Fleeces. Information, buying guide and comparison
Practically everyone knows what fleece liners are and we have certainly owned one or more in our lives. The expression "as if it were a lifetime" makes perfect sense in this area, as it is a fashion classic from the 80s.
Naturally, over the years, the materials have been refined and the stitching improved, adding even more quality and durability to fleeces. Although they are suitable for everyday use in everyone's life, they are especially appealing to those who love winter or mountain activities.
It seems like something we all know and even take for granted as if it were an inexhaustible fashion, but nevertheless, there are many curious facts about fleece linings that can determine, to a greater or lesser extent, our choice to buy one or the other. We have prepared for you a guide with information about fleeces, their fabrics and characteristics that you can use as many times as you need when choosing which fleece to buy.
The growing importance of fleece liners
One of the most frequently asked and basic questions about fleece linings is what exactly "fleece" is. Thanks to the explanations of fabric expert Bela Elbich, we know that fleece linings are mainly made of polyester, specifically warm, brushed polyester. Although, according to her, there are several distinctions, the primary objective when making a fleece is that the fleece warms up.
This is its main quality and it is also what determines the increasing importance of wearing a fleece for outdoor exercise, especially in mountain sports such as climbing, hiking, canyoning or simple excursions in forests and mountains.
The second most frequently asked question about fleeces is about the "designation" of each fleece. You have probably come across a numbered selection of 100, 200 and 300 quality fleeces on the labels of your fleeces or when choosing them in a shop. These numbers mean that fleeces, being very varied, are generally classified according to their weight and thickness.
Basically, the three types of numbering translate into grams per square metre for the fabric used. Thus, a 100 gram fleece will have a light weight fabric being very light, 200 gram fleece is the most versatile standard weight and usually the best seller because it has a medium weight, and finally the 300 gram fleece has a heavier weight, redundantly, where warmth is the absolute priority.
In short, depending on the needs of each user, one or the other fleece can be chosen. In the experience of many climbers and hikers, the choice of fleece depends on the physical activity you are doing and the season of the year in which you are going to use it.
Learn to distinguish between the different technical terms used in a fleece lining
Despite the fact that fleeces look like simple pullovers, there is a lot to discover about them. For people who love outdoor physical activities, it is vitally important to learn to distinguish between the technical terms we see on fleece labels. We are talking about terms such as microfibre, stretch fleece (polyester, lycra or polyamide), coral fleece (fleece plush) or knitted fleece.
These all refer to the type of processing and the area of use of the fleece. Coral fleece has a very deep pile, for example, Norrona Lofoten Warm2The stretch fleece does what its name suggests and therefore will not restrict or limit the wearer's movements. The latter two have a contoured fit to the body and are specially designed for high physical activity. The microfibre is very thin and is mainly used as a base layer. It is suitable for situations where rapid moisture transport is required and less insulation is needed.
On the other hand, mixed fabrics are a trend in the market and this has been reflected in the development of fleece linings that have either a combination of natural materials or are synthetic, for example, Ortovox o Power Wool. Wool mainly produces a very pleasant feeling on the skin. It won't overheat as quickly, and when wet, it doesn't feel wet. A polyester outer, which is abrasion resistant, making it backpack compatible, quick-drying and stretchy.
What is the advantage of fleece over wool and cotton?
Thick, soft fleece dries faster, making it suitable for any sporting activity where you tend to sweat, to a greater or lesser extent. Synthetic fibres are more robust, abrasion resistant, less susceptible to mechanical stress, e.g. from a backpack or climbing harness. They are elastic and still hold their shape well.
The downside is that synthetic fibres smell faster. Also, synthetic material doesn't have the same comfortable feel as wool on the skin; you quickly realise that it's plastic you're wearing. Fleece, on the other hand, can also attract static.
In terms of thermal performance and breathability, these factors will depend on the type of processing the fleece has undergone. Fleece wicks moisture away from the body relatively quickly, but the thicker the material, the less adequate this function is. Fleece jackets, on the other hand, with a brushed inner lining, tend to dry faster.
Men's fleeces versus women's fleeces
Just looking at the features of men's and women's fleeces at a glance shows that, for example, the shoulders of men's fleeces are wider than those of women's fleeces. For women, fleeces have a curvaceous shape as they have their own adjustments to fit and conform to the body of each person.
It is also important that the cut of the back is long enough so that, with every movement, the arms do not hang close to the navel. An important quality of the fleece is that it is in a good warmth-to-weight ratio with the person wearing it.
If you are looking for a polar fleece that meets these characteristics we recommend you Thumb LoopsThe sleeves will not ride up, which is something that many athletes find annoying. On the other hand, we can't fail to mention hoods as they are also a very useful detail. Weather protection these days mostly comes in the form of hard outer layers. Stretch bandages on collars, cuffs and hems can also be very comfortable.
If you are thinking about wearing the jacket with a layering system, ask yourself the following question: fleece jacket or fleece slip. Sometimes, in a layered principle, there are multiple zips and this can be quite uncomfortable to wear.
Throughout the history of fleeces, there are brands that have earned a certain prestige. We can mention as an example both Polartec as a Pontetorto. Both brands are solidly reliable and meet all market quality standards.
On the other hand, we cannot fail to mention the Scandinavian brands Haglöfs y Peak Performanceor other similar brands such as Arcteryx y Outdoor Research. At the European level they are Vaude y Mammut the most renowned companies that have gone their own way in creating different versions of fleece liners.
Things to consider when choosing and buying a fleece liner
From all of the above lies this last final section. The choice of fleece will have a lot to do with your future usefulness and the feeling of comfort and protection you will experience when you go out to do the sport you love. So don't be in a hurry and choose the model that best suits your needs and preferences, and that also has a good quality/price ratio.
The first thing to ask yourself is what purpose you should wear the jacket for, how warm it needs to be, whether you are going to use it as a first or second layer, or whether you need a more or less stretchy fleece. Of course, you should also make sure that the jacket suits not only your needs but also your body shape: that the sleeves fit properly, that the shoulders are snug and that the back is not too short.
Cover photo: Wenni Zhou (Unsplash)
