These versatile fleece jackets will have you traveling in style.
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Fleece jackets are the unsung heroes of versatility. Whether you're braving the brisk outdoors, gearing up for a workout, or simply seeking snug comfort on chilly days, finding the perfect fleece for your particular needs is of utmost importance. With so many factors like style, breathability, and functionality to consider, Corey Simpson, communications manager at Patagonia, recommends the 80-20 rule. Think about what you’ll be doing while wearing the jacket 80 percent of the time and leave 20 percent for less frequent activities. That will help you narrow down what kind of weight, material, and look is best for you.
We tested 30 fleece jackets for comfort, functionality, and overall look for all occasions, from running errands to going on a hike. When testing the jackets, we evaluated and compared each fleece based on fit, design, performance, durability, and value. (Read more about our comprehensive testing process below). Our testing is ongoing for six more months to ensure each option’s reliability. Take a look below to find your next go-to fleece.
The style of this fleece is modern and attractive while also being functional for cold weather.
If you want to layer up or have an oversized look, it would be best to size up.
This Patagonia option does what fleece jackets are supposed to do: keep you warm, cozy, and comfortable. Whether running errands, relaxing at home, or braving a cold day at the dog park, this jacket kept us warm thanks to the design that effectively traps body heat using spandex-trimmed cuffs and hem. That being said, this jacket is best recommended for colder temperatures, providing a full range of motion but keeping heat in with a limited airflow. After washing, the fleece remained soft and sturdy with no signs of wear-and-tear.
One major plus about a Patagonia jacket is the company’s “Worn Wear” website. If you ever grow tired of your clothing or need something new, Patagonia will buy back your product and provide a credit for another purchase.
The Details: XXS to XXL | 100 percent recycled polyester | Pullover with four snap buttons at the collar
This fleece provides warmth without overheating you, making it versatile for indoor and outdoor activities.
This jacket is best suited for those with long torsos and arms.
Get yourself a fleece that can do it all without breaking the bank. Boasting both comfort and style, we love that this option is available in multiple colors and for various body types. The material is made of a low-pile fabric, and its functionality includes deep pockets with zippers, both inside and outside — best for storing essentials like a phone, keys, smaller wallet, gloves, sunglasses, and more. We loved the breathability of this fleece during our tests, noting that it had a full range of motion without getting us too hot while wearing it. We found this jacket to be true to size, but it also features an adjustable cinch at the waist that allows for a more snug fit if desired. After washing and drying, the jacket retained its appearance, color, and durability.
The Details: XS to 3X | 100 percent polyester | Full-zip
The retro-feeling design has multiple colorways for various style preferences.
This fleece is not recommended for high-intensity workouts due to limited ventilation.
Some of the best types of clothing are the pieces that are so comfortable that you almost forget you’re wearing it — and this fleece makes you feel just that. The material is low-pile, compact, and soft to the touch, while the durable pockets with nylon-like material are a plus, making it easy to clean. The jacket provides insulation without feeling too constricting and is easy to zip up while giving you easy access to pockets. We found that the insulation is effective, though we recommend layers on top for windy days or when temperatures reach below 50 degrees. While not ideal for high-intensity workouts, it allows a full range of motion for moderate activities like hiking or cycling. After washing, the fleece retained its texture, showing no signs of wear.
The Details: XXS to 4X | 100 percent recycled polyester | Full-zip
The quality of this jacket is well worth the price.
This is a thick fleece that can look a little bulky.
This Alo Foxy Sherpa Jacket is a thick, medium-pile fleece that is plush but not too long or shaggy. The removable hood, zippered pockets, and fluffy material are just some of the reasons why we gave this jacket a perfect score during testing. The ribbing on the cuffs and the hem adds shape while the fabric lining adds warmth and wind protection. The jacket allowed a full range of motion, with minimal airflow and excellent windproofing. Washing on cold and drying caused no fabric change, shrinking, or pilling. This jacket is so thick that we would definitely wear it as a standalone piece rather than layering it under a coat and for city/fashion wear, errands, or gym use instead of high-intensity activities. We love how big the hood is and how you can snap it closed for extra warmth, but you can also remove it if you prefer the tall collar or want to get rid of some bulk.
