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Fleece is the OG outdoor midlayer that continues to ace all manner of adventures—from fall and winter hiking and mountain biking to skiing and snowshoeing. Its fluffy texture feels cozy and comforting in cool to cold weather. And its airy structure delivers both warmth and ventilation: The pile provides insulation while also moving perspiration and excess heat away from your body. Contrary to popular belief, fleece comes in all different weights to offer a wide range of options in warmth and performance. We put more than 20 fleece jackets to the test last winter to narrow it down to these five top performers.

At a Glance

• Editor’s Choice:
• Best for Frigid Temps:
• Most Versatile:
• Best Wind Protection:
• Best for High-Intensity Activity:
• Products to Avoid
• How to Choose a Fleece Jacket
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Tester

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Editors’ Choice

Artilect W-Halfmoon Bio Pullover

Sizes: XS-XL
Warmth: 6/10
Breathability: 7/10
Weather Protection: 5/10

Pros and Cons
⊕ Doesn’t shed microplastics
⊕ Ideal balance of warmth, ventilation and protection
⊕ Casual style
⊗ Pocket zippers can rub beneath backpack hipbelts

Here’s a do-it-all fleece for virtually every outing, year-round. Testers described the fabric thickness as a “light-midweight” and said it delivered Goldilocks warmth and proved “just right” for a huge range of pursuits. Over the testing season, we wore it under a shell when downhill skiing, over a T-shirt on summer peakbagging missions, at the climbing gym before a workout, and on its own around an evening campfire. Its moderate warmth and breathability make it ideal for mid-pace, stop-and-go activities (interval sprinters should consider the LaSportiva or Helly Hansen options below).

Testers also loved its sustainable construction. Made of 100-percent recycled content, the jacket’s Primaloft BIO fleece biodegrades in oceans and landfills. So, unlike other synthetic fabrics that shed plastic microparticles, this one doesn’t pollute the environment. The extra-long chest half-zipper let wearers dump heat on sunny resort afternoons or after hard-charging powder runs in Steamboat, Colo., and two zippered side pockets secured a phone or warm up chilly fingers. Most testers comfortably buckled a backpack over the streamlined kangaroo pouch, but some mentioned that the bulky side pocket zippers could rub beneath the straps.

Best For Frigid Temps

Ridge Merino �´dz����’s Ediza Fleece Merino Jacket

Sizes: XS-XL
Warmth: 10/10
Breathability: 5/10
Weather Protection: 8/10

Pros and Cons
⊕ Wind- and abrasion-resistant
⊕ Odor-resistant
⊕ Warmth without bulk
⊗ Runs long

Our always-cold tester found her bliss wearing this merino-based fleece, which combines a high-pile, brushed-wool interior with a lightweight nylon exterior that turned this unassuming piece into an all-weather jacket. Neither snow nor light precipitation soaked through the jacket thanks to the light nylon face fabric, which allowed testers to wear this instead of a waterproof shell in all but the stormiest conditions. The fabric showed no pilling or snags after months of wear beneath a backpack. And its warmth is tops: One wearer stayed comfortable in just a base layer beneath the Ediza while trail-running and cross-country skiing in 15-degree F conditions during a Steamboat, Colo., winter. It also won props for under-shell insulation on cold resort days. Ample warmth and merely moderate breathability makes it best for stop-and-go sports, winter camping, or people who run cold.

The Polartec Power Wool fabric’s four-way stretch feels unconfining, and testers reported that the two zippered hand pockets feel comfortable beneath a pack’s hip belt. Cut long through the chest and sleeves, the Ediza allowed even ape-armed testers to access the cuffs’ thumb holes, and the generous neck opening accommodates a gaiter. If you’re on the shorter side, though, be warned: the longer, slimmer silhouette might not be ideal for all body shapes.

Most Versatile

Alpine Revival W Granite Crew

Sizes: S-L
Warmth: 8/10
Breathability: 7/10
Weather Protection: 5/10

Pros and Cons
⊕ Ultrasoft
⊕ Retro aesthetic
⊕ Low-bulk warmth performs on and off-piste
⊗ Expensive

Skiing’s original midlayer was a crewneck sweater, and this one pairs old-school aesthetics with modern technical performance: One strand of Lycra woven throughout contributes durability and stretch to the 100 percent cashmere fabric, delivering warmth without bulk. Testers reported that the midweight knit kept them cozy on 25-degree F days when sandwiched between a base layer and shell (or sans shell when hiking in calm, dry weather).

