Comments on: Standard vs Grid vs Alpha vs Octa Fleece for Backpacking: Real-World Pros and Cons

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 22:00:50 +0000

Thanks for the kind feedback!

I think the alpha bottoms would work extremely well for your use case. I’m thinking of getting a pair myself for deeper winter here in Utah (not as cold as my old stomping ground of Colorado, but cold enough…if we get winter again. Sigh..)

I like Octa so far as it fits my use case better than alpha. I wish I had it on my New England hiker this past fall.

By: Hikin' Jim

Hikin' Jim — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 17:02:50 +0000

Hi, Paul, thanks for putting together — and keeping updated — this thoughtful (and content rich) look at various fleece options. I appreciate that your views are more well rounded — incorporating practicality and cost — as opposed to the “the latest high tech fad is the end all and be all (until the next high tech fad)” mentality. BTW, I happen to have one of those anorak style military grid fleeces (the army version which, unfortunately, doesn’t have the kangaroo pocket) and have found it to be a wonderful, versatile piece for cool and gray conditions.

I’m now suffering from one of those afflictions that besiege men as they age: I sleep increasingly cold. I used to be able to sleep in my “summer” gear down into the upper 20s F (if I wore my puffy) and be fine. Now I’m waking up with cold legs when it’s low 40s F. I can sleep in my 9 oz down pants, and the problem is solved, but down pants are usually overkill for summer hiking, even above treeline. I can wear silk long john bottoms (4 oz) + down pants (9 oz) to sleep warmly (13 oz total), but have been thinking about some 90 gsm AD pants. Sambob’s 90 gsm AD joggers are about 5 oz which would save about 8 oz — half a pound. I’m thinking that I could just sleep with the AD joggers directly against my skin (which I won’t do with my nice down pants even though, yes, you can wash down pants) thereby avoiding altogether the need for long john bottoms.

My other option is some Polartec grid fleece bottoms (7 oz) that I already have, but I don’t think they’d be as warm as some AD joggers, and obviously the grid fleece is heavier and bulkier.

The problem with AD is that it is so danged popular right now. I just can’t find it in stock anywhere! Thanks for mentioning Squak. I’ll have to check and see if they have anything in stock. They were not heretofore on my radar.

Thanks also for mentioning Octa. I only very recently started hearing about Octa. I may have to consider that as well although my use case is a) for around camp in the evenings and b) for sleeping, a use case for which AD should be fine.

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:13:19 +0000

In reply to Peter.

Nope! They are FROG MT Mittens. USed for industrial purposes and very warm/waterproof.
https://pmags.com/rain-mitt-2-frogwear-8490mt

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 23:06:26 +0000

Is Joan wearing some Showa mittens in that one photo? I’m only familiar with their gloves.

By: An overlook – Squak Alpha UL | PMags.com

An overlook – Squak Alpha UL | PMags.com — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 05:47:19 +0000

[…] many years, people had a choice of two types of fleece – Your classic solid fleece and the somewhat newer grid fleece. . There are many nuances; the overall synopsis is that Wear grid fleece if breathability is the […]

By: Jarrett

Jarrett — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 21:37:33 +0000

I love my “waffle” tops and bottoms. I generally use them for sleeping wear on the occasional Texas winter night when it gets below freezing.

By: Bill

Bill — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 00:36:42 +0000

I shudder to think what would happen if I were to wear both.

The grid fleece has been very comfortable during our recent arctic weather.