Top 10 Best Fleeces on the Market

The Patagonia Retro Pile range is made from 100% recycled polyester and meets the demands of outdoor enthusiasts with its numerous designs, available in men's and women's versions. Each style combines insulation, comfort and environmental responsibility.

• Retro Pile 1/2 Snap Pullover
  This model provides excellent insulation, with a high collar featuring press studs for quick adjustment. It has two practical side pockets to keep your hands warm and a zipped front pocket for your essentials.
• Retro Pile Jkt with full-length zip
  Stylish and functional, this fleece jacket stands out with its double-sided pile and carefully considered details: two side pockets and a chest pocket, all fitted with Vislon® zips, plus elasticated binding at the collar and hem for optimum comfort. Bluesign® and Fair Trade certified, it is equally at home on the trails and around town.
• Retro Pile Hoody
  This hooded version delivers enveloping warmth thanks to its full-length zip and fixed hood. Three zipped mesh-lined pockets provide secure storage, while its breathable construction promotes effective moisture wicking, making it ideal for mountain activities.
• Retro Pile Vest (sleeveless version)
  For a lighter option that still provides reliable insulation, this sleeveless gilet features double-sided pile and three zipped, mesh-lined pockets. Elasticated binding at the collar, hem and armholes ensures excellent heat retention. Like the other models, it is Bluesign® and Fair Trade certified.

The Patagonia R1 collection comprises a series of high-performance fleeces, made largely from recycled polyester to minimise their environmental impact. Designed for high-intensity outdoor pursuits, these men's styles and women's fleeces combine warmth, breathability and innovative technology to wick moisture and control odours. Here is an overview of the different models:

• R1 Air Fleece Crew
  This technical style features hollow-core fibres and a zigzag grid knit that promotes moisture wicking and quick drying. Offset shoulder seams enhance comfort when worn under a rucksack, while the zipped chest pocket provides convenient storage. An excellent lightweight mid-layer.
• Patagonia R1 Air Zip-Neck
  This zip-neck fleece features a zigzag pile structure for excellent moisture transfer and rapid drying. HeiQ Fresh technology helps control odours, while a zipped chest pocket offers discreet storage. It is made from 100% recycled hollow-core polyester and is Bluesign and Fair Trade certified.
• R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody
  Available with a hood, this design stands out with its dual-density zigzag structure, achieving an optimum balance between warmth and ventilation. HeiQ Fresh treatment combats unpleasant odours, while flat shoulder seams improve comfort, particularly beneath a rucksack. A zipped chest pocket and slim side pockets add practicality for mountain pursuits.
• R1 Techface Jkt
  For those seeking a jacket that combines performance and protection, the Techface Jkt offers enhanced weather resistance thanks to its durable water-repellent (DWR) finish and stretch fabric (92% polyester, 69% of which is recycled, and 8% elastane). Featuring two welted side pockets and a drawcord, this Fair Trade certified jacket delivers unrestricted freedom of movement.
• R1 Thermal Crew
  Ideal for active outdoor pursuits, this technical top combines protection from the cold with excellent breathability. Its stretch construction (91% polyester and 9% elastane) provides optimum freedom of movement, while a discreet zipped chest pocket keeps essentials secure without adding bulk.
• R1 Thermal Full-Zip Hoody
  Made from 91% recycled polyester and 9% elastane (220 g/m²), this hooded model features a full-length zip for easy temperature regulation. Its two chest pockets, helmet-compatible hood, offset seams and thumb loops deliver comfort, practicality and adaptability in changing mountain conditions.

The Rossignol Hero Stretch Fleece is a mid-layer designed for skiing as well as relaxed days in the resort. Its super-stretch fleece and four-way stretch construction move with you through every turn without restricting range of motion. The full-length zip makes it easy to put on and adjust ventilation, while the chin guard and elasticated cuffs help seal in warmth. Its regular fit works equally well under a ski jacket or over a technical T-shirt.

Key features:

• Main fabric: super-stretch fleece, 75% polyester, 25% elastane
• Four-way stretch
• Chin guard
• Elasticated cuffs
• Two zipped hand pockets
• Regular fit

The Picture Park Zip Tech combines laid-back comfort with eco-conscious design, whether in town or at the resort. Made from 100% recycled polyester and certified to the Global Recycled Standard and Oeko-Tex Standard 100, it keeps you warm while reducing its environmental impact. Its full-length YKK® zip and drawcord hood let you adjust warmth in an instant, while the hand pockets keep essentials close at hand. Weighing 320 g and cut in a regular fit, it is an easy-to-wear fleece for everyday use.

