The 15 Best Fleece Jackets For Winter
The days of the fleece jacket being a last resort, the exclusive purview of hungover college kids traipsing their way to class, are over. Long gone in fact. The market is awash in your favorite brands — both old and new — making fleece jackets that are at once sustainable, stylish & cozy for the fall and winter season. That’s really all there is to it — well, not quite.
The men’s fleece jackets made today go where no fleece jacket has gone before. That might seem a bit overdramatic (or a lot), but it’s true. Today’s crop of fleece jackets are cut slim and trim, made from premium materials, and as ready to layer up with a chambray shirt as they are a laidback white thermal shirt on winter weekends.
When you combine warmth, style and the distinct ability to be worn with the rest of your favorite men’s style essentials, you’ve got yourself a winner. And among this list of the best fleece jackets for men, you’re going to find stylish winners aplenty. Trust us.
Orvis Windproof Sweater Fleece Jacket
Generally more well-known for its exceptionally rugged outerwear and tough chore coats, Orvis takes things slightly lighter — yet no les well-made — with its Windproof Sweater Fleece Jacket. Available for just a shade above $100, it’s made to block wind and keep you warm on early morning hikes or hunting excursions. Even better? It’ll pair up quite nicely with other field-ready gear from Orvis, and it’s available in neutral colors like Navy/Charcoal and Light Grey. Your next adventure with Orvis awaits.
Patagonia Retro Pile Fleece Jacket
Rounding out our list of the best men’s fleece jackets is an entry that comes from a brand we know, love and appreciate in terms of churning out classic styles and seasonal basics, year after year. Patagonia does one better with its Retro Pile Fleece Jacket, a piece that calls to mind your favorite fleece jacket of years gone by. The double-sided polyester solid shearling is cozy and warm, while the raglan sleeves provide mobility and an easy fit. The end result is a supremely cozy, casual jacket that’ll wear with ease this holiday season and beyond.
L.L.Bean Sweater Fleece Full-Zip Jacket
What are you going to pair with your durable and classic “Bean Boots” on cold and blustery winter days? Easy — the L.L. Bean Sweater Fleece Full-Zip Jacket, as fine an example as it gets when it comes to a timeless fleece jacket. This number is more than deserving of a spot on any list of the best men’s fleece jackets, and with good reason. We appreciate the Bright Navy color (to pair with tan chinos and a white henley), and we also appreciate the relatively slim fit. In short, it’s got all the hallmarks of a fleece jacket that should belong in your closet right now.
Arcteryx Covert Cardigan
Arcteryx nails that tricky balance between gear that’s functional and technical … yet also surprisingly stylish. The Covert Cardigan is an innovative take on the traditional fleece jacket, featuring what the brand calls slim, sleek lines and the style of a wool sweater. Fitting for apres-ski cocktails or a casual evening at a whiskey bar (‘tis the season!), the synthetic fiber and breathable material manages to keep this jacket comfortable yet cozy. We love the Caribou color, able to readily pair with faded stonewash denim and beat-up leather boots.
Vuori Alpine Sherpa Jacket
When the weather turns chilly, the Vuori Alpine Sherpa Jacket is just what you need to keep out the cold. Made using a recycled polyester “performance” sherpa fleece, this jacket is incredibly cozy while still being impressively chill-resistant. The super soft fabric stretches with you, allowing you full range of free movement as you hike, climb, walk, run, or ski, and you’ll find it just gets warmer the more you use it. The woven zippered pockets make it easy to store all your EDC items and knickknacks while you’re enjoying the winter sunshine and outdoor life.
66 North Tindur Technical Fleece Jacket
66 North is a brand dedicated to bringing back the old Icelandic traditions, from the quality fabrics to the sustainable practices. Their Tindur Technical Fleece Jacket is made in the classic Icelandic style, but using upgraded, cutting-edge fabrics guaranteed to keep you warm. The Polartec Wind Pro fabric for the interior lining is four times more windproof than fleece, but the classic fleece exterior is lightweight enough that you won’t feel constricted or stuffy. Thanks to the articulated elbows and shoulders and incorporated PowerStretch synthetic fabric, you’ll find this is a great fleece jacket to wear on any job site or for any winter sport.
Orvis Recycled Sweater Fleece Jacket
Orvis delivers a combination of durability and sustainability in the Recycled Sweater Fleece Jacket. As the name suggests, the jacket is made using recycled materials, all polyester derived from plastic bottles, manufactured in a BlueSign-certified facility. In addition to being eco-friendly, it’s also YOU-friendly and supremely warm, thanks to its super-soft brushed fleece interior lining. The combination of sweater knit and jacket style makes this garment one you’ll always want hanging in your closet for when the weather turns warm.
