The main benefit of fleece is its effectiveness at trapping body heat and sustaining the warmth. The synthetic fabric is generally made out of polyester. Polyester is a man-made material composed of two petroleum products that can be manufactured from recycled plastic.
Fleece Weights:
Polartec Scale: 100 lightweight, 200 mid-weight, 300 heavy-weight.
Patagonia Scale: R1 lightweight, R2 mid-weight, R3 heavy weight, R4 is a hybrid (see below).
Fleece “weight” refers to the loft and thickness of the material used in a jacket's construction, and two common scales exist for describing fleece weights. Most companies use the Polartec scale of 100, 200, 300—the higher the number, the higher the loft of the fleece, and the warmer (and heavier) the jacket will be. Fleece jackets with 100-weight ratings are lightweight, highly breathable, offer the wearer a wide range of movement, and work great as light layering pieces for aerobic activities or warmer conditions. Jackets with 200-weight ratings represent the middle ground in fleece, and this tends to be the most popular weight due to its versatility and ease of layering under hardshells. A 300-weight fleece is significantly loftier and heavier, more difficult to layer, and generally designed with cold or extreme weather conditions in mind.
- Polartec® was the first to knit, nap, and shear synthetic yarns into thermal fabric for outdoor apparel. Polyester fibers were engineered for more versatile durability. With greater resiliency, lightweight warmth and fast dry times, Polartec® fleece remains the industry standard for outerwear performance. Polartec® fleece comes in Micro, 100, 200 and 300 weights.
Patagonia developed its own scale for describing fleece weights: R1 to R4. R1 to R3 roughly correspond to the 100 to 300 Polartec scale, whereas R4 is a hybrid fleece combining an R2 grid fleece with a Polartec Windbloc polyester.
- Grid fleeces feature a grid pattern on the inside face of the jacket that facilitates air circulation and moisture wicking. Most grid fleeces have a smooth, bonded or woven outer face that resists pilling, increases wind-resistance, and makes for a versatile compromise between a traditional fleece jacket and a softshell.
What about weights in grams per square meter? This is not an exact science, if you need official weights consult with the fabric supplier or clothing manufacturer. Below is a general estimate as a guide.
- <100 gsm Ultra-light
- 100 – 200 gsm Lightweight
- 200 – 300 gsm Mid-weight
- >300 gsm Heavyweight
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Many people think that fleece is the perfect fabric for winter clothing & fashion accessories. Cold weather and fleece go wonderfully together.