Key features:

• 100% recycled polyester
• Global Recycled Standard, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 (certification guaranteeing that textiles contain no harmful substances)
• Regular fit
• YKK® zip
• Hand pockets
• Drawcord hood

The Ortovox Fleece Gp Classic Knit Hoody is a technical mid-layer designed for freeriding and ski touring, available in men's and women's versions. Its blend of polyester, merino wool and elastane strikes the right balance between warmth, moisture management and freedom of movement. Virgin-wool inserts enhance insulation, while polyamide panels protect areas exposed to abrasion. This hoody is equally suited to the mountains and everyday wear.

Key features:

• Main fabric: 58% polyester, 37% merino wool, 5% elastane
• 2 side pockets
• 1 chest pocket
• Hood
• Elasticated cuffs

The Mammut Aconcagua ML Jacket is a versatile mid-layer suited to ski touring, mountaineering and climbing as well as freeriding. Its Polartec® Power Stretch® Pro™ fabric provides four-way stretch for unrestricted range of motion, while efficiently wicking moisture and drying quickly. Its snug fit makes it an ideal insulating layer beneath a weatherproof jacket. Raglan sleeves, thumb loops and a high collar with chin guard complete this durable and comfortable garment.

Key features:

• Polartec® Power Stretch® Pro™ fabric
• Thumb loops
• 2 zipped side pockets
• Raglan sleeves
• Close-fitting high collar
• Chin guard

The Millet Ubic Lightgrid Jkt M fleece is an ideal choice for walking and mountain enthusiasts. Made from 100% recycled Polartec® Mini Grid, it provides effective thermal insulation while maintaining excellent breathability to wick away moisture during strenuous activity. Its stretch fabric delivers the freedom of movement needed on varied terrain and technical ascents. The high collar provides protection from the wind, while two zipped side pockets keep essentials within easy reach. Weighing just 284 g, it packs easily into a rucksack for all your adventures.

Key features:

• 100% recycled Polartec® Mini Grid fleece
• Full-length front zip
• High collar
• 2 zipped side pockets
• Elasticated binding at the hem and cuffs
• Weight: 284 g

The Norrona Falketind collection includes several high-performance fleece designs created for freeriding, ski touring, mountaineering and trekking. Made from recycled materials and certified by Oeko-Tex and Bluesign, these garments provide optimum thermal protection while efficiently wicking away moisture to prevent overheating during strenuous activity. Available in men's and women's versions, their technical features make them suitable for a wide variety of mountain conditions:

• Falketind Alpha 120 Zip Hood
  Made from Polartec Alpha 120 (63% recycled polyester, 37% polyester), this highly breathable fleece has an asymmetric drop-tail cut for additional coverage. Its full-length YKK zip, stretch hood, elasticated cuffs with thumb loops and zipped chest pocket provide an optimum fit, even when worn with a pack or harness.
• Falketind Power Grid Hood
  Made from Polartec Power Grid (85% recycled polyester), this version features flat seams for maximum comfort and practical zipped chest and side pockets. Its asymmetric drop-tail cut, stretch hood and elasticated cuffs make it an ideal mid-layer or outer layer in dry conditions.
• Falketind Warm1
  Comprising 84% recycled polyester and 16% elastane, this fleece offers an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. It incorporates Polartec Power Stretch panels and Micro Grid Warm1 zones beneath the arms and along the sides to optimise insulation while maintaining exceptional breathability. Hand-warmer pockets and a high collar enhance its performance in cold weather.
• Falketind Warmwool2 Stretch Zip Hood
  A true hybrid, this jacket combines 76% recycled polyester, 18% wool and 6% elastane to retain warmth while remaining breathable, quick-drying and antibacterial. Its raised side pockets, helmet-compatible hood and cuffs with thumb loops provide excellent versatility, making it ideal for ski touring, mountaineering and hillwalking.
• Falketind Warm2 Octa Hood
  Featuring an innovative Octa lining, this version delivers outstanding insulation while allowing excellent airflow. Made primarily from recycled polyester, it incorporates DWR-treated, wind-resistant Warm² fabric on the front and sleeves, a chest pocket, two hand-warmer pockets, a one-handed adjustable hood and elasticated cuffs with thumb loops. The drop-tail cut and articulated elbows further improve comfort, particularly when wearing a rucksack.