The Best Fleece Jackets for Women of 2024-2025

Fleece jackets are all a bit different but the purpose remains the same: To hold your body heat on a cold day. For warmth and protection from the elements, we found the best fleece jackets for women.

Beyond the exact fabric, pile, and aesthetic, fleece midlayers can also stack weatherproofness and various levels of durability. If you’re looking for a tenacious textile with water and wind resistance, consider the Patagonia R2 CrossStrata. For an extremely warm yet airy and lean piece that fits nicely beneath a ski jacket, look at the Norrøna Falketind Alpha 120 Zip Fleece.

With so many women’s fleece jackets to choose from, it can be hard to pick the best option for your outdoor activities. At the end of the list, read the Buyer’s Guide or jump to the Price & Value summary. Still weighing your options? Consult our Comparison Chart to see how women’s fleece layers stack up. Otherwise, take a look at our awarded goods for the 2024-2025 season.

Editor’s Note: We updated our Women’s Fleece Jacket buyer’s guide on November 14, 2024, adding the awarded Arc’teryx Kyanite Hoodie, REI Co-Op Flash Hyperstretch Fleece Jacket, Patagonia R2 CrossStrata, Norrøna senja warm1 Hood, Cotopaxi Teca Fleece Full-Zip Jacket, prAna Polar Escape Snap Jacket, Icebreaker Real Fleece Merino High Pile Long Sleeve Zip Jacket.

The Best Fleece Jackets for Women in 2024-2025

---

Women’s Fleece Jacket Comparison Chart

Scroll right to view all of the columns: Price, Weight, Fit, Fabric, Density.

Fleece Jacket	Price	Weight	Fit	Fabric	Density
Arc’teryx Kyanite Hoodie	$200	12.1 oz.	Athletic	Polartec Powerstretch Pro: 53% polyester, 38% nylon, 9% elastane	Midweight
REI Co-Op Flash Hyperstretch Fleece Jacket	$100	11 oz.	Athletic	54% recycled polyester, 35% nylon, 11% spandex	Light to Midweight
Norrona Falketind Alpha 120 Zip Fleece	$219	8.6 oz.	Athletic	Polartec Alpha 120	Midweight
Patagonia R2 CrossStrata	$199	14.8 oz.	Slim	90% polyester, 10% spandex	Midweight
Norrøna senja warm1 Hood	$189	7.8 oz.	Athletic	100% recycled polyester	140g/m2, 127 g/m2 (Lightweight)
Cotopaxi Teca Fleece Full-Zip Jacket	$120	12.9 oz. (small)	Athletic	100% recycled polyester fleece, repurposed polyester taffeta with DWR finish	255 gsm
Jones Snowboards Women’s Flagship Recycled Grid Fleece Pullover	$130	9.87 oz.	Standard	100% recycled Polartec polyester Power Grid	Midweight
Helly Hansen Daybreaker Fleece Jacket	$70	8.5 oz.	Athletic	100% recycled Polartec polyester	100 gsm
Stio Turpin Fleece Half Zip	$89	7.8 oz.	Regular	Recycled Heather Microfleece, 65% REPREVE® Recycled Polyester, 35% Polyester	Midweight
prAna Polar Escape Snap Jacket	$149	Unavailable	Baggy	100% recycled polyester; Lining: 55% organic cotton, 45% recycled polyester	Midweight
Patagonia Better Sweater Hoody	$169	16.9 oz.	Athletic	100% recycled polyester	Midweight
Icebreaker RealFleece Merino High Pile Long Sleeve Zip Jacket		26.5 oz.	Athletic	100% merino wool with 60% Lyocell, 40% merino wool liner	Lightweight
Kari Traa Rothe Midlayer Fleece Jacket	$100	N/A	Relaxed	Polyester	Midweight
Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody	$179	10.9 oz.	Athletic	100% recycled polyester	Lightweight

How We Tested Women’s Fleece Jackets

Every fleece jacket for women that we tested was used in a wide range of conditions and activities. These layers were tested across environments, seasons, and weather conditions. We used them for daily life from shoveling snow to jogging and running errands.

