For effective, versatile layering during cold weather, or even as standalone warmth during mild summer days, a good fleece will go a long, long way
The dependable fleece. Able to join you on lofty summits, whilst being tucked under shell and insulating layers, yet still something that wouldn’t look out of place during a post-hike evening around the fondue pot, or when out and around town.
We’ve all got a favourite fleece in our wardrobe that can tackle all conditions – something that has been going strong for about 10 years of hard use. But with modern fabric developments, modern fleeces are now able to offer a whole lot more than the fleeces of a few years ago. These days, they don’t just offer something for warmth alone, you can also find something that’s unrestrictive, breathable, able to regulate your temperature, dry quickly, wick sweat and not weigh you down either.
When the mercury begins to rise again, many of the fleeces included in this roundup can also be used as a standalone layer. None of these fleeces will be fully wind or waterproof, but they’ll keep light rain and wind at bay whilst you’re keeping active through the mountains.
Best Midlayer Fleeces
I’ve been pretty lucky these past few months, with a host of separate skiing and hiking trips taking place. These have included two ski touring trips to the French Alps, with both single and multi-day hut-to-hut ski tours. There was also a hiking trip to Iceland which gave some great testing conditions, from driving rain and snow, to clear and dry conditions. It’s safe to say, these fleeces have been through the lot.
The Proton Hoody with the Aconcagua Pro layered beneath out for test in wet snow conditions, whilst ski touring in France.
The Aconcagua Pro had to breathe well on this particularly warm day whilst ski touring in France – it held up well.
Top Midlayer Fleeces | Our Favourites
In this article, we’ve whittled it down to the 10 fleeces that we think are the best. And while we’ve tested both men’s and women’s options here, if you’re only looking for women’s fleeces, here’s a handy guide for that too.
Arc’teryx Proton – Best Women’s Fleece Overall
Keela Genesis Fleece – Best Men’s Fleece Overall
Rab Quantra Pro Hoody
Haglöfs L.I.M ZT Mid Sync 2 Fleece
Jack Wolfskin Blizzard
Norrøna Trollveggen
Patagonia R1 Air
The North Face 100 Glacier
Alpkit Griffon
Mammut Aconcagua Pro
1. Arc’teryx Proton Hoody
Our choice of the best women’s fleece overall from our tests
Price: £300 Weight: 320g
This midlayer admittedly blurs the line between fleece and fill insulation with the use of PrimaLoft’s extremely lightweight and breathable 100% recycled Gold insulation. Still, we’ve included the Proton into this fleece round-up rather than our best insulator round-up due to the amazing levels of breathability it offers. I felt like I was able to consistently moving fast through the mountains whilst this kept shifting moisture away from my body when worn next to a baselayer.
Arc’teryx have managed to achieve this impressive amount of breathability by pairing the insulation with a highly porous, yet lightly wind resistant Fortius Air outer fabric. This outer shell is also DWR treated, so as long as you care for the fabric, it will keep off light rain/snow showers.
A notable moment using the Proton was whilst I was ski touring in the Alps at a fairly high pace (around 70% heart rate range) over a constant period. I stopped at the top of a hill and realised that I hadn’t felt the need to unzip it to let any hot air escape at any point during the ascent.
All of this breathability and wind-proofing is paired with a fairly athletic fit and a slightly dropped back, with a low profile hood that will fit under a helmet. Whilst this jacket has been stripped down on weight, it still boasts four great outer pockets; one on the chest and two on the hip.
Full Specifications
S – XXL / The Fortius Air 20 fabric / 100% recycled PrimaLoft Gold insulation / 20d plain weave Toray liner / low profile, fitted, adjustable under helmet hood / one zippered chest pockets / two zippered hand warmer pockets / PFAS-free DWR.
This gets our pick as the best men’s fleece overall according to our tests
OM editor Will out and about in the Keela Genesis in North Wales. Photo: Dave MacFarlane.
Price: £105 Weight: 906g
This isn’t just a fleece, it’s a full-blown suit of armour that serves as a reliable shield from the elements. And that’s because this thing’s not just warm, it’s waterproof too. We’ve been using it extensively through some wild North Wales weather and it’s been the ideal option to turn to.
It features an inner soft fleece, an outer fleece that has a bit more bulk to it, with the hydrophilic lining in between them also helping to lock in warmth and to fully block out the wind and rain. During our tests, we’ve found it to be about as warm as a mid to heavy weight down or synthetic insulated jacket.
