Women’s fleece tops for layering when hiking, camping and climbing, from North Face, Rab, and Decathlon

Fleeces are made from synthetic insulated fabrics and are highly breathable, machine-washable, and quick drying.

Technically, we’re talking about synthetic Polar fleece here, made with polyester, as opposed to the kind of fleece harvested from sheep.

Polar fleece is a relatively new material in the outdoors market, and was first created in the USA by Malden Mills, founder of Polartec, in 1979.

It was an instant hit with walkers, campers and mountaineers as it’s naturally hydrophobic, barely retaining water when wet and making it very quick to dry.

It’s also deliciously warm, but does not withstand wind that well – so if you’re out in the elements, a fleece is best used worn over base layers and under a waterproof, windproof shell jacket.

The versatility of fleece fabric means there are myriad types of light mid layers available, including zipped jackets, pullovers, gilets and hoodies.

These come in different weights, too – lightweight, thin fleeces work best as part of a layering system, whilst thick, chunky fleeces work well when worn alone.

What should I look for in a fleece?

If you’re planning on wearing your fleece under a waterproof jacket we’d recommend picking a lightweight half or quarter zip pullover.

If you want a fleece layer you can wear on its own, a zipped hoody or a jacket is your most versatile bet. Zipped pockets are useful, and a high-cut neck and elasticated cuffs help retain heat, too.

Fleece is animal-friendly

Fleece is also good option for vegans and for anyone who doesn’t wear wool, or if you’re avoiding animal down.

Newly fabricated fleece isn’t particularly good for the environment, although it has been proved to be long-lasting, which is a plus.

But it’s possible to make fleece jackets from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles or from recycled fleece material, and these models are a great eco-conscious choice.