Our Expert Testers

Lead tester Kylie Mohr has lived in a four-season mountain climate for nearly three decades. Mohr tested these fleeces for their warmth, durability, and packability, throwing them on for alpine skiing, ski touring, trail running, shoulder season hiking and mountain biking and simply just walking the dog on chilly mornings. Over the last year, she spent over 75 hours wearing the five new fleeces she tested for this guide, seeing how they compared with each other and other favorites in her closet. Fleeces journeyed with her to multiple national parks and even Japan.   

Leading the gear testing team, Senior Editor Morgan Tilton grew up in the Colorado Rockies and lives in the Gunnison Valley, one of the coldest places in the U.S. She pulls on a fleece year-round from camping to yard work and downhill skiing or snowboarding. Fleece midlayers have rotated through her closet for her entire life.

A range of skilled outdoor experts have worked with Tilton throughout the guide’s seven iterations since 2021. That list includes an AMGA-certified rock guide, sugar beet harvester, ski patrol tail guide, and a professional wildlife photographer-rancher.

Our Testing Grounds

The fleece accompanied us while alpine skiing and on backcountry tours in Idaho and Colorado. They proved their durability and heat retention while rowing Idaho’s wildest whitewater, while working the land in North Dakota farmlands, and ascending cracks in Utah’s Indian Creek. We used these pieces rock climbing Colorado’s high-elevation peaks and limestone walls.

Temperatures stretched from splitting cold at sunrise to scorching beneath the sun during fieldwork. These layers protected us while glassing for animals and trail running. Other designs helped keep us warm while we cleaned farm machinery, pedaled cruisers around town, and cooked meals at the campsite.

Our Testing Process

Using first-hand experience and research, we narrowed down this season’s best fleece for women who work and play outside on a regular basis. While field testing our fleece, we consider overall fit, warmth, density, weight, quality, durability, comfort, stretch, odor resistance, breathability, and value. We also take a close look at the features including the zippers, zip pulls, hems, hood, seam, and pockets.

Before narrowing the selection, we take into account the most innovative, sustainable, novel, objective-specific, popular, highly rated, and legacy products across a range of price points. We’re confident this list includes the best women’s fleece jackets on the market that serve a variety of budgets and end uses.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Fleece Jacket for Women

Fleece is a human-made fabric that is soft, fuzzy, and imitates wool fleece. The fabric is used to make a variety of insulating midlayers and lightweight jackets or vests that often have a full or partial front zipper.

Fleece is typically made from synthetic materials like polyester or a polyester blend.

It’s not to be confused with wool fleece, which comes from a variety of animals including sheep, alpacas, and goats.

For this guide, we focused on fleece jackets rather than vests.

Fleece Jackets for Women: History

Modern fleece was born out of a collaboration between Patagonia and a company called Malden Mills Industries, now Polartec.

Maiden Mills developed the first-ever synthetic fleece textile in 1981. Patagonia wanted to mimic and tweak wool, which rock climbers and backpackers were wearing at the time, and make something lighter and quicker to dry. 

Designers found synthetic pile at a fabric shop, then worked to soften initial stiff prototypes: made from material intended for toilet seat covers. An initial catalog description for the result, the “Patagonia Climbing Jacket,” called the jacket, “very warm, wind and water-resistant” — qualities fleece jackets from all brands are loved today. In 1985, the iconic Synchilla Fleece pullover was born.

Benefits of Fleece

Fleece is generally breathable, wicks moisture, and is quick-drying. Those qualities can be good for cardio activities like backcountry skiing, trail running, backpacking, or hiking.

Designs vary based on their warmth-to-weight ratio, wind and water resistance, bulkiness, and features like thumbholes, pockets, or hoods.

Fleece vs. Wool

Wool, on the other hand, regulates temperature well, shields wind, and carries anti-odor properties. Wool is also naturally water-repellent due to the lanolin that coats the fibers. Comparatively, fleece wets quicker than wool but dries faster.

