Comparison Review: Perfect for Spring and Summer Ridge Walking. We Compare the Latest Lightweight Fleece Jackets

What to wear when climbing? This is a question that arises every time you pack the day before or arrive at the trailhead in the morning, and it reaches its peak during this time of year, from spring to summer

The weather forecast may say it's relatively warm, but when you actually get there, it's chillier than expected. On the flip side, the cold weather gear you brought as a precaution often ends up resting in your backpack the whole time. Layering in the mountains can be tricky. When it comes to choosing a mid-layer, which sits between your undergarments and outerwear and provides a balance between warmth and dryness, there are so many different types that many people find it difficult to choose

Fleece jackets were born in the late 1970s and quickly became explosively popular in everything from outdoor activities to casual wear, becoming synonymous with mid-layer clothing. In recent years, they may have been overtaken by high-performance insulation jackets made with synthetic fiber padding, thanks to the remarkable technological innovations they have undergone, but there's no doubt that they are still a very useful item. For me personally, fleece jackets are an essential piece of clothing that I can't do without all year round, thanks to their versatility, from the field to everyday wear

For me, fleece is best suited for ridge walking (on courses with such conditions) in moderate temperatures. Compared to synthetic fibers, fleece generally allows more air to pass through, making it ideal not only for keeping warm when it feels chilly, but also for extremely comfortable mountain hiking in areas that are a little hot but still have a gentle breeze. Some people say that cooling the body with the wind is dangerous, but in spring and autumn, or in the high mountains in summer, when you want to actively utilize its cooling properties, the balance between sweat production and diffusion speed is just right. The drawback of fleece being bulkier than synthetic fibers is not an issue if you wear it for a long time. If you still feel too cold, just put on a shell

As you may know, there are now many different fleece jacket models available, ranging from those designed for serious outdoor activities to those for casual wear, with a wide variety of features including thickness, pile length and density, surface texture, and elasticity

This time, we've picked out five models of thin, lightweight fleece jackets that are perfect for the warmer months and are extremely versatile items that can be used all year round, and tried them out to compare them

table of contents

• About the items tested this time
• Test Results & Spec Comparison Table
• Impressions of each model
• Detailed review of each item
• summary

About the fleece jackets compared this time

Naturally, the fleece jackets compared here are not fashion models, but rather models designed for mountain climbing and hiking, with distinctive functionality. While there are many fleece jackets designed for autumn and winter, each with its own thickness and weight, these are designed to withstand the cold of winter. This time, we've selected lightweight fleeces suitable for the three seasons from spring to autumn, weighing in at under 500g, all from this season's latest models. Furthermore, we've chosen hooded, full-zip models whenever possible for ease of use and versatility

• 2019 S/S model
• Designed to be worn as a mid-layer when hiking
• Weight less than 500g
• Preferably a hooded, full-zip model
• Stylish enough for everyday use if possible

Here are the five models that were selected

• Patagonia R1 Full Zip Hoody
• HOUDINI Outright Houdi
• NORRONA falketind warm1 Jacket
• MILLET Rocca Hoodie
• Mont-bell Trail Action Parka

Test environment

In Hokkaido in April and May, I wore it over a base layer or as a mid-layer under a shell for hiking, running, camping, and everyday use. The following five points were used as indicators for evaluation criteria

• Comfort and mobility...Fleece has a relatively tight silhouette, so it is important that it feels comfortable against the skin, fits well, and is comfortable to wear even during intense movement. Overall comfort is required, based on the material, stretch, cutting, and sewing
• Heat retention: The basic role of a mid-layer is to keep out the cold air and retain body heat. It shouldn't be too hot, but even for spring and summer mountain climbing, a minimum level of insulation is necessary
• Moisture absorption and quick-drying: How efficiently the base layer absorbs moisture and expels it to keep your body dry. This also affects how well it keeps you from getting stuffy when hiking
• Weight: If the performance is the same, it's better to have something lighter
• Usability: Is the design comfortable to use, with regard to the number and position of pockets, their design, hood, sleeves, zippers, etc.?

Test Results & Spec Comparison Table

If you find it difficult to see the table on the lightweight display for smartphones, click here.

Impressions of each model

Best Overall:
Patagonia R1 Full-Zip Hoody

Here is ◎

• touch
• Breathable
• durability
• Fit

Here is △

• weight
• Storage capacity and snags in left and right pockets
• Pills easily
• Bulky when stored

This classic Patagonia model is incredibly popular every year. It has a long history and has been updated countless times based on feedback from many active field users. The latest R1 is said to be the best model ever

Try it on and you'll understand. The textured, brushed pile fabric on the inside feels incredibly comfortable against the skin. It minimizes gaps between the body and the jacket, providing an excellent fit for superior warmth, and its sweat absorption and quick-drying capabilities are among the best of the five models

