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Looking for a warmer mid layer fleece. Suggestions?

neonomad said:
My 4 year old was watching youtube with me when that ad appeared and I was tempted… she mentions it 3 times a week now “the big jacket daddy needs” that ad got her.

Anybody else have one of these old Polartec Cabelas shirts?… man its warm I wonder who’s making layers with the same material now.

Edit: @Ben C I think you might’ve found my answer!
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If I understand correctly, polartec was the original creator/inventor of fleece back in the early 90s? There are numerous companies still using this fabric; however, many other companies are making their own fleece as well.
 
I have a ton of Columbia fleeces, and the wind goes right through them.

I'm sure one of the thicker fleeces from North Face (or similar hiking brand) that has the smooth outer surface would probably work and not pick up a ton of burrs.

I have a pair of army surplus fleece pants and they are polartec and quite thick and sturdy. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a thicker fleece if they advertise that it is polartec brand fleece.

The only fleece I wear now for hunting is a gridded microfleece from sierra design. It is surprisingly warm for how small it packs down. I think the grids really do help warmth to weight ratio and packability.
 
I realize my title may have been confusing. I’m wanting a solid thick mid (second ) layer fleece. I think many fleeces will fit the bill and many of them will likely also double as a fall/early winter in the south outer layer. BUT I’m specifically looking for a mid layer for cold weather, not an outer layer.
 
gcr0003 said:
I realize my title may have been confusing. I’m wanting a solid thick mid (second ) layer fleece. I think many fleeces will fit the bill and many of them will likely also double as a fall/early winter in the south outer layer. BUT I’m specifically looking for a mid layer for cold weather, not an outer layer.
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If you aren't worried about burrs (since mid layer), then the warmest fleece I've worn is Berber fleece. Your post has made me want to buy this, since it is also windproof.

 
raisins said:
If you aren't worried about burrs (since mid layer), then the warmest fleece I've worn is Berber fleece. Your post has made me want to buy this, since it is also windproof.

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I had that and wore it as an out layer and it wasn’t very wind proof or warm for me. It may have worked better as a mid layer. I tried it out in 16 degree day and was defeated. My feet were also cold so maybe it wasn’t a fair consideration. Also extremely bulky and heavy.
 
gcr0003 said:
I had that and wore it as an out layer and it wasn’t very wind proof or warm for me. It may have worked better as a mid layer. I tried it out in 16 degree day and was defeated. My feet were also cold so maybe it wasn’t a fair consideration. Also extremely bulky and heavy.
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thanks won't be getting that then
 
gcr0003 said:
Don’t take my word for it I’m from the south and I am weak against the cold.
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lol...well, to be fair, if I wore that in 16 F weather, I'd have at least 4 thin layers under it!
 
raisins said:
If you aren't worried about burrs (since mid layer), then the warmest fleece I've worn is Berber fleece. Your post has made me want to buy this, since it is also windproof.

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I have the vest version and it is very bulky. It’s pretty warm but as a jacket that thing would be a chore to pack and you wouldn’t be layering much over it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Check out Varusteleka, they a great selection of surplus and new stuff. I use these in my layering system:
www.varusteleka.com

Särmä TST Woolshell Jacket

Functionally, this is much like a modern tactical softshell jacket with its minimalistic and sleek appearance in this Woolshell jacket. Check availability!
www.varusteleka.com www.varusteleka.com
www.varusteleka.com

Särmä TST L3 Loft Jacket

Lightweight, breathable and packable thermal insulation when hiking, hunting, fishing, or engaged in tactical or other tough winter activities.
www.varusteleka.com www.varusteleka.com
www.varusteleka.com

Särmä TST L3 Loft Pants

Lightweight, breathable and packable thermal insulation when hiking, hunting, fishing, or engaged in tactical or other tough winter activities.
www.varusteleka.com www.varusteleka.com
Added bonus is that they are made in either Finland or Estonia
 
gcr0003 said:
I am looking for a thicker weight fleece for my mid layer. I can get by most of the season in the south with just a merino wool base layer (mid/heavy) with a microfleece over that, puffer if needed, then outer layer. I am wanting a thick fleece to add to that warmth when it gets in the 20-30s here. I have a thick fleece I use for skiing by it is like an aqua marine blueish green, so I am looking for something in a grey, brown, tan, green, instead. Suggestions?
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The base layer is for moisture management. The mid layer is for insulation/warmth. Check out the CLO value for fleece - it isn't very high; there are better options.
 