High Pile Fleece 

High pile fleece is that plush, blanket-like fleece jacket. It looks cozy, cuddly, and sometimes, like a teddy bear. It’s also known as sherpa fleece because it has the feel and resemblance of a sheep’s coat. The prAna Polar Escape Snap Jacket is a super soft example of the sherpa look and feel, as is the Kari Traa Rothe Midlayer Fleece Jacket.

High pile fleece can give off a throwback, retro vibe, since it’s reminiscent of early designs. 

Warmth & Insulation

Fleeces offer varying levels of warmth and insulation from the cold, based on the type of fabric, weight, and any fabric liners. We classify all of our picks as midlayers, though some are warmer and more weather-resistant than others. In some conditions, these fleece work perfectly fine as an outer layer.

Lightweight

The lightest fleece jackets are around 100 gsm. These layers are great for high-aerobic activities like nordic skiing or running. They are generally more breathable and less bulky. An example of the best fleeces in this category is the Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody and the Norrøna senja warm1 Hood.

Midweight

Moderate-weight midlayers are a bit thicker at 200 gsm but still could be used while active at colder temperatures. They offer good insulation and can be integrated into a complete layering system underneath a protective wind or rain shell. The REI Co-Op’s Flash Hyperstretch Fleece Jacket or the Cotopaxi Teca Fleece FullZip Jacket are good examples of a midweight option.

Heavyweight

The thickest fleece layers are around 300-400 gsm and are great for layering up at the campsite. They tend to be a bit bulkier and warmer than light or midweight fleeces. They typically aren’t as comfortable or breathable during high-output activities. The prAna Polar Escape Snap Jacket and Icebreaker Real Fleece Merino High Pile Long Sleeve Zip Jacket were among the heaviest-weight fleeces we tested.

Layering Systems

Some of our favorite fleece jackets for women can be used as a standalone layer in adverse weather, though many are designed to be integrated with other jackets as part of a layering system. Using several layers allows you to stay comfortable as the conditions change or as your level of activity increases or decreases.

For example, if you are hiking uphill and start to sweat, you can shed your insulating layer (maybe it’s a fleece) and keep hiking in a base layer. Read more about base layers in our best baselayers for women guide. If the wind starts to howl, zip a wind shell or ski jacket over your fleece to trap heat. Learn more about outermost layering in our best ski jackets guide.

Wind & Water Resistance

Modern fleece designs often feature water-repellent treatments on the surface to prevent your fleece from absorbing moisture if weather conditions deteriorate. This means they do a much better job keeping you warm when it’s wet outside than, say,  a cotton sweatshirt.

Some technical fabric with a DWR coat can do well with wind and water resistance like the Patagonia R2 CrossStrata. Most fleeces are not truly waterproof, however, and it’s still a good idea to bring a rain jacket as part of a complete layering system.

Some fleece jackets also have a fabric weave or outer coating that offers protection from the wind, like the Arc’teryx Kyanite Hoodie. These features are most useful when you intend to use your fleece as a standalone outer layer, as compared to an insulating midlayer.

Similarly, abrasion-repellent treatments on the outside of your fleece can enhance durability. This is especially useful for climbing, moving around equipment like a snowmobile, lifting objects, or other activities during which your jacket may be scraping against rough surfaces.

Materials

Polyester

Polyester, a synthetic fabric that’s derived from petroleum, is the classic fleece material used in light, medium and heavyweight jackets. Most of the fleece jackets in this guide are made from polyester; many brands use some or all recycled polyester from those pesky plastic water bottles, like the Cotopaxi Teca Fleece Full-Zip Jacket, the Patagonia Better Sweater Hoody, or the Helly Hansen Daybreaker Fleece Jacket. Virgin polyester requires more energy and water to make than recycled polyester, but both still shed microplastics.

Stretchier options, like the Arc’teryx Kyanite Hoodie or the REI Co-Op Flash Hyperstretch Fleece Jacket, add a small percentage of spandex or elastane to give their polyester some give. 

