Any outdoorsy person worth their salt has a favourite polar fleece. Thin pullovers are a vital layer when venturing out the door in winter, while thicker jackets or hoodies can help you warm quickly after running or mountain biking trails. But one thing you certainly don’t want to do is shell out for a fleece only to find it still leaves you with teeth chattering on a chilly day. That’s why we’ve put together this list of our favourite fleeces, from budget to high-end.
With a logo you’ll recognise from backpacks the world over, Swedish outdoor brand Fjällräven does much more than the iconic Kanken backpack and it does it well too. This fleece hoodie is made from sustainable recycled polyester, the soft brushed inner layer is warm and pleasant next to the skin, and the outer layer is knitted and bobble-resistant. The leather details are just the icing on the cake.
Buy men’s from Cotswold Outdoor | Buy women’s from Cotswold Outdoor | From £130
If you’ve always stayed away from fleeces because of their unfashionable reputation (and aren’t on the normcore bandwagon), try these plaid versions from this snow and streetwear brand. The women’s Tolsona pairs a red or blue plaid with a soft teddy collar, while the men’s Harlow has a more straightforward neck and an autumnal colour palette. Both are well suited to a relaxed après-ski and boast a thick fabric that’ll chase the chill from your bones after a day on the slopes.
Buy Tolsana from Amazon | Buy Harlow from Amazon | £42-£65
The Liston puts paid to the idea that you always have to pay a fortune for top-quality, hard-wearing outdoor clothes. This budget fleece has a soft inner layer which is terrific at trapping heat, while the knit-style outer layer will stand up to months of frequent wear and spins in the washing machine.
Buy men’s from E-Outdoor | £27.45, from £30.93 with delivery
You might see this top on as many trendy normcore types as genuine outdoors enthusiasts, which should convince you that The North Face fleeces combine form and function like few others. Stylish and durable, the Glacier is thin enough to layer over shirts and long-sleeve tops, and under coats, but we’d bet the farm it’ll keep you warm on a chilly day. And if you do get a tad sweaty, the fabric draws water from your skin and prevents it getting soggy, which makes this a great shout for hiking and winter sports. For added kudos, it’s made from recycled polyester.
Buy men’s from Amazon | Buy women’s from Amazon | From £34
This zip-through hoodie from climbing-gear company Rab is made from a combination of fleece and spandex, giving it a degree of stretch that’s especially useful if you’re reaching for holds. The hood will fit under a helmet, be it a climbing or cycling one, but our favourite feature are the thumb holes which will keep the top in place if you’re scrambling.
Buy men’s from Cotswold Outdoor | Buy women’s from Cotswold Outdoor | £90 (women’s currently reduced to £67)
