Is Fleece Warm?
Fleece is an exceptionally warm and very popular insulating material, except that it works differently than wool or down. Fleece is is lightweight, breathable and quick-drier as compared to the natural fibers and this quality makes fleece a favorite among the outdoor enthusiasts/activities and in everyday use. Nonetheless, it is controversial in that although it does maintain you warm it is not windproof in its natural state and therefore this could bring down its effectiveness in inclement weather.
This guide will reveal all about fleece: what it comprises of, how it keeps you warm, its advantages and disadvantages over other fabrics, and how to select the most suitable kind of fleece. By the end, you will understand how and when fleece is the best option, whether when in the mountain hiking and skiing or just relaxing at home.
What is Fleece, Actually? A Brief History & Science
Fleece is not a natural fiber such as wool, or cotton. Synthetic fleece Fleece Fleece is usually made of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), the same plastic as water bottles. This fact is highly surprising to people since such a warm, fluffy material is made out of plastic.
The history of fleece started in the late 1970s when Malden Mills (currently Polartec 1783) invented it as the lightweight, warm, and cheap alternative to wool. This patented innovation took the outdoor clothing industry by storm and gave the people what they wanted: warmth with less bulk.
The manufacturing procedure encompasses spinning of the polyester fibers into threads after which they are woven and thereafter brushed using a brush. This brushing resulting in a dense and fluffy pile that traps dots of air. The pockets provide insulation to the fabric; they help it to retain heat effectively. The outcome is a breathable, durable and easy-care fabric, which is soft.
How Does Fleece Provide Warmth?
Fleece gets its warmth through insulation rather than in the clothes itself. The brush ends of fleece build the air pillows that shelter the heat which is naturally released by the body. Rather than wasting that heat, it is retained by the fabric and allows the body to be warm.
This becomes effective due to the fact that air is an incredible insulator. Fleece also avoids heat loss, by containing still air in its framework. This is why even thin products made of fleece can turn out to feel very warm.
A very important consideration is the high warm/weight ratio of fleece. Although it is lightweight, it is an impressive insulator. That makes it a favorite of athletes, hikers and anyone that needs to be warm, without heavy clothing. It is also breathable and keeps you free of the clammy feel associated with other fabrics as it allows the sweat to escape.
Fleece Warmth vs. Other Popular Materials
| Feature | Fleece | Wool | Down | Cotton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warmth | Very warm, but less than down | Warm, even when damp | Superior warmth-to-weight | Poor when wet |
| Weight | Lightweight, easy to layer | Heavier | Extremely light for warmth | Moderate to heavy |
| Performance When Wet | Retains most warmth | Retains warmth well | Loses insulating power | Holds moisture, loses warmth |
| Moisture-Wicking | Good | Excellent, odor-resistant | Poor | Very poor |
| Drying Time | Fast drying | Slow drying | Very slow | Very slow |
| Breathability | Excellent | Good | Low (traps heat) | Low |
| Packability | Moderate | Bulky | Excellent, compresses small | Poor |
| Cost | Affordable | Expensive (especially merino) | Very expensive | Cheap |
| Best Use | Active outdoor wear, layering | Cold, damp climates | Extreme cold, lightweight packing | Casual wear, not for cold outdoors |
Fleece vs. Wool (Fleece vs Wool Warmth)
Warmth: In essence, both fleece and wool are very warm. Actually, wool has the ability to absorb moisture and continue its ability to insulate even when wet but fleece does the same only when it is dry. Fleece is approximately as warm as wool in dry circumstances; however when moist, wool holds more heat.
Weight: A fleece garment is lighter than an equally-sized garment of wool. You can have a comparable warmth at a lesser weight with a fleece layer in comparison to a thick wool sweater.
Moisture & drying: On the other hand wool retains more moisture and it dries slowly. In the meantime, a fleece retains minimal amount of water and evaporates extremely quickly. To put it differently, sweat would never penetrate into fleece like in the case of wool: the former simply remains insulating when subjected to heavy pursuits.
Comfort: Remarkably, the fleece first became so valuable because it is not itchy. Modern wool (such as merino) may be soft, but older wool is itchy. Fleece is better in that it is always soft and smooth.
Price: Synthetic fleece overall is also less expensive to manufacture than quality wool. Fleece garments are typically cheaper than an equal wool sweater, resulting in fleece being a cost effective insulator.
Fleece vs. Down (Fleece vs Down Jacket)
Warmth: In most cases, down jackets are warmer-to-weight. A top-quality down will reflect more warmth in an ounce than fleece jacket will. It would take several fleece layers to be as warm as down jacket.
Weight/Packability: As a result, down packs small. Actually, a down jacket can be packed into a relatively small size and at times, even a bit lighter in weight than a fleece-item with equivalent warmth. Fleece products are heavier items, and as such, down products tend to win out on portability.
Wet-Weather Performance: Significantly, here fleece scores. Wet, down clumps up and almost nothing left insulating, whereas fleece is fluffy and continues to insulate somewhat. Fleece is also considered much quicker drying than down, which can remain wet. And in damp weather fleece is vastly superior.
Breathability: Although they both allow airflow, the fleece is more relaxed during high activity, so it is highly comfortable to wear in active situations.
Cost: Down (and also high-fill down) is generally more costly, whereas fleece garments are wear cheaper given similar levels of warmth.