Cotton

Cotton has steep pros and cons. It’s more breathable than synthetic fabrics — yay! — but also extremely absorbent. Cotton can hold over 25 times its own weight in water. Doing high-output, sweaty activities in cotton can be uncomfortable and even dangerous, keeping you cold and wet. 

Cotton is mostly used in fleeces as a lining to make high-pile fleece jackets comfortable on the skin, like the inner lining of the prAna Polar Escape Snap Jacket. Cotton is a fine material for lifestyle and casual pieces, but we wouldn’t recommend taking cotton materials into the backcountry. 

Wool

Wool regulates temperature well, shields wind, and carries anti-odor properties. Wool is also naturally water-repellent due to the lanolin that coats the fibers. Comparatively, fleece wets quicker than wool but dries faster. The downside of wool? It tends to be heavier, so keep that in mind when considering a wool versus polyester fleece for long treks where every ounce matters. Other considerations for wool include the treatment of the sheep it comes from. Many companies will share where their wool comes from and what practices they follow. 

The only jacket in this guide made with 100% Merino wool is the Icebreaker RealFleece Merino High Pile Long Sleeve Zip Jacket, which is lined with a combination of 60% Lyocell and 40% Merino wool. The Norrøna Trollveggen Powerstretch Pro Zip Hood has a polyester and wool blend on the side panels. 

Wood Pulp: Bamboo or Lyocell  

Lyocell is a plant-based fiber made from the wood pulp of mostly eucalyptus, but also oak and birch trees. This fabric feels smooth to the touch, like the liner of the Icebreaker RealFleece Merino High Pile Long Sleeve Zip Jacket, and is often used in activewear because it’s 50% more absorbent than its cotton counterparts.

While no products in this guide contain bamboo, bamboo is somewhat similar — just another plant, also known for being breathable and stretchier than cotton. Bamboo and lyocell are made into clothes in a similar way — by dissolving their cellulose material in chemicals to produce a pulpy viscous substance that is then spun into fibers. The chemicals used in this process are often hazardous and can’t be removed — sometimes complicating the “eco-friendly” claim frequently attached to bamboo fabrics.  

Breathability

If you’re going to be running, skiing, biking, or generally moving in your fleece, breathability is essential.

Fleece is typically made with materials that are designed to draw or “wick” moisture away from the body. Light or midweight layers are best for active pursuits. The dense fabric of heavyweight fleece tends to be less breathable and agile.

Among our winners for the breathability category, the Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody is constructed with a unique zigzag pattern that combines breathable channels with lofty fleece. These channels let heat escape from areas where you are likely to sweat the most, but they offer little respite from the wind.

Another choice with excellent aeration but heat-holding power is the Norrøna Falketind Alpha 120 Zip Fleece.

Other fleece designs even integrate wool fibers for odor control while keeping your warmth in.

Packability

You’ll want to think about your fleece jacket’s intended use when considering what to buy and bring for different activities. Some of the fleece jackets on this list are streamlined, meant to offer warmth in a thin package that’s perfect for stuffing into a backpack as temperatures shift or layering on and off during ski tours. We found lightweight fleece, like the Norrøna senja warm1 Hood, packs down super small, even stuffing into our running vest and mountain biking hip pack.  

Others, especially those in the high pile fleece category, don’t fold nicely into a small size. Since the material is often warmer and bulkier than other polyester fleece, it’s best when packability isn’t a concern — think car camping. 

Durability

A good fleece jacket needs to stand the test of time. Some additional design details help these midlayers do just that. Elbow patches offer reinforcement to lessen wear and tear in the elbow area.

Tasian nylon fabric adds durability. We also like some designs that have nylon panels on the chest, arms, and across the shoulders. Adding a tough material helps prevent abrasion where backpack straps might rub. The prAna Polar Escape Snap Jacket has nylon on the shoulders and back too, always a nice touch.

