Reviews You Can Rely On

The 5 Best Fleece Jackets for Women of 2024

We tested women's fleece jackets from Patagonia, Rab, Arc'teryx, Outdoor Research, The North Face, Columbia, and more to find the very best
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Best Fleece Jackets for Women of 2024
Our review of the best women's fleece jackets pits the top brands on the market against each other in a head-to-head comparison.
Credit: Amber King
Saturday December 9, 2023

Over the last decade, we have tested 67 of the best fleece jackets for women, and our latest review compares 11 of the top options side-by-side. Our team of testers wore these fleeces through all types of weather while exploring the world. Opportunities to go big wall climbing, sailing on the North Sea, and hiking in some of the most climatically diverse settings allowed us to put these jackets through their paces. Our years of testing help us dissect the nuanced differences in warmth, utility, style, and comfort. This comprehensive review features the top models on the market, and our team offers expert advice to help you find the best fleece jacket for your needs and budget.

No matter what type of jacket you need for the outdoors, odds are good we've tested it. Whether you're seeking the best women's rain jacket or a toasty and top-rated women's winter jacket, we can help you find one that suits your preferences and style. Looking for other ways to stay cozy? See our picks for the best women's slippers for use at home and at camp.

Editor's Note: We updated this review on December 9, 2023, to add new fleeces from Rab and Amazon Essentials, remove discontinued models, update our testing metrics, and offer new recommendations against our award-winning lineup.

Related: Best Fleece Jackets for Men

Top 12 Product Ratings

Displaying 1 - 5 of 12
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Awards Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Top Pick Award Best Buy Award  
Price $179.00 at REI
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$180.00 at REI
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$48.92 at Backcountry
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$49.83 at REI
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Overall Score Sort Icon
79
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77
73
71
Star Rating
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Pros Very stretchy and comfortable, cozy and warm, breathable, comparatively compactStrategically placed breathable panels, warm during motion, fitted hood, large chest pocket, lightweightComfortable, stretchy, mobile shoulders, fluffy interior, warm, polished exterior look and feel, easy to layerVery stretchy, comfortable thumbholes, extended coverage, packable, very breathable, great warmth-to-weight ratioSoft interior, pockets are high enough for hip belts, robust wind guards on zippers, easy to layer
Cons Slim fit doesn't work for everyone, not very windproof, fuzzy exterior collects debrisLacks thumb holes, materials are not plush or thick, no hand warming pocketsZipper not wind resistant, slim cut may be limitingChest pocket looks bad, oddly long cut, light colors are see throughShorter torso and sleeves, less stretchy, stiff zippers and wind guard make hood awkward
Bottom Line An extremely versatile fleece with lightweight breathability and stretchy comfort combined with midweight warmth and protectionBlending breathability, warmth, and protection, this high-end fleece is specially designed for technical performanceAll the comfort of your favorite sweatshirt combined with the performance of a technical fleece layerThis lightweight fleece features good technical performance and coverage, a great warmth-to-weight ratio, and a reasonable priceA simple and lightweight sweatshirt-like jacket that's comfortable to wear, if lacking in a few details
Rating Categories Patagonia R1 Air Fu... Rab Ascendor Hoody... Arc'teryx Kyanite H... Outdoor Research Vi... The North Face Cany...
Warmth (25%)
7.5
7.0
8.0
6.0
7.0
Comfort (25%)
9.0
7.0
9.0
6.5
7.0
Breathability (20%)
8.5
8.5
7.0
9.0
7.0
Layering Ability (15%)
7.0
8.0
7.5
7.0
7.5
Weight (15%)
7.0
9.0
6.0
9.0
7.0
Specs Patagonia R1 Air Fu... Rab Ascendor Hoody... Arc'teryx Kyanite H... Outdoor Research Vi... The North Face Cany...
Type Lightweight Lightweight Midweight Lightweight Lightweight
Main Material 100% Recycled polyester Main: 92% Recycled Polyester, 8% Elastane.
Second: 96% Recycled Polyester, 4% Elastane
53% Polyester, 38% nylon, 9% elastane 94% Polyester, 6% spandex 96% Recycled polyester, 4% elastane
Cuff Construction Quick-drying woven binding LightweightThermic G grid elastic cuff Tanica stretch fabric Same fabric as jacket Elastic cuff
Measured Weight 10.7 oz (Size S) 9.85 oz (Size M) 12.6 oz (Size S) 8.9 oz (Size S) 10.6 oz (Size S)
Hood Option Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Number of Pockets 2 hand, 1 chest 1 chest 2 hand 1 chest 2 hand
Features Off-shoulder seams, no armpit seams, moisture wicking Flat seam stitching, under helmet hood, fleece lined chin guard, chest pocket, body mapped fit. No slip front zipper, chin guard, moisture wicking, off-shoulder seams, no armpit seams Thumbholes, flat seam construction, UPF 30, moisture wicking, off-shoulder seams, no armpit seams, chin guard Chin guard, elastic hood hem, full length wind guard


