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The Best Fleece Jackets for Cool Weather

Soft and warm jackets pioneered by outdoor brands.

collage of three fleece jackets Patagonia, Todd Snyder, Nobis

By Evan Malachosky, Gerald Ortiz, and Beau Hayhoe

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You won’t find a jacket much cozier than a fleece one. First championed by outdoor clothing brand Patagonia at the end of the 1970s through to the mid 1980s, faux sherpa fabric has revolutionized clothing. The man-made fabric was developed at an innovative textile factory called Malden Mills, which would eventually become Polartec.

Products in the Guide

  • Best Overall Fleece Jacket: Patagonia Classic Retro-X Fleece Jacket

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  • Best Affordable Fleece Jacket: Uniqlo Fleece Full-Zip Jacket

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  • Best Upgrade Fleece Jacket: Nobis Kepler Berber Fleece Sweater

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  • Most Stylish Fleece Jacket: Todd Snyder Adirondack Fleece Full-Zip Jacket in Charcoal

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  • Best Rugged Fleece Jacket: Filson Sherpa Fleece Jacket

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  • Best Casual Fleece Jacket: District Vision Half-Zip Pile Fleece

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It used polyester to simulate the curly woolen coat shorn from sheep. The curly fibers work by trapping warm air in thousands of pockets. Those pockets also cut down on fabric density, making it more lightweight than a traditional heavy wool coat.

They’re everywhere, and for good reason. Fleeces are one of the foremost garments spearheading the current gorpcore trend — aka fashion influenced by outdoor brands (i.e. The North Face, Patagonia, Arc’teryx, etc). Kelly Fujikawa, the Vice President of Design at Eddie Bauer, agrees, noting the popularity of the fleece jacket could be “spurred by the Gorpcore trend,” adding that the jacket is “important to men’s wardrobes this fall.”

Pros

  • Certified style classic from an innovative heritage brand
  • Fleece exterior is reinforced with nylon on the collar and the large front chest pocket

Cons

  • Although windproof, jacket isn’t waterproof and won’t perform as well when wet
  • Lighter colors, like Natural, might prove more difficult to care for at times
  • Country of Manufacture: Vietnam
  • Materials: Polyester, recycled polyester
  • Colors: Natural, Natural with Obsidian, New Navy Wax, Natural with Touring Red, Nouveau Green, Dark Natural with Plume Grey
  • Sizes: XS-XXL

The quintessential fleece jacket, Patagonia’s deep-pile fabric is a favorite. The brand has gone through numerous fleece iterations including Synchilla and Woolyester, but deep-pile was revived for a reason. It’s cozy as hell and looks great. The all-polyester fabric uses 50-percent recycled yarns and is wind-proof and super warm. It also nails the Gorpcore look, thanks to the contrasting front pocket and other contrasting nylon details, especially underneath the collar.

It’s a tried-and-true original with retro heritage in spades, and you can find it in plenty of sizes right now.

Zippered hand pockets keep your belongings on your person while DWR-coated polyester paneling and storm-plackets and elastic hems and cuffs keep the weather at bay.

Pros

  • Incredibly well-priced jacket that doesn’t cut corners in terms of functionality
  • Available in 10 colors and a wide range of sizes to suit every sense of style

Cons

  • Jacket features a slightly oversized fit, and some might prefer a more tailored look
  • Jacket doesn’t feature additional technical details, like nylon reinforcements
  • Country of Manufacture: China
  • Materials: Recycled polyester
  • Colors: 10 colors total
  • Sizes: XXS-3XL

If ever you need to revamp your wardrobe while saving a few bucks, it seems Uniqlo is the place to go. The brand isn’t overly flashy, but its pieces – from sweaters to Oxford shirts to chinos – always seem to get the job done in terms of minimal style.

This fleece full-zip is no exception, with a stand-up collar for wind protection and a recycled polyester construction for sustainability. Add in the fact that it comes in a whopping 10 colors and a nice array of sizes, and you might very well want more than one.

Pros

  • Technical jacket that puts an alpine spin on fleece zip jackets
  • Reinforced with DWR ripstop for maximum protection from the elements

Cons

  • Despite the use of ripstop, jacket is not fully waterproof
  • Jacket is quite expensive for a fairly casual, rugged outdoor jacket
  • Country of Manufacture: China
  • Weight: Berber fleece and ripstop fabric detailing
  • Colors: Black, Heat Map, Marine
  • Sizes: XS-3XL

Nobis jackets are a thing of beauty when it comes to melding form and function. Here, ripstop coated with DWR adds durability and a technical appeal to the jacket’s front pockets, which should prove ideal for your everyday carry. The sleeves and jacket are also finished with that material, which is a swerve from 100 percent fleece jackets.