Maverick1 said:
The base layer is for moisture management. The mid layer is for insulation/warmth. Check out the CLO value for fleece - it isn't very high; there are better options.
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You can’t just say there are better options without providing any. Spill the beans man!
 
AttackMode said:
Primaloft gold and down products have higher CLO value.
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Yea I'll wear a baselayer, fleece midlayer, then a primaloft or down jacket followed by a shell or outer jacket. That seems to be a good combo. I think the down and synthetic down work well in conjunction with fleece.
 
gcr0003 said:
You can’t just say there are better options without providing any. Spill the beans man!
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This is in support of your fleece quest:

I don't know if it is psychological, but I feel warmer when I have a combination of layers on of different materials.

I usually use high loft goose down for my main insulating mid layers because I don't think anything else comes close in terms of warmth to weight and warmth to packed down size. But when I put a thin fleece under the down it seems to really add something different and when I put a windproof shirt over the down it really helps.

Up top, if I have a mid weight base layer, thin fleece, down vest, down jacket, windshirt, and then a thin shell; I can sit still in very cold weather and I'm okay (I add 3 or 4 Hot Hands body warmers on the base layer).

I only use light and midweight base layers, but this thread has partly convinced me to buy this and pack it in as a fleece shirt.



As my packed in base layer in a larger size than I would buy for a true base layer. I use the same redhead series for my thin/medium base layers (but without a zip). They are very good for the price and are just a polyester fleece that has been treated with silver so that it doesn't stink.
 
neonomad said:
My 4 year old was watching youtube with me when that ad appeared and I was tempted… she mentions it 3 times a week now “the big jacket daddy needs” that ad got her.

Anybody else have one of these old Polartec Cabelas shirts?… man its warm I wonder who’s making layers with the same material now.

Edit: @Ben C I think you might’ve found my answer!
View attachment 78487
Click to expand...

That military ECWCS jacket shared earlier, patagonia r3 and mountain hardware monkeyman are all similar high loft fleeces. I have one of those cabelas quarter zips, nice midlayer for sure.
 
neonomad said:
My 4 year old was watching youtube with me when that ad appeared and I was tempted… she mentions it 3 times a week now “the big jacket daddy needs” that ad got her.

Anybody else have one of these old Polartec Cabelas shirts?… man its warm I wonder who’s making layers with the same material now.

Edit: @Ben C I think you might’ve found my answer!
View attachment 78487
Click to expand...

ah....hearing stuff like that makes me kinda wish I had kids
 
raisins said:
This is in support of your fleece quest:

I don't know if it is psychological, but I feel warmer when I have a combination of layers on of different materials.

I usually use high loft goose down for my main insulating mid layers because I don't think anything else comes close in terms of warmth to weight and warmth to packed down size. But when I put a thin fleece under the down it seems to really add something different and when I put a windproof shirt over the down it really helps.

Up top, if I have a mid weight base layer, thin fleece, down vest, down jacket, windshirt, and then a thin shell; I can sit still in very cold weather and I'm okay (I add 3 or 4 Hot Hands body warmers on the base layer).

I only use light and midweight base layers, but this thread has partly convinced me to buy this and pack it in as a fleece shirt.



As my packed in base layer in a larger size than I would buy for a true base layer. I use the same redhead series for my thin/medium base layers (but without a zip). They are very good for the price and are just a polyester fleece that has been treated with silver so that it doesn't stink.
Click to expand...
That redhead ain’t but 150 gsm. It would pair well with a base layer but I’m looking for something thicker. I can do a light fleece like that down into the upper 20s and low 30s. This weekend is going to be a lot colder so that’s why I’m stepping it up a notch lol.

The Helly Hansen layer I got was 340 I think…
 
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