Best Overall Women's Fleece Jacket


Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody - Women's


79
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Warmth 7.5
  • Comfort 9.0
  • Breathability 8.5
  • Layering Ability 7.0
  • Weight 7.0
Weight: 10.7 oz (Size Small) | Main Fabric: 100% Recycled polyester
REASONS TO BUY
Very stretchy and comfy
Warm for a lightweight fleece
Impressively breathable
Easy to pack
REASONS TO AVOID
Material can pill with heavy use
Not wind resistant
Fuzzy exterior collects debris

The Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoodie is an exceptionally dynamic fleece that performs well across the board. Rather than specializing in any particular use, the R1 Air has useful features that pretty much everyone can enjoy. It's a lightweight fleece that approaches midweight warmth. A fuzzy interior and exterior and an impressive stretch add much comfort to this thin hoody. A fitted hood stays up even in the most trying conditions, and cleverly designed cuffs are comfortable even pushed up our forearms. The zig-zag pattern in the fleece does an excellent job regulating body temperature on a hike without leaving us cold hanging out at camp later.

On the other hand, those same zig-zags allow wind to flow right through the thin layer and transfer precipitation easily to base layers underneath. The fuzzy exterior can also grab and hold onto forest debris and can pill when wearing a heavy pack over a long period of time. As a final gripe, the slim fit of the R1 Air fits some of our testers well, but it may not be an ideal fit for curvier humans. We do love this fleece, despite its downfalls, and found it to be super cozy with performance that extends to technical sports. If you're looking for something a bit less performance-oriented, check out the more casually styled Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T or Patagonia Better Sweater 1/4 Zip.

Read full review: Patagonia R1 Air

We love the coverage and mobility of the soft fabrics used for the Patagonia R1 Air Hoody.
Credit: Amber King

Best Value for a Technical Fleece


Outdoor Research Vigor Quarter Zip - Women's


73
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Warmth 6.0
  • Comfort 6.5
  • Breathability 9.0
  • Layering Ability 7.0
  • Weight 9.0
Weight: 8.9 oz (Size Small) | Main Fabric: 94% Polyester, 6% spandex
REASONS TO BUY
Extremely stretchy with extended coverage
Comfortable thumbholes and cuffs
Very breathable
Excellent warmth-to-weight ratio
REASONS TO AVOID
Chest pocket lays lumpy
Extraordinarily long torso
Light colorways are see-thru

The Outdoor Research Vigor is a thin, lightweight fleece that looks and feels more like a shirt with impressive technical performance. This high-performance layer is pretty packable with a low weight and thin fabric. A very long torso, long sleeves, and some seriously stretchy fabric keep the Vigor mobile and comfortable for more people in more situations. A cleverly designed fleece grid system maintains stellar breathability. All this high-tech performance comes for an enticingly low cost.

Though the large chest pocket is very useful, it also tends to lay quite lumpy on our chests and looks very strange. The torso offers top-notch coverage but is so long it fully covers the butt of our 5'4" main tester. We're also not big fans of how see-through the light colors are. But when it comes to serious performance when it matters, the OR Vigor is one of our favorite models and a high-value item. If you're just looking for something cozy in the same price range, the Kari Traa Rothe will keep you toasty and comfy, but it's not as versatile, breathable, or easy to layer with.

