Fleece jackets are a great pick for camping adventures. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

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Winter, spring, summer, or fall, fleece jackets come in clutch when the temperatures drop. Whether you spend your free time camping, hiking, backpacking, skiing, or climbing, a cozy fleece jacket is a great option to wear over a base-layer or beneath a winter jacket.

Some fleeces are designed to be breathable and lightweight whereas others are created to be ultra warm or stylish. We tested a range of the best fleece jackets out there and compiled a list of our favorites for all types of outdoorsy folks.

If you want to see how each of these jackets lined up against one another, head to our Comparison Table. Or, if you’re curious about what makes a good fleece jacket, check out our Buyer’s Guide. Looking for a warmer layer? Check out our Best Men’s Puffer Jackets and Best Women’s Puffer Jackets guides.

The Best Fleece Jackets of 2024

Best Overall Fleece Jacket: Patagonia Microdini 1/2-Zip Fleece Pullover
Best Budget Fleece: Quecha Hiking Fleece Jacket
Best Fleece for Hiking: Outdoor Research Mega Trail Mix Fleece Hoodie
Best Technical Fleece: Black Diamond Coefficient Storm Hoody
Warmest Fleece Jacket: Fjallraven Vardag Pile Fleece Jacket
Most Durable Fleece Jacket: The North Face Denali Fleece Jacket

Best Overall Fleece Jacket

Patagonia Microdini 1/2-Zip Fleece Pullover ($129)

Pros: Sustainably made, zippered pocket
Cons: No hood

Weight: 10.01 oz
Back Length: N/A
Sweater Type: Half Zip
Hood: No

The Patagonia Microdini 1/2-Zip Fleece Pullover is a classic fleece for all activities. The fleece is a pullover style fleece and the 1/2-zip is a nice way to let in a little air should you get overheated.

Made from 100% recycled polyester, the fleece feels soft against the skin and provides generous warmth. The collar is made from 100% nylon ripstop that is soft and hits high, so you can zip the jacket all the way up to protect your neck if it’s extra chilly out. There’s elastic in the cuffs, which further helps to seal in the warmth. There is one zippered pocket on the chest, which is just large enough for stashing a cell phone or chapstick. Fair Trade Certified sewn with lots of fun color options, the Microdini Fleece is a winner. The Microdini also comes in a hooded version, a full-zip version, and a kid’s version.

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Best Budget Fleece Jacket

Quecha Hiking Fleece Jacket ($40)

Pros: Breathable, lightweight
Cons: Technical fit may not be for everyone

Weight: 11.9 oz
Back Length: Hip length
Sweater Type: Full zip
Hood: Yes

If you spend a lot of time on the trails, it’s important to have a fleece designed for movement. The Quecha Hiking Fleece Jacket was designed specifically with hiking in mind. It’s lightweight, stretchy, and breathable, while remaining warm, making it a great pick for active endeavors.

The knit jacket allows sweat to escape and the panels running from the armpit to the wrist are lighter and more breathable. The jacket features a high neck, a hood, and a full length zipper, so you can snuggle down when it’s extra cold. The Quecha jacket has a technical fit, so you may want to order a size up if you prefer an oversized jacket. The best part? At just $40 at the time of publishing, this Quechua option is far more affordable than many competitors.

Best Fleece Jacket for Hiking

Outdoor Research Mega Trail Mix Fleece Hoodie ($125)

Pros: Breathable, UPF 30 sun protection
Cons: Not the warmest fleece

Weight: 14 oz
Back Length: 28.5″
Sweater Type: Full zip
Hood: Yes

When it comes to hiking, the Outdoor Research Mega Trail Mix Fleece Hoodie is a winner. The Trail Mix fleece is lightweight and the material is quick-wicking and breathable. The jacket also has built-in UPF 30 sun protection for cool days when the sun is shining.

The Trail Mix fleece isn’t the warmest fleece on our list, but it provides just the right amount of warmth for hiking and other higher-output activities. The fleece features a three-panel hood that works well for both sun protection and warmth as well as two-zippered hand pockets. The Trail Mix fleece is stretchy, warm, comfortable, and packs down small enough to stash in a pack should you get too warm.

