10 Best Fleece Jackets In 2021

How To Choose A Fleece Jacket – Buying Guide

Material

Although fleece is typically made from polyester, not all fleece jackets are created equal. It is important to ensure that the option you choose is crafted using only top quality materials. How the material is woven can affect the feel and warmth of the fleece jacket.

For example, a tighter weave will keep the heat better and create a warmer jacket than a looser technique. The type of material used also affects how soft and comfortable against the skin the fleece feels.

Weight

This material is a happy medium when it comes to weight. It is much lighter than materials like wool but can be heavier than cotton. However, not all fleece jackets weigh the same. Some are super lightweight while some are heavier. You will need a heavier fleece when watching soccer games in the winter than you will when hiking in the spring.

A lightweight packable fleece jacket will be good for mild conditions and makes a good hiking fleece as it won’t weigh you down. A heavier fleece will offer the insulation and thickness needed to keep you warm in frigid winter conditions. 

Pockets

Pockets on a fleece jacket come in handy. They offer a warm place to keep your hands warm and also provide storage space for essentials you want to bring along with you.  Most fleece jackets offer at least two zippered pockets. Some fleece jacket brands even go the extra mile by making pockets on the inside as well.

You can also find tactical fleece jackets with upwards of 7 or 8 pockets allowing you to keep more sensitive items separate from others and items you need handy within easy access. For example, the screen of your smartphone can scratch easily so having a separate pocket for your loose change and keys and EDC tools will be ideal.

Warmth

Warmth is the most important part of a fleece jacket. Fleece is an excellent insulator and one of the warmest materials you can get. In fact, it is nearly as warm as wool without the added weight and scratchy feeling. When evaluating warmth, keep in mind what you’ll be using the jacket for and what kind of conditions you’ll be wearing it in.

If you are planning on hiking or being active, you’ll need a much less warm lightweight fleece than if you were less active. If you are not planning on being as active or want a jacket for frigid winters, you’ll definitely need the warmest heavy weight fleece jacket you can find.

Breathability

Fleece keeps you warm by keeping the warmth from your body trapped inside the jacket. When your body warms up, you can start sweating especially when you’re active, which is what you want to avoid. This can cause you to get your clothes wet which can, in turn, make you cold.

To avoid this, the best warm fleece jackets are also breathable. They seal in heat but still allow air to circulate and perspiration to escape through the material. Some companies add a breathable and moisture wicking lining to keep the moisture away from your body.

Weather Resistance

This is the hardest factor to incorporate into fleece jackets. Companies try to make their fleece jackets as breathable and insulating as possible, which doesn’t help the weather resistance. The good thing is that fleece has some natural weather resistance properties. While fleece isn’t technically waterproof by nature, it does cause liquids to naturally bead on top of it.

Fleece also won’t retain water and dries quickly, which makes jackets made from this material great for outdoor and survival situations. Some water and wind resistant fleece jackets feature a water repellent coating on the exterior to help block elements like wind and rain. If the jacket you like doesn’t have the best weather resistance, you can pair it with a waterproof and windproof outer shell.

Drying

Fleece is one of those unique fabrics that water beads on top of but once soaked through holds water in the fibers. The best thing about this material is that it’s also quick drying. When drying fleece after washing, you will want to avoid your drying machine.

Instead, we recommend hanging your fleece to dry. This will prevent it from shrinking and pilling. Your fleece may take longer to dry but drying it this way will greatly lengthen the lifespan of your coat. If you prefer to use a drier, make sure to do so on low heat.

Layering

If you are going to be in a cold climate, you will want to layer your clothes and jackets. A fleece sweater makes a perfect mid-layer when bundling up. If you are planning on wearing your jacket underneath a wind/rain coat, you’ll want to ensure it has a slim fit and isn’t too bulky.

If you will be wearing your jacket as outerwear and adding a tee shirt or pullover beneath it, choose a jacket with a more relaxed fit or opt for a larger size to accommodate the layers.   

Fit

You will want a jacket that fits perfectly so it will work well for you. This can be hard if you’re shopping for a jacket online as you can’t try it on. To combat this, companies usually provide a size chart with the specific measurements for their jackets.

You can then measure your chest, arms and waist and compare your measurements to their sizing chart to determine you best size. If you plan to use the fleece pullover as a mid-layer, choose a form fitting one. If you’re going to add some layers beneath the jacket, you can go a size up so you have room for layering. 

Extras

The added features that your jacket comes with will be the difference between a good and a great fleece coat. We recommend deciding on what features you need and want first and use that to help guide your decision.

A hood is one of the most important features that can really transform a fleece. A lot of heat is lost through the head and neck. A hood will seal in the heat and seal out wind and rain. On the downside, having a hood can make it difficult to layer. For sealing in warmth and sealing out the elements, drawstrings on the hood and bottom and wrists allow you to pull your jacket tighter.

Having longer sleeves that extend down your fingertips works to keep you warmer. Having thumb holes will ensure the sleeves stay put especially when skiing or cycling. If you will be layering the jacket, you may want to consider one with a full front zipper as opposed to a pullover fleece. This aids in ventilation as you can simply unzip or fully zip it depending on the temperature.

Durability

One of the main draws to this material is how strong and durable it can be. It naturally has stain resistant technology. This will go a long way in ensuring your jacket looks new for longer. Polartec hardface fleece is extremely durable as it can resist abrasion. 

The only weakness with fleece is that it is known to pill. This can cause your jacket to show some wear, especially in the armpits and any area prone to rubbing. Choosing a top rated warm fleece jacket and taking proper care of it can help you avoid this issue. Reading fleece jacket reviews can also tell you whether the jacket you’re considering is prone to piling, fading or shrinking. 

Type

There are a few different types of fleece that you should be aware of as you search for the best warm fleece jacket. The best type of fleece to choose will depend on the temperatures you will be wearing it in as well as the activity level you plan to partake in. There are three different types of fleece or more specifically weights: lightweight, midweight and textured fleece.

Microfleece: This is the lightest and thinnest type of fleece thus excellent for layering and year round use. It is a comfortable breathable outer shell on warmer days and a great mid layer fleece in the winter. The low profile design makes it popular amongst athletes and those who enjoy brisk exercise such as backpackers.   

Midweight Fleece: This is what we focused most on in this article. It is more of your everyday material as it offers a bit more insulation while not being overly bulky. Warm and breathable, this type of fleece is ideal for moderate amount of movement such as short hikes and walks and as a mid layer fleece as well. 

Heavyweight Fleece: Also referred to as textured fleece or fully fleece, this type is the thickest and heaviest fleece and features the recognizable waffle pattern. Offering the most insulation of the three types, it is the warmest and ideal as a thermal fleece for extreme cold and winter.

FAQs

Globo Surf Overview

Whether you need to stay warm and cozy when lounging indoors, stay warm without bulk when running or need a packable warm jacket you can stow in your bag when commuting or hiking, a fleece jacket will suit your needs. As a warm all-weather jacket, it will take you from cool spring days to chilly winter ones. The snuggly warmth and feel it provides keeps the chill out and hugs you in comfort.

The best fleece jackets we’ve featured here are all exceptional and we have no doubt that they will make your outdoor activities and winter months much more comfortable and enjoyable. With our fleece jacket reviews and buying guide, we are confident you now know what makes a good fleece jacket and will be able to make the best purchase for your specific needs.

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Have you ever used any of the warm fleece jackets from our list? Let us know how you liked it in the comment section below.