Read full review: Outdoor Research Vigor

Our hands-on testing of the Vigor Quarter zip along the California Coast, Nevada Desert, and a few spots in between.
Credit: Maggie Nichols

Best Buy for a Cozy Fleece


Columbia Benton Springs 1/2 Snap Pullover - Women's


62
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Warmth 7.0
  • Comfort 8.0
  • Breathability 4.0
  • Layering Ability 4.0
  • Weight 7.0
Weight: 11.45 oz (Size Medium) | Main Fabric: 100% Polyester
REASONS TO BUY
Soft, fluffy, and instantly cozy
Lots of color options
Very affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
No pockets
Not breathable
Challenging to layer

The affordable Columbia Benton Springs is a simple pullover that keeps you warm and cozy. It offers that instant warmth feeling with its extra soft fleece interior. A small amount of stretchiness is much appreciated as well. It's less technical but still works for basic tasks around the house, a leisurely hike, and relaxing afterward. It comes in many color options, sure to match almost anyone's wardrobe.

As much as we love this fleece for lounging, it's not particularly breathable. We easily developed hot and cold patches while sitting in a chilly camping chair. With regular seams crossing the tops of the shoulders and under the armpits, the Benton Springs isn't designed for much movement. Its overall bulk is also difficult to layer over or under other clothing and jackets. But if you crave a cozy fleece to snuggle up on the couch in, the budget-friendly Benton Springs is a solid choice. If you seek a jacket that's easier to layer with just as much cozy comfort, check out the Patagonia R1 Air.

Read full review: Columbia Benton Springs

A look at the excellent mobility and fit of the Columbia Benton Springs.
Credit: Amber King

Best for Technical Performance


Rab Ascendor Hoody - Women's


78
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Warmth 7.0
  • Comfort 7.0
  • Breathability 8.5
  • Layering Ability 8.0
  • Weight 9.0
Weight: 9.85 oz (Size Medium) | Main Fabric: 92% Recycled polyester, 8% elastane
REASONS TO BUY
Fantastic thermoregulation
Very lightweight and compressible
Easy to layer
Versatile fit
REASONS TO AVOID
Lacks stand-alone warmth
No hand-warming pockets

Designed to be worn with a harness or a backpack, the Rab Ascendor Hoody offers stand-out technical performance with outstanding thermoregulation. The polyester-elastane construction provides a fit that is roomy in the shoulders and long in the arms and torso. Many of our testers loved the versatility of the fit and the stretch of the fabric. There are no hand-warming pockets, which allows a harness to fit nicely over the jacket, making this a perfect layer for technical sports like rock climbing. The hood slides easily under the helmet, and the padded chin guard provides an extra level of comfort in cold weather.

While this jacket is well-loved by our testing team, it is not cozy or plush. Since it's built to breathe well, it's not very warm in cold weather and is really designed to be worn while on the move. It is perfect as a midlayer sandwiched within a cold-weather layering system or to wear as a standalone piece in warm to cool weather. It only sports one large chest pocket – which is large enough to comfortably carry a phone – but the lack of hand-warming pockets is a bit of a bummer when wearing this jacket around town. The Ascendor Hoody is highly recommended for a fleece that offers excellent thermoregulation and technical performance. But the Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoodie is the one to buy if you want a little extra plush comfort.

Read full review: Rab Ascendor Hoody

The thin fabrics coupled with lots of coverage makes this a wonderful companion for any most outdoor adventures.
Credit: Amber King

Best Mid-Weight Fleece Jacket


Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody - Women's


77
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Warmth 8.0
  • Comfort 9.0
  • Breathability 7.0
  • Layering Ability 7.5
  • Weight 6.0
Weight: 12.6 oz | Main Fabric: 53% polyester, 38% nylon, 9% elastane
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable, soft, and very stretchy
Enhanced mobility
More polished look
Easy to layer
REASONS TO AVOID
Zipper is a windy day weak point
Slim cut may be limiting

The Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody is a fleece jacket masquerading as a comfortable sweatshirt. Even when brand new, this soft stretchy hoody wears like an old familiar sweatshirt, with give in all the right places. It's hard to overstate how comfortable we are with the Kyanite on. Though it's not the only model we tested with seams removed from high friction areas (located further back on the shoulders rather than across the top, and farther out under the biceps rather than in the armpits), it has some of the most mobile and comfortable shoulders because of it. A smooth exterior gives this zip-up sweatshirt a more polished look, and its semi-relaxed slim cut layers well over and under other clothing.