Best Technical Fleece Jacket

Black Diamond Coefficient Storm Hoody ($180)

Pros: Stretchy, water resistant
Cons: Not super warm

Weight: 12.7 oz
Back Length: N/A
Sweater Type: Full Zip
Hood: Yes

The Black Diamond Coefficient Storm Hoody is a technical fleece at its finest. The Coefficient Hoody is breathable yet warm and has a DWR finish so that it’s water resistant. The hoody feels like a blend between a fleece and a wind breaker and provides protection from the elements. The outside of the jacket is durable and abrasion resistant, but the inside is soft and comfortable.

Our tester found that the Coefficient Storm fleece worked well as a warm up jacket before activities like climbing or for an early morning layer while hiking. Made from a blend of polyester and elastane, the Coefficient Hoody is incredibly stretchy, further solidifying why we listed it as the most technical fleece. Finally, the hoody has hand pockets as well as a zippered chest pocket. It’s pricey, but for serious active pursuits, it’s tough to beat this fleece from Black Diamond.

Warmest Fleece Jacket

Fjallraven Vardag Pile Fleece Jacket ($165)

Pros: Warm, zippered hand pockets
Cons: Not very soft, runs big

Weight: 25.8 oz
Back Length: 28.7″
Sweater Type: Full zip
Hood: No

The Fjallraven Vardag Pile Fleece Jacket is a two-layer fleece designed for the outdoors. The jacket sports structured fleece on the outside with a flat-knit jersey inside. Neither the fleece nor the jersey are very soft, but the internal jersey feels smooth against your skin.

The fleece jacket has a full length zipper down the middle as well as two zippered hand pockets. We found the Vardag to be an incredibly warm jacket, and it worked well as a full-blown jacket for cooler temperatures. The Vardag runs slightly big, so if you prefer a more slim fit you may want to order down.

Most Durable Fleece Jacket

The North Face Denali Fleece Jacket ($180)

Pros: Water repellant finish, adjustable hem
Cons: Color options are a little funky

Weight: 19.7 oz
Back Length: 27.25″
Sweater Type: Full zip
Hood: No

Made from 100% recycled fleece, The North Face Denali Fleece Jacket is soft, comfortable, and functional. The Denali has been around since 1988 because it’s just that great. The design has a retro look with a few modern upgrades.

The Denali Fleece Jacket features a full-length zipper, two zippered chest pockets, and two zippered hand pockets. The jacket has nylon overlays in the chest area to increase its durability, especially while wearing a harness or a backpack. The Denali has a woven hem and a shock cord that is helpful for adjustments. The fleece jacket also has elastic binding in the cuffs with snaps to attach it to a compatible shell, which we thought was pretty cool. Finally, the jacket is treated with a water repellant finish, which came in handy during some unexpected showers while exploring New York City. The North Face Denali is a classic fleece for good reason: It works and it lasts.

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Best of the Rest

Cotopaxi Amando Fleece Pullover ($75)

Pros: Comfortable, fun colors
Cons: No pockets

Weight: 12 oz
Back Length: 28.5″
Sweater Type: Partial zip
Hood: No

The Cotopaxi Amando Fleece Pullover is a classic pullover fleece that comes in fun color options. The partial zip fleece is cozy like your favorite hoody but technical enough for the trail. Made from 100% recycled polyester, the Amando is soft and works well to layer over a t-shirt or under a puffer jacket. The only downside of the Amando is that it doesn’t have any pockets for stashing small items. That said, it’s priced well ($75) and makes for a great, simple fleece jacket.

Arc’teryx Covert Cardigan ($180)

Pros: Durable, woolen look
Cons: Not super soft/flexible

Weight: 18.9 oz
Back Length: Hip-length
Sweater Type: Full zip
Hood: No

Made from 100% recycled polyester, the Arc’teryx Covert Cardigan is a well-made, durable fleece jacket. The jacket features a heathered face fabric that looks like wool — it’s not incredibly soft but it looks nice and retains warmth.

Luckily, the inside of the jacket is lined with brushed fleece that feels soft and warm against the skin. The high collar helps protect you from the elements and the full zip allows for temperature control. The two zippered hand pockets have laminated, glued-in zippers, so they’re extra durable and warm. In general, the Covert Cardigan isn’t the most comfortable or flexible fleece, but it is high quality and is sure to last for years. Plus, it looks classy enough to be versatile on trail or around town.