Thumb Loops

Thumb loops, also known as thumbholes, are small openings directly underneath a shirt’s cuffs at the end of the sleeves. A shirt cuff is a layer of fabric that demarcates the edge of a garment at the wrist, and is made up of an additional piece of fabric that’s sewn on to help prevent fraying and increase comfort.

The lengths and elasticity of sleeves and cuffs can vary. Some sleeves are meant to go up to your knuckles and cover your palms, and include thumb loops to facilitate. Thumb loops are often found on fleece meant for athletic activities that are a thinner, flatter material. Bulkier, high-pile fleece, and fleece meant to be worn as an outer layer often go with traditional cuffs rather than thumb loops.  

We love thumb loops for fleece worn during athletic activities when layering without bunching is helpful, or when we don’t want the elements getting up our sleeves. Well-designed thumb loops can keep the arms of fleece jackets in place while doing farm chores, and kept wind from getting in on gusty testing days. Other thumb loop designs, like ones that are a thin string of fabric, can become uncomfortable after long periods of time.

The stretch cuffs on the Patagonia R2 CrossStrata are a solid alternative to keep fabric from getting in the way of your fingers when thumb loops aren’t a feature. 

Pockets   

Fleece jackets come with all different pocket configurations. How many and where you want them is personal preference.

Zip chest pockets on jackets like the Kari Traa Rothe Midlayer Fleece Jacket or the Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody are great for keeping small items like chapstick organized and close by. All full-zip fleece jackets on this list have larger side zip pockets on the lower half of the jacket.

Other types of pockets to look for in fleece are kangaroo pockets — open on both sides to fit both hands — and inner zip pockets for items you don’t want to lose and don’t anticipate taking in and out, like a car key. If you’re going to wear a harness with your fleece, make sure pockets sit higher so they’re still accessible. 

Hoods & Collars 

Think about your intended activities when choosing fleece with a hood versus a collar. Hoods are ideal if inclement weather pops up, so a good feature for something you plan on wearing without another shell or layer on top. Slim-fitting hoods can fit under some helmets, while roomier cuts can stretch on top. 

But if all of your layers are hooded, those hoods can pile up. Think about how a fleece factors into your existing base layers, puffy, and other jackets. Learn more about down jackets (with and without hoods) in our buyer’s guide. 

Collars are great for keeping wind out and sun off your skin, especially when they’re fully zipped up. They can add warmth and hug-like comfort without the bulk of a hood. If it’s not cold enough for a hood, or you have a hat to wear, a hood won’t be needed and a collar does enough. A collar is especially appreciated on midlayers that you’d like to stack next to layers with a hood.

Size & Fit

Women’s-specific fleece jackets take into account the shape of the female body including the hips, chest, and shoulders as well as torso length and width.

Many of the athletic-fit fleeces we tested are also tailored and gusseted in the arms and shoulders to be more form-fitting yet allow a range of movement. We especially liked the curved hem fit on the Stio Turpin Fleece Half Zip.

Alternatively, there are also plenty of relaxed-fit fleece jackets for women on the market.

Sustainability

Recycling

A trade-in program is a great way to keep waste out of the supply chain if you’re itching for something new. Patagonia’s Worn Wear program and Arc’teryx’s ReGEAR programs allow consumers to trade in and buy used gear. REI members can also trade in gear for a gift card. 

Some materials are partially or fully recycled. The Stio Turpin Fleece Half Zip is made up of 65% Repreve Recycled Polyester from post-consumer water bottles. The polyester in the Patagonia Better Sweater Hoody is also recycled. According to Patagonia, recycled polyester now costs roughly the same as its virgin counterpart, making the switch easier. The recycled materials often stem from sources like plastic bottles, cafeteria trays, and old clothing.

Patagonia also uses some recycled wool in its fleece. The wool comes from factory scraps and returned garments, which are then mechanically shredded and re-spun into new yarn. Recycled wool is often combined with recycled polyester to increase strength and durability. In the spring of 2023, 9% of the company’s wool products were made with recycled wool. 