REI Co-op Groundbreaker Fleece Jacket 2.0
REI Co-Op is the brand for adventurers, guys who want to get out no matter the weather and dress for the elements in hard-wearing, good-looking clothing. Well, you’ll love the Groundbreaker Fleece Jacket 2.0, a garment that has been upgraded to use the latest winter-resistant fabrics in a multi-sport outer layer suitable for any use. The polyester fleece is mid-weight but feels incredibly warm, suitable as both the top layer in cool weather and a base layer in truly arctic temperatures. You’ll love how the forward rolled shoulder seams, zippered hand pockets, and stretch binding cuffs and waist keep you comfortable all day—and all winter—long.
Helly Hansen Varde Fleece Jacket
When you need to step your winter wear wardrobe up a notch, Helly Hansen has got your back. The Varde Fleece Jacket is one of the best in their selection of tough-and-rugged guys’ clothing, a lightweight but surprisingly sturdy fleece jacket that will keep you warm on any ski slope or snowshoeing trail. The polyester fleece and super-soft interior make for a hard-wearing jacket that you’ll feel comfortable wearing for any winter sport, and it’s designed specifically to be used both as the outer layer and a base layer beneath a heavier coat. And, just to make sure you stay dry, it’s designed with water-repellent shoulders that will keep out the rain, snow, and sleet while keeping your body heat close to your skin.
KUHL Interceptr FZ
The KUHL Interceptr FZ combines cutting-edge technical fabrics with a classic, reliable design to make a garment you will be glad to wear all winter long. The performance fleece is made from ALFPACA Gold, a proprietary synthetic fabric that is warmer and more windproof than standard fleece. The sleek proprietary KASMIRA side panels keep the jacket light and breathable without sacrificing chill-resistance. With low-bulk seams, articulated sleeves, and plenty of zippered pockets—including hand-warmers—you’ll end up pulling this out of your closet all winter.
The North Face Men’s Gordon Lyons Full Zip
The North Face is a brand for climbers, mountaineers, and athletes planning for extreme adventures, and the Gordon Lyons Full Zip is definitely a jacket capable of keeping up with any challenge the great outdoors can throw at you. Made from a heavyweight sweater-knit polyester fleece, the jacket offers excellent insulation that will serve you well in any condition ranging from cool to arctic. The fabric is made from fifty-three percent post-consumer recycled polyester, making it as eco-friendly as it is athlete-friendly. Whether you wear it zipped up or hanging open, it’ll be comfortable and flexible through every winter sport.
Marmot Men’s Reactor 2.0 Fleece Jacket
For runners and triathletes who need to stay warm without overheating, get a load of the Marmot Men’s Reactor 2.0 Fleece Jacket. This jacket is highly breathable, with a quick-drying polyester fleece that will wick moisture away from your body so you’ll stay cool without sacrificing warmth. The flatlock seams are specifically designed to reduce chafing and irritation, and when the weather turns truly icy, you’ll love the roll-over chin guard and wind flap to keep out those gusts that could steal your body heat. Best of all, it’s a lightweight jacket that you’ll all but forget you’re wearing while you run.
Outdoor Research Men’s Vigor Plus Fleece Jacket
Take your winter sport wear to the next level with the Outdoor Research Men’s Vigor Plus Fleece Jacket. This jacket is engineered for maximum functionality and stylish simplicity, delivering active warmth and a super soft interior that will feel like silk on your skin. Made from ninety-three percent recycled content, the coat is both stretchy and breathable, the perfect base and mid-layer for backpacking, hiking, skiing, and snowboarding.
Mountain Hardwear Men’s Southpass Fleece Full Zip
For mountaineers and orienteers who need to step up their chill-resistant garment collection, you’d do well to consider the Mountain Hardwear Men’s Southpass Fleece Full Zip. This jacket is cut in the classic mountaineer style, using high-pile Sherpa fleece specifically designed for high-altitude, cold-weather environments. Whether the wind is cutting or the snow is flying, having this midlayer jacket on guarantees that your body heat stays close to your skin and the chill stays out. Thanks to the zip chest pockets and zippered hand pockets, you’ve got all the space you need to keep those important mountaineering items close at hand.
Columbia Men’s Sweater Weather Fleece Full Zip
When looking for cold-weather clothing, Columbia is always a top-notch sports-friendly brand to consider. The Sweater Weather Fleece Full Zip is a Columbia classic: sleek, slim style and technical fabrics that are surprisingly comfortable while still offering excellent weather-resistance. This is a light layer perfect for wearing during the chilly autumn months or using as a midlayer beneath a heavier winter coat. With its abrasion-resistant trim detail, adjustable hem, zippered pockets, and storm flap, it’s the jacket you’ll want to keep handy on winter camping, hiking, or climbing adventures.
Backcountry Frary Fleece Jacket
The Backcountry Frary Fleece Jacket is designed to get you from the ski slopes to the ski lodge, from the high mountain trail to the comfort of your fireplace—all without changing your outfit. It’s sleek, versatile, and extremely comfortable, thanks to the recycled polyester fleece with its many pockets and well-fitting cut. And, for an added bonus, the jacket’s exterior has been both treated with a DWR water-repellent coating and given a UPF50 rating to keep out the rain, snow, sleet, and solar radiation.
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