Almost any outdoor adventure needs a good fleece! They keep you warm, they dry quickly, and they’re a perfect addition to any layering system. However, there seem to be thousands and thousands of options out there, but which ones are the absolute best fleece jackets?
Well hiking friends, the answers are right here. Along with our best advice for how to zero in on the best choice for you. From intense mountaineering all the way to relaxing at the bonfire, you’re almost certain to find your next fleece jacket on this list! So let’s get to it.
For more of our top hiking apparel recommendations, check out the Best Fleece Jackets for Women.
Quick Answer - The Best Fleece Jackets
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Arc’teryx Covert Cardigan
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Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T
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The North Face Men’s Apex Canyonwall
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Mammut Aconcagua ML
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Arc’teryx Fortrez
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Mountain Hardwear Monkey Man
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Outdoor Research Deviator
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Patagonia R1
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Columbia Titan Pass 2.0
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Marmot Reactor
Comparison Table - Best Fleece Hiking Jacket
| Picture | Name | Hood | Pockets | Zip Style | Thumbholes | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Arc’teryx Covert Cardigan | No | 3 | Full Zip | No | $$$ | 4.3 |
 |
Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T | No | None | Four Snap Button Pullover | No | $$ | 4.6 |
 |
The North Face Men’s Apex Canyonwall | No | 4 | Full Zip | No | $$ | 4.9 |
 |
Mammut Aconcagua ML | Yes | 1 | Full Zip | Yes | $$$ | 4.5 |
 |
Arc’teryx Fortrez | Yes | 3 | Full Zip | No | $$$ | 4.6 |
 |
Mountain Hardwear Monkey Man | No | 5 | Full Zip | Yes | $$$ | 4.5 |
 |
Outdoor Research Deviator | No | 3 | Full Zip | Yes | $$$ | 4.4 |
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Patagonia R1 | Yes | 3 | Full Zip | Yes | $$$ | 4.8 |
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Columbia Titan Pass 2.0 | No | 3 | Full Zip | No | $ | 4.3 |
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Marmot Reactor | No | 3 | Full Zip | No | $ | 4.6 |
| Picture | Name | Hood | Pockets | Zip Style | Thumbholes | Price | Rating |
Reviews - The Best Fleece Jackets for Hiking
Arc’teryx Covert Cardigan
Specs
- Pockets: 3
- Hood: No
- Zip Style: Full Zip
- Thumbholes: No
Features
- Sleek Design Looks Good Anywhere
- Very Cozy Yet Durable Design
- Underarm Gussets For Improved Movement
BEST FOR: STYLE ON AND OFF THE TRAIL
For looking sleek and ready for anything from charming bears on the trail to a night out, we have the Covert Cardigan. The durable but still oh so soft polyester will keep you nice and warm for everything from a day on the trail to chilly alpine scree scrambling. But for being so warm, it is also refreshingly breathable to help keep you cool on the move.
For all these performance benefits, however, the Covert Cardigan still maintains a very sleek trim that makes it ideal for everyday wear on chilly days. This trim also perfectly balances between baggy and athletic fits, again making it the perfect choice for just about anyone.
You can be sure of the same excellent performance and quality that Arc’teryx builds into all their products. This also means that you should be prepared for a hefty price tag, and this jacket is certainly one of the most pricey on our list. Nevertheless, it is a solid choice and easily earns its place amongst the best fleece jackets on the market.
Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T
Specs
- Pockets: None
- Hood: No
- Zip Style: Four Snap Button Pullover
- Thumbholes: No
Features
- Bluesign Approved For Environmentally Friendly Production
- Very Distinctive Color Patterns Available
- Relaxed Fit
BEST FOR: BASIC FLEECE FOR ANY OCCASION
Not looking for all the fluff and features that come with dedicated performance fleeces? Well, the Synchilla Snap T from Patagonia was crafted with just you in mind. This is your standard fleece jacket without trying to be anything else. No specialities, no focus, no extras, just a warm layer to throw on for any light activity you have in mind.
The soft two-sided polyester fleece used in this design is exceptionally comfortable and will help keep the chill out for your adventures. It is also composed of at least 80% recycled materials, making it an environmentally friendly choice to boot.
