Cotton, Polyester, Nylon and Elastane Stretch Ripstop for casual "lifestyle" clothing: The stretch optimises comfort

Heavyweight designs (300 gsm) are created for the heart of winter and standstill activity. Without precipitation, this layer can also function as an outer layer in cold weather. The snag-free synthetic material is treated with durable water repellent (DWR), allowing precipitation to drip off while being air-permeable yet capable of barricading a breeze. Body-mapped fabric seems to be the standard in high-end versatile layers these days, and the Ascender Summit Hoody sure does deliver in this department. The upper torso and top of the arms are protected with windproof Pertex Quantum Air overlays and lined with silky smooth brush mesh. This is a super light material that traps heat around the core with its high loft.

Analysis and Test Results

The hood is spacious enough to fit over a helmet yet contoured to sandwich beneath one, too. Plus, the hood has an integrated laminated visor to help prevent obstruction of vision. The stretch-knit cuffs aren’t bulky. Overall, this layer is comfortable and articulates well during big-movement activities from skinning to climbing. Many outdoor clothing brands sell fleeces. With a Columbia fleece, you’re sure to find a fleece that’s been thoroughly tested and is perfectly lightweight, warm, soft and breathable. Columbia’s “Tough Mother” and founder Gert Boyle famously said: “It’s perfect. Now make it better.” And that’s a policy we still live by.

The OR Vigor is a lightweight fleece and is not wind-resistant. It also sports an oddly shaped hood that is shallow with a low collar. The combination leaves more of your face exposed to the elements. If you need a hood that offers more coverage for, say, wearing underneath a helmet, then the Patagonia R1 Air Hoody is a better choice for an active layer. The Vigor is best for milder weather, as a layering piece, or to be worn on the go. If that's what you're looking for, you'll find that the Vigor offers a good value.

The Kyanite Hoody doesn't breathe as well and is not our first choice for hard-charging pursuits. A more breathable, gridded fleece like the Outdoor Research Vigor is better suited to handle perspiration. We wish the Kyanite Hoody had thumb loops, and the zipper is a weak point in a stiff breeze. While the cut works well in the shoulders, the hips are narrow. If you have curves, you may need to be careful about sizing. Despite these grumbles, this is the fleece we reach for when temperatures plummet. A lightweight, high-mobility mid-layer hoody that's as great for long-distance hikes as it is for overnights The Arc'teryx Kyanite Lightweight Hoody scores high marks across the board. It is incredibly comfortable, super lightweight, and offers a fantastic weight-to-warmth ratio, making it a great choice for rigorous activity. The slim cut is streamlined enough to fit underneath a second mid-layer yet is warm enough to wear as a standalone layer on breezy cool days. The snug-fitting hood stays put and doesn't restrict vision, but it's also stretchy enough to fit over a wool hat.

Its recycled polyester knit-fleece fabric offers cozy next-to-skin comfort, and adequate warmth for shoulder season adventures, or as one of your layers for colder missions in the mountains. We did find it to offer subpar wind resistance compared to some similar fleeces. Additionally, while the raglan sleeves used are comfortable, they are somewhat tight along the arms, limiting the layers you can add underneath or the ability to roll the sleeves up much to dump heat. Travelling outside the city for your winter holiday? Embrace a frosty country life adventure by strapping on some winter boots and throwing on a sherpa hoody. You can also show off your shirt sleeves in a sherpa fleece gilet. In our fleece collection, we have a separate category for those of you who can’t get enough of Sherpa fleece. Sherpa fleece is wonderfully soft to the touch and is a great fabric option when you’re looking for a comforting and cosy layer. Our plush sherpa fleeces will keep you warm and toasty all winter long, and will make you feel like you’re wearing a blanket. Columbia offers a wide selection of men’s fleece products in various cuts and colours that can be worn in various settings. We divide our fleece clothing into 3 main categories which you can explore: men’s sherpa fleece, men’s technical fleece and men’s casual fleece. You’ll also find fleece vests and gilets ! One of our reviewers recently put the R1 Air to the test on thru-hikes of the Appalachian Trail and the Tahoe Rim Trail, using this as his primary midlayer. From week-long freezing rain storms to chilly Sierra climbs, it kept him toasty yet ventilated, and was a perfect layer for all sorts of weather and temps.One of the greatest properties of fleece is it’s inherently breathable, even when the blend includes a weather treatment. That said, if you tend to run hot and pull on a heavyweight fleece, the warmth can outweigh the breathability. This lightweight fleece has a highly breathable design that's ideal for active adventures in mild weather