While the fabric itself does a decent job repelling cold breezes, the main zipper is an obvious weak point, easily letting cold air in. We appreciate the mesh pockets when we need extra breathability, but in truly cold situations, they're a hindrance. The slim, straight profile of the Kyanite won't work for every body shape, though its elasticity surely helps. We love feeling like we're wearing a familiar sweatshirt when we don the Kyanite, while still getting the technical performance we crave in the backcountry.

Read full review: Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody

fleece jacket womens - we love the supreme comfort of the kyanite hoody and appreciate its...
We love the supreme comfort of the Kyanite Hoody and appreciate its hidden details that make it a great performance piece as well.
Credit: Maggie Nichols

Compare Products

select up to 5 products to compare
Score Product Price
79
Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody - Women's
Best Overall Women's Fleece Jacket
$179
Editors' Choice Award
78
Rab Ascendor Hoody - Women's
Best for Technical Performance
$145
Top Pick Award
77
Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody - Women's
Best Mid-Weight Fleece Jacket
$180
Top Pick Award
73
Outdoor Research Vigor Quarter Zip - Women's
Best Value for a Technical Fleece
$89
Best Buy Award
71
The North Face Canyonlands Hoodie - Women's
$100
69
REI Co-op Hyperaxis 2.0 - Women's
$149
66
Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T - Women's
$139
63
Mountain Hardwear Stratus Range Full Zip Hoody - Women's
$99
62
Columbia Benton Springs 1/2 Snap Pullover - Women's
Best Buy for a Cozy Fleece
$65
Best Buy Award
58
Kari Traa Rothe Fleece Hoodie - Women's
$90
55
Amazon Essentials Full Zip - Women's
$18
53
Patagonia Better Sweater 1/4 Zip - Women's
$139

fleece jacket womens - we took the time to test each fleece while hiking and exploring...
We took the time to test each fleece while hiking and exploring outside to offer you the best recommendations possible. Here, we hike with a few of our testers on the Bridge of Heaven trail in Ouray, Colorado, after the first snow of the year.
Credit: Amber King

Why You Should Trust Us


Our fleece jacket review began with thorough market research before settling on our final selection of the 12 models discussed here. Once the fleeces were purchased, we identified key categories to grade the competing jackets on during tests. We then commenced by rigorously wearing each model during several months of field testing. On trail runs, ski tours, lounging around the house, exploring cliffs and woods, and resort skiing with friends, these jackets were worn daily. They've seen the dry climates of Nevada, Wyoming, and Colorado, in addition to the wet coastal zones of California, Hawaii, and Canada. In addition to field testing every single garment, we also perform a series of objective tests, like pouring water on each, to determine nuances of each textile that you'd never be able to decipher on your own without all in hand at the same time.

Our testing of fleece jackets is comprised of five rating metrics:
  • Warmth (25% of total score weighting)
  • Comfort (25% weighting)
  • Breathability (20% weighting)
  • Layering Ability (15% weighting)
  • Weight (15% of weighting)

Senior Review Editors Maggie Nichols and Amber King are no strangers to layering up for many types of excursions. Both know the value that a good fleece jacket adds to any collection of outdoor clothing. Maggie has been a professional backcountry guide for over 15 years, leading backpacking trips, river trips, and touring expeditions across much of the US and internationally. Growing up in the Midwest, where temperatures regularly dip below zero, Maggie learned how to layer at a young age. As an adult, she has spent months on end guiding and traveling in far-flung destinations like the glaciers of Svalbard, the mountains of Lesotho, and the cloud forests of Ecuador. Amber King has been a climber for over 20 years, tackling high peaks all over North America in places from Rocky Mountain National Park to the North Cascades. She's been an outdoor educator and science teacher for over five years, spending hours in the backcountry on rivers, climbing rocks, and summiting mountains. Both these women have been testing gear for GearLab for many years and are experts in their fields.

