Fleece

It's the rare outdoorsperson who doesn't own one or more polyester fleece garments. There's a lot to love about fleece: it's quick-drying, retains much of its warmth when wet, and can be worn with other layers and under shell garments to adapt to a wide range of conditions.

Fabrics

Good-quality fleece has a virtually unlimited useful life. It keeps its loft and warmth through countless launderings, without clumping, pilling, or becoming coldly threadbare as cheap fleece can. Depending on the weight of the fleece, it can function as anything from a light base layer, to a super-insulating mid to outer layer.

Malden Mills®, the folks who originated modern polyester fleece, have also been leaders in developing specialized fleece fabrics for different applications.

• Polartec® Power Dry® features a bi-component construction. The next-to-skin layer picks up perspiration and moves it to the outer surface, where it rapidly evaporates.
• Polartec® Thermal Pro® is very durable and designed to provide maximum warmth with minimal weight and bulk.
• Polartec® Power Shield® is a wind-resistant soft shell fabric that combines insulation and weather protection in a single, low-profile, non-restrictive layer.
• WindStopper® fleece incorporates a special windproof membrane that vastly improves effectiveness in wind, while maintaining fine breathability.

Design Features

• If you generate a lot of heat, look for fleece with chest and underarm zippers for easy venting.
• If you wear a climbing harness, choose a fleece jacket with highly placed pockets and a trim cut.
• When sporting bulky footwear such as ski boots, look for pants with leg zippers for easy changing.
• In cold conditions, stretchy wrist panels and elasticized waist cords on fleece garments will keep heat in and seal out drafts and snow.