Mark Mayne
As autumn starts to settle in and the temperatures drop, it's time to layer up and embrace the warmth of the best fleece jackets. These versatile garments are like a warm hug on chilly mornings – lightweight, quick-drying, and incredibly hard-wearing.
Pair your fleece jacket with the best base layers for maximum warmth, and don't forget to layer up with the best waterproof jackets when the snow starts falling. With the right combination, you'll be ready to take on whatever the winter weather throws your way.
When choosing the perfect fleece jacket, consider the material weight – heavier fleeces for outerwear and lighter weights for layering. From classic zipped cardigans to stylish cagoule-inspired designs with extra features like hoods and thumb loops, there's a fleece jacket for every style and preference.
Our top choice for the best fleece jacket right now is The North Face's Bolt Polartec Power Grid Jacket. It weighs less than 10 ounces yet provides enough insulation to keep you warm under your waterproof outer shell. Want something lighter? Check out Rab's Nexus Jacket. If you're desperate for a hood, we'd recommend Adidas Terrex's XPERIOR Light Fleece Hooded Jacket.
Best fleece jackets to buy now
Best overall
If you're looking for a lightweight, comfortable, packable fleece jacket that can keep you warm, look no further than The North Face Bolt Polartec Power Grid Jacket.
Made with Polartec's Power Grid technology, featuring a patented grid construction knit that increases warmth and breathability while reducing fabric mass, this superb mid-layer can be worn all year around.
The two zippered hand pockets allow you to store gear safely, while the thumbholes let you layer more efficiently (who else hates fleece sleeves running up the arms when putting on waterproof shells?).
Predominantly designed for hiking, ski touring and mountaineering, the Bolt Jacket's geometric pattern is said to optimise wicking and breathability to prevent overheating.
Need to layer down? No problem. The Bolt Jacket weighs less than 10 ounces and practically fits into your pocket. Most importantly, it's made mostly from recycled materials to keep your carbon footprint low.
Best lightweight
Featuring Rab's lightweight and breathable Thermic G fabric, the Nexus Jacket is ideal for fast-paced trekking and hill walking activities. It's super thin yet provides superb insulation against the elements.
Weighing just over 10 ounces, the Nexus Jacket features a slim-fit construction. Thanks to the stretchy fabric, though, it's ideal for most body shapes and helps keep the draft out from around your torso, making you feel warmer for longer.
The two zippered hand pockets are great for storing smaller valuables and gear (e.g. hiking GPS). The full-length YKK VISLON centre front zip has a zip guard to keep your chin from chafing against the zipper, even when it's fully closed.
The Rab Nexus Jacket is constructed using flatlock seams and comes in many colours, including black and dark blue (of course), so you can add a pop of colour to your outdoor gear. Plus, a bright-coloured mid-layer also helps you stand out from the background in the forest, which can be beneficial for a number of reasons.
Best hooded
Adidas Terrex's lightest mid-layer – although far from the lightest fleece jacket overall – is one of the more accommodating technical fleeces in this guide. The brand says it's a slim fit, but based on our experience, there is plenty of room underneath the XPERIOR jacket.
Made with over 90% recycled polyester, the XPERIOR features a waffle grid looped backside structure that is said to provide thermal comfort and helps wick away sweat from skin.
Speaking of the backside, the drop-tail hem makes the jacket hiking backpack-friendly and prevents riding up. Another cool feature is the snug-fitting hood, which is not something you often find on fleeces.
Of course, you want to avoid doubling up on your hoods, but if you're one of those people whose heads can't get warm enough, the XPERIOR is an ideal choice, thanks to its hood.
Plus, you also get two zippered pockets and elastic cuffs and hem, so that's nice.
Best for mountaneering
If you're heading for the hills, the Berghaus Pravitale could be the best fleece jacket for you. It's a mid-weight jacket that can also be put to use as a winter mid-layer, and it'll see you right when temperatures fall, thanks to its hood and thumb loops. These thumb loops are excellent for anchoring mid-layer sleeves, protecting the wrist from cold, but also great as emergency fingerless gloves when you’re moving fast.
Two harness-compatible pockets also act as vents if needed, and a shoulder pocket is ideal for a ski pass. The hood is designed to be close-fitting, which is a winner when it comes to keeping the heat in. It's difficult hard to find anyone who has anything bad to say about this fleece, although a handful of customers said it was a bit of a snug fit, so that's perhaps something to bear in mind when deciding whether to size up or down. Check for a Berghaus discount code before you buy.
Best eco-friendly
For anyone after an eco-friendly fleece, Patagonia has been a great choice for a number of years, and its Better Sweater Fleece Jacket is a great example of that commitment. Not only is it made of 100% recycled polyester, the fabric is all Bluesign approved and Fair Trade Certified sewn, and it's coloured with low-impact dyes. And beyond the eco-cred, this one's a fantastic piece of design.
It's full of thoughtful little touches like the micro-polyester jersey trim at cuffs and hem that protects the main fabric from abrasion, along with flat-seam construction that removes chafing points and reduces bulk, both highly desirable in a fleece mid-layer. Overall, if you wear your ethics on your sleeve, then make sure the sleeve is this one. And it won’t let you down in the cold either. Like the Finisterre though, it's perhaps a little chunky for streamlined layering.