We tested hand pockets&#039; accessibility when worn with a hip belt.
We tested hand pockets' accessibility when worn with a hip belt.
Doing some winter running in fleece jackets to test their...
Doing some winter running in fleece jackets to test their breathability.
We continually test these fleeces throughout the year to determine relative performance to provide excellent recommendations.

Analysis and Test Results


Fleece jackets that range from technical to just plain cozy are what we cover. Each is tested over a series of rigorous tests with a focus on evaluating key metrics that include warmth, ease of layering, comfort, movement, breathability, and weather resistance. We can help point you in the right direction of finding exactly what you need using these factors.


Value


Your money matters, and most of us seek high-value options. While many of our top performers can be pricey, some options have a much higher value. For example, the Outdoor Research Vigor Quarter-Zip is an excellent technical fleece that moves with your body, keeps you covered, breathes, and provides exceptional warmth for its weight. It has performance similar to the top dogs at a fraction of the price. A less technical jacket, the Columbia Benton Springs, is even cheaper and offers great value for casual use. After over a year of using it regularly around the house and on leisurely hikes, it still looks fresh and keeps us warm and cozy on any cold day.

fleece jacket womens - the outdoor research vigor packs great technical performance into a...
The Outdoor Research Vigor packs great technical performance into a lightweight affordable fleece.
Credit: Maggie Nichols

Warmth


A major purpose of any fleece jacket is its ability to add warmth as either a stand-alone layer or with a base layer or jacket. The most significant factor in a jacket's warmth is the amount and type of fleece used in its construction. Other features that factor into warmth include coverage around areas like the head, face, neck, and hands to help resist wind and keep heat locked in. Jackets that can seal in warmth through draw cords or thumb loops are much warmer, with the versatility to thermoregulate more efficiently. We also looked at how well a jacket can resist the wind and rain.


The warmest fleeces we tested were the Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T and the REI Hyperaxis 2.0. They accomplish their overall warmth in slightly different ways. The Synchilla is made of thinner fabric that's less permeable, helping to trap heat against your body. The Hyperaxis is much thicker and made of finely soft fleece that's more breathable but still keeps you nice and toasty. The fabric of the Arc'teryx Kyanite is very similar to the Hyperaxis, but slightly thinner, resulting in a small decrease in overall warmth. The Columbia Benton Springs is similar in permeability and heat to the Synchilla, but has a different fit that doesn't hold air against your torso as well as the Synchilla.

fleece jacket womens - the rei hyperaxis is that goldilocks middle ground of size and bulk...
The REI Hyperaxis is that Goldilocks middle ground of size and bulk that make it an easy choice for a standalone layer.
Credit: Maggie Nichols

The Amazon Essentials Full Zip provided a nice level of warmth given its thicker and cozy fabrics. The Patagonia R1 Air Hoody is another warm option — made even more impressive by its thinner fabric and status as a lightweight fleece rather than a midweight model. We also found the Kari Traa Rothe to be quite warm. It's one of the coziest models we tested, with thick sweatshirt-like cuffs, and only loses a few points in warmth because it's an oversized pullover with lots of room left over for draftiness. The exceptionally thick Patagonia Better Sweater is also quite warm, though its lesser coverage and lack of mobility lost it a few points in our scoring. The lightweight The North Face Canyonlands Hoodie packs some good warmth for its weight. Both the Outdoor Research Vigor and the Mountain Hardwear Stratus Range bring excellent warmth-to-weight ratios to the table and make good activewear layers.

fleece jacket womens - the rothe is very comfortable and warm, if not a great technical...
The Rothe is very comfortable and warm, if not a great technical performance piece.
Credit: Maggie Nichols

The vast majority of the fleece jackets we tested do not repel water and offer only modest protection against the wind. The Arc'teryx Kyanite and REI Hyperaxis 2.0 are more wind resistant than most, and their thicker fabric takes longer to soak through to our baselayers when caught in unexpected weather. The Patagonia Better Sweater is exceptionally thick, offering similar protection to the Kyanite and Hyperaxis, but is heavier and bulkier, losing it a small margin in this metric. The Outdoor Research Vigor isn't windproof or waterproof, but it's lightweight, compressible, and dries very quickly, making it a great candidate for cramming in a daypack or carry on.

