What Are the Best Fleece Jackets?

Best fleeces for women

Strategist junior writer Brenley Goertzen has worn this fleece for five years and says that it’s been great for Minnesota winters and cooler, transitional fall-to-spring weather. “In the winter, I wear it under my parka a lot when I want a fuzzy layer because it provides extra mid-weight warmth,” she says. “The collar is nice because it helps shield my neck from freezing gusts, plus the cuffs keep heat trapped inside really well. I also wear it without my parka when I’m lounging, running errands, or taking my pups for quick bathroom breaks.”

“I like that it’s sporty without being too gorpcore or recognizable,” says Strategist senior writer Lauren Ro of her Aritzia Thermal Pro Hi-hip sweater. “It’s extremely warm and looks great with leggings.” She sized up to a medium after reading a bunch of user reviews and is happy with her choice. “It hits just above the hip on an average-torso’d person, but on me, it hits slightly below, which I like.”

“Most fleeces I find too bulky and also too Gorpcore with their pebbly, high pile,” says Sonjia Hyon, a writer based in Brooklyn. Plus she wants the fleece to feel on the inside the way it does on the outside, but “they’re usually lined or unlined with scratchy backing that doesn’t feel as cozy.” She likes this Danton jacket, which her husband got her in Tokyo in 2018, because “it’s double-sided fleece and minimalist. The fabric is soft and cozy, and can be worn as a cardigan, a liner for a cold day, or on its own.”

Goertzen is also a fan of this denim-sherpa-fleece hybrid by Blanknyc, which she discovered while walking by an Evereve window display. “I love that it’s cozy but more dressy than a regular fleece,” says Goertzen. “It pulls in all the best details from a denim jacket: pointy collar, deep pockets, button cuffs, and adjustable hemline buttons.” She especially appreciates how the denim detailing contrasts against the sherpa fleece across the back yoke. She did note that at five-five, she usually gets a small but sized up to a medium for this jacket because the arms felt a bit short.

This recycled-polyester fleece is a favorite of Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio, who throws it on anytime she’s not wearing a puffer. She likes it with jeans and athleisure styles and for cooler weather. “I will wear it out more casually in the spring and fall but also for coaching soccer on the weekends or as an all-purpose jacket,” she says.

Style blogger Bethany Everett-Ratcliffe likes this colorful snap-button pullover from Free People. “It’s most comparable to the brand’s older Nantucket Fleece, which I have and am still obsessed with,” she says. “While I don’t typically wear fleeces with jeans, it’s a great way to make jeans and a white tee look fun while keeping it casual.”

One of our favorite gifts for hikers, this fleece comes recommended by Strategist writer Kat Gillespie, who says its unique cut (which she describes as more of a ’70s look as opposed to a lot of other fleeces that reference the ’80s and ’90s) is rooted in versatility. “It’s designed for hiking/performance, but you could totally wear it in the city without anyone batting an eye,” she says. “The quilted fabric — rather than fuzzy — makes it feel a bit more formal and put together.”

The plastic-free sherpa fleece used in this jacket is milled from 100 percent recycled wool fibers. Strategist senior editor Winnie Yang loves the curlier, more substantial texture and weight of the fabric and how it doesn’t get as staticky as synthetic fleece. “I also appreciate that it’s lined with cotton, which makes it feel cozier,” she says. The boxy cut, shirttail hem, and structure through the shoulders also make it dress up more easily than your average fleece. Although the wool material naturally resists odors, it is unfortunately dry-clean only.

“I’ve always admired this Snow Peak fleece,” says freelance fashion and culture writer Emilia Petrarca, who writes the shopping newsletter Shop Rat. “I think the lines are really flattering (fleeces can be too SpongeBob SquarePants for me sometimes). And I like that it keeps your hands warm. There are also big pockets in the back for carrying a book, or whatever, to the park.”

