Fleece Jackets & Jumpers

Fleece jacket or vest: which layer you need

A fleece jacket is the warm middle layer of a cool-weather outfit, worn over a base layer and under a shell. It does the job of a fleece jumper, but the full zip makes it quicker to put on and take off. The fleece vest makes up much of this range: it keeps your core warm and leaves your arms to move, which suits camp chores and long drives. Pair one with a shirt and pants from our hiking clothes for a cool morning on the track.

When you want sleeves, the jackets go from light and stretchy to thick and plush. The green jacket uses a double-faced composite fleece with elastane, so it gives a little on a run or on the bike. The reversible jacket pairs polar and coral fleece, so you can wear either face out. If you'd rather wear your fleece under a shorter shell in town, look at our bomber jackets.

Fleece weight and warmth

Where a listing gives the fleece weight, use it to judge warmth. The polar vest is a light 200g build for spring and autumn, worn under a jacket. The women's hiking vest is a 280g/m² brushed fleece, while the hiking vest with a softshell chest panel goes up to a thick 500g. For cold nights at camp, one of the women's jackets is a 500 g bonded double fleece with plush coral fleece inside and a fixed, lined hood. If a fleece hoodie is what you had in mind, that one and the women's hooded jacket are the two to try.

Wind panels, pilling and sizes

If wind is the problem, a few vests add a tighter face. The grey vest has water-repellent softshell panels on the shoulders and collar. The olive vest is reversible, brushed fleece on one side and a smooth wind-resistant shell on the other, and the men's lined vest does the same with a nylon face and four zipped pockets.

Pilling is the usual gripe with fleece. The women's hooded jacket has an anti-pilling treatment, and the polar jacket for men resists pilling and has a water-repellent finish for light rain. Black leads the colours, followed by blue, grey and green, with khaki, white, purple and orange on some styles. Sizes run S to 3XL on most. For steady rain, wear one of our rain jackets over the top.