FabricIQ
Reading the label…
Fleece
C
⚠️ Commonly associated with fast fashion. Consider higher-quality alternatives.
Soft synthetic fabric, typically made from polyester. Lightweight, warm, and quick-drying. A staple for casual outerwear.
Material Score Breakdown
Material-quality rubric (6 axes), not a garment verdict — see disclosure below. Sustainability is a separate Eco score, shown apart.
55/100
DurabilityTypical60
How long the fabric lasts with regular use
ComfortAbove-average75
Softness, feel against skin, wearability
BreathabilityWeak40
Air flow and ventilation
WarmthAbove-average78
Heat retention and insulation
Moisture WickingTypical55
Ability to pull sweat away from skin
Care EaseAbove-average82
How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain
Sustainability (separate Eco score)
SustainabilityPoor18
Environmental impact of production and disposal
Brands using fleece
7 brands have products in our catalog whose composition contains fleece. Sorted by how many garments they offer with this fiber.
Cotopaxi
6 products
Gramicci
4 products
KUIU
2 products
Finisterre
1 product
L.L.Bean
1 product
Alpkit
1 product
ROA
1 product
Brand grade = average overall score across all of their products containing fleece.
Products with fleece
See all →Top-scored garments in our catalog whose composition contains fleece. Click through for the full quality + health + eco breakdown.
ROAC
Logo Hoodie
100% Brushed Organic Cotton Fleece
$190
FinisterreC
Women's Farren Fleece
100% Recycled Polar Fleece
$95
GramicciC
Kiwi Hooded Sweatshirt
100% Fleece
$77
L.L.BeanC
Women's L.L.Bean Sweater Fleece 3-in-1 Jacket
100% Fleece
$200
![Sastrugi Pullover [Womens]](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0354/1440/9260/files/womens-sastrugi-pullover-2024-oatmeal_7a80b4fb-e794-452f-8e16-a6ce7eeac1e1_128x.jpg?v=1774645114)
AlpkitC
Sastrugi Pullover [Womens]
100% Recycled Pile Fleece
$120
CotopaxiC
Abrazo Fleece Half-Zip Jacket - Men's
100% Recycled Fleece
$48
CotopaxiC
Abrazo Fleece Half-Zip Jacket - Women's
100% Recycled Fleece
$48
CotopaxiC
Abrazo Hooded Full-Zip Fleece Jacket - Men's
100% Recycled Fleece
$60
CotopaxiC
Abrazo Fleece Full-Zip Jacket - Women's
100% Recycled Fleecehow It Fitsregul
$54
CotopaxiC
Abrazo Fleece Full-Zip Jacket - Men's
100% Recycled Fleecehow It Fitsregul
$54
CotopaxiC
Abrazo Fleece Hooded Full-Zip Jacket - Women's
100% Recycled Fleece
$60
GramicciC
G-Blur Hooded Sweatshirt
100% Fleece
$77
What this score doesn't measure
This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from fleece. The axes above are research-backed averages for the fiber itself.
- ×Construction. Yarn staple length, weave / knit structure, stitch count, finishing. Identical fiber, very different garments.
- ×Fabric weight (GSM). A 140 GSM tee and a 220 GSM tee made of the same fleece feel and last very differently.
- ×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.
Best For
👕Everyday Casual
ExcellentExcellent comfort (75) and easy care (82) for daily wear
🧥Winter Outerwear
GoodGood warmth (78) for cold weather
👔Formal/Office
GoodGood durability (60) and comfort (75) for office wear
Detailed Use Case Scores
outerwear78
everyday70
activewear65
Pros
- ✓ Very warm for its weight
- ✓ Soft and comfortable
- ✓ Quick-drying
- ✓ Machine washable
Cons
- ✗ Pills over time
- ✗ Sheds microplastics
- ✗ Not wind-resistant
- ✗ Static-prone
Better alternatives
Higher-scored synthetic materials. Same category — what to consider instead.
Gore-TexB
+21 vs Fleece · 76/100
Membrane technology that is waterproof yet breathable. A laminate applied to other fabrics rather than a fabric itself.
DyneemaB
+20 vs Fleece · 75/100
Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber — the world's strongest fiber by weight. 15x stronger than steel, used in cut-resistant gear, ultralight backpacks, and high-performance sails.
HardshellB
+19 vs Fleece · 74/100
Waterproof breathable membrane fabric (Gore-Tex, eVent, or similar technology) laminated to a face fabric. The gold standard for rain and storm protection in technical outerwear.
Care Guide
Washcold (30°C)
Cyclepermanent press
Detergentregular
BleachDo not bleach
Drytumble low
Ironlow
Dry Cleanavoid
SoftenerNo
Special Notes
• Wash inside out to reduce pilling
• Never use fabric softener
• Air dry or tumble on lowest heat
Additional Care Tips
- • Machine wash cold (30°C/85°F) inside out on gentle cycle — use a microfiber-catching bag
- • Tumble dry on low heat or air-only setting — high heat can melt and pill fleece
- • Never iron fleece — the polyester will melt or develop a shiny, glazed surface
- • Avoid fabric softener — it coats fleece fibers, reducing warmth and softness
- • Use a fabric shaver periodically to remove pills and restore the plush surface
- • Store folded; fleece does not wrinkle and is easy to maintain
Cost
$$$$$
Budget-friendly
Shrinkage
Minimal shrinkage — follow care instructions
Eco Rating
High environmental impact