Everett-Ratcliffe calls this bomber “a chic cozy option,” noting how she reaches for her fleece “when going for my sad-girl walks, layered over a sweatshirt to keep warm.” She also likes to wear it when running quick errands and with leggings.

Best fleeces for men

Jian DeLeon, the men’s fashion director at Nordstrom, calls the iconic Denali a “forever-relevant piece,” which he says can be zipped into a shell layer like the Mountain Jacket for extra protection against the weather. “Worn alone, it’s a great compromise of quality and classic style,” he says. “It’s great, but when zipped into the equally inimitable Gore-Tex shell, you end up with a modular piece you keep for life.” He also offers this pro tip: “The retro fit runs a bit baggier, which you absolutely want.”

This is the best fleece I’ve found for high-output winter sports like cross-country skiing or snowshoeing — almost everyone in my local ski-touring group lives in it all winter. It’s super-breathable, so I don’t sweat profusely while traveling uphill. And it’s just warm enough to keep a chill from settling in while stopping for water or transitioning into downhill mode. The hood is great for keeping my neck and ears warm, and fits easily under a helmet.

“It’s honestly just a foundationally simple piece,” says designer Amardeep Singh of his Gramicci Sherpa jacket. “No wild frills or logos or tags or weird detailing, just a solid staple in a classic roomy cut that you can throw a hoodie underneath.”

Benje Williams and Ken Bernard, co-founders of Brooklyn’s first dedicated hiking store, Outlandish, both recommend this ultrasoft crewneck fleece from Topo Designs. They like subtle details, like the “oh-so-necessary kangaroo pocket” and the thumbholes in the cuffs. Williams and Bernard add that the corded hem adds “a little extra swag to this boxy-cut piece.”

The Woolly is made from a breathable yet supremely warm Polartec Alpha fabric, so it can be worn as a mid-layer under a shell on chillier days or by itself on warm days. Bernard says it’s “super lightweight” but excellent for wearing in a wide range of temperatures. The collar is thin and unobtrusive, which makes it easy to wear with other long-sleeved layers.

Artist and designer Ty Williams loves the Italian material used to make Finisterre’s Portell fleece: “It’s a nice blend with recycled wool instead of just polyester,” says Williams. He also appreciates how the Cornwall-based brand’s classic navy color speaks to his New England sensibilities.

For a totally plastic-free take on recycled wool fleece, Outerknown’s Woolaroo is a great option. The fabric feels similar to polyester sherpa fleece, but it’s made from 100 percent recycled wool, which gives it a bit more heft and a softer, more supple hand — it’s not quite as staticky as plastic fleece. It’s still quite breathable, but I wouldn’t recommend exercising in it, as it’s dry-clean only. It’s got quite a relaxed cut, and I found the medium to be a desirably baggy fit for my slender six-two frame.

“There’s nothing more influential than the first Patagonia fleece,” says Trevor Davis, the founder of outdoor brand William Ellery. “The shape of it, whether it be the three-button pullover or the full-zip chest pocket — that classic Patagonia style — that was the introduction to fleeces.”

“This is my favorite fleece for winter running,” says Strategist associate editor Jeremy Rellosa. “Whenever it gets below 30 degrees, I throw this jacket on top of a base layer, and I’m perfectly insulated for long runs. In addition to the main Polartec® Shed Less Fleece panels, it has smooth, polyamide-blend panels that keep my arms and torso from overheating.” It’s also one of our favorite gifts for runners.

From its chopsticks to its stainless-steel camping mugs, Snow Peak makes high-quality gear. Leon Hedgepeth, an editor at the menswear newsletter Sprezza, says the brand’s clothes (like this fleece) are just as nice. “Everything design is functional since its an outdoor brand, but the fit and design are always spot on,” he says. “This fleece jacket is lightweight but lined with a thick Polartec fabric and front and back pockets for storage. If you’re looking for a mid-layering fleece to throw under a down jacket or topcoat, look no further.”