The Details: XS to L | 100 percent polyester | Full-zip
The length and slightly curved hem are very flattering.
This jacket seems intended more for fashion wear or minimal intensity activity.
We rarely see a fleece jacket that is long enough to cover your hips and rear, so this option is an automatic win if you’re looking for that type of style. We found that this option was most suitable for city wear and transitioning in between seasons, making it a good investment to wear for multiple times of the year. The fleece is soft, and the jacket has a lower pile with a thick fabric and a nice weight. The design features a slightly curved hem, deep and conveniently placed pockets, a smooth zipper, and a generously sized hood (yes, it is roomy enough for a ponytail!). While the jacket lacked lining, it provided enough warmth for mid-fall weather during testing. We machine-washed it with no noticeable changes, and the jacket seemed even softer post-wash.
The Details: XS to XL | 100 percent recycled polyester | Full-zip
This water-resistant fleece is a game-changer.
Putting items inside the inner pockets adds some bulk.
Fleece and water-resistant are two words that don’t typically go together — until now. Whether you live in a wetter climate or are looking for a weather-resistant fleece for your next trip, this jacket is for you. During testing, we thought the standout feature was the waterproof-like shell, which performed well in dense fog. The design, featuring a stretchy and structured feel, allows for easy layering, and we loved the hood and high neck. The zippered outer pockets added convenience, roomy enough to carry the essentials like your phone, keys, and wallet, if you wanted to run an errand without a bag. Whether worn alone or layered, the jacket provided excellent comfort and temperature control, making it great for low-to-high-intensity activities. Washing it twice according to the instructions had no negative impact on its appearance or quality.
The Details: XXS to XL | 94 percent polyester, 6 percent spandex | Full-zip
The three C’s: it’s cute, cozy, and comfortable.
The jacket lacks lining, making it unsuitable for extremely cold and windy conditions.
When it’s in the name, it doesn’t lie. This Vuori jacket is the epitome of coziness while delivering our favorite look on this list, described by our T+L team member as “akin to wearing a fashionable blanket in public.” Timeless yet modern, the fleece has a bomber jacket design with an oversized fit, offering coziness and comfort due to the shearling fabric on both the interior and exterior. The ultra-plush jacket washed without issues and retained its fluffy texture. We love that it’s super breathable, but we recommend it for transitional weather and casual wear rather than performance-oriented activities.
The Details: XXS to XXL | 74 percent recycled polyester, 26 percent polyester | Full-zip
The thick material makes sure you’re warm without adding bulk.
It only comes in three colors.
This one’s for the girlies who get cold easily! The Athleta Tugga Jacket earned its spot as one of the warmest options on our list. The material of this high-pile fleece is soft and stretchy, allowing for extended wear. It featured basic design elements like zip pockets, cuffs, and a waistband, making the jacket feel like it is tailored to your body. Despite the jacket being warm and blocking wind, it remained breathable, making it a great option for those who get chilly quickly. The fleece's fluffiness increased after washing, with no signs of pills or snags.
The Details: XXS to 3X | Polyester/recycled polyester | Full-zip
We love the comfort, style, and versatility for transitional weather.
Size up to layer with hoodies and sweaters.
The fleece, with its low-key fuzzy texture and availability in neutral shades, keeps things sleek yet cozy. It boasts deep pockets and oversized buttons for easy closure. When it comes to keeping warm, it blocked out the chilly wind but didn't skimp on breathability. Perfect for those in-between weather days, it's not too thick but still brings the heat when needed. The jacket’s slight oversized fit allows for layering over a hoodie or sweater. Additionally, due to its thinner and lightweight nature, it can also be comfortably layered under a puffer jacket without the risk of feeling overly bulky or boxy looking.
The Details: XXS to XXXL | 100 percent recycled polyester | Snap buttons
We love this jacket for the thoughtful and functional details like a chest pocket and thumbholes.
The pocket lining is more of a mesh material.