OM editor and experienced gear tester Will said: “This is a very warm and comfortable fleece. The wet weather performance is excellent. The outer fleece fabric has good water resistance and water beads off it nicely so this alone will see off light rainfall well. Once the heavy stuff arrives, that’s where the hydrophilic lining comes into action. This is actually also designed to pull moisture away from your skin and spread it across the fabric so it can evaporate more quickly, helping you stay dry and comfortable during activity. Does it work? I’d say so. I’ve not felt clammy when wearing the Genesis and it feels like just a typical thickly-layered fleece.”
The Keela Genesis also has a cinchable hem and a zipped front with a storm flap. There are two zipped handwarmer pockets that are very cosy and then there’s also a cord at the collar for locking in that extra bit of warmth. The cuffs are elasticated too, though a touch on the tight side. We are finding that they’re loosening up a bit with time though.
Full Specifications
100% polyester Zetland 100 fabric / waterproof and windproof / hydrophilic film built into the fleece / condensation control / neck baffle / reinforced shoulders & elbows / zipped hip pockets / articulated sleeves / elasticated cuffs / shockcords with locks at hem / fully tape sealed.
OM editor Will is pictured here using the Rab Quantra Pro in the Lake District. Photo: Dave MacFarlane.
Price: 120 Weight: 339g
Full Specifications
Soft, stretchy Thermic Pro fleece / wind-resistant / under-helmet hood / two zipped A-line pockets / elasticated hood and cuffs / dual-sided rear hem adjustment / full-length front zip with chin guard / regular fit.
OM testers Becky and James are pictured here testing the Haglöfs L.I.M ZT Mid Sync 2 fleece.
Price: £150 Weight: 218g
The result of a close collaboration with technical fabric brand Polartec, this striking midlayer from Haglöfs is one very clever bit of kit. It’s made with three different types of Polartec fabric, each one designed to serve a very specific purpose and the overall result is a garment that’s able to provide very efficient temperature regulation.
We can primarily see the L.I.M ZT Mid Sync 2 fleece as that warm layer worn just with a waterproof jacket on those autumn or spring adventures when light low bulk insulation is needed. We can also see it coming in handy during the winter, forming that principal layer of insulation underneath your down jacket on those really cold winter days and nights.
One of our testers said, “I used this recently as my mandatory layer of insulation during a 50-mile ultra marathon… I was really glad to be able to call on this at times throughout the day, particularly when I needed a bit of quick warmth after I’d lingered at a checkpoint for too long. And it was warm, but it didn’t cause me to overheat too quickly after I got moving in it either.”
All three of the Polartec fabrics that are used here are made using recycled content, with 100% recycled polyester used for the Power Air, 100% used for Power Dry and 54% recycled polyester in the Alpha material. Each one also meets bluesign industry standards as well, confirming good sustainable and ethical methods of manufacture.
Full Specifications
Made from Polartec Alpha, Polartec Power Air and Polartec Power Dry fabrics / open mesh construction for enhanced air flow / high and snug fitting collar / one security pocket / heat mapped panels / thumbholes for gloves / panels to accommodate climbing harness and backpack / strip snap closure system / longer length for tucking into pants / contains recycled and bluesign approved fabrics.
If fleece has a drawback in performance terms, it’s that it’s not especially wind-resistant. And of course, its other major drawback is that it’s made of synthetic fibres, which are ultimately derived from petrochemicals and therefore not very eco-friendly. Jack Wolfskin’s Blizzard jacket attempts to overcome both of these issues with an innovative 3-layer fleece construction that incorporates exclusive Polartec Windbloc fabric, made from a fully recycled outer and inner plus a waterproof, breathable, Jack Wolfskin Texapore Ecosphere membrane in between – which is also made entirely from reused/recycled content.
The result is a windproof and highly weather-resistant fleece that works well not just as a midlayer but also as a warm outer layer in chilly, gusty and drizzly weather. It’d be well suited to weekend walks from spring through to autumn, but perhaps not – despite the name – the ideal piece of outerwear in an actual blizzard.
The Blizzard is basically a membraned ‘hard face’ fleece, which ensures it is windproof and water repellent. But it’s also warm and reasonably breathable too, as well as being soft and comfortable thanks to a brushed inner lining. Pit zips under the arms also help you to dump heat fast.
On the outside of the jacket, the shoulders and lower sleeves are reinforced with an extra-robust 500-denier Oxford polyamide (nylon) fabric, which should be very resistant to abrasion from pack straps as well as general wear and tear. Unusually, the jacket is also equipped with a rollaway lightweight hood that stows neatly in the jacket collar. Other features include 2 hand pockets, a chest pocket and an inner pocket as well as an adjustable hem.