Best for warmth
Looking for maximum warmth? You'll probably want the Jack Wolfskin DNA Grizzly fleece; while most of the fleeces listed here will work nicely as a mid-layer, this one would be strictly overkill unless you were planning on an arctic adventure. It gets its warmth from its Polartec Classic 300-weight fleece material, not to mention an additional layer of windproofing around the neck and shoulders; thankfully, there are also pit zips for when things get just a bit too toasty.
However, as an outer layer that breathes pretty well, is enormously warm, and will keep all but the worst of weather at bay, it rather lives up to its namesake. It’s not hard to imagine a host of outdoor situations where the Jack Wolfskin DNA Grizzly fleece would come in handy, many involving chopping wood and watching the campfire blaze – which sound pretty good to us, frankly.
Read our full Jack Wolfskin DNA Grizzly fleece jacket review
Best for skiing
Comfortably straddling the gap between heavyweight and mid-weight fleece in terms of warmth, the Columbia Basin Butte Fleece packs in some smart features to keep things cosy. Insulated panels across the top of the torso, lined with Columbia's own Omni-Heat reflective material, give this fleece a bit of visual flair as well as turning up the heat without weighing you down.
The result is a breathable but warm fleece that’ll be most at home in very cold conditions as a mid-layer, but perfectly capable of standing in as a technical jumper equivalent wherever needed. The only penalty is the slightly-less-pleasant texture of the upper torso section, although the inside collar is neatly lined with microfleece to combat that issue. Check out our Columbia Basin Butte Fleece review for more of what we thought.
Best waterproof
With most fleeces, you're not really bothered about them getting wet because they dry out so quickly, but if you really want to keep the damp out, then take a look at the Keela Genesis. Keela has incorporated hydrophilic film technology into the lining, resulting in a fleece that's breathable and waterproof (and a favourite with mountain rescue teams). Reviews say it's very effective, although the lack of water-resistant zip or storm flap is a bit of an oversight. The outer fleece is durable mid-weight Zetland 100 with a DWR coating, and with reinforced shoulders and deep pockets, this has ‘ready for bad weather’ written all over it.
Best for urban wear
If you're after a stylish fleece jacket to keep you cosy in the city, head to The North Face. TNF's Kataka fleece is another eco-friendly option, made entirely from recycled polyester fleece with an overlay of recycled nylon, and it's the ideal option for urban adventures. With a non-PFC water-repellent finish, secure zip pockets and a binding on sleeve cuffs to keep drafts out, it's geared towards Spring and Autumn use and is designed to be warm, lightweight and quick to dry. Beware, it is an oversized fit, though, so don't be tempted to size up.
Best premium
If you don't want to get bogged down in details and want something simple but effective, we reckon that the Arc’teryx Kyanite AR Hoody will suit most people nicely. It's exactly what this respected outdoor brand is known for; simply designed, high-performance outdoor wear with a premium price tag. This fleece jacket has been designed with plenty of attention to detail and features Polartec Power Stretch Pro material that's comfortable and hardwearing without weighing you down.
You can layer it under a shell top without worrying about overheating (although beware, a number of customers have reported that it pills easily, which won't affect its performance but does look unsightly). The hood is designed to be low-profile and layered rather than a standalone, protective shelter as you’d expect on a shell. That said, there’s plenty of extra warmth on offer, the hood trapping all that heat from the body.
How to choose the best fleece jacket for you
When buying a fleece jacket, the biggest question is how warm you need it to be and whether you plan to wear it as an actual jacket or as a breathable mid-layer. Heavier-weight fleeces are lovely and warm on their own, but if worn as a mid-layer, they can get too hot and feel bulky and restrict movement. Lighter-weight fleeces make excellent winter-weight base layers and handy autumn jackets. It’s also worth considering whether a hood is necessary.
While a hood adds warmth on the coldest days, it can lead to overheating if used in high-intensity pursuits. When not used, they can result in an uncomfortable extra layer around the neck, which can, in turn, get in the way of a shell hood. Finally, if you plan to use your fleece as a mid-layer, avoid the most robust waterproof and windproof membranes, as these tend to be on the bin liner end of breathable. However, in an outer softshell-style jacket, both are handy attributes.
Reviewer panel
Living in the UK has it's benefits: you get to test fleece jackets all your around, which is exactly Matt does. You'll often find him walking arouns Somerset in his waterproof gear, testing flece jackets (and a million other things). He reviewed most of the fleece jackets in this guide.
FAQ
Is fleece sustainable?
Most fleece jackets are made of polyester, a.k.a. plastic. When bought from respectable companies, such as Patagonia or Finisterre, you can count on your fleece being made from recycled plastic, but plastic nevertheless. The best way to ensure your fleece is sustainable is to wear it as long as you can by looking after it and repairing it instead of throwing it in the bin as soon as it gets dirty.
Read our in-depth article on this topic here: How environmentally friendly is fleece?
Should you size up or down in fleece?
When choosing a fleece, it's generally best to go with your regular size for a comfortable fit. However, if you prefer a more relaxed or layered look, sizing up can provide extra room. If you want a snug fit for layering under outerwear, consider sizing down.