This REI jacket is a go-to transitional layer when those chilly days start to set in. The fit is true to size, giving you freedom to throw it over workout gear or even thick sweaters without making you look too bulky. Stretchy but not slouchy, it’s a win for comfort, and the fleece’s texture helps the jacket keep its shape. The pockets don’t disappoint with two zippers up front and chest pocket sneakily tucked away. We appreciate that the jacket zips up all the way to your lips with a hood for those unexpected gusts, and sleeves with thumb cut-outs were the cherry on top. While not claiming to be windproof, the jacket surprisingly held its own during testing, providing a buffer against the chilly breeze. This fleece might be too warm to wear while running, but makes an excellent hiking layer.
The Details: XS to XL | 50 percent polyester, 40 percent nylon, 10 percent spandex | Full-zip
This fleece option is breathable and best suited to transitional weather when you just need a light layer during a breezy day.
It’s form fitting, so prepare to wear light layers underneath.
This fleece jacket features a fitted design, is true to size, and offers a cozy touch with super-soft fleece inside and a textured knit outside. While it doesn't boast extreme warmth on its own, the low-pile fleece and L.L.Bean's reputation for quality make it a reliable layering piece. The structured silhouette adds a touch of style, and the zippered pockets enhance functionality. Although we definitely felt air circulation during wear, it makes the jacket breathable and suitable for various activities, from crisp hikes to casual city adventures. The washing process maintains its durability and softness, making the $100 price tag reasonable for the high-quality and versatile nature of this jacket.
The Details: XS to 3X | 100 percent polyester | Full-zip
The pockets are huge; there is one big kangaroo-pouch pocket with zippers on either side of the front of the jacket.
It’s a plain jacket with no frills — we would add a few more details to make it more stylish.
Just like Goldilocks, the fit of this fleece is just right: true to size with a form-fitting style that's cozy without being too tight. The high pile fleece feels like a warm bear hug, providing ample warmth without the bulk. The plush exterior is complemented by large, secure pockets with hidden zippers, adding extra convenience. While it's not ideal for high-intensity activities, it excels in keeping you warm during leisurely strolls or lounging at home. The breathability is spot-on, offering a full range of motion without feeling too bulky. Overall, it's a no-frills, top-quality fleece that we would recommend to anyone seeking a durable and cozy wardrobe staple.
The Details: XS to XL | 75 percent recycled polyester, 25 percent polyester | Pullover
This jacket is a great fit for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a lightweight layer for activities.
The sleeves are not long enough when you use the thumb holes.
Don’t let the thin material fool you — this jacket keeps you deceptively warm. While it lacks the traditional outer fleece, its soft grid interior provides surprising warmth, making it ideal for high-intensity activities. While it may not exude coziness, it delivers on stretch, breathability, and durable water repellency, making it perfect for technical use. This Eddie Bauer option allows for layering with thin shirts, though we thought the thumb holes were slightly awkward due to arm length.
The Details: XS to 3X | 91 percent polyester, 9 percent spandex | Full-zip
The colorblock design is stylish and highlights the different features of this jacket.
Depending on your height, this fleece might give you more of a cropped look.
We love the versatility of being able to layer below and above this North Face fleece option. The snap buttons of this jacket make it easy to close and open this jacket without having it get caught on the clothing you might be wearing underneath. And, despite the snap closure, we were impressed with the way it was able to insulate heat. The colorblocked design adds a stylish touch, though initial loose threads raised concerns about construction. The fleece maintained its softness after washing.
The Details: XS to XXL | 100 percent recycled polyester | Snap buttons
Three additional fleece jackets we tested couldn’t quite earn a spot on our list but had standout features that may be appealing to some shoppers.
L.L.Bean Hi-Pile Fleece Pullover Quarter Zip: This high-pile fleece has the same material inside and out, providing a soft and comfortable feel. Despite sizing up for a more oversized fit, the jacket still felt snug around the shoulders and arms.
Lululemon Full Zip Scuba Hoodie Zip Jacket: This jacket has functional features, such as deep pockets and thumb holes in the sleeves, and delivers on coziness and warmth. This option felt more like a thick hoodie than a jacket and the fit was not ideal, feeling excessively long and resulting in a somewhat boxy appearance.
Topo Designs Global Midlayer Hoodie Women Zip Jacket: The fabric of this jacket makes it so it’s more comfortable to wear than to touch, lacking a plushy or super soft feel, but maintaining a balance between breathability and warmth during high intensity activities. We would have liked for the material to be slightly thicker for enhanced warmth in colder conditions.