You’ll find the fit on the boxy and loose side. This can be ideal for warm snuggly evenings in front of the fire, but if you prefer a more athletic fit for your activities, you should consider another option. You’ll also be lacking in pockets with this option. Like we said, this is a straight pullover for those of you looking for a go-to warm layer. If this sounds like you, the Synchilla is calling!
The North Face Men’s Apex Canyonwall
Specs
- Pockets: 4
- Hood: No
- Zip Style: Full Zip
- Thumbholes: No
Features
- Two Large Zippered Pockets
- Exceptionally Wind Resistant
- Comfortable And Relaxed Fit
BEST FOR: WINDY ADVENTURES
Everyone who loves a good fleece knows that its Achilles heel is the wind. Fleece is traditionally very poor at keeping the breeze out, and a chilly wind can quickly turn a fun adventure into a cold slog. The solution? An Apex Canyonwall from The North Face featuring their WindWall technology.
The outer WindWall is still fleece, but it’s been put through a unique fabric bonding process to significantly reduce the amount of wind that can lance through your coat. The tricot collar also goes a long way towards keeping your neck nice and warm without irritating it. So go ahead, brave that wind and cold and get after that adventure without a single shiver.
The many different color options also all but guarantee you’ll find a version that perfectly suits your tastes. We therefore have a fleece jacket that will excel on those windy days, and make you look good while doing any outdoor activity.
We think that a comfortable and warm hood would complete the ensemble for complete impunity from chilly breezes. But the relaxed fit, warm fleece, and good pocket space easily make this one of the best fleece jackets on the market nonetheless.
Mammut Aconcagua ML
Specs
- Pockets: 1
- Hood: Yes
- Zip Style: Full Zip
- Thumbholes: Yes
Features
- UV Protection
- Stretchy Athletic Design
- Underarm Gusset For Improved Movement
- Excellent Breathability
BEST FOR: BREATHABILITY – PERFORMANCE HOODY
The Mammut Aconcagua brings us all the heavy performance features of an idyllic fleece in hoody form for one of the ultimate adventure jackets. This is in part due to the Aconcagua’s excellent moisture wicking capability where any sweat buildup is quickly wicked to the outer layer of the jacket, and then dried by ambient air. The jacket is therefore very breathable and will help keep you cool through even the most active hiking adventures.
Speaking of adventures, the stretchy design and underarm gusset both work in tandem to make sure you are never restricted and have full range of motion. Mammut has furthermore focused on flat seams to help eliminate uncomfortable rubbing while wearing a backpack.
While the Aconcagua is unfortunately lacking in side pockets, it does feature very useful thumb holes along with a chest pocket to round off this performance-focused hoody’s tool kit. While it is an expensive option, we definitely believe the Mammut Aconcagua to be one of the best fleece jackets out there.
Arc’teryx Fortrez
Specs
- Pockets: 3
- Hood: Yes
- Zip Style: Full Zip
- Thumbholes: No
Features
- Very Durable To Hold Up To Tough Environments
- Built In Balaclava
- Breathable For High-Intensity Activities
- Gusseted Underarms And Articulated Elbows For Maximum Comfort While Moving
BEST FOR: ALPINE HIKING AND MOUNTAINEERING
When your hiking and climbing takes a turn towards the top of the world, the Fortrez is built to keep you warm up there. Designed with durability, movement, and breathability in mind, this fleece jacket can keep up no matter where your adventures take you.
Arc’teryx’s hardfleece technology provides a highly durable and moderately weather resistant layer to ensure premium protection. At the same time, air is allowed to escape to keep you nice and cool while working hard. That said, this fleece is only lightly insulated and isn’t as warm as other options, and should be used in conjunction with other layers in very cold conditions.
The articulated elbows and gusseted underarms work together to provide complete freedom of movement, for you hikers and climbers out there in particular. Specifically, you’ll experience minimal bunching or pull when using climbing gear and backpacks, and the scuba style hood fits very comfortably under a helmet.
This is undoubtedly one of the best fleece jackets on the market, and it certainly has a price tag to match. The undeniable excellence in construction and performance make this jacket well worth its higher cost.
