece: £180 at Ellis-brigham.com
Artilect Supermoon Bio Hoodie Fleece
The Warmest Hiking Fleece for Women: This fleece is our runner-up and gets our pick as the best option for colder weather, according to our tests.
Price: £75
Weight: 500g
Best for: multi-day hiking, cold climates, big trips
Breathability Rating: 3.5/5
Warmth Rating: 5/5
As the runner-up from our tests for the best hiking fleeces for women, there’s a lot to like about the Artilect Supermoon Bio. One of my favourite features is the 260gsm of 100% recycled Primaloft Bio fleece that it’s made from. Primaloft Bio, in case you didn’t know, is a type of biodegradable synthetic insulation made entirely from recycled materials. It’s also impressively warm while avoiding the bulkiness of a traditional fleece. In essence, it’s the good (sustainable) stuff.
I wore the Supermoon throughout much of our winter and spring here in the UK and was very impressed. In the Rhinogydd especially, this fleece saw me through some seriously cold weather on the mountain sides. Initially I mainly used it as a midlayer. As the days have gotten warmer, however, I’ve used it as an outer layer and it’s done me well. It’s too warm for high exertion stuff or for low altitude summer hiking, but for everything outside of that, this is the fleece I’d use.
In terms of features, you’ve got a cosy under the helmet hood, two zippered hand pockets, one zippered chest pocket with more than enough room for your phone, and some lycra cuffs that are handy for keeping the cold out. The cut is nice too, with a design that would blend in on a wide variety of adventures.
Pros: biodegradable, recycled materials, cosy and warm
Cons: none so far
Buy The Artilect Supermoon Bio Fleece: £75 at Alpine-trek.co.uk
