FLEECE-WORTHY or NOT?

“Is Fleece all its cracked up to be?
What i have found is that it is BULKY when u try to squish it in yer pack and it is useless in WIND(unless u have windstopper which makes it heavier/bulky).
Is it not better just to have a couple of really thin sweaters and a shell for wind.
Also my fleece jacket is a TARGET brand but is there much difference between generic and polartec/name brands?”

“I have a Target fleece jacket, and like it for fall and early spring. Don't really consider it too bulky. Also find that with a good flannel shirt underneath, it blocks wind very well.”

“I like my fleece. This winter I have been wearing it as a base layer and using my Frogg Toggs over it--plenty warm for desert nights.”

“When I'm expecting cooler temps I wear a Target brand fleece jacket and if it's windy or really cool I wear my non-breathable rain gear over it.....pretty toasty.”

“PS ...It makes a pretty decent pillow too!”

“Fleece is good, especially Polartec, and as WW says it makes a great pillow...just stuff in into a home made nylon bag”

“I have recently dumped wearing fleece in favor of EMS Windshear and Marmot DriClime clothing. It's lighter and less bulky than fleece, comparable in insulating, and will block wind.”

“Fleece also dries out pretty quickly.”

“I have fleece and I love it. In cold dry weather, I take down instead. It is kind of bulky thought, and when I need to replace it I am going to look at the new Patagonia stuff, less bulk for the same amount of warmth. For those of you who use wool, the more power to you. Most is too itchy for me.”

“Yes Virginia there really is a difference with fleece. Compare you "Target" brand fleece with a Polartec Windpro and see the difference. Windpro is much cheaper than Windstopper and much warmer than generic brand fleeces. The reason is that generic brand fleeces are usually single faced velours, they have a pile on one side and a matted finish on the other side. This in fact gives you similar grams per square metre as Polartec. Polartec on the other hand has pile on both sides of a core which in effect gives you twice as much warmth per square metre. Windpro has a finely shaven pile on the outside and longer pile on the inner. The outer pile is supposed to stop at least 90% of most wind, while the inner pile keeps the warmth in.
As far as bulk goes, try stuffing it into a mini compression sack, I can get mine down to the size of a grapefruit.”

“I agree Bunyip. If there wasn't a difference wouldn't they cost closer to the same? I switched from fleece to a TNF Polerguard jacket and like the fleece better. Anyone wanna buy a TNF jacket? 2X, $45, black, worn VERY little, free shipping?”

“Fleece is fuzzy and warm! Not too heavy and if fits fine in my pack!”

“It's the loft that gives fleece it's warmthability, and it's soft feel and non-conductive properties that give it the against-the-skin comfort and warmth. Marmot and Patagonia's fleece seem to be more fuzzy fleece than a woven fleece to give it loft,like what Mr.bunyip said, making them more packable than say 200-weight fleece.

If you don't want to buy it, a wool sweater will work as well as a fleece jacket, if you have a base layer on and a jacket overtop, it just may not have a zip up neck collar.”

“I do the same thing. A fleece pullover under my non breathable rain gear. If it's colder, I wear a down vest under the fleece too. All very light weight. And, it rolls up to make a great pillow.

I also do the same for my bottom half. I have a piar of fleece pants that I wear under my rain pants. If colder, I have a pair of high tech long johns. Again, all very light weight.”

“I bought an REI bipolar fleece about seven years ago. It was $100! Its tricked out with a full zip and pit zips, drawcords at waist and bottom hem, but it's bulky the fit ain't all the great. The I was given a CA State Park, anorack cut, fleece jacket by Most Wanted ("Made on the Earth by humans"??) and the fit is great. The inside is starting to pill a little, but the collar got me. It's just the perfect fit for my neck, seals out the elements nicely, with the bottom draw cord and fits nicely under my shell with a sweater and long undies.”

“I find quality fleece to be warm and very quick drying, although bulky. I was talking to some of the boys who work at Huntingdon Mills which manufacture Gore Windstopper and there is a difference in quality among fleeces.

Malden Mills Polartec and Huntingdon Mills proprietary Yukon fleece are top of the line. H.M., which is in Huntingdon, Quebec where I teach, claims its fleece is superior in resistance to pilling.

Gore's Windstopper is more expensive for a number of reasons: first the film laminate is the original PTFE which Gore has sewn up (pun) with patents, whereas Malden must use expanded PVC which is inferior in breathability.

The main reason the anything made with material by Gore (Gore-Tex and G-Tex XCR and Pac-Lite, as well as Wnidstopper) is so hellishly expensive is that they supervise the actual manufacturing process in the company that makes the Garment. H'don Mills, which used to be quite happy making baby blankets and low end sweaters in this sleepy village has been going nuts with Gore people breathing down their neck. NO seconds get out of the factory and they can't even advertise that they make stuff for Gore, which does (and pays for) its own advertising.

It has really turned the company around, however, and provides much needed employment. Gore came to H.M. when Malden had a major fire and made them an offer they couldn't refuse. Believe me, if it says Gore, not only is the material the best, but the garment is too. This is obviously a very expensive way to operate.

BTW, I don't use any windstopping fleece under my G-Tex. It's only another film under a film and restricts the breathability that G-Tex is good for. Also, when worn alone, you get half the insulation of the fleece because the exterior is useless and only the facing inside the film offers insulation. My overpants are microfibre because there's not much leg showing between my G-Tex parka and my G-Tex gaiters.

Someone on another thread complained that G-Tex doesn't breathe in the rain. Of Course not; in the rain it is a rain coat, when it's not raining it's a breathable windbreaker. It's advantage is that it's two coats in one and you don't have to buy and carry one of each. There's still nothing better than the stuff made by and for W.L. Gore and Associates.

BTW, I've heard that Malden Mills is in receivership. Anyone have any details?”

“Want breathability...
Unzip the pitzips, loosen all drawstrings, loosen sleeve cuffs, don't zipper but snap the front up if you caot has both, etc. To me, that's brethable. Other than that, GoreTex just keeps out the rain.

I got my father a Patagonia R2 jacket a ffew Christmas' ago and have coveted it ever since. Last time I was home, I wore it under my Windstopper jacket and was comfy cozy in the 20sF.

If it ain't raining or gonna rain, my windstopper jacket is my choice of choices. I believe windstopper material is soooo much more breathable in cold weather, I mean actually transmitting vapor through the material, and best of all...IT'S QUIET.”

“Ummm, did I mention the fit?”

“Polartec fleece (100, 200, or both layered together depending on temp) + water/windproof shell = comfy stuff.”

“I don't use Fleece anymore. I've got a polyester pullover with a hood that is lighter, more compact and just as warm as my fleece pullovers. I will also use my Marmot jacket if it's real cold.
As far as pants, I'm using polypro as a base and nylon pants with zip off legs. I've also got my REI rain pants. I've been out in 10 degrees with this and been fine.”

“"I bought an REI bipolar fleece about seven years."

what the heck is bipolar fleece. A fleece that is happy one minute and then sad the next. No better yet a fleece which is warm one minute then cold the next.”

“And I don't know how I ever got along without a fleece neck gaiter ¦ )
.”

“LOL!!!!!”

“Yes I heard that they filed for Chapter 11 (I think thats what you guys call it). Also heard that Gore might be out to buy it, if so say goodbye to any cheap Polartec.

If your sick of Polartec, have a look at a new fleece from Italy called Ponte Torto (you'd buy it just so you can say Ponte Torto!) It has a better Velour finish than Polartec and supposedly performs better too. I'm still waiting to get a hold of a jacket so I can give it a bit of a hiding and see how it performs.”