Why grid fleece and not hi-pile/sherpa?

Sherpa tends to turn into mini-dreadlocks pretty fast, and loses a lot of that OMG-it’s-cozy feeling.

I personally think all the other types of fleece, other than classic style, are not at all ideal for the weight to warmth ratio. I’ve even tried the Patagucci zig-zag fleece and it just isn’t in the same league of warm for the weight. Sure some fleeces will do some things better based on design, but IMO, nothing has topped the Polartec Classic fleeces for performance to weight ratio.

Thanks.  What do you mean by classic styles?  Synchilla and/or?  Retro?  Thank you.

I never inspected the Synchilla fabric, but from what I can see in photos, it looks like a standard Polartec Classic style of fleece. No grids, or holes, or dreadlocks — just a base structure with double sides of small hairs sticking out.

The grid fleeces, which Patagonia’s zig-zag fleece is a modification of, have a good bit more breathability when worn alone and then warm up a lot with a layer over them. They still tend to be heavier per amount of insulating power in my experience in weighing various types of fleece.

Many here are vastly more knowledgeable than myself on the topic of fleece, so that’s all I got. :)

Recall when Patagonia came out with the first Regulator (grid) fleeces, packability and lighter weight were the selling points.

Carrying fleece implies it must be at the ready to hike in conditions that warrant it, so a hiker may not want to dig it out of a compression sack in a storm (vs a puffy that’ll be used for camp).

Of course it probably needs to go under a shell, so some digging will need to be done unless keeping it all in a lid.

I have a Hagslof Pile Hood jacket.  How would you classify that?

The Regulator line started out well but then just kept getting replaced by grid.

I bought one of the first Regulators and they were “waffle” fleece.   Think the smaller grids came about when they looked at trapping more air (outdoors definitely, military sales maybe? .. then again all my military fleece from the ‘00s were “waffle”).  Here’s a primer from EMS*

https://goeast.ems.com/fleece-101-regular-grid/

Pile is thick if it’s anything like Patagonia’s.  Think the original were sewn from synthetic shag toilet seat covers (extra seat in the ‘70s house when not performing it’s primary duties, I’m guessing?)

* website good on 21 Jan 22

Interesting info…all of which reminds me that I’m almost entirely out of fleece and need to do some replacing.  In fact, my last remaining one may well be dead.  Time to do some learning on what’s available!

From what I can see that is not grid is that there is microfleece, pile and that short hair type stuff that they used to use on the R2s.  The hair stuff seems to weigh less, is more breathable but also will not keep you as warm by itself than pile but warms up pretty well with a shell.  The pile weighs more but also is more wind and moisture resistant and keeps you warmer by itself.  But that is just my experience.

What I can’t understand is why no one can’t just make a hi-loft/fur fleece that is just the fabric the whole way through with out adding nylon patches or replacing parts with Power Dry and other non-fluffy materials.  Well, Melazana can, but not in a full zip.

Brett, that’s a good point! I’ve started making my own myog versions. #dextergear on instagram.

Also, while not “high pile,” Polartec does offer a gridded hi-loft by the roll. I’m not aware of any big manuf. using this (I’ve not looked).

I am a fan of the high loft fleece versus the gridded fleece. For example, my patagucci r1 is almost same weight as my Melly and myog Hi-loft. Add that the melly grid fleece is also not much lighter. You certainly get enhanced breathability at the sacrifice of absolute warmth with grid versus hi-loft.

Thanks Eric but I don’t do Instagram so feel free to PM me or put them up here.  I really like Alpha direct but I am going to use the Hi-loft when things go bad.  I guess the breathablility is great for grid, but then why are you wearing a non-Alpha fleece when you need it? :)

I picked up a TNF Campshire.  Best fleece I have seen in years.  Has that thick fur feeling.  300 Hi-pile inside and out, no other panels!  I can see it stopping a bit of wind and very light moisture.  Crazy warm.  I think I could walk around at 20F if there is a very light wind.  Just straight up nice.