Mountain Hardwear Monkey Man
Specs
- Pockets: 5
- Hood: No
- Zip Style: Full Zip
- Thumbholes: Yes
Features
- Very Soft And Comfortable
- Multiple Pockets
- Captures Body Heat For Improved Warmth
BEST FOR: FUZZY COMFORT
This is just about as close as you can get to your favorite fuzzy blanket in adult fleece clothing form. The Monkey Man from Mountain Hardwear utilizes PolarTec High Loft material for ultimate heat capture and softness to keep you nice and warm in almost all conditions.
This jacket also features a handy number of pockets – one chest pocket, two external hand pockets, and two corresponding interior pockets – in order to keep your gear accessible at all times on your adventures. The nice trim fit moves well for most activities and makes it the perfect warm layer for almost any hiking trip.
It’s important to note that while this jacket is warm in most circumstances, a brisk wind can cut through it very easily and give you a chill. So if you you’re expecting some windy days, a windbreaker layer of some sort is highly recommended and then you’re good to go!
For warm fuzzies all around, you can’t go wrong with the Monkey Man fleece. Its high loft design is both durable and incredibly soft, making it an easy addition to the best fleece jackets list.
Outdoor Research Deviator
Specs
- Pockets: 3
- Hood: No
- Zip Style: Full Zip
- Thumbholes: Yes
Features
- Highly Breathable
- Moisture Wicking
- Good Insulation
BEST FOR: HIGH INTENSITY ACTIVITIES
Yet another powerhouse in the world of high performance fleece jackets is the Deviator from Outdoor Research. This jacket places a premium on breathability and insulation in a perfect balancing act that make this jacket an ideal addition to any high-output sport.
The two different material combinations is the key to this balancing act. Where the arms, hood, and back panel are highly moisture wicking in order to head off any sweat buildup, the chest material meanwhile focuses on insulation and breathability to keep you comfortable in any situation.
Take note that even though the core focuses on insulation, this jacket is very thin and is designed for high-intensity movement. If you’re simply looking for a jacket when the temperatures start to fall, the Deviator probably isn’t for you.
The Deviator nevertheless leads the pack in its target niche of movement, performance, and high-intensity activity, making it one of the best fleece jackets for you athletes out there!
Patagonia R1
Specs
- Pockets: 3
- Hood: Yes
- Zip Style: Full Zip
- Thumbholes: Yes
Features
- Very Lightweight And Easy To Pack
- Good Breathability
- Fair Trade Certified
BEST FOR: LAYERING
The R1 fleece from Patagonia has been a favorite among outdoor adventurers for some time, and we think that favoritism is well deserved. This lightweight fleece jacket can compress down to fit into just about any space, yet provides excellent comfort and durability when needed.
Breathability is absolutely phenomenal due to its thin design, making temperature management a breeze. It is also highly mobile and stretchy thanks due to the small amount of spandex included in the fabric blend.
The tradeoff for this thinness, however, is lower insulation and heat retention. The R1 is therefore among the best fleece jackets for layering with other gear on chilly escapades. But if it’s simply a cool autumn day, the R1 will hold its ground and perform exceptionally well.
Be aware that Patagonia has adopted a snug athletic fit for this particular item. If you’re on the fence between sizes, it would be wise to opt for the large one.
Columbia Titan Pass 2.0
Specs
- Pockets: 3
- Hood: No
- Zip Style: Full Zip
- Thumbholes: No
Features
- Budget Friendly
- Thick And Warm Design
- Drawcord Adjustable Hem
BEST FOR: LOWER BUDGET SHOPPING
We understand; the best fleece jackets can be expensive. But that doesn’t have to stop you. The Columbia Titan Pass 2.0, for one, brings most of what we love in premium fleece jackets down to a manageable price.
You’ll get a very comfortable fit thanks to a nice thick layer of insulating microfleece that does an admirable job of locking in the heat. This fleece can stand alone during cooler shoulder seasons like spring and fall, and significantly boost your warmth in winter. The drawcord at the hem furthermore allows you to fine-tune the fit to your taste.
A couple premium features that the Titan 2.0 lacks, however, are wind resistance and extreme durability. Granted, this fleece will certainly hold up over time, but pilling is unfortunately a fairly universal problem. However, the comfort and excellent warmth afforded by the Titan 2.0 at such an accessible price point easily makes it one of the best fleece jackets out there for those on a budget!