Fleece vs. Cotton (Why is Fleece Better than Cotton)
Warmth & Safety: Certainly, fleece is far superior for cold and active use. In contrast, cotton holds moisture and loses all insulating power when wet (the phrase “cotton kills” is used in outdoors). Fleece will keep you warm even if it gets damp from sweat. Cotton, on the other hand, will soak up water and leave you cold.
Moisture: Fleece repels water and wicks it away; by contrast, cotton soaks up water and stays wet. That means fleece keeps you warm and dry, whereas cotton can chill you if you perspire or encounter rain.
Comfort: Cotton is comfortable for lounging, but it’s a poor insulator. Fleece adds warmth even in thinner layers and remains comfortable in cooler weather.
Not All Fleece is Created Equal: Understanding Weights and Types
Fleece comes in different thicknesses and specialized varieties. The most common categories include:
Microfleece / Lightweight:
Microfleece (usually 100 gsm and sometimes referred to as Power Grid fleece) is extremely thin and light. As an example, it is easily packed and breathes very well. It is regularly used in base-layers or liners. It offers light insulation with sweat absorption capabilities that are perfect in high energy activities where too much bulk could slow you down.
Mid-Weight / 100–200-weight:
Mid-weight fleece is the conventional one-clothing-fits-all. It is thicker than microfleece, although remains fairly flexible. A 200-weight fleece jacket is ideal wear when hiking or in cool weather. It is well-balanced in terms of warmth, and free moving comfort, and breathability.
Heavyweight / 300-weight:
Heavyweight fleece(300 gsm or more) is thick and very warm. It is large and does not compress easily. This kind is usually worn only in frigid environments or when it is stationary use (such as a warm camp jacket). A 300 weight fleece will make you very warm, but is heavier and bulks out.
Polartec® Specialized Types (Thermal Pro™, Power Grid™, Windbloc™):
In fact, Polartec® has developed advanced fleece technologies. For example, their Thermal Pro™ fleece is “an evolution of an original, made to be versatile,” adding extra loft and warmth to classic fleece. The Power Grid™ fleece (also called Polartec Power Grid) is a lightweight fabric designed for movement – it is very breathable and often used in high-performance base layers. Windbloc™ is a special laminate that stops wind entirely; it adds a thin membrane to fleece so it can serve as a windproof outer layer (blocking cold air while still insulating). These specialized fleeces expand the use-cases for fleece fabrics.
The Limitations of Fleece (Why People think fleece is not warm?)
The greatest drawback to fleece is that it is not wind resistant. Calm air can go through the fabric and remove the warm air in it easily. That is why some individuals feel chilly despite when they are wearing a jacket of fleece.
Fleece is the most effective between the middle layer of a layering system. It keeps a person warm and is highly breatheable on its own, but does not protect against wind or heavy precipitation. Together with a windproof or even waterproof shell layer it makes a decent and reliable addition to any outfit in cold weather.
So, in case you have ever wondered why do I feel cold in my fleece, now you could give the answer: wind exposure. The remedy is easy one, layering it properly to achieve maximum performance.
Best Uses for Fleece: When to Wear It
- High-Energy Activities: Ideal high energy usage activities such as hiking, running and backpacking in situations where breathability is a factor.
- Mid-Layer in Winter Sports: can act as a mid-layer beneath a shell with skiing, snowboarding, or mountaineering.
- Everyday Wear: Comfortable enough to wear at home or in an easy way.
- Camping and Travel: Small, fast-drying and easy-to-carry, it is perfect to take on trips.
- Emergency Warmth: Holding warmth when it is wet, when cotton or down would not.
Conclusion-
Fleece is very warm in relation to its weight and it continues to be a material of choice when it comes to insulation. Its secret is that it entraps the body heat by air pockets yet remains light and breathable. That balance is ideal when out and about being active where you need to be warm whilst managing perspiration.
The absence of wind resistance is not a weakness because it is a design characteristic of its greatest weakness. The same breathability makes fleece popular among athletes and other adventurers. A convenient thing is knowing how to wear it on its own: which is why you know when to use it yourself, and when to buffer it over with a shielding over layer.
In short, is fleece warm? Absolutely. Whether you want to hike, bike, ski, curl up at home, or keep layering systems to take on the heaviest outdoor activities, fleece is a trustworthy fabric you can generally rely on.
Read More>> About polar fleece.
FAQs
True, fleece is warm enough to wear during the winter, particularly when used as an under-layer. Fleece can be used alone when it is meant to insulate the body against mild cold. However, in more severe climatic conditions it is recommended that the jacket be used with a water proof or windproof shell to insure complete protection.
Not always. Wool is a bit warmer and insulative back when wet. Nevertheless, fleece is lighter, dries quicker, and is less expensive, thus becoming more convenient to use as active wear or in combination with other pieces.
Fleece cannot be used as an absolute winter jacket. Fleece is neither windproof nor waterproof, so it works best as an interior layer to a shell jacket. In adverse cold or snow you will require something extra.
This occurs primarily because of wind Fleece is a material which lets air move through it, and when that happens cold winds can dehydrate heat into the air. To remedy that, have an outer windproof layer over fleece.
Fleece with proper care can last a number of years. It resists shrinking and stretching, but, it could pill with time. Its longevity can be guaranteed by carefully cleaning out the stains and by not exposing it to high temperatures.
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