This jacket is minimal and technical yet luxe, as evidenced by the price tag, and it should offer nice transitional performance until it’s time to bring out your Nobis parka for winter.

todd snyder adirondack fleece fullzip jacketTodd Snyder

Most Stylish Fleece Jacket: Todd Snyder Adirondack Fleece Full-Zip Jacket in Charcoal

Pros

  • Raglan sleeves and a fit designed for layering
  • High-quality fleece

Cons

  • Pocket zipper pull can be distracting
  • Unlined
  • Country of Manufacture: Portugal
  • Weight: Italian recycled polyester
  • Colors: Charcoal, Toasted Brown, Blue Chip
  • Sizes: XS-XXL

Todd Snyder sourced premium Italian recyceld polyester for this precisely cut fleece jacket. While still maintaining all the aspects of outdoor-focused styles, it manages to offer an iteration that can pair well with chinos for the office.

It’s got contrast-ribbing along the zipper and hem, a diamond chest pocket and raglan sleeves.

Pros

  • Rib-knit cuffs and hem provide a secure fit in extreme conditions
  • Uses modern Polartec thermal polyester fleece for lightweight warmth

Cons

  • Even when on sale, still somewhat expensive for a largely casual jacket
  • Jacket tends to sell out quickly in the brand’s more iconic colors
  • Country of Manufacture: China
  • Materials: 11.5-ounce Polartec Thermal Pro 300 polyester fleece
  • Colors: Fir, Flame, Marsh Olive
  • Sizes: XS-3XL

This handsome jacket comes from another storied outdoors brand, albeit one that’s steeped in logging rather than tree-hugging. Is it as durable as the brand’s Tin Cloth jackets? Not quite, but it very well might prove warmer as you stoke your campfire on a brisk fall morning — what could be more true to Filson’s heritage than that? It’s certainly the jacket with the most appeal to the outdoorsman on this list (at least, that’s what we think).

It features a high-pile fleece courtesy of Polartec that’s actually a touch heavier than Patagonia’s Retro-X. That said, it’s still breathable and won’t suffocate your skin. Other details include nylon reinforcements, as well as ribbed hems and cuffs. Raglan sleeve stitching adds a durable, easily wearable touch, too.

Pros

  • Has a sweat-wicking power mesh liner
  • Substantial Italian fleece

Cons

  • Design may be too straightforward for some
  • Not inexpensive
  • Continent of Manufacture: Europe
  • Materials: 318gsm Italian-milled high-pile fleece
  • Colors: Bloom
  • Sizes: S-XL

With a bold pattern and a hefty Italian-fleece body, this jacket is a strong contender for everyday wear. It features a sweat-wicking mesh liner if you opt to wear it hiking or jogging, and a convenient half-zip closure.

The simple elastic hem and cuffs mean that you can wear this jacket over most anything and it’ll still fit as intended.

Pros

  • Made in America for next-level quality and attention to detail, fabric and fit
  • Modeled after old-school outdoors fleece jackets with modern, thick and soft fabric

Cons

  • Wool fleece, while warming, might prove too insulating for some
  • Expensive for a fairly casual fleece jacket
  • Wool fleece jacket is dry-clean only
  • Country of Manufacture: United States
  • Materials: Wool shell with polyester backing
  • Colors: Grey, Caramel/Black, Caramel
  • Sizes: S-XXL

What sets American Trench’s fleece apart from others? It’s made from all-natural thick-pile wool, which should prove thick yet soft. Polyester is only used on the backing, which makes a smooth (not soft like the front) interior against the skin.

This option is far warmer than polyester but it requires special care. Made in the US by a small New Hampshire company, you should heed caution before washing this one — even dry cleaning. Ask a professional before proceeding in either direction, but note that the brand says this jacket is dry-clean only.

Once you nail down your color of choice, this jacket is one to be treasured and worn often in casually rugged style — since it’s made in the America at a higher price tag, trust us when we say you’ll want to get plenty of bang for your buck.

Pros

  • Shirt jacket design provides plenty of rugged layering appeal and ease of movement
  • Snap button chest pockets offer easy access to your EDC

Cons

  • Some might prefer the coverage of a traditional fleece zip jacket
  • Jacket isn’t as thick in terms of fabric as other fleece jackets
  • Country of Manufacture: China
  • Materials: Polyester high pile fleece
  • Colors: Cascadia Green, Mescal Stripe Earth
  • Sizes: S-XXL

Fleece is as versatile a fabric as it gets: It can work in a quarter-zip, a traditional full-front zip or, in the case of this pleasingly rugged Howler Brothers option, as a shirt jacket. The shirt jacket design is better suited for brisk or breezy days, as opposed to whipping winds and extreme cold, but that’s no matter. This shirt jacket should layer up nicely over a thermal henley for added warmth.

