HAVING evolved from its hiking roots, the best men's fleece jackets are an ideal men's winter layering piece.
Usually made from a soft, warm polyester fabric with a light pile texture, they are incredibly comfortable and easy to wear, combining well with heavier outerwear while also working on their own as a lightweight jacket.
You can, of course, wear them for hiking and other outdoor pursuits, but many fleece jackets work just as well as part of a casual spring wardrobe made up of denim jeans, T-shirts polos and knitwear.
Today you’ll find them in all sorts of colour combinations, as well as with multiple pockets. There are variations on the classic fleece from quarter zip takes to full zip-through designs, while the fabric offerings can vary slightly too.
From what to look out for to the best men's fleeces out there, here’s everything you need to know about this underrated staple.
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Best men's fleece UK at a glance:
- Best do-it-all fleece: Berghaus
- Most affordable fleece: Mountain Warehouse
- Best premium fleece: North Face
- Best high street fleece: UNIQLO
- Best eco-friendly fleece: Patagonia
Berghaus Men's Thermal Pro Interactive Fleece Jacket
- Berghaus Men's Thermal Pro Interactive Fleece Jacket, from £61.28 on Amazon - buy here
If you’re going to buy a single fleece jacket from this list, this Berghaus example has to be up there.
Made from a soft, thermal fleece fabric that’ll keep you warm throughout the day, it comes with simple branding at the chest, three zipped pockets and a versatile relaxed fit that’ll flatter most body shapes.
Mountain Warehouse Whitby Borg Fleece Jacket
- Mountain Warehouse Whitby Men's Borg Fleece Jacket, £34.99 from Amazon - buy here
When it comes to combining affordability with stylish design, Mountain Warehouse is difficult to top.
This fleece shows why with its panelled design, functional pockets and anti-pile, mid-weight fleece fabric.
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North Face Men's TKA Glacier Fleece Jacket
- Men's TKA Glacier Fleece Jacket, £75 from North Face - buy here
The North Face is well known for its outdoors-inspired clothing, much of which is genuinely useful if you’re stuck in a monsoon halfway up a mountain. The brand’s fleece jackets have long been appreciated by hiking enthusiasts, and they’re finally getting love from the rest of us too.
This simple, zip-through jacket shows off what the brand does best, with its simple logo at the chest and handy zip pockets, which are perfect for storing a wallet or keys.
Uniqlo Fleece Zipped Jacket
- Fleece Zipped Jacket, £19.90 (saving £10) from Uniqlo - buy here
It’s hard to go wrong with the simple, well-made basics of Uniqlo. The Japanese brand is a go-to for those after easy-to-wear essentials that’ll look as good now as they will in seasons to come.
For its fleece jacket, Uniqlo hasn’t reinvented the wheel. Instead, it’s gone for a zip-through design, with side pockets and elasticated cuffs. Wear it with selvedge denim and a white tee and you can’t go wrong.
Patagonia Men's Classic Retro-X Fleece Jacket
- Patagonia Classic Retro-X Fleece Jacket, £209 from END Clothing - buy here
Patagonia lays claim to inventing the fleece fabric, and we have no plans to argue with them any time soon. The US brand has long produced its iconic pullovers out of fleece, and it also does an excellent line in zip-through pieces.
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This panelled take boasts colourful details and a signature check pocket, as well as two side zips. It’s about as practical and stylish as a fleece jacket gets.
Columbia Fast Trek II
- Columbia Fast Trek II Full Zip Tech Fleece in Grey, £40 (saving £10) from ASOS - buy here
If you’re looking for a durable fleece jacket you can wear year-round, Columbia is well worth a look.
Its designs are usually simple and functional, with this particular jacket a case in point. Expect a regular fit that will layer over knitwear, and practical details like front pockets, a zip chest pocket and a warm funnel neck that negates the need for a scarf.
Amazon Essentials Fleece
- Amazon Essentials Men's Full-Zip Polar Fleece Jacket, £18 (saving £3.20) from Amazon - buy here
A simple, minimal take on the fleece jacket, this Amazon Essentials design might just become your favourite new piece of casualwear.
It comes in a range of easy shades, from mid-brown to yellow, orange and purple, so whatever you’re after, there’s bound to be one that suits you.
Regatta Monte Half Zip Fleece
- Regatta Men's Montes Half Zip Mini Stripe Outdoor Fleece, £13.28 (saving £16.72) from Amazon - buy here
For a slightly sportier, performance-focused take on the fleece jacket, turn to this Regatta design.
It’s made from an exceptionally soft, lightweight micro-fleece, while its quarter zip neck and slim, body-warming fit ensures it’ll keep you warm whether you’re up a mountain or on the commute.
Napajiri Ayas
- Ayas Half-Zip Fleece, £91 (saving £39) from Napajiri - buy here
This Napapijri fleece puts the fabric front and centre.
Opting for a heavyweight, thick pile fabric, this design makes for a chunky, statement outer layer, with its quarter zip funnel neck and relaxed, boxy cut.
Finisterre Goodwin Jacket
- Goodwin Jacket, £125 from Finisterre - buy here
Another brand with a history of producing stellar adventure clothing, Finisterre is beloved for its durable, practical outerwear and versatile layers.
This fully fleece-lined jacket makes for a warm, comfortable design with its soft funnel neck, large patch pockets and brightly coloured interior seams.
What is fleece made of?
Although its woolly texture might lead you to think that fleece has something to do with sheep, fleece is usually made from a type of polyester called polyethylene terephthalate (PET), making it a plastic derivative.
Some fleece jackets are made using 100% polyester, while others use a mixture of polyester and other materials to give the jacket a different texture.
How to wash fleece
Fleece can be washed, but it's best to do so only when completely necessary.
The main thing to remember when washing fleece is that you should not use fabric softener, and it's best to use a mild detergent and a cool wash.
For specific instructions, check the care label on your garment.
Is fleece waterproof?
Though it'll be okay in a drizzle, fleece is not a waterproof material, so it's best to pair it with a more rain-resistant material if you're off for a hike in unpredictable conditions.
It's also wise to remember that fleece doesn't handle heat very well, so air-dry your fleece if it becomes wet.
What to look for in men's fleeces
The case for minimalism
When it comes to investing in a new fleece jacket, it pays to keep things simple. You can pick them up in all manner of colours and styles, but for a classic, easy-to-wear take, go for something navy or black.
This will allow you to wear it with virtually anything other colours, from reds and greens through to browns and neutrals. It ensures the fleece jacket is as effortless to wear as a pair of jeans; simply throw one on before you leave the door and chances are it’ll go with what you’re wearing.
...Or experimenting with colour
For many though, the fleece jacket is all about colour. The design’s heritage lies in the ‘70s and ‘80s when it was widely worn as a hiking garment.
Brands would produce them from all sorts of wild colours, which the polyester fabric showed off extremely well. Today a number of brands produce their own retro takes, in colours ranging from teal blue to pink, purple and bright orange.
While you don’t have to go all out, the fleece can be a great way to introduce a subtle hint of colour into your look. Why not seek out a bottle green fleece, for example, or something in a rich autumn hue like burgundy?
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