A tremendous technical fleece can both insulate while off-loading heat efficiently so you don't get cold when standing still. These less bulky layers provide a greater range of motion in the shoulders and arms without you feeling like a stuffed sausage. This hoody is awesome, but there are a few mentionable caveats. If lavish comfort and silky fabrics are your thing, this thicker fleece will have you humming. Even though the fit may not work for our testers, we realize it may work for other women out there. Prancer the dog sure is! While this fleece is built for comfort and coziness, it doesn't perform the best when working up a sweat. For example, the Arc'teryx Kyanite has a high set of pockets that can be fully accessed while wearing a harness or backpack. While the cut is slightly boxy, you can still wear it under a rain or wind jacket. While this layer bunches a bit under a hipbelt, the kangaroo pocket is still accessible above it, which is nice on cool days. The price is also high, but it's important to consider the quality of this garment, which is high. Rain jackets, winter jackets, insulated and down jackets, even windbreakers and ski jackets we can help you find one that suits your needs. The most significant factor in a jacket's warmth is the amount and type of fleece used in its construction. The performance-packed fabric wicks moisture, dries quickly and is wonderfully breathable. This is the layer to don after the activity is over and not during; however, we need to wear something warm in those times too, and we love the styling nod to this original Patagonia fleece jacket. The Voormi High Hood E is a zip jacket featuring a merino wool-polyester construction, kangaroo-style front pocket, and a huge balaclava hood. Read review: Voormi High-E Hoodie - Women's. Please upgrade to one of the following for a smoother, safer shopping experience with us: Better than ever thanks to customer feedback, this full-zip fleece jacket has an improved front zipper and features zip pockets to secure essentials. Your money matters, and most of us seek high-value options. For Express and Overnight shipping, orders received by 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Thursday, will ship that day; orders placed after noon will not ship until the following business day. Amber King has been a climber for over 20 years, tackling high peaks all over North America in places from Rocky Mountain National Park to the North Cascades. While this jacket is warm, it doesn't thermoregulate as well as other high-end options. Welcome to llbean.com! No ads. JavaScript settings can usually be found in your browser's Tools or Preferences menu. Here, we outline some ideas for fit. Thinner jackets with these channels spaced out provide better ventilation, like the OR Vigor than those that are tinier and tightly packed together. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. This review offers a comparison of 10 of the highest performing fleeces on the market, integrating style, comfort, and utility. GearLab is reader-supported. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. While they allow your full range of motion, the jackets move up and down with your arms, which is a little annoying when you're cruxing out on your project at the crag. When choosing a fleece jacket to wear under a pack or climbing harness, our testers found that the more streamlined the fit with high hand warming pockets (or none), the better. Let's start with the Outdoor Research Vigor Full-Zip; it has some of the longest materials in both the torso, arms, and widthwise through the chest. A great fleece jacket is a must-have piece for an adventurer. Over the last 9 years, we have tested over 45 of the best fleece jackets for women. It has nylon panels on the shoulders and water beads up and rolls off, so it will keep you dry in light rain. We also note which works best with thicker base layers and which scrunch up. It has a thick, soft 100% polyester construction with excellent wind and water resistance. Less technical jackets like the Benton Springs by Columbia are cheaper. A major purpose of any fleece jacket is its ability to add warmth as either a stand-alone layer or with a base layer or jacket. Read review: Columbia Benton Springs - Women. This is the hoody you'll see being donned by guides, outdoor experts, and recreationists alike. A piece that layers well is one that'll fit easily under a jacket but provide enough room through the arms and torso to put on a long-sleeved base layer. Looking to play all day? It's not as breathable as the more "hi-tech" options that we tested, and the cut doesn't give it the best movement. Instead, they usually have functional pockets. In addition to field testing every single garment, we also perform a series of objective tests, like pouring water on each, to determine nuances of each textile that you'd never be able to decipher on your own without all in hand at the same time. The Patagonia R1 Full Zip Hoody offers a long fit, excellent thermoregulation, and warmth that'll perform during any technical or non-technical mission. Sign up to receive the latest info on new products, special offers, and