The Advantages of Fleece Clothing for Outdoor Activities
Fleece is a man-made wonder fabric that’s been a staple of outdoor adventure and lifestyle gear for 40+ years. But, what makes it so special? Ridgeline cover the top advantages of fleece clothing.
What is fleece?
Developed in the 1970s by an American textile maker, fleece quickly became popular for sports and outdoor clothing thanks to its warmth, lightness and affordability. It was named after the ‘fleece’ coat on a sheep since it mimics the soft and fluffy texture of the natural fibres. Despite the name, fleece is not a natural fibre – it is a type of polyester and is made from plastics.
You may have seen fleece referred to as either polar fleece or microfleece. Luckily, the differences are small. Polar fleece typically refers to heavier weight fleece items (200-300gsm+) or those using double layers. Microfleece is the opposite – referring to lightweight fleece (100-200gsm) or finely woven fabrics.
Types of fleece clothing
At Ridgeline, we stock a huge variety of fleece gear for men, women and kids. This includes:
- Men’s fleece jackets
- Men’s clothing packs
- Women’s fleece jackets
- Unisex fleece headwear
- Kids’ clothing packs
- Kids’ fleece onesies
- Kids’ fleece outerwear
If you need help choosing the best fleece clothing for your adventure, you can always get in touch with our team.
Advantages of fleece clothing
Quick drying: Fleece is hydrophobic, which is a fancy way of saying it repels water.
Warm & lightweight: Fleece is an insulating fabric, which means it’s great at holding heat in. With fabric weights ranging from 100-300gsm, it’s also easy to customise from lightweight layers to warm outerwear.
Great value for money: Fleece remains an affordable and high-quality alternative to many natural fibres. Imagine all the warmth, for far less cost.
Easy care: A cold, gentle machine wash is ideal for fleece with air drying for best results. Fleece can be damaged at high temperatures – so if you do choose to tumble dry, make sure it’s on the lowest heat setting.
Is fleece good for hunting?
We know many Ridgeline adventurers are gearing up for a hunt and we love to help. Fleece is a fantastic material for hunting – for many of the reasons mentioned above. It’s affordable, keeps you warm, is light and easy to move in, plus comes in a wide range of colours and camouflage styles.
Choosing the best fleece for your activity
From hardworking farmers to weekend fishing trips, days on the hunt and country hikes ( – fleece keeps you warm and comfortable. Choosing the best fleece comes down to two things: temperature and colour.
For temperature, it’s all about layering. Fleece is a perfect mid-layer – working to increase your core body temp and block out wind. Warmer climates work best with microfleece for layering or a midweight 200gsm as an outer layer. In cooler climates or for overnight wear, you’ll want heavier fleece of 200gsm+.
Ridgeline fleece also comes in bright colours for kids and safety gear, plus camouflage for hunting and solid colour options for everyday wear.