A look at the water resistance of the Patagonia R1 Air Hoody. Most didn't perform so well in this metric, but some did better than others.
Credit: Amber King

Comfort


Comfortability and coziness are so important if you plan on wearing your fleece all day long. Unlike other outdoor garments that might not sit next to the skin, like, say, a rain jacket, this metric is important to consider. Comfort is a function of how the product feels when out and about for long days on end. Were we ready to pull it off or keep it on? Is it able to move with you while you recreate? How does it fit, and is it accommodating of a wide range of body shapes? What kind of pockets does it have, and how convenient are they?


The Arc'teryx Kyanite and Patagonia R1 Air are two favorites when it comes to sheer comfort. Both these models are very soft inside, giving them a great feel next to our skin. The R1 Air has a whopping five pockets, which we love, while the Kyanite feels like wearing your favorite hoody. They each have seams removed from high-friction areas — the shoulder seams have been moved back to avoid conflicting with backpack straps, and the armpit seams are lower on the torso or out on the arm to avoid rubbing. They're not the only ones to have these high mobility seams, but they're also exceptionally stretchy and pleasant to wear and move in every way. The Rab Ascendor Hoody and Outdoor Research Vigor both highly mobile seams and hyper-stretchy construction, offering comfort in various activities.

fleece jacket womens - the kyanite hoody is so stretchy and comfortable that it&#039;s an...
The Kyanite Hoody is so stretchy and comfortable that it's an absolute joy to wear.
Credit: Maggie Nichols

The Patagonia Synchilla, Kari Traa Rothe, and Columbia Benton Springs all share similar degrees in style of comfort. All three models comprise the "classic" fuzzy fleece, inside and out. They're all modestly stretchy and have other fit styles that add comfort. The Benton Springs is more slim fitting, the Synchilla blouses over like an old school sweatshirt, and the Rothe is simply oversized with gloriously delightful, wide sweatshirt-style cuffs. The North Face Canyonlands offers solid comfort in mobility and performance during activities, with convenient pockets and a generous fit.

fleece jacket womens - the relaxed fit of the synchilla is very cozy for hanging around...
The relaxed fit of the Synchilla is very cozy for hanging around camp with friends.
Credit: Maggie Nichols

Breathability


Producing a more breathable fleece material has been a decades-long process for the outdoor gear industry. A tremendous technical fleece can insulate while off-loading heat efficiently so you don't get cold when standing still. A highly breathable fleece jacket is one that offers strategically placed areas of breathable fabrics, thinner construction, and often a less plush design.


The Rab Ascendor and Outdoor Research Vigor offer the highest levels of breathability tested. The Ascendor utilizes a gridded fleece that allows heat to shunt out, keeping the required warmth close to the body. The OR Vigor scores slightly higher than the Ascendor because it has a t-shirt-like feel and is one of the thinnest models tested. These are both excellent options for high-output activities in all types of weather.

The Patagonia R1 Air and Mountain Hardwear Stratus Range are two other models that have variations of the gridded pattern. As opposed to solid fleece, gridded fleece can trap heat close to the skin while allowing excess moisture to escape through thinner sections of fabric, thus forcing improved breathability. The R1 Air and Stratus Range, however, offer a thicker, more plush construction, which is why their scores are a little lower than those of the top contenders.

fleece jacket womens - the breathability of the rab ascendor hoody earns accolades for its...
The breathability of the Rab Ascendor Hoody earns accolades for its performance during high-output activities. We hiked 4,000 feet in just five miles, and this fleece thermoregulated the whole way.
Credit: Amber King

Layering Ability


Putting this jacket on underneath an insulated coat or shell is essential when considering layered systems on cold days. To evaluate this metric, we looked at the material that would articulate with an upper layer and pulled on shells and jackets to see how well each slides on. We noted which works best with thicker base layers and which scrunch up. Those who layered easily did well in this metric, while bulkier, stickier options didn't fare well.