“No odor accumulated over weeks of wear, making this an easy-care option for travel,” reports our lead tester, who wore it daily in Steamboat and during a weeklong tour among hüttes in Austria. Testers appreciated the simple, sleek look, completely uncluttered by pockets or zippers. While they did note that the cashmere began to show signs of wear beneath abrasive backpack straps, testers felt that the Granite Crew’s breathability proved adequate enough to qualify as a technical layer, albeit a pricey one.

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Varley Women’s Rhea 2.0 1/2 Zip Sweatshirt ($148)

Your new favorite sweatshirt is here. Perfect for wearing over leggings or pants, the Rhea 2.0 features a sleek, two-tone look that you’ll want to wear every day. Designed with a high collar, drop shoulders, and signature panelled detailing, this longline pullover is cut for a relaxed, elegant fit. Ribbed Ottoman fabric ensures you stay cozy as the weather changes. You just might never take it off.

Best Wind Protection

Dynafit Tigard Alpha Direct Jacket

Sizes: XS-XL
Warmth: 7/10
Breathability: 8/10
Weather Protection: 9/10

Pros and Cons
⊕ Very stretchy
⊕ Breathable yet wind-buffering
⊕ Efficient use of different fabrics
⊗ Sporty looks limit around-town use

Over the course of a frigid season in Gunnison, Colo., the Tigard became a constant companion for our ski-touring tester, who wore it in 15- to 30-degree F temperatures and only topped it with a shell for descents. “The breathability is impressive,” she said, “but it also blocks wind, which I appreciated when skinning up exposed ridgelines.”

That balancing act comes courtesy of a hybrid construction: the jacket tops breathable Polartec Alpha Direct—a lightweight, temperature-regulating synthetic insulation—with ultralight stretch nylon that’s coated in a PFC-free DWR. The coating shed light precipitation—a feature we were grateful for while hiking up Aspen’s Highland Bowl during flurries. The sides and underarms feature a gridded, woven fleece that’s also heat-dumping and stretchy. “I love the freedom of movement I feel,” gushed our tester. Three zippered pockets (one chest, two for hands) fit a smartphone and snacks, and the head-hugging hood seals in warmth and blocks wind better than most toques.

Best for High-Intensity Activity

Helly Hansen Versalite Hybrid Fleece Jacket

Sizes: XS-XL
Warmth: 5/10
Breathability: 7/10
Weather Protection: 7/10

Pros and Cons
⊕ Chest panels buffer wind
⊕ Minimal insulation
⊕ Good ventilation
⊗ Limited use of recycled content

Meet your new winter workout partner. Made of moderately thin, gridded polyester fleece topped with a thin polyester shell (94 recycled, with 6 percent elastane) across the chest, this hybrid construction appeals to skate skiers and other speedsters who need scant insulation and a smidge of wind protection. It’s soft enough for next-to-skin wear, so testers dispensed with any base layer and wore this on its own to maximize the fleece’s sweat-wicking performance while traversing the rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park through breezy, 15-degree Fahrenheit conditions.

Channels between the fleecy squares help dissipate moisture. A bit of stretch in the shell fabric let testers move without restriction. “My pole plants felt free and unencumbered,” reported one tester after a session on Crested Butte’s Nordic network. When zipped closed, the collar effectively sealed in warmth without feeling constricting. Finally, the hand pockets have openings near the center zipper so that when the pockets are opened, these mesh-lined pouches serve as functional air vents.

Products to Avoid

Synthetic Fleece That Lacks Recycled Content or Biodegradability

You might think that touting recycled content is mere greenwashing—but as we near 2025, it should in fact be the standard among all apparel producers. Fabrics (including fleeces) made from recycled nylon and polyester are now so abundant that there’s virtually no excuse for manufacturers to roll out garments made from virgin materials. Multiple independent studies have confirmed that recycled synthetics impose less environmental impact, and some fleeces are even addressing the problematic end-of-life issues associated with synthetic fabrics (which shed micro-fibers that commonly pollute our streams and drinking water sources). Look for fleeces that are largely made from“100-percent-recycled” materials, and opt for “post-consumer” rather than “post-industrial” recycled goods when possible. Post-consumer recycling means the brand is actively keeping material out of the landfill, while post-industrial recycling sometimes just means the brand grabbed a bunch of factory-floor scraps that it would have re-used anyway.

