Fleece Shirts

Fleeces for Versatile Warmth in Every Season

Fleeces are among the most versatile pieces of apparel in any closet. They can be worn either as a midlayer or a light jacket, in the mountains or walking around town, and in any season. Plus, fleeces can be designed with full-length or partial-length zippers, hoods, collars, pockets and more. The possibilities for how you can customise and use your fleece are virtually endless. Today, the fleece is a standard layer amongst outdoor enthusiasts thanks to its insulating and water-resistant qualities. Whether you need an extra layer for an upcoming shoulder season adventure or a stylish new jacket to wear this winter, addnature.co.uk has a fleece for you.

What is Fleece?

Fleece was originally the term used to describe midlayer garments made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a water-resistant and insulating type of synthetic fibre. But as the popularity of fleeces has exploded since their introduction in the 1980s, the term has become a catch-all for soft, insulating and flexible midlayers. In addition to fleeces made from PET fibres, you’ll find fleeces made from recycled plastics and from natural Merino wool.

The Advantages of Fleece

Fleece has become so popular in large part because it checks a lot of boxes for outdoor adventures and everyday life alike. Fleece is extremely warm for how lightweight the material is, making it ideal for backpacking, climbing and travel. Synthetic PET fibres are also much less expensive than down, and they not only repel water but maintain their warmth when wet. Fleece is also durable enough to handle machine washing, which makes it much easier to clean than other specialised fabrics. The only real downside to fleeces is that they can start to smell after a full day in the mountains, especially if you’re sweating into them. But even the odour of fleeces can be mitigated by opting for Merino wool blends like those made by Icebreaker and Woolpower.

Fleece Designs

Fleece jackets come in a virtually unlimited number of styles and designs. The fabric can be made in virtually any colour and with any combination of zippers, pockets, collars and hoods. When you’re choosing a fleece, there are a few design features to consider:

• Weight - The weight of a fleece is the thickness and loft of the fibres. This is typically listed as 100, 200 or 300 – 300 being the heaviest and warmest style of fleece. 100-weight fleeces are perfect as lightweight and breathable jackets for the warmer months, while 200-weight fleeces can double as midlayers and outerwear for three-season use.
• Wind Resistance - Many 200- and 300-weight fleeces offer fabric technology that increases their resistance to wind without making them less breathable from the inside. Gridded fleeces in particular often combine fleece with a water- and wind-resistant outer layer, essentially creating a hybrid between a traditional fleece and a softshell jacket.
• Hoods - Hooded fleeces give you the option to add warmth when you need it without carrying any extra clothing. Just keep in mind that the hood will add a few ounces of weight to your fleece.

Fleeces at addnature.co.uk

The easiest way to find fleeces in every imaginable style is to shop our wide selection at addnature.co.uk. We carry fleeces from every major manufacturer all in one place and offer simple filters to help you find jackets and pullovers in your size. Plus, we offer flexible shipping options and a 100-day return policy on all fleeces.