Bluesign & Oeko-Tex

Some jackets, like the Arc’teryx Kyanite Hoodie and the Helly Hansen Daybreaker Fleece Jacket are made with fabrics that meet the criteria of Bluesign, an organization that works to keep chemicals out of the supply chain for the health of humans, wildlife, natural resources, and the earth. Factories approved by the group must meet standards for pollution control and safety protections for workers. Products can meet those standards partially or as a whole, which is identified in labels and online descriptions. 

The Jones Snowboards Women’s Flagship Recycled Grid Fleece Pullover also meets Oeko-Tex standards, which means the textiles and fabrics are certified free of chemicals that are harmful for human health.

Climate Neutral

Companies are also taking matters into their own hands. Patagonia is renowned for its environmental activism. The brand supports more than 1,000 groups that support a range of initiatives from biodiversity loss to climate action and also has a self-imposed “Earth Tax” called 1% for the Planet. Smaller companies such as Stio are third-party certified climate neutral, and work to reduce offset by investing in comparable renewable energy.

Microplastics

Unfortunately, fleece jackets are a major source of microplastics: tiny (under 5 mm in length) pieces of plastic debris that come from the breakdown of consumer products. Microplastics end up in the environment, from the depths of the ocean to our bloodstreams. One study found that a single fleece garment can shed up to 250,000 microfibers in a single wash.  

So what can be done? First, hold onto your fleece as long as possible. Pick something that you’ll like for years to come and that will hold up for the activities you plan to wear it during. 

Also, try to wash your fleece as little as possible, as washing encourages the shedding of microplastics into your local water supply. You probably don’t need to wash your fleece very frequently, especially if you aren’t sweating in it. If you get dirt or a stain on your jacket, try a spot treatment rather than throwing the whole jacket in the laundry. If you do need to wash it, consider installing a filter on your washing machine that catches microfibers and microplastics.   

How to Mend

Agh! You’ve ripped your fleece on an errant branch or sharp ski edge. No need to fret.

Some brands have services for fixing apparel. Patagonia’s repair program will take your clothing and repair it for you, within reason. Make sure to check their list to know if your gear fits the bill (nothing extensively damaged or threadbare, for example).

We’ve also had luck with The North Face’s repair program for a broken zipper on a ski shell. But keep in mind some brand repairs can take two or more months, depending on demand. A nearby seamstress might have a shorter waiting list.

Price & Value

If a wool fleece includes cashmere, a super-soft and fine goat hair, its price increases considerably.

Otherwise, the majority of fleece and wool falls in a similar price range, plus a handful of budget-friendlier fleece options.

Budget

The most economical choices in our guide are below $100. The cheapest option is the Helly Hansen Daybreaker Fleece Jacket ($65). The Stio Turpin Fleece Half Zip ($89) comes in at just under a hundo. If you’re looking for a midlayer that provides warmth first and foremost, a roughly $100 option will give you everything you need and nothing that you don’t.  

Mid-Tier

At a moderate price, the majority of our favorite fleeces are between $100 and $200. This step up in prices includes more complex fabric mixtures — sometimes with nylon ripstop for durability, UPF fabric to provide sun protection, or a DWR coati to help barricade the elements — as well as jackets with more features like zippered pockets, thumbholes, and hoods. That collection includes options like the Kari Traa Rothe Midlayer Fleece Jacket ($100), Cotopaxi Teca Fleece Full-Zip Jacket ($110), Jones Snowboards Women’s Flagship Recycled Grid Fleece Pullover ($130), and the Patagonia Better Sweater Hoody ($169).

Premium

Pricier fleece jackets that rank high on our list exceed $200. These higher-end jackets are geared for more technical adventures where weather resistance and breathability are essential, and in some cases, also include pricier sustainable fabrics like wool. Those tags include the Norrøna Falketind Alpha 120 ($219), Arc’teryx Kyanite Hoodie ($200), and Patagonia R2 CrossStrata ($229).

Frequently Asked Questions

---