Slotting the middle ground of layering, with the ability to be worn over underlayers and under overlayers, are the Rab Ascendor Hoody, REI Hyperaxis 2.0, and Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody. The Ascendor is a full zip hoody option that is thinner than most and easily slides over and underneath layers. The other two are sweatshirt options that feature a relaxed but slim fit (easier to wear under a coat) and are extra stretchy (easier to pull on over base layers). The North Face Canyonlands is similar in its fit and layering ability but is slightly less stretchy and has shorter sleeves and torso than the other two.

fleece jacket womens - on this chilly day, we layer a base layer underneath and a vest on...
On this chilly day, we layer a base layer underneath and a vest on top without any issues.
Credit: Amber King

The Patagonia R1 Air is also stretchy enough to wear over clothing, but its slimmer cut won't fit as comfortably over bulkier underlayers. On the other hand, it's thinner than most sweatshirt-style fleeces, so it's easier to layer under an outer jacket or shell. The Mountain Hardwear Stratus Range is in a similar boat, with a slim fit that can be layered over slim base layers and easily worn under most outer layers. However, it's quite thin, creating lumpy spots over the wrong underlayer. The Outdoor Research Vigor is supremely stretchy yet thin, making it easy to layer. However, it too is so thin it shows lumps, and its ultra-long torso often sticks out strangely from under a jacket.

fleece jacket womens - we paired the super warm rei hyperaxis with just a thin windbreaker...
We paired the super warm REI Hyperaxis with just a thin windbreaker on a windy winter day and had a great hike through the high desert mountains.
Credit: Maggie Nichols

Weight


Last but not least, we considered the weight and compressibility of each fleece jacket. We noted if a jacket could be stuffed away into a provided stuff sack or folded into an integrated stow-away pocket, and how much we were able to compress the jacket when packing into a backpack.


Then, we put each one on a scale and objectively compared their weights. Lighter weight, less plush models typically scored better in this metric than heavier jackets with thicker fabrics.


The two stand-out options that offer a super lightweight construction are the Rab Ascendor Hoody and Outdoor Research Vidor Quarter Zip. Both are built with a much thinner construction than most other jackets we tested. Unsurprisingly, both of these jackets are also quite breathable, so they perform better as a part of cold-weather layering system, rather than a high-pile fleece jacket that you would wear around the campfire.

fleece jacket womens - a comparison of the amazon essentials (left to right), columbia...
A comparison of the Amazon Essentials (left to right), Columbia Benton Springs, Patagonia R1 Air, and Rab Ascendor Hoody and their relative compressibility. The Rab Ascendor packs into a tiny package with excellent utility for lightweight adventures.
Credit: Amber King

The weight and compressibility of the OR Vigor make it a great option for a lightweight fleece to stuff into your carry on luggage or as an extra layer to take backpacking, considering its warmth-to-weight ratio. The Rab Ascendor is a bit bulkier in its stuffed form, but is plenty packable for practically any adventure.

fleece jacket womens - while the patagonia r1 air and rab ascendor hoody are our favorite...
While the Patagonia R1 Air and Rab Ascendor Hoody are our favorite technical options, there are many different choices on the market. Hopefully, we have helped you find exactly what you're looking for.
Credit: Amber King

Conclusion


There are so many fleeces on the market to choose from, and this market saturation can make it hard to figure out which one to buy. We put every model through an intensive battery of tests and subjected them all to months of wear and tear to learn which ones excel in what situations. Whether you're looking for a big, cozy fleece to live in all winter, a technical layer for skiing, or a breathable option for high-octane adventuring, we've tried them all. We hope that our unbiased testing and thorough findings help you find the right fleece for your lifestyle and your budget.

Maggie Nichols and Amber King