The dependable fleece. Able to join you on lofty summits, whilst being tucked under a protective shell and insulating layers, yet still something that wouldn’t look out of place during a post-hike pint down the pub.
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 yesteryears. 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.
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.
The Best Fleeces of 2026 | Our Favourites
Tried and tested by our team of outdoor gear reviewers, here’s our favourite fleeces for this year, including our category winners.
- Patagonia R1 Fleece Hoody – Best women’s fleece overall
- Keela Genesis Fleece – Best men’s fleece overall, and best mid to heavyweight fleece
- Helly Hansen Odin Breeze – Best technical hiking fleece
- Rab Quantra Pro Hoody – Best lightweight fleece, according to our tests
- Arc’teryx Kyanite Fleece Hoody – Most versatile fleece for multi-activity use
- Alpkit Griffon – Best value fleece if you’re on a budget
- Helly Hansen Odin Pro Shield Jacket
- Mammut Aconcagua Pro
- Jack Wolfskin Expedition Blizzard
- Norrøna Trollveggen
- The North Face 100 Glacier
Editor’s note: This article was last updated in June 2026 to ensure that all of the products are still available for purchase. Helly Hansen’s Odin Breeze fleece also made it into the list after performing well in our tests.
1. Patagonia R1 Fleece Hoody
Our choice of the best women’s fleece overall from our tests
Patagonia R1
★★★★★
Price: from £96
Weight: 283.5g
Best for: climbing, long-distance hiking
Breathability Rating: 4/5
Warmth Rating: 3.5/5
The Patagonia R1 fleece is a technical hoody purpose-built for alpine adventures. Made from a 93% recycled polyester and 7% elastane blend, it’s got a light and stretchy feel that both retains heat while wicking away any excess sweat. That’ll be thanks to the Polartec power grid technologies that feature a patented grid pattern with hundreds of insulating squares that increase thermal warmth while maintaining temperature regulation.
OM women’s gear tester Jazz has been using this fleece for over 6 months now. She said, “On test, I found that the R1 fleece was ideal for quick mountain days when you’re really pounding out the miles on the trail. It’s got the balance of warmth-to-weight ratio just right for fast hiking adventures. I also found the slim fit useful for layering in the colder months as it can fit under most average-sized waterproof jackets. This also means it takes up minimal space in your pack when you’re not using it.”
“I loved the stretchiness of it too, particularly when scrambling, and can picture it being a staple choice for climbers in particular. I’d personally have liked more pocket options but that depends on how much you stuff your pockets really (I do a lot) and what activity you’re using it for.”
“I’m yet to test the R1 during the warmer months here in the UK so I’ll update this review as time goes on. So far, I’ve found the breathability to be really effective so I’m intrigued to see if that holds up in the summer.”
Pros: super stretchy, wicks away sweat well
Cons: would like more useful pockets
Full Specifications
Polartec Power Grid fabric combined with Capilene Thermal Weight baselayer fabric / HeiQ Pure odour control / low-profile, helmet-compatible hood / slim fit / deep center-front zipper / zippered left-chest pocket with an air-permeable mesh pocket bag / offset shoulder seams / thumb holes on the cuffs / made in a Fair Trade Certified factory.
2. Keela Genesis Fleece
This gets our pick as the best men’s fleece overall, as well as the best mid to heavyweight option
Keela Genesis
★★★★★
Price: £105
Weight: 906g
Best for: wet weather, long-distance hiking, lower output activities
Breathability Rating: 3.5/5
Warmth Rating: 4/5
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.
Pros: very protective, functions as an outer layer very well, comfy
Cons: not suitable for high output outdoor activities
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.
Read our full Keela Genesis Fleece review.
3. Helly Hansen Odin Breeze
Best technical hiking fleece
Helly Hansen Odin Breeze
★★★★
Price: £140
Weight: approx. 180g
Best for: high output hiking and mountaineering, multi-day trekking, fast hiking
Breathability Rating: 5/5
Warmth Rating: 3.5/5
Helly Hansen’s Odin Breeze is a performance-focused technical fleece designed for high-output mountain pursuits. Rather than serving as a standalone layer for rest stops or slower paced activities, it performs best when you’re moving quickly and efficiently through alpine terrain.
Weighing approximately 180g in the women’s version (the men’s version is approximately 210g), this thing is ultralight too. The warmth-to-weight ratio is a big highlight – you barely notice you’re wearing it. We’ve found that it’s soft enough to wear against the skin, though it’s great as part of a layering system too. For one layer underneath, there’s more than enough room, though you might want to size up if you’re planning on anything more than that.
On test, we’ve been impressed with how quick drying it is too. When working up a sweat, our tester reported how fast any moisture build-up on the fabric evaporated. “It felt like a very fine-tuned system”, OM tester Jazz said. “Any time I got too hot, I simply opened up the long zip at the front for ventilation and I cooled down immediately.”
Pros: very lightweight, packable and breathable, soft against skin, secure hood, good front ventilation
Cons: not very stretchy, larger options for women would be good too
Full Specifications
Shell: 100% polyester / at least 50% of the materials are recycled (Global Recycled Standard Fibers, certified by IDFL) / packs into dedicated pocket / thumb holes / raglan sleeves / inside pocket / chest pocket with zipper closure / helmet compatible hood.
