Best Backpacking Fleece

Any fleece will do really, some are just a bit fancier than others.

Be careful of windproof fleece as its not very breathable.

You really don’t want a windproof fleece. Heavy, doesn’t breathe. Might as well wear your rain jacket over a regular fleece. The advantage of a fleece over a synthetic fill puffy (which has better warmth for weight) is more breathable so you don’t overheat, also fast dry times, none of which you get with a windproof fleece. A windproof fleece is actually much worse in those aspects than a synth puffy.

A breathable windshirt over a fleece works best. If you really want something insulating and wind resistant, get a fleece lined windbreaker (like a marmot stride jacket) or better yet a synthetic fill puffy.

I recommend the patagonia micro d pullover.

Wife got me a mountain hardwear Microchill for Xmas and I’m actually liking it a lot.  Its basically a 100wt fleece but feels softer to me.  Medium clocks in at 8oz.  Not windproof at all, but more wind resistant in a side by side comparison w/ Patagonia’s micro D fleece.  But if ya pair it with a windshirt or down puffy in camp wind shouldn’t be an issue.  Not sure if ya had a different idea in mind.

Chris, 8 oz in the hoody or jacket?

That makes sense, so non windproof…what do people like?

Not the lightest but anyone ever use one of these?

http://melanzana.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/25_27/products_id/34

Agreed, not the lightest fleece, but a fine piece of clothing to have in your kit.  I have several of their very comfortable micro grid shirts, both hooded and non-hooded.  They are part of a layering system while hiking in cooler weather, but their primary use is around the camp.

I just picked up a TNF TKA 1/4 zip 100 weight fleece and it’s just under 8 ounces on my scale in a size large. I’m pretty happy with it so far other than the sleeves are a little long but I’ll get them shortened soon.

I really like the Patagonia r1 stuff.

Not sure what the difference is between fleece and capilene except that I suppose a fleece jacket is beefier than a capilene top, Polartec 300 vs Patagonia Thermal weight.

I left the world of merino wool tops recently after 10 long years and on my last December trip upgraded to Patagonia tops sandwiched together (lightweight under midweight under Thermal weight hoody) and they perform much better with activity, are lighter than wool and dry much faster.

Over this wad I wear a Arcteryx polartec 300 fleece jacket in case I’m hiking at 0F or I want in-camp warmth.  What’s the best backpacking fleece?  I’d look at Arcteryx and Patagonia first and go from there.

My new zip neck capilene hoody—the hood makes a big difference in warmth retention—it’s like wearing a balaclava with neck protection.

I’ll put in a second vote the the micro grid hoodie.  I really like it a lot.  Especially useful for me since it has a hood.  The front pocket is also nice and deep so items don’t fall out like most hoodies.

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Micro grid hoody is awesome, but VERY breathable.  So a wind shirt or she’ll is required when it’s breezy.

My microchill is 8oz for the 1/4 zip.

didnt even know they made a hoody…will check that out

Btw…I also own the MH microchill lite.  In case anyone is wondering, it’s 6.75oz for a med.  (weight missing from MH website).

It feels perhaps 25-35% thinner than the regular microchill….so not sure it’s warm enough to justify bringing it.

One of my favorite around town fleeces is the arcteryx delta LT series.  They are warm, light (8oz medium for 1/4 zip) and last forever.  They still look new even after 5 years.  They are pricey but go on sale for $50-60 sometimes.  Bummer:  Not as warm when I did a recent side by side comparison with regular 100wt fleece.

+1 on TNF tka100…but mine clocks in at over 9oz for a med.  (bought it almost 10 years ago…so new ones may be lighter)

+1 on Patagonia r1…but again…any grid fabric will need a wind blocking layer when it gets breezy.  It’s actually kind of a plus as its allows it to be a more flexible system.

In case this is helpful:

My medium Melanzana micro grid hoody weighs 10oz (after I replaced the hood stretchy cord with a lighter one)

Med Melanzana 1/4 zip with no hood = 8.2oz.

If you go with a light fleece like most people have recommended this wont’ matter but if you go with a heavy fleece, they make some technical fleeces with a more breathable fabric around the sides/armpits. Really helps with moisture control.

Thumb loops really seem to be appreciated in any fleece.

I tried the R2 jacket (Patagonia). It’s a completely different fabric than the R1 and it was way too breatheable for me. Could not be used without a shell as even a 2mph wind. Also tried one of the heavy northface fleece without the breatheable armpits and yeah it was way too suffocating for active use.

The REI Coop fleece is a nice, simple fleece. Medium is 7.8 oz, seems to be 100 weight. Certain colors are on sale for around $30.

Anyone able to compare the thermal capilene hoody with the R1 hoody? What’s the major difference between them in function and warmth? Thx!

R1 hoody is thicker and warmer.  (Guessing at ~25% warmer?) But it’s 12oz compared to the 8oz capilene thermal weight hoody.

It’s usually more weight/warmth efficient to pair the cap thermal weight hoody with a light down vest or jacket.

I don’t have any specific suggestion, but as others said, I’d strongly suggest a 100 wt fleece with no windblock.

Simple, effective, versatile.

One of my favorite pieces of clothing. Use it in all four seasons.

Powerstretch fleece has a little more wind resistant, as in light breezes won’t totally blow through, but probably less insulation for the weight than regular fleece??? I know that any fleece with spandex dries slower.

Personally I’d go for the Polartec “Air Core” hollow core fleece. Less weight and more insulation inside the fiber. This is important because the hollow core is trapped, non-convecting air, just like a deer or elk has in their hair.

I have some of the AirCore stuff.  It’s pretty good.  Supposedly 20% more insulation efficiency per slightly less weight as regular, micro fleece.  Don’t know if that’s true or not–if the fibers are the same thickness range between the regular micro and the air core, then it’s likely fairly accurate.

100wt fleece or something like patagonia R1 is great. It adds a LOT of warmth when on the move or when moving slowly. If you want something warmer, I would move to down or synthetic insulation.

I would skip anything with a hood though. A true balaclava is much more versatile.