The Travel + Leisure team tested 30 fleece jackets in everyday scenarios to assess fit, design, performance, durability, and value. We followed rigorous four-point criteria to evaluate each option, including comfort level, breathability, quality of material, and staying power after washing. Practical scenarios included running errands, going to the gym, walks, hikes, and more to determine comfort during activities, functionality, and overall wearability.
Our long-term plan includes testing for an additional six months to monitor each jacket’s durability, performance, and user satisfaction over an extended period. This involves continued use in various real-world settings, including washing and drying cycles, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of each jacket’s long-term reliability. We will update these results if our findings should change.
Whether we're talking about a women's or men's fleece jacket, the fit that you’ll want varies depending on how you’ll wear it. Do you plan to go running or hiking in it or wear it more for lounging indoors? Are you looking for something lightweight, or do you need something thick and warm? Think about how you want it to feel (slim or oversized); if you plan on layering over or under the jacket; and what the weather is like at your travel destination to see if you need something lightweight, midweight, or heavyweight.
“[Fleece’s] purpose and design, the beauty and the heart about fleece, is that it crosses a massive spectrum of use,” Patagonia’s Corey Simpson says. “Some fleece is only technical, and people use it as a really highly active mid-layer, and then some people just use it as their favorite outer layer piece for chores and daily things to do. I would always start with intended purpose. If it's my favorite hiking piece, I would want the fit to be either an athletic or slim fit.”
A lot of the balance between affordability and functionality for a fleece depends on how good the design is for different activities. Sometimes, the most affordable options can be more wallet-friendly because more technical pieces will have higher price points than lifestyle jackets. According to Simpson, some fleece jackets with a more technical purpose are more expensive due to their performance, not quite for versatility. More often than not, you’ll find a more affordable version that you can do more activities in.
Fit and function go hand in hand, and the right fit is crucial for overall performance and comfort. Simpson says that a good fit can sometimes compensate for subpar quality. Consider factors like whether it’s a slim or athletic fit, how long it is, and the insulation. For hiking, an athletic or slim fit is preferred to avoid interference with movement or backpacks. For lounging, you may want something more oversized for maximum comfort.
Some brands are also providing more options for their customers with unisex sizing. “A good thing is to, if you can, ask the brand or ask the store if the jacket is unisex based off of a men's or women's fit block,” Simpson says. “Some of our (Patagonia’s) sportswear pieces are unisex styles, and they're widely based off of a men's fit block. Then in areas, they're tailored to then fit a gender fluid body and to be a more unisex overall fit.”
Keep the intended use of your fleece jacket in mind and consider the practicalities: packability, storage, and daily usage to ensure it meets your needs. Don’t buy a fleece intended for city wear if you want an option to work out in, for example.
“Are you going to stuff this into a backpack or a messenger bag? Is this going to be something you use coming in and out of a duffel bag? Or is it going to be something that is always out and hung up on a clothing rack?Just try to think of how this thing is going to act in your life. And then is it going to live up to what I need it for?” Simpson says.
Maintenance and cleaning will depend on the type and style of your fleece jacket, but always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for washing and drying. Clean gear will always function better, and keeping your jacket at its best quality will ensure top performance. For fleeces that might shed, use a guppy bag or microfiber filter in the washing machine to prevent microfiber pollution.
Since almost all fleece jackets are made from polyester (recycled or synthetic), they are not prone to shrinking. However, as mentioned above, we do recommend to follow the washing and drying instructions from the manufacturer to ensure your jacket will last.
While fleece jackets are normally used for transitional seasons, some are warm enough for the winter. However, this depends on the fit and what kind of layers you want. If you have a slim fit and want to layer a jacket over it, or if you have an oversized fit and are able to wear multiple layers underneath your fleece, you’re most likely golden! If you want to use your fleece as your winter jacket, we’d recommend picking an option that cinches at the waist and wrists to keep the warmth in.
An expert on shopping trends and a frequent traveler, Maddie Michalik has been professionally reviewing products since 2014. For this story, she combed through T+L’s detailed testing insights for all types of fleece jackets, reading through testing feedback for each jacket, then referenced product descriptions and additional research to create a comprehensive roundup of the best fleece jackets for women today.
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