![]() Decathlon keeps costs low by limiting marketing expenses and keeping most of the production process in-house. It’s also lightweight and made with 100% recycled polyester. What? Hiking gear for just $30? You can hardly find decent wool socks for $30, so the fact that you can get an entire fleece for that price is actually incredible. (women’s) Materials: 100% recycled cationic polyester Cons: Expensive heavy hand pockets don’t have zippers not especially warm for the weight.īest fleece midlayers for thru-hiking: Decathlon Quechua MH120. Pros: Breathable moisture-wicking recycled materials and Fair Trade sewing odor control thumbholes offset seams scuba hood. Patagonia also sews this garment with offset seams that sit off the shoulder to reduce uncomfortable rubbing beneath your pack straps. The fabric has Patty’s proprietary “HeiQ” odor control to help offset fleece’s natural tendency to retain unpleasant smells. The cuffs are elastic and have thumb loops to keep the sleeves pulled entirely over your wrists, enhancing warmth and comfort. The comfort/functionality of this jacket speaks for itself, but it also features several small, thoughtful details that set it apart from the competition. It features a tight-fitting scuba hood that provides complete coverage for the forehead and bottom half of the face below your nose when fully zipped. The R1 Hoodie has two drop-in handwarmer pockets (not zippered) and a zippered chest pocket. ![]() The fabric is stretchy, which enhances mobility and makes it easy to push the sleeves up. It’s made with 93 percent recycled polyester and 7 percent spandex. The R1 features their Power Grid material, a cutting-edge grid material that is lighter, more compressible, and more breathable than traditional fleece. Polartec is the gold standard for fleece fabrics. In addition to the full-zip featured here, you can get the R1 as a pullover to save weight. It features an athletic fit that’s perfect for layering and a scuba hood that will make you look and feel like a ninja. At 11 ounces, it’s not the lightest midlayer on this list, but the grid pattern on the inside of the fabric excels at moisture wicking and breathability. The Patagonia R1 is a lightweight fleece that’s popular among thru-hikers. (women’s) Materials: 100 percent recycled polyester fleece Micro-grid fleece is a great feature for anyone who plans to hike in their fleece frequently.īest fleece midlayers for thru-hiking: Patagonia R1. The grid pattern is ideal for temperature and moisture management as it improves wicking and air circulation. Micro-grid pattern: Many of the best hiking fleeces feature “micro grid” fleece. You’ll probably only have a base layer underneath this, so there’s not much justification for a loose or baggy fleece (beyond your personal preference, of course). Reducing bulk with a trim fit will also save weight. Having pockets mostly matters if you plan to wear your fleece around camp since, if you’re wearing it on the trail, you can store things in your backpack pockets instead.įit: A slim (not tight) fit is best as it will minimize cold spots and dead airspace. Pockets: Zippered handwarmer pockets are the most functional, but kangaroo pockets (found on many pullover-style fleeces) work well too. Many of the fleeces on this list have both hooded and hoodless versions. If you opt for a hood, make sure it has a shock cord adjustment so you can keep it in place and seal out cold drafts. Hood: Adds to the weight and price of the fleece, but the increase is usually minimal, and you get a lot of added warmth in exchange. If you can’t decide, you can split the difference by going for a half-zip. Pullovers are a pain to get on and off and can’t be unzipped to dump heat, but the lack of zippers minimizes heat loss. Zipper: Full-zip jackets are well-ventilated and easy to take on and off, but the zipper also adds weight and creates a cold spot down the middle. What are some features to look for in the Best fleece midlayers for thru-hiking? Go with fleece if you want a durable layer that you can wear while hiking or if you need to keep a close eye on your budget. Also, they’re significantly cheaper than puffies. It’s no big deal if your fleece midlayer gets wet because it’s a hydrophobic material that absorbs less than 1 percent of its weight in water and dries quickly. They’re also thin enough to be breathable and offer a full range of motion, making them better suited to heavy activity. ![]() You can wash your fleece in the laundry with the rest of your clothes, unlike a down jacket, which needs special care. They’re not prone to snagging, and in the event of a rip, they’re easy to sew up with a needle and thread. Fleeces are easy to repair with a needle and thread, unlike most insulated jackets. ![]()
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