Fleece Tops

Featured review by Adam Jepson

I've had this fleece since 5th grade. I'm now four years out of college (that's 15 years!) and it hasn't begun to show wear. Just buy one.

For those of you who still want to know more about this fleece after reading the opening summary, it is true...I've had this thing for 15 years and I've worn it in all sorts of weather doing all sorts of activities. Yard work, hiking/camping, wearing it to football games, you name it. This thing has been with me through lots of life — campfires with friends, long hikes for contemplation, a first date with my (at the time) future wife, and it collected all of the shedding hair from the puppy we brought home a few years back.

Read more: Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T Pullover reviews (5)

Featured review by Ashleigh

The Patagonia R1 is the ultimate mountain shirt. It is great as an insulating piece in cold weather and a great stand-alone fleece in cool weather. It can be used for almost any cold weather activity. I personally used it mostly for backpacking and hiking, but I have also seen many climbers wearing R1 Pullovers and hoodies.

The Patagonia R1 is a staple in my backcountry gear. It goes on every trip with me. I love it so much that I bought two! I wear it as a stand-alone fleece from 45-59 degrees. I could wear it while hiking/running at 20-40 degrees. I wear it as a baselayer (under a puffy) when the temperature drops into the 30's. It is a very minimalist piece that has no pockets, hood or adjustablilty, but it only weighs 9.7 oz. If you are interested in a hood, try the R1 Hoody. If you are interested in pockets and would like a little more room, try the R1 Full Zip Jacket.

Read more: Patagonia R1 Pullover reviews (4)

Featured review by Andre B

The R1 Hoody is one of Patagonia's iconic fleeces for a reason: Just the right amount of features, and expertly laid out. While the latest version (2021) isn't as warm as previous years, the added length and even better "mini gloves" are just too good to pass up.

What's left to say about this—a clothing article bound to be included on the Mount Rushmore of Patagonia clothing (and perhaps on the entire outdoor industry's Mount Rushmore for that matter)? As it turns out, just a bit more! Patagonia has updated one of their iconic pieces. And, just as they've done throughout the past 10+ years of the R1 Hoody, they've continued making tweaks here-and-there. The basics of any R1 Hoody (now called the R1 Pullover Hoody on Patagonia's site) include the use of Polartec's comfy PowerGrid fleece, a snug-fitting balaclava hood, a deep 1/2 zip front, chest pocket, and thumb loops to keep it all in place.

Read more: Patagonia R1 Pullover Hoody reviews (11)

Featured review by LoneStranger

This warm base layer is perfect for those who go where it is really cold and those who just feel really cold whatever the temperature. It wicks, breathes, and dries well allowing it to handle the hot and steamy that cold weather activity can create. Can be combined with other layers as part of a passive insulation system, but excels in active applications.

                                           Active fit follows body contours.Specs: Hang Tag Weight 280g/9.9oz for Large Scale Weight: 309g/10.9 for Large (post testing) Sleeve Length: roughly 21" from pit to thumb hole, unstretched Back Length: roughly 26.5” from nape to hem, unstretched Back Length roughly 23” from yoke to hem, unstretched MSRP: $135 US           Sleeves that don't end at the waist and room for broad shoulders or barrel chests.

Read more: Mountain Equipment Eclipse Hooded Zip-T reviews (3)

Featured review by PhilNC

The Rab Nexus Pull-On fleece jacket is a comfortable, light, and warm mid-layer that breathes well and has an adjustable deep chest zip. Minor complaints include some pilling after 18 months of use, and a little floppiness in the collar.

Rab is not as prevalent in the U.S. but I found this in a large coop online shop when searching for a lighter mid-layer. Previous fleece options for me were too bulky to pack along with a puffy, but now I can take both on cold weather trips as the Rab Nexus Pull-on fits the light fleece mid-layer option I was searching for—hoodless and not a full zipper. If you want a hood or full zipper there are other Rab models that fit that bill. Design, Construction, & Features The Rab Nexus Pull-On is well designed and constructed (if that is the right word for clothing), and the company backs it up with a lifetime guarantee.As with many warranties, its for the "usable lifetime of the product" which could mean a lot, but I guess otherwise they would...

Read more: Rab Nexus Pull-On reviews (2)

Reviewed by Andrew F.

