Buying a fleece jacket: everything you need to know

Advantages of a fleece jacket

Fleece jackets are popular in both everyday life and for outdoor activities. Although they are lightweight, they keep you nice and warm, are breathable, don’t crease, are easy to care for and dry quickly. They also retain their shape.

Fleece is particularly suitable for hiking, mountain biking or ski touring as it keeps you warm and wicks moisture away faster than insulated jackets made of synthetic fibres or down. For sweat-inducing activities in the cold, a fleece jacket or jumper is therefore the best layer between thermal clothing and a hardshell jacket.

Last but not least, the fabric is easy to dye, which means it is available in lots of different designs and styles.

Fit: how tight should a fleece jacket fit?

For day-to-day wear, it doesn’t matter whether the fleece jacket fits snugly or has a slightly wider cut – it’s up to you. For hiking, trekking or any other outdoor activity, the jacket needs to be tight enough for the breathability of the material to work, but loose enough for freedom of movement and insulation. However it’s important to keep in mind that you might be wearing several layers underneath. Even so, it shouldn’t feel too tight.

In addition to the width, the length is especially important. If you wear the fleece jacket as an mid layer and want to wear a hardshell jacket over it, they should be about the same length. The same applies if, for example, you wear a down jacket over the fleece jacket as an additional insulating layer.

Different materials and types of fleece

Most fleece jackets are made of polyester, polyamide or elastane. These synthetic materials are breathable and provide good insulation. Due to its structure, the material encloses a lot of air that keeps the body warm. This is how the insulation of a fleece jacket works. Fleece jackets also dry quickly and are easy to care for.

As a general rule, the thicker the fleece jacket, the warmer it keeps you. The thickness of fleece is often given in grams per square metre, for example a 100-, 200- or 300-gsm fleece. Thicker means warmer, but also heavier and it usually takes up more space. For trekking, a 100-gsm fleece may be the best choice despite the cold temperatures.

Key features of fleece jackets

Do you want to wear your fleece jacket every day? Or do you want to wear it during outdoor activities? Depending on the use case, there are certain features that are important to keep in mind.

• Pockets with zips for keys and smartphones, for example.

• Hood – if you’re buying the fleece jacket to wear during activities that require a helmet, like climbing, make sure the hood fits over your helmet or choose a jacket that doesn’t have a hood.

• Elastic cuffs keep you warmer.

• As with other jackets, there are models with vents, for example under the arms.

• Thumb loops prevent the sleeves from riding up and keep your hands warm.

• Opt for good quality; fleece jackets made of high-quality material don’t get very bobbly. Poorly made fleece is usually a bit heavier and starts smelling much faster.

Care instructions for fleece jackets

Fleece jackets are easy to care for. Proper care is still important and can extend the service life of your equipment. The important thing is that:

• You wash your fleece jacket as described on the care label, usually at a maximum temperature of 30 degrees.

• If possible, use a mild detergent.

• Avoid fabric softener, as it can affect breathability.

• Wash the jacket inside out. This helps prevent bobbles.

• Let your fleece air dry or select a low heat setting for the dryer.

• Make sure you wash the fleece jacket separately from items of clothing with Velcro fasteners. These could stick to the fleece and damage the fabric.

Answers to frequently asked questions about fleece jackets