Marmot Reactor
Specs
- Pockets: 3
- Hood: No
- Zip Style: Full Zip
- Thumbholes: No
Features
- Drawcord Hem
- Good Pocket Space
- Wind Flap Behind Zipper
BEST FOR: FALL AND SPRING WARMTH
Those darn shoulder seasons. Not quite cold enough for the heavy-duty gear, but not warm enough for your summer wardrobe. Thankfully we have the Reactor Fleece from Marmot to help keep you at your perfect temperature.
This fleece is the perfect size and fit to stand comfortably on its own, or to include as part of your layering system. We also get a drawcord hem to help trap in the heat when we want it most. Marmot even went the extra mile to include a wind flap behind the zipper as an added shield to keep those cool gusts of wind at bay.
While this jacket is perfect in cooler weather or as part of multiple layers, we cannot recommend it as the be-all end-all for very cold excursions. The insulation and heat retention is simply not at that level. Spring and fall are where this fleece jacket shines!
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING FLEECE JACKETS
WARMTH
Fleece jackets are like colored pencils – there’s the right one for every project. It’s therefore very important to consider why you’re in the market for a new fleece, and decide accordingly.
As counterintuitive as it sounds, some fleece jackets aren’t actually all that warm! You should dive into the manufacturer’s specifications and carefully examine what the fleece is intended for before making your decision about which one to buy. When looking for warmth, keep a sharp eye out for words such as insulation, heat retention, and wind resistance as all these work to keep heat inside.
Also remember that your fleece will often only make up a portion of your layering system during your adventure. For in depth advice on how fleece fits into the grand scheme of layering, check out this article from REI.
BREATHABILITY AND PERFORMANCE-BASED JACKETS
On the opposite end of the spectrum from thicker and warmer fleece jackets are the thin performance-based layers. These garments place a premium on allowing air passage through the fleece and keep you cool, along with wicking moisture and sweat away from your body. They therefore do not retain heat as well as thicker options, and will quickly cool off in cold or extra windy conditions.
If your adventures of choice tend to feature high-output activities such as running, climbing, and intense hiking, then these performance fleeces are right up your alley! Keep an eye out for words such as breathability, increased airflow, and air permeable when looking for these fleeces.
BUDGET
As you’ve no doubt noticed, there’s quite a large range of prices associated with the best fleece jackets. It’s therefore very important to consider the budget you have to work with, and factor that into your overall decision making.
This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to settle for a cheap jacket that doesn’t do anything you want. Simply be aware that for more features and performance, you’re going to pay a little bit more.
FEATURES EXPLAINED
WIND RESISTANCE
The downside to most fleeces is almost always revealed when the wind kicks up. The standard polyester fleece material notoriously lacks wind-resistance, and those cool breezes therefore cut straight through.
The best fleece jackets often incorporate some type of extra resistance in the form of weatherproofing treatments or proprietary material blends – such as The North Face’s WindWall. If this isn’t present, simply be aware that the fleece is best paired with a windproof layer when the forecast looks a little breezy.
MOBILITY
Many of the best fleece jackets give a special nod towards mobility for you adventurous souls out there. This most often takes the form of articulated elbows and gusseted underarms in order to provide the greatest range of motion possible.
We definitely recommend you keep an eye open for these features if you plan on using your fleece for climbing, long-distance hiking, or mountaineering. You’ll notice the difference almost immediately, especially when moving with a pack on your back!
DURABILITY
We naturally want our fleece jackets to last as long as possible! Some jackets, however, are constructed to take on the harsh environments of outdoor adventure and others are not. If you fit into the category of folks who plan to put their fleece through the wringer, be sure to opt for a performance based option that will last.
On the other hand, if you need a fleece just for warmth on cool nights around the bonfire, then a high-intensity fleece jacket that’s designed to climb mountains probably isn’t the best option.
Regardless of your choice, however, pilling is a common problem that plagues many fleece jackets. This occurs when constant rubbing causes the material to form tiny balls and eventually shed off your jacket. But there are ways to prevent it! Check out this article from REI for the best methods to protect your clothes against pilling.
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