How to Choose a Fleece Jacket

Fleece jackets range widely in warmth, breathability, and weather protection. Materials also vary. Synthetic fleece is quick-drying, making it a smart choice for damp conditions, and abrasion-resistant. Unlike wool or even cotton, synthetic fibers can hold their own against friction from backpack straps. But fleece made from merino wool is particularly warm and temperature-regulating (wearers avoid clamminess through a broad spectrum of temperatures). Hybrid constructions—a trend that continues to gain momentum in this category—combine various fabrics in multi-paneled jackets that pair breathable fleece in the hot zones such as underarms with wind-resistant fleece in exposed areas like the shoulders.

Here’s how to judge what will serve your needs.

Will You Pack It?

As a rule, a fleece isn’t as compressible as, for example, a down jacket. So it takes up considerable space in luggage or backpacks. If you need heavyweight insulation but know it will remain packed most of the time, you might consider other, more space-saving insulated jackets.

How Much Will You Sweat in This Fleece?

Some fleeces use a dense construction that traps body heat but limits breathability. If you’re cross-country skiing, running, or logging other high-output outdoor workouts, look for lightweight fleeces or hybrid constructions that use body mapped insulation and place breathable panels under the arms and in other hot spots.

Will You Wear a Water- and Windproof Shell Over this Fleece?

Most fleeces offer some water-resistance, but that varies—and no fleece can be counted on to deliver waterproof protection against serious rain or sustained snowfall. Most fleeces are also porous enough to let breezes in, which is great for sweat mitigation but bad for comfort amid 30-mph winds. Consider whether you’ll wear a shell sometimes, always, or never: Ski-tourers might choose a fleece with some weather-resistant panels so they can skip a shell in milder conditions, while resort skiers are often better off with breathable fleece worn as a midlayer under a full shell jacket.

Do You Run Cold?

If you’ll wear the fleece in 0- to 10-degree F temperatures, or if you’re always chilly no matter the conditions, choose a high-pile fleece with cozy insulation.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 9
• Number of products tested: 21
• Testers’ age range: 15 to 54
• States represented: 5 (California, Colorado, Wyoming, Minnesota, Maine)

Our testers don’t just spend a lot of time outdoors. Yes, they are gifted skiers, mountaineers, ultrarunners, climbers, hikers, and view-admirers. But they also possess the gift of gab. Our testers must be able to say much more about a piece of gear than “It’s awesome” or “It sucks.” Instead, we choose industry professionals, lifelong athletes, and fellow gear reviewers who can both identify a product’s strengths and weaknesses and talk at length about the nitty-gritty details that make a jacket shine in some areas—and fall short in others. Over the course of each testing season, each tester keeps notes on their samples’ fit, how much wind protection each delivers, its ability to retain warmth, and whether it plays nice with a backpack. They geek out on the gear and its performance, and then deliver those notes to us for final analysis.

For this test, we evaluated 21 of the most promising fleeces on the market, including full-zip and pullover styles. We pored over our testers’ notes to nail down each jacket’s best application: Is the fleece best for dog-walking? Nordic skiing? Après at the resort? All of the above? Only the items that earned raves on both performance and livability earned coverage among these reviews.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Kelly Bastone moved to the Colorado Rockies in 1998 and has pursued outdoor sports ever since. A freelancer who writes about gear and other outdoor topics for publications such as Backpacker, AFAR, and The Red Bulletin, Bastone has contributed many gear reviews to ���ϳԹ��� over the years. An avid skier (resort, Nordic and backcountry), fly-fisher, mountain biker and mushroom forager, she gets the news she needs from the weather report.

Bastone’s backing band of gear testers includes ski bums across four resorts in California and Colorado: These women click into touring, downhill, or cross-country boards each and every day of the season. A wildlife researcher and ultrarunner punished jackets in Minnesota; another ultrarunner and backcountry rescuer tested insulation on all-weather runs and missions in northwest Colorado; a rancher wore test puffies while exercising her horses in Montana.