The Arthur Beale Erebus Boat Neck Pullover is an old school heavyweight wool sweater for cold weather. It’s made from unbleached, undyed black Welsh mountain wool that still smells like sheep. With the lanolin not bleached out, the sweater smells like sheep, tends to repel water, and also feels like unprocessed wool—it’s pretty scratchy. This sweater’s weight and bulk would limit appeal for backpacking, but it’s very nice for cold weather day hikes either on its own or under a shell.

  Cold/drizzly December morning, worn over a merino zip neck base layer Polyester fleece jackets and pullovers first became available as warm insulating layers when I was a teenager. In the pre-fleece era, wool was the insulating layer of choice for being outside in sometimes cruddy weather.  Wool sweaters and button-down shirts were a regular companion on any non-summer hiking trip when I was growing up, and the most preferred option, for me, were sweaters with the natural oils intact—I wore out an oiled ragg wool sweater or three.

Read more: Arthur Beale Erebus Boat Neck Pullover review (1)

Reviewed by Andrew F.

Heavyweight oiled wool sweater with extra-long sleeves and a roll neck collar. The star here is the wool, which is undyed, retains its natural lanolin oils, sheds moisture, and provides excellent warmth. The only "downsides" are baked into this sweater: unprocessed wool is scratchy, and the roll neck that keeps cold out so nicely may not be to everyone’s taste. Also, it’s very warm, which also may be a pro or con, depending on what you want.

BASIC INFORMATION Walk in 25-degree weather Arthur Beale is a UK-based company that sells goods for ships and vessels—rope, hardware, accessories, and so on. The company also sells old-school wool sweaters for cold weather. Roughly three years ago, I reviewed their super-warm boat neck sweater: https://www.trailspace.com/gear/arthur-beale/erebus-boat-neck-pullover/ Neck isn’t rolled here The Beerenberg pullover is made from the same wool as the sweater I previously reviewed. It’s British wool that hasn’t been bleached, dyed, or processed to remove its natural lanolin oils.

Read more: Arthur Beale Oiled Wool Beerenberg Pullover review (1)

Reviewed by OutdoorKelly

The women's Shiftup Zip Top by Outdoor Research is a versatile mid-layer that keeps me warm and comfortable across a wide range of outdoor activities. The hexagon fleece wicks moisture efficiently and feels comfortable against my skin.

Testing Conditions: I tested the women’s Shiftup Zip Top as a member of the Trailspace Review Corps from late October 2017 through mid-February 2018 in and around the New Hampshire White Mountains. Temperatures during testing ranged from about -20 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.                                   Shiftup Zip Top Versatility: I’ve worn the Shiftup nordic skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, running, fat biking, backcountry ski touring, and alpine skiing in the frontcountry.

Read more: Outdoor Research Shiftup Zip Top review (1)

Reviewed by LoneStranger

Houdini calls it a base layer, but this super lightweight, hoodie style fleece works well in many applications. Top, bottom, or middle it breathes and wicks making it great for active layering.

The Houdini Alpha Houdi is a full zip fleece with a form fitting hood, but despite that description and what you might see at first glance, this is not your average "hoodie". Specs: 12.7oz/359g on my scale 100% Japanese origin EcoCircle Alpha Base Polyester Made in Poland Fit & Comfort: Described by the maker as a "Regular Fit" it was regular enough to deal with my irregularities, but I would describe it as more of an active fit, though a forgiving one. The lightweight material stretches easily in all directions providing a comfortable, close fit.

Read more: Houdini Alpha Houdi review (1)

Reviewed by Cadenza

This is the most awesome piece of winter clothing I have ever had! Made from 100% wool blankets, it is seriously warm...even when wet. The hood is intelligently designed, gives full coverage with or without a hat, holds in the heat, and doesn't obstruct vision.

The Boreal Shirt is made by Empire Wool and Canvas. It is sold exclusively through Lester River Bushcraft.   Like all products from Empire Wool and Canvas, the Boreal Shirt is built like a truck. It has been, by far, the most successful product in the company's line. So successful in fact, that they had to spin up another shop dedicated to this garment just to keep up with the demand. The company says that the garment is in use by various special forces groups, but I think the success is largely to be attributed to the "bushcraft" community where it has been enthusiastically embraced.

Read more: Empire Wool and Canvas Company Boreal Shirt review (1)