Snap button pockets round out the classic shirt jacket design. And like all Howler Brothers gear, the Austin-based brand designed this one to be worn out on the water for an early morning fishing session, and then back into town for a cold beer at the end of a long way.

Pros

  • Every detail is considered from zipper to hems
  • American manufacturing

Cons

  • Some may want high-pile fleece
  • Not inexpensive
  • Country of Manufacture: USA
  • Materials: Polartec Classic 200
  • Colors: Black, Gray, Orange, Cappuccino
  • Sizes: S-XL

Battenwear makes what they call a Warm-Up Fleece, which is an understated jacket with a plush polyester body, zipper pockets, an envelope-style chest pocket and both ribbed cuffs and a ribbed hem. It’s soft, made in the US and has raglan sleeves.

a man wearing a fleece sweaterEddie Bauer

Best Half-Zip Fleece Jacket: Eddie Bauer Convector ½ Zip Sweater

Pros

  • Sweater blends a knitted fleece exterior with a brushed fleece interior for warmth and comfort
  • ½ zip design offers a customizable fit and more breathability or coverage

Cons

  • Made without hand-warmer pockets for added protection
  • Some might prefer the traditional zip front or additional pockets for EDC storage
  • Country of Manufacture: China
  • Materials: 300-weight cozy fleece
  • Colors: Chocolate, Juniper, Atlantic, Charcoal Heather, Grey Heather
  • Sizes: S-3XL

Eddie Bauer might have gotten its start outfitting explorers for the most extreme summits on the planet, but the brand has a long, rich sporting history beyond incredibly warm parkas. This ½-zip design bridges the gap between a day on the slopes (as a mid-layer) and an apre-ski piece, all thanks to its stretchy knitted fleece exterior.

The ½-zip build also allows you to customize the fit and venting potential as needed, while a chest pocket helps store your EDC.

Pros

  • Jacket has sustainably-made fabric
  • Finished with a temperature-regulating liner for breathability and comfort
  • Boasts a distinctive retro color scheme that calls to mind classic fleece jackets

Cons

  • Jacket isn’t as weather-ready as other technical jackets for shoulder season
  • Some might prefer more minimal color options
  • Country of Manufacture: China
  • Materials: Plush fleece with BreezeKnit breathable lining
  • Colors: Navy, Sand, Blue Wave, Red Wave,Green Nautical Flag
  • Sizes: S-XL

A fleece jacket these days needs to do more than just keep you warm on breezy days and nights. It’s got to add a distinct sense of style to your wardrobe, and that’s but one of the things Fair Harbor focused on with this wavy, colorblocked jacket.

It comes in minimal color options like Navy, but the Green Nautical Flag or colorblocked red-and-blue options are the most fun. Better still is the fact that its fiber was made using 38 recycled plastic bottles, and it’s also finished with a breathable proprietary liner for added comfort.

Pros

  • Lined with microfleece for an exceptionally warm finish
  • Red Check option in particular is a time-tested heritage style

Cons

  • Lining might still prove too hot for those who like a thicker base layer for outdoor pursuits
  • Some might prefer a more minimal jacket without printed design
  • Country of Manufacture: China
  • Materials: Polyester sherpa pile face, microfleece back
  • Colors: Mountain Red Check, Collegiate Navy Skyscape Print, Chalk Skyscape Print
  • Sizes: XS-3XL

This muted fleece from Columbia has a classic red-and-black plaid pattern as one of its options, which is a style move anyone can appreciate.

The real draw might be the, deep-pile exterior that rivals the best in terms of coziness. The inside’s lined with micro-fleece, too, so there’s softness on both the inside and out. Plus, this essential casual jacket retails for less than $100 as of now.

Pros

  • Made with thick polyester pile fleece for warmth and visually appealing texture
  • Features a minimal look with no visible front pockets

Cons

  • Some might prefer more pockets as found on other fleece jackets
  • Jacket tends to sell out quickly in certain colors and sizes
  • Some might prefer a fit that’s more tailored than the jacket’s regular fit
  • Country of Manufacture: Japan
  • Materials: Polyester high pile fleece
  • Colors: Black, Olive
  • Sizes: S-XL

Fleece jackets, at least in our humble opinion , should be one or the other. Make it either super simple, or overt and extreme. Some of Patagonia’s fleeces (Retro-X aside), for instance, live in this sort of middle ground.

Sonder Supplies is definitely the former, but fittingly so. The entire thing is tonal, particularly in minimal black, although the brand’s logo does grace the lower left hip hem. Note that this jacket is made in Japan, but available for a steal of a price given that extra quality and attention to detail.

Yes, for as much as the Japanese menswear market loves its rugged Americana, consumers also seem to love retro-inspired, technical pieces that can be worn far from the country’s bustling cities).

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