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Mountain Hardwear HiCamp Fleece ($150)

Pros: Multiple pockets, three-piece hood
Cons: All over print might not be everyone’s taste

Weight: N/A
Back Length: 27 inches
Sweater Type: Full zip
Hood: Yes

The Mountain Hardware HiCamp Fleece is a cozy fleece with an exceptional warmth to weight ratio. Despite its light weight, the HiCamp Fleece is one of the warmest fleeces we tested. It was our favorite to warm up in after chilly hikes and mountain bike rides in Colorado.

For days and nights when it’s extra chilly, the three-piece hood with elastic binding is helpful for sealing in the warmth and keeping the cold out. The HiCamp fleece has two hand pockets to help you warm up as well as two zippered chest pockets for storing small essentials. The all over print might not be fore everyone but we thought it added some fun style points.

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Smartwool Hudson Trail Fleece Jacket ($160)

Pros: Made from wool, zippered pockets
Cons: Material feels scratchy

Weight: N/A
Back Length: Hip-length
Sweater Type: Full zip
Hood: No

The Smartwool Hudson Trail Fleece is the only wool fleece on our list. It’s made from a blend of recycled wool, polyester, and nylon. One of the benefits of wool for outdoor gear is that it keeps you warm even when it’s wet, making the Hudson a good option for hiking and other outdoor activities. Plus, wool helps keep odors to a minimum.

The Hudson fleece is warm but the material feels a little scratchy against the skin. The full length zipper allows you to let some air in when you’re warm or zip it all the way when it’s extra chilly. The Hudson has two zippered hand pockets, as well as a zippered chest pockets, so you can safely stow your gear. If you value the heat-retention and odor-control of wool, the Smartwool Hudson Trail Fleece is an excellent jacket.

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Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover ($139)

Pros: Mostly recycled, extremely durable
Cons: Not very packable

Weight: 13.2 oz
Back Length: Hip-length
Sweater Type: Snap-closure pullover
Hood: No

A list of fleece jackets is not truly complete without the venerable Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover. The long-lasting, simple, and cozy fleece is our favorite for casual camping trips, hanging around a campfire, or back at the lodge after a day on the mountain. It’s not particularly packable or light, but it’s comfortable as can be, and ours have lasted years.

True story: One of our editors worked repairs at a local outdoor store, and one of his customers brought in a Synchilla Snap-T Pullover from the late 1980s to have a small hole patched. She’d sent it in to Patagonia a handful of times to get the occasional button replaced or cuff hemmed, but the fleece was still kicking, and aside from a bit of pilling, looked in great shape. That same editor got his own first Synchilla fleece at age 19, and now, over 11 years later, it’s the first fleece out of his quiver for a chilly night at camp.

So what? Well, the Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T is, in our robust experience, an extremely durable and comfortable fleece. It’s not as soft, light, or packable as others (though the “Lightweight” version is an improvement), but the fleece jacket just works. It’s the pullover your significant other or kids want to nab and wear. The one you cherish for years, decades even.

And though it’s expensive, we’ve found that Patagonia and other retailers often sell past-season colors at a steep discount.

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Fleece Jackets Comparison Table

How We Tested Fleece Jackets

Our lead tester lives in Hawaii, where fleeces are only necessary on rare occasions. As such, she did the bulk of her testing while traveling. She tested these fleece jackets on a 16-day rafting trip down the Colorado River, during a wintertime trip to New York, during beach outings and hiking trips while visiting family in California, and during a chilly spring visit to Colorado. One of our gear editors also contributed testing notes and favorite picks. He spends most of his free time playing in the mountains of Arizona, where fleece jackets are always a necessity (at least at night).

A warm, oversized fleece like the Fjallraven Vardag Pile Fleece Jacket is perfect for chilly beach days. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Fleece Jackets Buyer’s Guide

Intended Use

The first thing to take into consideration before purchasing a fleece jacket is how you actually plan on using it. Do you simply want to wear it around town? Do you plan on doing lots of hiking wearing your fleece? Do you intend to wear it as a base layer while skiing? Will it keep you warm under your harness while climbing. After determining how you plan to use your fleece, then you can start shopping!

