Super deals: At least 50% off
Guide
Mid Layers & Fleece
Choose a fleece jacket by how hard you will be moving, then by the temperature: a 200-weight fleece covers most days out.
Key points
- A 200-weight covers most days, a 100-weight hard work.
- Classic fleece lets wind through.
- A mid layer sits close under your outer jacket.
Which type for which use?
| Use | Choose | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Hiking, everyday, under a ski jacket | ChooseClassic fleece | ReasonWarmth, dries fast, easy care. Lets wind through |
| Mountain days, ski touring, trail running, cross-country skiing | ChooseGrid and stretch fleece | ReasonPlenty of airflow, close fit under a shell. Usually thin: you need a layer on top at long stops |
| Rest stops, belaying, hut evenings, cold days in town | ChooseHigh-loft fleece | ReasonLots of warmth when you barely move. Too warm on the climb, bulky under a slim jacket |
| Summit stops, cold and wet days, spare layer in the pack | ChooseSynthetic insulated jacket | ReasonDesigned to keep you warm when damp. Traps heat on the climb |
| Hut-to-hut trips, travel, everyday | ChooseMerino and knitted fleece | ReasonAbsorbs a lot of moisture, less odour. Dries more slowly than polyester |
Types compared
Classic fleece
For hiking, everyday and under a ski jacket.
- Advantage: Warmth
- Drawback: Lets wind through
Grid and stretch fleece
For mountain days, ski tours, trail runs and Nordic.
- Advantage: Plenty of airflow
- Drawback: Needs a layer on top at long stops
What to look for when buying
| Question | In brief | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Which fleece weight do I need? | In brief200-weight for most | WhyA 200-weight fleece covers most trips from spring to autumn. Go for 100-weight when you work hard, 300-weight for cold days with little movement. |
| Does a fleece jacket stop the wind? | In briefHardly | WhyStandard fleece lets wind straight through. At 0°C with a 30 km/h wind the air feels like −6°C. |
| What does grid fleece do? | In briefAirflow on the climb | WhyGrid fleece has a waffle-like pattern inside that forms air channels. That makes the fabric more breathable and less bulky. |
Frequently asked questions
What do 100, 200 and 300 mean on a fleece?
They are weight classes of the fabric: 100 is lightweight, 200 mid-weight, 300 heavyweight. The higher the number, the thicker and warmer the fleece. That is how Polartec names its fleece series.
Is merino better than fleece?
Often yes on multi-day trips, no on sweaty days. According to Woolmark, wool can absorb up to 35% of its weight in moisture before it feels wet, and it resists odour. Polyester fleece dries faster.
How do I wash a fleece jacket?
Follow the care label. Avoid fabric softener and bleach, and let fleece air dry.
Is a fleece jacket waterproof?
No. Fleece lets rain through, though it dries fast. Some models have a durable water repellent (DWR) finish that makes drizzle bead off. In steady rain you need a waterproof shell on top.
More from the magazine
Houdini Aero Houdi vs Aero JacketHoudini builds its Aero line from Polartec Power Air Active: more breathability and, according to Polartec, less microfibre shedding during wear and washing. Here is who the Aero Houdi and the Aero Jacket are right for.
Merino wool: benefits and limitsMerino wool turns up in lots of outdoor clothing. We look at its properties, its strengths and its limits across different activities.
Last updated: October 2026
What for?
City & commute
For walking or cycling, wear fleece under a wind-resistant jacket. Waiting for a train may need an extra insulated layer. Try the fleece over your work shirt and beneath rain protection; on its own it usually cannot keep out wind and rain.
- Try it over your work shirt
- Wear wind protection over it
- Extra insulation for waiting
- Collar closes around the neck
Hiking
For hiking, a 100- or 200-weight fleece jacket with a full-length zip is enough. Thinner is smarter: in thick fleece you sweat on the climb and chill at the stop.
- 100- to 200-weight
- full-length zip
- quick-drying
- packs small
Mountain days
On mountain days, climb in a thin 100-weight grid or stretch fleece and carry an insulated jacket for the summit. Per 1,000 m climbed it gets about 6.5°C colder on average.
- 100-weight grid fleece
- fits under a shell
- thumb loops
- helmet-compatible hood
Winter sports
On the piste, a 200-weight fleece with a smooth face slides into your ski jacket's sleeves. For touring and cross-country, 100-weight grid fleece is enough: you make plenty of heat.
- 200-weight for the piste
- 100-weight for touring
- smooth outer face
- close fit
No products match these filters.
Brands we carry
Show all brands
- 4F
- 8848 Altitude
- adidas Terrex
- Almgwand
- Armada
- Athlecia
- Atomic
- Bergans
- Berghaus
- Black Diamond
- Bleubird
- Bogner Fire + Ice
- Carhartt
- Carinthia
- Celavi
- Chillaz
- CMP
- CMP Leisure
- Colmar
- Color Kids
- Columbia
- Cotopaxi
- Craft
- Craghoppers
- Crazy
- Daehlie
- Dare2b
- Devold of Norway
- Didriksons
- Dynafit
- EA7
- Edelrid
- Elevenate
- Endura
- EVOC
- Falke
- Ferrino
- Finkid
- Fischer
- Five Ten
- Fjällräven
- G.I.G.A. DX
- Goldbergh
- Gonso
- Haglöfs
- Halti
- Helly Hansen
- Horsefeathers
- Houdini
- Icebreaker
- Isbjörn
- J.Lindeberg
- Jack Wolfskin
- Jeanne Baret
- Kari Traa
- Karpos
- killtec
- Klättermusen
- Krimson Klover
- La Sportiva
- LEGO® kidswear
- Liewood
- Lundhags
- Löffler
- Maier Sports
- Maloja
- Mammut
- Marmot
- Martini
- MAUL Sport
- Millet
- Mini a ture
- Minymo
- Mons Royale
- Montura
- Mountain Hardwear
- Name It
- Napapijri
- O'Neill
- Oakley
- Odlo
- Orage
- Picture
- Pinewood
- POC
- Protest
- Puma
- Rab
- Reima
- RipCurl
- Rossignol
- Royal Robbins
- Salewa
- Salty Crew
- Schöffel
- Scott
- Slope
- SOS
- Sportalm
- Sportful
- Spyder
- Super.Natural
- Sweet Protection
- Swix
- Tenson
- Ternua
- The North Face
- Timberland
- Trespass
- U-Power
- Under Armour
- Uyn
- VAUDE
- Viking
- We Norwegians
- Wheat
- Whistler
- X-Bionic
- Ziener
No brand found
