Tested: lightweight fleeces

The humble but much-loved walking staple comes in many varieties. Which is best for you?

THE BEAUTY OF the humble polar fleece is its simplicity. Just fluff up a few million fine strands of polyester, arrange them into a torso shape with arms, and hey presto you have the perfect lightweight layer for keeping your core toasty while out walking. Better still, you can spend very little on a fleece that does this job perfectly all year round, and will last for ages. Why spend more then, except for the prestige of a label? After all, every fleece we’re reviewing is essentially made from the same thing (100% polyester in most cases) – it’s a recipe that was cooked up in 1979 (by the company now known as Polartec) and has changed little since then. It’s what different brands do with this material that makes the difference: the fabric weave, the finish and the tailoring. All these can give marginal gains. But for most walkers, the demands of a fleece are simple: it should be warm, breathable and quick drying. If it fits nicely, stows away neatly and leaves you feeling all fuzzy inside, all the better. With summer underway, we’ve picked 10 lightweight micro-fleeces that take the bite out of frosty mornings and provide instant warmth on cool, windswept hilltops. Full-zipped and half-zipped; with hoods and without… every kind is here, covering a wide price range.

About our reviews

We’ve chosen 10 fleeces which should be widely available in the UK at the time of going to press. Philip and Rachel tested five each, and all but one (which is unisex) comes in both men’s and women’s styles (indicated by these dots ). We rate each fleece on comfort (how it fits and feels), warmth (its insulating power), versatility (how it performs in different conditions) and value for money. We focus on the pros and cons of each top, but we’ve also chosen our stand-out favourites and picked the one fleece which offers the best value for money.

HOOD

It can double up as a wind-defying semi-balaclava, but not everyone wants a hood with their fleece, especially if gets in the way of a hooded waterproof. Snugger hoods tend to be tailored with climbers in mind, so a helmet will fit cosily over the top.

FABRIC

Some polar fleeces are a blend of natural (e.g. wool) and synthetic fibres, but most are made from polyester. This manmade material is spun into a soft pile fabric that traps warm air, is fast drying and durable. The ‘heavier’ (thicker) the pile, the better it is at insulating. Polyester is sometimes combined with elastane to give the fabric more stretch.

TAILORING

Go for a fit that’s snug, but won’t restrict your mobility on the go, with sleeves and a hem that are long enough to cover your forearms and lower back even when you’re stretching.

ZIP

It seems obvious, but the addition of a zip (especially of the fulllength and chunkier kind) tends to make a fleece more expensive... but it’s also the quickest way to vent excess heat.

CUFFS

Some cuffs are elasticated to seal out drafts. Others feature thumb loops, to stop the sleeves riding up.