If your plan is to simply wear your fleece around town, then you’ll do fine with a warmer and bulkier fleece like the Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover. However, if your goal is to wear it for active endeavors, then you’ll want something that’s more lightweight and breathable.

Best Overall Fleece Jacket

The Patagonia Microdini 1/2-Zip Fleece Pullover is a classic fleece for all activities. The fleece sports a pullover style and the 1/2-zip is a nice way to let in a little air should you get overheated. Made from 100% recycled polyester, the fleece feels soft against the skin and provides generous warmth.

Price: $129

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Fleece Jacket Materials

Fleece was first invented in 1981 by Malden Mills, an American textile maker. Industry giants like Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia went on to create fleece jackets the Synchilla Snap-T fleece, which dropped in 1985. The idea was to create an alternative to wool that wouldn’t hold as much water.

Fleece jackets are usually made from synthetic materials like polyester. Other materials used are nylon, elastane, spandex, and more. Occasionally, fleece jackets do still include wool. Increasingly, companies seem to be using recycled materials in their fleece jackets.

The Outdoor Research Mega Trail Mix Fleece Hoodie is a lightweight, breathable fleece. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Weight

The weight of a fleece jacket typically depends on the thickness and warmth.

Lightweight Fleece

Lightweight fleece jackets tend to more breathable, thinner, pack down smaller, and are great for layering. Lightweight fleece jackets are a good pick for hiking or traveling, especially backpacking when every ounce counts. The downside of lightweight fleeces is that they aren’t as warm, making them less suitable for extra chilly wintertime activities.

Heavyweight Fleece

Heavyweight fleece jackets are specifically designed for cold weather. Heavyweight fleeces are bulkier and less breathable, but they are great for when the temperatures get low. They also are a good option to layer over base layers. Finally, midweight fleeces offer a warmth-to-weight compromise between lightweight and heavyweight fleece jackets.

The Mountain Hardware HiCamp Fleece is perfect for warming up after a chilly mountain bike ride. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Breathability

Fleeces are a great pick for active outdoor activities thanks to their breathability. Because fleece jackets allow some breathability throughout, they work best a mid-layer. In general, lightweight fleece jackets are more breathable than heavy fleeces. Consider whether your priority is warmth or breathability before purchasing.

Cozying up in the Smartwool Hudson Trail Fleece. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Wind/Water Resistance 

Because fleece jackets are intended to be a mid-layer, they aren’t designed to withstand heavy winds and rain. The synthetic fibers used for these jackets are created so that they won’t absorb water, but they still allow wind and water to pass through. Some fleece jackets are treated with a DWR finish, which works to help combat light elements, but if you want a truly wind/water resistant set up you’ll want to layer a rain jacket or a waterproof puffer jacket over your fleece.

Zippered pockets are a feature we look for in a fleece. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Fleece Jacket Closure Type

The three main types of fleece jackets are full-zip, half-zip, and pullover. There are pros and cons to each design and it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what your goals are for the use of your fleece.

Pullovers can be warmer, but they’re much more difficult to get on and off when you’re carrying a pack, out climbing, or doing a similar activity. Jackets with zippers — even half-zip fleece jackets — allow you to control the ventilation. Zippered fleeces are also a good pick for layering over base-layers.

Other Features

Pockets

Some extras to look for in a good fleece jacket are pockets. We like a fleece to have hand warming pockets. Zippers on the pockets are a huge plus to keep gear safe. It can also be nice to have a chest pocket or two for stashing your phone, sunglasses, or other small items.

Hooded Fleece Jackets

While not a dealbreaker for us, for some pursuits we like a hooded fleece jacket. Or, if you don’t want the bulk of a hood adding weight or interfering with your pack, a high collar is helpful for those extra chilly days.

Thumb-holes

One more thing we look out for is thumb-holes: They’re a nice touch that help keep your hands warmer and your sleeves in place, especially when cycling, hiking, or running.

Editor’s Note: Looking for an even warmer outer layer? Grab one of The Best Men’s Puffer Jackets or The Best Women’s Puffer Jackets. Heading out on a hike? Check out our Best Hiking Boots and Best Hiking Boots for Women guides for some inspo. Going camping? Check out our The Best Camping Tents review. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.

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