Comments on: Fleece reconsidered

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 20:46:32 +0000

I live in my berghause polartec full zip fleece when camping or climbing in Scotland. Really can’t see how you can improve on this?

By: MWebb

MWebb — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 00:27:38 +0000

Yup, you are right. I like R2 fleece jackets from Patagonia, but there’s not really a lot of additional benefit for the huge difference in cost. LLBean is high quality and has many colors, styles, sizes. The trick is to have an unlined windshell, super thin, to pair it with. Daytime I wear the thin shell over the fleece – the obvious way – nighttime under a quilt or in a bag, I wear it UNDER the fleece – as a vapor barrier of sorts.

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 22:35:55 +0000

In reply to Joe. A fleece vest is something I would consider carrying if I was in an area such as Norway or in Appalachians esp in the fall. Not much weight penalty for some versatility and keeping the core warm w/o overheating. Good idea.

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 22:25:54 +0000

In reply to cp.

Mrs Mags says something similar about a wool-acrylic blend sweater I love to wear all the time. 🙂

I am pleasantly surprised at the amount of people enjoying the article. Seems I am not the only person who is taking a look at fleece again. 🙂

By: cp

cp — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 16:44:13 +0000

My favorite piece this winter has been a Melanzana hoody. No zip but breathes well, handy kangaroo pouch and the hood is truly great (and works well under a helmet). I’ve used it for downihll skiing, snowshoeing, and winter camping. And much to the chagrin of my wife, since its so comfy I wear it about 3-4 days a week in civilian life. Long live fleece!

By: Nameringtail

Nameringtail — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:57:40 +0000

Some of the best fleece is made here in Colorado – Melanzana in Leadville.

Fleece is better for sleeping because it is less compressable. The weakness become a strength at night.

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 04:44:42 +0000

Agreed. I too stopped carrying a fleece while blindly following the path to UL. Then i starated to take my locale and prevalent weather into consideration and since then I’ve been packing a Polartec fleece vest on many trips here on the wet and cold west coast of Norway. Also acts as a great ‘buffer’ between my damp base layer and my puffy. My 200g insurance policy also makes for a very comfortable pillow 🙂

By: Uncld Tom

Uncld Tom — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 22:27:19 +0000

Time to dig out the original Patagonia rust colored fleece. Fresh perspective on an old warrior.

By: Cat McPeek

Cat McPeek — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 22:15:28 +0000

I have been traveling my thrift store circut this past year on quest for backpacking equipment since I have decided to take up backpacking after a 24 year marriage fell apart. I now have an excellent selection of fleece jackets and hoodys from users who were convinced they needed to buy “new and improved” technology, gear, and attire. I now have everything except for a long hammock system. Thank you for confirming my belief that all “new” stuff is the best stuff.