exclusive sales. The materials are incredibly stretchy, making them mobile and more comfortable. Looking for a new fleece to add some extra warmth to your Are you looking for your next long underwear bottom? We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. After many years, this is the fleece we reach for most for outdoor missions: a day hike, climbing at the crag, or a multi-day backpacking trip. This jacket is built for speed and doesn't offer the best stand-alone warmth, nor is the exterior shell water-resistant. If you're looking for more underlayers, check out our base layer and travel underwear reviews. Features shapely princess seams, elasticized cuffs and hem, a stand-up collar, and a full zipper. The Artc'teryx Kyanite comes with a full balaclava hood and concealed gaiter to keep you warm on icy cold chair lifts. Not surprisingly, the lightest and thinnest pieces with mobile fabrics, like the Patagonia R1, Outdoor Research Vigor Full-Zip, and Arc'teryx Kyanite offer the best movement. As the cold weather settles in, a midweight fleece jacket like this becomes an indispensable part of your everyday wardrobe. Here we test it on a cool morning in Northern Ontario. Details, L.L.Bean is a registered trademark of L.L.Bean Inc. We stood in wind storms and dumped water on the fabric to see how well it resisted absorption. The hood is huge, which allows you to burrow in when met with a cool, windy breeze. We also love the Kangaroo pocket that you can access from either your left or right side. Talk about convenience! Technical fleeces are also comfortable but don't typically feature heavier, silkier material. You can find Cam in the sandstone landscape around Las Vegas with her two boys. Many of the models that we tested have a raglan style sleeve construction, where the seaming at the shoulder cuts across horizontally off the shoulder, moving the seams out of the way of pack straps; this is to avoid having the straps of your pack dig the seams into your shoulders. Even though most of the women's fleece jackets that we reviewed provided very little protection from the elements, we still tested the weather resistance of each fleece. Once the fleeces were purchased, we identified key categories to grade the competing jackets on during tests. Yom! The Lululemon Fleece Furry is a thicker model with excellent mobility. The heavier weight makes this fleece less breathable than most and heavier to don. We use cookies to provide you with the best possible experience. All of these jackets offer high nuzzling collars and large pockets. It's functional, stylish, and cozy! The Patagonia R1 is most definitely an upfront investment, but after years of owning the same piece, it still looks new, making it a high-value buy even though the upfront cost is larger. Like our Best for Comfort and Lounging, other high scorers, the Lululemon Fleece Flurry features super soft and silky materials that feel like heaven against the skin. This can lead to feeling colder, especially if you sweat during winter use. Putting this jacket on underneath an insulated coat or shell is essential when considering layered systems on cold days. Zippered pockets make it easy to secure essentials. If you are seeking a thicker fleece that'll perform in all weather, this is our go-to. The Lululemon Fleece Furry offers a cute cut that adds to its coverage, comfort, and warmth. A look at the breathable PowerGrid design that offers excellent heat off-loading. Our Soft Anti-Pill Fleece Jacket Keeps You Warm and Looking Good Throughout the Season, Two handwarmer pockets with hidden zipper closures. We absolutely loved this feature that kept the hair out of our faces! While the materials do stretch, they are much stiffer than any traditional fleece we've tested, which means sizing correctly is imperative. It can perform well on simple hikes and makes for a nice piece during any brisk Fall or Spring day. Stiffer jackets with stiffer seams will typically fit women with a more narrow or specific profile. Finally, on the models that stood out for their lack of coziness, we noted the qualities that made them less comfortable. If a thicker fleece loaded with cozy comforts is what you seek, this high-value contender is our recommendation for you. Some functionality on this page requires JavaScript to be enabled in your Web browser. By far and away, the Voormi High E Hood offers the best weather protection that we've seen so far in a fleece jacket. Comfort is a function of how the product feels when out and about for long days on end. She's also a five-year veteran of Yosemite Search and Rescue and an accomplished climber, racking up over 20 years of experience, including El Cap big wall routes on her resume. The Patagonia R1 series also does well in this metric. Unlike other outdoor garments that might not sit next to the skin, like, say, a rain jacket, this metric is important to consider. It's breathable and will layer easily, with a fit that's stretchy, long, and true. Here, our main author sits upon a 12,700-foot perch high up in the Red Mountains of Ouray, Colorado wearing the Patagonia R1 Hoody. Our unbiased insights offer excellent recommendations to help you find exactly what you are looking for. For fit, the Patagonia R1 has the longest lengths in both the arms and torso. Taking in the view. The classic Patagonia R1 has a smooth, hardened face fabric that slides under-insulated jackets while offering ample stretch through the arms to accommodate thicker base layers. Our globe-trekking testers have put each to the test, scaling high mountains, climbing big walls, sailing on rough seas, and running miles in the backcountry. No sponsored content. Light and cozy in 100% recycled fleece that wicks moisture, dries quickly and breathes well. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support. Soft on the skin, the outer layer is made of durable fabrics that'll layer easily under other layers. That said, having a good rain shell on hand can fix that problem. We can help point you in the right direction of finding exactly what you need using these factors. How does it fit? A girl's trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming is one of the many ways we test our fleeces; side-by-side with input from all sorts of women. While the fabric offers some water resistance and will stave off a mist, it won't keep you dry in light rain. The arms and bust feel a little slim, which gave our main tester a hard time getting a comfortable fit for her biceps. Plus, this is Lululemon; it's expensive, so be ready to invest if you can't find it on sale. It also has two handwarmer pockets with hidden zipper closures. The Lululemon is our favorite because its fit hugs the body, wrapping you in lavish comforts, while others feature a boxier fit. All trademarks property of their respective owners 4) Overnight: Packages are sent via UPS Overnight, street address is required (add $20). She's been an outdoor educator and science teacher for the last five years, spending hours in the backcountry on rivers, climbing rocks, and summiting mountains. Finding the best fleece for your needs is our mission and we hope we've been able to help. Those that are thin and narrow in shape require a different fit than those that are long and narrow. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. Looking for a luxuriously soft fleece that'll keep you comfortable while you lounge, do yoga, tinker with projects, or take the dog for a walk? They've seen the dry climates of Wyoming and Colorado, in addition to the wet coastal zones of Hawaii and Canada. The uniform face fabric on the Arc'teryx Kyanite doesn't allow for as much breathability as the other technical options. We also noted which fleeces we simply didn't want to take off or looked forward to putting on at the end of the day. The colors are gush-worthy with a versatility that is hard to beat. Read review: Outdoor Research Vigor Full Zip. Polartec, the leading synthetic material manufacturer, now makes more than two dozen different types of fleece fabric and is seen in most of the fleeces that we've tested in this review. Check out our. The PowerGrid uses a latticework of tiny brick islands with ventilation around them. Some products provided better resistance to wind or water than others, but inherently, a mid-layer is designed to be layered in conjunction with a shell or windbreaker. Not only is it ripe with comfort features, but it's also relatively weather resistant. Those that didn't bunch, catch, ride up, or make us feel claustrophobic did the best in this category. As a classic for long trips, it doesn't retain smells even after being unwashed for a week or so (trust us, we've tried it), and its thin, fitted design is stretchy with excellent mobility. That said, you will find great practicality in wearing a fleece on its own. The Re-Tool is a great summit layer or for anytime when you want a warm and cozy fleece. Other factors that factor into warmth include coverage around areas like the head, face, neck, and hands. We love the paneled design that locks in heat around the core but vents through the body's back, sides, and arms for optimal thermoregulation. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. The Patagonia Re-Tool Snap-T Pullover's material is more lofted with microscopic holes throughout to allow moisture to escape. The best performers in this category are easily those that use PowerGrid technology, offering lots of breathable channels amongst its insulation. Senior Review Editors Cam McKenzie Ring and Amber King are no strangers to layering up for many types of excursions. We then commenced by rigorously wearing each model during three months of field testing. We also tried to wear each layer with a full backpacking set-up and underneath a harness. We paid attention to how fit affected our comfort and recorded which fleeces had cozy thumb loops and hoods. It has performance similar to the top dogs at a fraction of the price. Another feature that helps to seal in warmth was a cinch cord hem like the one found on The North Face Denali 2 Jacket. