A fleece garment forms an essential part of the layering system. Its function is to provide the user with warmth, and is used as the mid or insulating layer.  The term fleece refers to the fabric itself, due to the “woolly” appearance of the fabric.

“What is Fleece?”

Fleece or Polar Fleece, is made from polyester.  The “woolly” nature of the fabric, the open knit, and the gaps between the fibres will enable air to be trapped within.  The air is warmed by the heat that is radiated by the wearer…

AIR IS THE BEST INSULATOR

The properties of Polar Fleece are as follows:

• Insulating
• Thermal
• Will not absorb moisture (perspiration)
• Stretchy – will retain its shape
• Dries quickly when wet
• Non-pilling…won’t get ‘bobbly'
• Very soft – extreme comfort
• High warmth to weight ratio

As well as forming the essential mid-layer, a polar fleece can be worn alone, with a base garment or similar.  This can be ideal when pursuing mid-high level activity in fair weather, such as walking, cycling and climbing etc

HOWEVER…

Polar fleece is NOT:

• Waterproof
• Windproof (refer to “Windproof Fleece”)

Although a fleece will keep out very light drizzle, no one has ever produced an effective waterproof fleece, as the open knit of the fabric will simply absorb water droplets.  In even a light wind / breeze, the fleece will rapidly lose its insulating properties, as the warm air that is trapped will be penetrated and cooled by the wind.  Therefore in a wet and / or a windy situation, you can see the obvious importance of the outer layer!!