A cosy fleece jacket can be worn during or after activity. In response to concerns over microplastics, most brands now use recycled fabrics to lessen the fleece’s environmental footprint.

Fabric

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.

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 midlayer where a more robust insulated jacket or raincoat is worn over the top. 

Fit

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

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

Zipped hand-warmer pockets are the norm, and some also have a Napoleon chest pocket and internal drop-in or security pockets. Fleeces designed to be worn during activity should have pockets that can be accessed while wearing a pack or harness. 

Hoods

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

Earth Sea Sky Helium Hi Loft Fleece Jacket $329

Polartec 200 Hi Loft shaggy fur fleece is durable, warm, lightweight and compressible. Microfleece collar, sides, cuffs and front panel lining, single-handed hem drawcords, internal zipped chest pocket and zipped hand-warmer pockets. Made in New Zealand. 560g (m), 480g (w). www.earthseasky.co.nz

Inselberg Pascal Hoody $320

Using dual-surface Polartec Power Stretch Pro fabric, this fleece has an abrasion-resistant exterior and brushed interior for warmth and comfort. It is moisture-wicking and has four-way stretch, high-elasticity bindings, zipped chest and hand pockets plus an internal security pocket. 490g. www.inselberg.com

Outdoor Research Vigor Plus Fleece Hoodie $299.99

This stretchy fleece has built-in water and wind resistance. It uses bluesign-approved 93% recycled polyester with a moisture-wicking grid fleece interior. It has a YKK Vislon front zip, Dynamic Reach underarm panels, a close-fitting hood, zipped chest and hand pockets plus an interior pocket. 400g (m/w). www.bivouac.co.nz

Patagonia Women’s R1 Cross Strata Jacket $299.99

This weather-resistant fleece has stretch fabric and shoulders designed for overhead reach. There’s a tall collar for wind protection, two pack-friendly handwarmer pockets with invisible zippers, snag-resistant cuffs and elasticated hem. Made in a Fair Trade-certified factory. 249g (m), 266g (w). www.patagonia.co.nz

Rab Modulus Hoody $239.95

This fleece has a slim yet unrestrictive fit and uses Thermic Stretch Pro fabric to blend quick-drying and high-wicking features with next-to-skin comfort. It has an under-helmet hood, a YKK Vislon centre-front zip with fleece-lined chin guard, mesh-lined pockets, a zipped sleeve pocket, underarm stretch panels and thumb loops. 423g (m), 360g (w). www.outfitters.co.nz

Rab Ryvoan Hoody $239.95

Made with recycled Thermic stretch fleece, this layering piece can be worn during activity or at rest. It wicks moisture, is breathable and features a soft fabric hood. It has stretch bindings on the hood, cuffs and hem, two mesh-lined pockets and a zipped chest pocket. 584g (m), 466g (w). www.outfitters.co.nz

Cotopaxi Abrazo Half-Zip Fleece $219.99

A classic fleece pullover made with fully recycled fabric and retro-inspired colour patterns. It has an elastic binding at the collar and cuffs, two hand pockets and a stretchy zipped chest pocket. www.cotopaxi.co.nz

One Planet Venturi $189

Using Polartec Wind Pro fabric, this midlayer offers wind resistance and warmth in challenging conditions. It has YKK zips with a wind guard backing, a high storm collar, zipped hand-warmer pockets, a chest pocket and drawcord hem. The drop-tail cut and tapered cuffs are effective for layering. 630g (m), 570g (w). www.oneplanet.au

The North Face Crest Full Zip Fleece Jacket $220

This full-zip jacket is made with 93% recycled stretch fabric and has a brushed back for added warmth. It has a double-layer stand-up collar, full-length front zip with an internal draft flap, set-in sleeves, zipped chest pocket, zipped hand pockets, elastic-bound cuffs and hem. www.thenorthface.co.nz

Marmot Leconte Fleece Hoody $199.95

A technical grid fleece that moves moisture quickly away from the body. It has zipped hand pockets, stretch comfort fabric for mobility and breathability, raglan sleeves for range of motion and an internal mesh pocket for small snacks and gear. 358g (m), 326g (w). www.marmotnz.co.nz

Montane Protium Hoodie $170

This ‘Thermo gird fleece’ is Montane’s most popular fleece midlayer. It uses 90% recycled fabric, has an under-helmet hood, two YKK zipped hand pockets, high-stretch fabrics for mobility and a recycled full-length YKK front zip. 390g (m), 325g (w). www.furtherfaster.co.nz