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. It's one you'd choose if you appreciate a high level of comfort that's incredibly soft against the skin (even more so than other technical fleeces) but doesn't carry the bulk of the jackets mentioned above. Other bulkier jackets like the Columbia Benton Springs and the Patagonia Re-Tool Snap-T Pullover still offer decent movement but are not recommended for use while on the move. The North Face Denali 2 Jacket is another stand-up protector from the weather. All Rights Reserved. It earns a top pick for its fit that wraps the hips, thick silky fabrics, and excellent features that'll keep you lounging in style. When evaluating for comfort, we considered each product's details, like whether the zippers scratched the skin and if the pockets are lined with fleece. Others use thicker polyester, like the Columbia Benton Springs, but the material is equally comfortable. Under it all, we don the Patagonia R1 Full-Zip hoody which provides all the warmth needed on the high ridges above. The Outdoor Research Vigor Full Zip is a technical fleece at an excellent price. For example, the Ortovox Fleece is a super-thin fleece with narrow shoulders and arms that won't feel too bulky on thin frames. Of these, the Outdoor Research Vigor Full-Zip excels. The Ortovox Fleece provides a narrow and thinner cut that slimmer ladies will appreciate. Making fleece material more breathable has been a decades-long process for the outdoor gear industry. The Voormi High-E Hood is another with more rigid fabrics but exceptional protection. Hardface Technology is incredibly durable and completely repels water and wind. You can wear it on its own when its a little chilly out or you can layer it under a heavy coat when the temperature dips below freezing. Cinching down the bottom of the jacket on cool and windy days prevents updrafts and minimizes heat loss. While you might start to feel the seams digging into you after hours on the trail with a heavy pack, we weren't able to discern a difference during a 30-minute hike with a 25-pound pack. Whether you're coming down off a ski tour and making a quick meal, or summiting a mountain, the Patagonia R1 is one of our favorites. Of them, Patagonia R1 and Outdoor Research Vigor Full-Zip use this technology, and all function well as layers to stay on all day. Great for yoga, climbing, and more. Outdoor Research Vigor Full-Zip - Women's, Patagonia Re-Tool Snap-T Pullover - Women's, rigorously wearing each model during three months of field testing, Arc'teryx Kyanite has a high set of pockets, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Breathable, durable, helmet compatible hood, awesome thermoregulation, high value, Warm, extremely breathable, cuts the wind, soft and cozy fabrics, stretchy and great mobility, Super breathable, great price, wind resistant, quick to dry, long arms and torso, thumb loops, stretchy, Super cozy materials, stylish, lightweight, warm, amenable fit, Fabrics are cozy, thick, and stretchy, great thumb loops and pockets, fully fleece lined hood, very mobile, weather resistant, Pills after washing, style isn't for everybody, breast pocket is small and seemingly unfunctional, Lacks water resistance, fit constricts under arm pits for some, Expensive, zipper slips down, shorter sleeves, Expensive, lacks breathability, thicker fabrics, The reigning champion that simply can't be beat for versatility, Our go-to layer when a balance of breathability and warmth are key, Highly breathable and built for the backcountry, The lightweight and stylish fleece is built for town and leisurely hikes, If comfort is what you crave, this fleece has it all but will cost you, Polartec PowerGrid (93% recycled polyester/7% spandex), Hidden zippered pocket, balaclava hood fits under a helmet, brick-patterned insulation balances breathability and warmth, Ultra breathable and windproof face material that is stretchy and comfortable, Stretchy, abrasion-resistant fabric, gussets for movement, concealed neck gaiter, Thumb loops, hidden phone sleeve in pocket, "Cuffins" that fold over fingers for warmth, 2 hand, 1 hidden zippered pocket (right hand), The perfect fleece that will take you from the grocery store to the mountain tops, This fleece is best when it comes to thermoregulation, Built for adventuring and sweating, this breathable fleece offers superb value, A stylish and comfortable fleece best for relaxed hikes and wearing around town, This non-technical piece is cozy, comfortable, and stylish but expensive, A great fleece with classic styling for camp or around town, Cute, weatherproof, and fully featured - everything you'd want in a cold weather fleece jacket, A non-technical fleece that boasts value and comfort, A fun and colorful technical merino fleece that presents poor value, A super warm and bulky fleece that does its best on its own. The Lululemon Fleece Flurry is an exceptionally silky, plush fleece composed of the softest materials (we think) known to humanity. Made with merino wool and polyester, it provides the best amount of insulation when wet. It's an excellent choice for household chores, lounging, or sipping tea next to the fire on a cold day. The hood also fits nicely either over or under a helmet. For example, the Outdoor Research Vigor Full-Zip is an excellent technical fleece that moves with the body, looks good, breathes, and provides exceptional warmth.