Full Specifications
Polartec Windbloc 3-layer fabric / fully recycled outer and inner / waterproof-breathable, recycled and reused Jack Wolfskin Texapore Ecosphere membrane /boxy fit / 3-season compatible / brushed inner lining / pit zips under arms / 500-denier Oxford nylon reinforced shoulders and lower sleeves / rollaway hood in jacket collar / 2 hand pockets / chest pocket / inner pocket / adjustable hem.
The trollveggen from Norwegian outdoor brand Norrøna is one sturdy midlayer fleece built with colder temperatures in mind. It’s designed for the harsh and rugged landscapes of Norway after all.
Made with 100% recycled polyester, the trollveggen uses Polartec® Thermal Pro® technologies to create air pockets that trap air and retain body heat. The result is a fleece with a great warmth-to-weight ratio and excellent breathability.
In terms of features there’s a zippered chest pocket, two hand warming pockets, elastic cuffs with thumb holes, a protective collar and articulated arms for freedom of movement.
Full Specifications
100% recycled Polartec® Thermal Pro® polyester fabric / zipped chest pocket / two hand warming pockets / elastic cuffs with thumb holes / protective collar / Y-cut / articulated arms / six colour options / S to XXL / Oeko-Tex Certified Fabric.
In true Patagonia fashion, the R1® Air Full-Zip Hoody features some excellent sustainability efforts. Including 100% recycled polyester, the garment is also made in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory, something only a handful of other outdoor companies are committed to at the moment.
In terms of materials, the recycled polyester features a jacquard design with hollow-core yarns and a zigzag texture that wicks moisture very effectively. It also dries fast ensuring you stay warm when out and about.
Including a left-chest stash pocket, two front pockets, off-shoulder seams, a full-front zip and a slim-fit hood; there’s a lot to like here.
Full Specifications
100% recycled polyester jacquard fleece / hollow-core yarns / zigzag texture / off-shoulder seams / one chest pocket and two front pockets / soft cuffs and hem / full-front zip / slim-fit hood / made in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory.
While not the most technical on the list, The North Face 100 Glacier 1/4 zip jacket is a bit of a staple on the midlayer market. You’ll have no doubt passed a skier or three rocking it out and about on the mountains at the après ski, I’m sure.
It’s made from a polyester microfleece that uses an effective, lofted structure to create both a warm and lightweight jacket overall. Like many temperature-controlling technologies out there, the Glacier utilises air pockets in the fabric to trap air and heat in the garment, while at the same time allowing for breathability.
Impressively, this fleece is also part of TNF’s Circular Design initiative, a collection designed to minimise waste and pollution by recycling garments and producing highly durable gear, amongst other things.
Full Specifications
1/4 zip microfleece / 100% polyester / sleeve opening and bottom hem binding / no shoulder seams / lofted structure / nine colour options / XS to XL / part of TNF’s Circular Design initiative / standard fit.
Another extremely lightweight fleece, the Griffon by Alpkit utilises a similar (but lower bulk) grid design to Polartec’s Power Air. This pattern creates pockets of warmth while also expelling any sweat vapour through small channels.
Alpkit have designed the Griffon with a close-to-skin fit, which means that it can also be used as a warm base layer, if you don’t mind the feeling of a full length zip next to your skin.
At only 290g (size-dependant) and with a £54.99 price tag, this is a hard to beat fleece with great value for money. Whilst it’s never going to be as warm as many of the other fleeces in this roundup, it will make a great summertime companion.
Full Specification
S – XXL / Alpkit’s 3 year alpine bond / full length Vislon zip / snug fitting lycra bound hood / external chest zip for valuables / two-tone smooth face.
The Aconcagua fleece from Swiss manufacturer Mammut utilises high-quality fleece materials strategically designed to help your body manage its climate effectively. In short, the name of the game here is top-level temperature regulation.
It uses Polartec’s classic Power Stretch Pro fabric, an ingredient that has become a mainstay in the midlayer market. In short, it’s a 4-way stretch, shape retaining fabric that is engineered to be both moisture wicking and highly breathable. Work hard and this stuff breathes with you. Integrated into this is the abrasion-resistant nylon finish, further ensuring the jacket holds up against the wear and tear of mountain life.
The Aconcagua has also been designed with a classically European slim fit. I found this to be the closest fitting of all the fleeces that I tested in this roundup, so I’d suggest to size up if you usually prefer a more traditional fit.
Full Specification
S – XXL / YKK Vislon front zip / Polartec Power Stretch Pro / abrasion-proof nylon surface / under helmet hood / flat chin guard and zipper underlay / back-pack compatible side zipper pockets / Raglans sleeves / thumb loops.
