Buying Women's Fleece

Introduced in 1979 by Malden Mills, the polyester pile fabric generically referred to as 'fleece' offers many of the benefits of wool; soft to the touch, fairly bulky, and warm when wet. Where the modern material differs, however, is a much faster drying time, less weight, and a range of colors, weights, and features that wool can't deliver.

A fleece jacket has replaced the traditional cotton sweatshirt or sweater for many people, even if they rarely put on a backpack, because the durability and ventilated nature of the fabric mean it's comfortable in a wide range of conditions and lasts for years.

Conventional fleece has very little stretch and compressibility, and the ventilation ability varies with the weight of the fabric, but you will see different finishes based on function and fashion. The most notable development in recent years has been the ability for the outside to have a knit face, giving the appearance of a fine sweater. When worn under a shell, this smoother finish moves easily and reduces pilling, bunching and binding.

Fleece is rated by describing the weight in grams per square meter. 100 weight fleece fabric is about half the weight and thickness of 200. Microfleece is about half the weight of 100. 300 is the heaviest in common use. Beyond that weight, the stiffness and bulk make it impractical for garment use.

The porous nature of the pile construction means it is ventilated, allowing air and water to move through between the fibers, so as a stand-alone jacket in windy or wet conditions, fleece provides little protection, but when combined with a shell can be very comfortable. As warm, moist air moves through the fleece to the shell, any condensation occurs away from the body.

There Is A Difference

At one time, all fleece was more or less created equal. The fabrics, the fit, the function. Then outdoor brands figured out that the better something looks, the better you feel wearing it, and Fleece Isn't Just For Skiiers Anymore.

Womens-specific fit is a relatively recent option in outdoor clothing. Previously, when he put on your jacket, it might be short in the sleeves and hem, but was otherwise identical. Now, most tops, including fleece, for ladies will feature 'princess seams,' so the torso fit is much more flattering, along with a very different palette, and gender-specific models. If you want the 'boyfriend' or 'sweatshirt' fit, a few brands still do unisex products (like the Patagonia Snap-T) in XS through XXL, or you can try the men's or boy's products, but at least try the women's section first - you'll probably like it better.

Choosing

The fit and comfort of a fleece depends on its intended use. Your decision might be made based on color or texture, but how much wear you get out of it will be informed by how useful it really is.

A thinner quarter-zip microfleece tucks into ski pants without the bunching of a full-length zipper and can be an excellent insulating midlayer, but must be pulled off and on over your head.

Many component jacket systems and better parkas can accept any liner with the common YKK tooth zipper, found on many fleece jackets and vests. You can spot a compatible zipper by the 'horseshoe' style slider that allows the pull to be flipped to either side. You will also see small loops or snaps on the ends of the sleeves to connect to the shell.

Pit zips and venting pockets are an excellent way to aggressively manage moisture, but they add bulk, weight, and complexity.

You should try on the fleece in combination with a top and shell similar to what you will be wearing most of the time. A thick fleece can feel great as a standalone, but may restrict movement under a rain jacket or ski shell. Also consider that two layers of fleece can 'lock,' and not move indpendently.

Fleece fabric is very durable, and it's unlikely that you will actually wear out the jacket, so choose carefully- it's going to be with you for a long time.