Depending on the style and weight, a fleece top can be worn during or after an activity. Look for garments with recycled content to minimise the product’s environmental impact.

Fit

A loose fit will allow layers to be worn underneath. A tighter-fitting fleece is used as a mid-layer.

Zips

The front zipper should flow freely and have a storm flap running behind the zip to help block wind and prevent heat loss.

Fabrics

Fleece jackets and pullovers are made from polyester fabric and should be anti-pilling. Many garments now feature stretch panels for increased mobility. Fabrics are often sourced from post-consumer waste and recycled products.

Hoods

Hoods provide extra warmth and are designed to be tight-fitting so they can be worn beneath a helmet.

Weight

Heavier-weight fleeces are thicker and warmer and suited to very cold conditions. They may have reinforced areas to better cope with abrasion and wear and tear. Lighter fleeces are better as a shoulder-season garment or mid-layer where a more robust insulated jacket or raincoat is worn over the top. 

Wind resistance

Most fleeces don’t block wind, though some colder-weather garments may have a windproof lining to help trap warm air next to your body.

Pockets

Jackets and heavyweight pullovers will most likely have handwarmer pockets. Lighter garments designed to be worn as a mid-layer may just have a Napoleon chest pocket or no pockets at all.

Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hybrid $459.99

A part fleece, part insulated jacket designed for high exertion in cold weather. It features 40g of stretchy FullRange insulation, air-permeable fabric, fleece-knit panels and handwarmer pockets. Fair Trade Certified sewn. 298g (m), 252g (w). www.patagonia.co.nz

The North Face Denali Fleece Jacket $330

A jacket using Polartec recycled fleece with a woven overlay on collar, chest and back of yoke and sleeves. There’s a full-length centre front zip, secure-zip chest pocket and hand pockets, elastic binding on cuffs and an adjustable woven hem. www.thenorthface.co.nz

Earth Sea Sky Helium II $329

This jacket uses Polartec 200 Hi Loft fleece that is warmer and more compressible than standard Polartec 200. It has an anti-pilling and anti-shedding ‘soft fur’ construction. There’s an internal front storage pocket and zipped handwarmer pockets. 560g (m), 490g (w). www.earthseasky.co.nz

Outdoor Research Vigor Plus Fleece Hoody $299.99

A low-bulk, water and wind resistant fleece made from 93% recycled polyester. It features stretch panels, a highly-breathable high-loft grid interior, a chest overlay for added wind resistance and zippered hand warmer pockets. 527g (m), 473g (w). www.bivouac.co.nz

Rab Alpha Flash $239.95

A jacket using highly breathable and moisture-wicking Polartec Alpha fabric. There are flexible fleece panels for mobility, YKK zips, chest pocket, flat lock low bulk seams, a half hem drawcord and it’s treated with Polygiene anti-odour. 273g (m), 201g (w). www.outfitters.net.nz

The North Face Alpine Polartec 200 $230

A jacket using 100% recycled fabrics and with four-way stretch. There’s an adjustable hem and woven overlays for added durability, reverse-coil centre front zip with a zipper garage, zipped hand pockets and a hem drawcord. www.thenorthface.co.nz

Merrell Sherpa Full Zip $229

A full zip jacket using 100% recycled polyester and double-sided brushed sherpa fleece with two-way stretch. It has two zipped hand pockets, rib knit cuffs and hem, and woven overlay at forearm. www.merrell.co.nz

Montane Protium XT Hoodie $199

The Protium is designed for active mountain use and uses temperature-regulating Thermal Grid stretch fleece. There’s an under-helmet hood, full-length YKK front zip, zipped hand pockets and low profile seams. 425g (m), 355g (w). www.furtherfaster.co.nz

Rab Women’s Nexus Hoody $179.95

A lightweight hooded midlayer made with 100% recycled Thermic G stretch fabric. It’s quick-drying, breathable, has a close-fitting under-helmet hood and two zipped mesh-lined pockets. www.outfitters.net.nz

Mountain Equipment Lumiko $169

A quick drying stretch fleece designed for climbing, hiking and mountaineering. It features performance fabric, cover-stitched seams, grown-on hood, elasticated cuffs and a zipped Napoleon pocket. Fabric is Bluesign approved, 93% recycled polyester. 290g. www.outdooraction.co.nz

Merrell Women’s Geotex Pullover Hoody $149

This is a four-way stretch grid-backed, moisture-wicking fleece pullover. It’s made from 70% recycled polyester and has a kangaroo pocket and elastic bound hood, hem and cuffs. 280g. www.merrell.co.nz

Marmot Drop Line Jacket $159.95

A breathable 100-weight fleece for walks and evenings outside. It has flat-locked seams that eliminate chafe and minimise bulk, zippered chest pocket, media port and zippered hand pockets. 496g (m), 435 g (w). www.marmotnz.co.nz

Marmot Leconte Fleece Jacket $149.95

A jacket for active pursuits featuring a technical grid fleece that helps manage temperature by moving heat and moisture away from the body. There are two zippered hand pockets. 347g (m), 330g (w). www.marmotnz.co.nz

Rab Nexus Pull-on $139.35

A mid-layer garment for hiking, climbing and mountaineering in changeable conditions. It uses 100% recycled Thermic G stretch fleece offering breathability and quick drying. There’s a venting half zip, close-fitting collar, zipped chest pocket and low-bulk seams. www.outfitters.net.nz

Kathmandu Ridge 100 PrimaLoft Bio Pullover $99.98

A midlayer polar fleece using Primaloft Bio 100% recycled fabric that will mostly biodegrade when disposed of in the right environment. It has a brushed fabric, seamless shoulder and sides, half front YKK zip and a chest pocket. 240g (m), 200g (w). www.kathmandu.co.nz