The fabric is made with Polartec Power Grid™, which is extremely effective at preventing cold sweat. It's even great for wearing as a base layer. The highly elastic cuffs make it easy to roll up your sleeves. The back of the left chest pocket is made of mesh material, which can be unzipped for ventilation

One downside is that the hand warmer pockets on both sides don't have zippers, which means my hands would often get caught in them while I was doing something, which was very frustrating. I'll look forward to the next update. The other issue is the weight. It weighs a surprising 400g. The fabric itself is thick and has excellent heat retention, so this may be a sacrifice you have to make, but I wouldn't recommend it for people who just want a lightweight fleece. It also pills more than I expected, so regular maintenance is required

Although I mentioned some negative points, the "R1" was my favorite of the five models. It received high marks for comfort, mobility, warmth, moisture absorption and quick drying, and functionality, making it the best-balanced item, and I'm sure it will be useful in any season

Once you put it on, you'll never forget the exquisite comfort:
HOUDINI Outright Houdi

Here is ◎

• touch
• elasticity
• Heat retention
• Drawcord for hood adjustment
• Wide range of colors available

Here is △

• Moisture absorption/quick drying
• price

HOUDINI is a historic brand from Sweden, a Scandinavian country. Some say it's the Rolls-Royce of fleece. The first thing that surprised me when I tried it on was the feel and stretch. It's undeniably superior to the other four models in terms of feel. It's simply soft. The feeling of being wrapped in the soft, chewy fabric is indescribable. The premium Polartec Power Stretch Pro Light fabric used provides a magical feel. What's more, its exceptional stretch not only eliminates stress during exercise, but it's so comfortable I almost forgot I was even wearing it

This is the only jacket in this collection that has drawcords on the hood and hem for a custom fit. Furthermore, the cuffs are cut longer toward the back of the hand, providing ample warmth and making it perfectly suited to sudden weather changes. With such soft fabric, I was concerned it might lose its shape with wear and washing, but it's surprisingly durable and holds its shape well. It's available in six colors, and the vibrant Scandinavian colors mean you're unlikely to find anyone else wearing it

The downside is that while it has excellent heat retention, it's relatively poor at absorbing moisture and drying quickly, so you'll want to open the zipper quickly to ventilate while exercising. It's the most expensive of the five models, but once you try it on, you'll understand why

Stay dry with exceptional sweat management:
the MILLET Rocca Hoodie

Here is ◎

• lightweight
• Very compact
• Breathability
• Moisture wicking and quick drying

Here is △

• Heat retention
• durability

The first thing that surprised me was how light it was. The published specs say it weighs 390g, but the actual measurement was a surprising 300g or less. Its packed size is also impressive. Since it's so compact, I think it would be a good idea to carry it as a spare mid-layer

The lining uses a 3D honeycomb-structured fabric, providing excellent breathability and moisture-wicking properties. The excellent fit, flat seams, and raglan sleeves ensured a comfortable fit, providing unparalleled comfort during our running test, which involved a lot of movement and sweating. The zippered pockets on the left chest and both sides provide ventilation, just like the others. While the jacket doesn't have a drawcord, the sleeves and hem have elastic that provides just the right amount of hold, so you don't have to worry about rolled-up sleeves slipping down. In addition to the hand pockets on both sides, the jacket also has a chest pocket that can hold a smartphone, making it extremely convenient

On the flip side, it has the lowest thermal insulation performance of the five models. It is recommended for those who are serious about summer activities, especially trail running

A lightweight and warm piece that can be worn all year round:
NORRONA falketind warm1 Jacket

Here is ◎

• Heat retention
• Hand gaiters
• lightweight
• compact

Here is △

• Moisture wicking and quick drying

Like HOUDINI, Nordic luxury brand Falketind is also based in Norway. Among NORRONA's fleece midlayers, the falketind warm 1 jacket boasts the most versatility and year-round wear. It's the closest to classic fleece among the five models, and despite its thinness, it takes the top spot in terms of warmth, as expected. It's warm, light, and easy to move in, without the bulky feel often associated with fleece. The body is made of a proprietary fabric called warm™1, based on recycled Polartec® Thermal Pro® material. It feels comfortable against the skin and is highly durable. It's also pill-resistant, meaning it's safe even when rubbed against backpack straps, and it's extremely easy to care for

The underarm and upper arm sections are made with Polartec® Power Stretch®, providing excellent stretch and allowing for effortless movement. The zippered hand warmer pockets on both sides have large openings, allowing for smooth access and ample ventilation. Another plus point is that the pockets are positioned high up, preventing interference with harnesses and other gear. Furthermore, the jacket is equipped with hand gaiters with thumbholes, a very convenient feature when used as a mid-layer in winter. This is the only model among the five models listed here that does not have a hood. While the lack of a convenient hood is a drawback, I also felt the benefit of not feeling stiff on the back when wearing a hard shell or rainwear

After using it, I realized that it can be used throughout the year, just as advertised. It is an item that really shines as a mid-layer from autumn to winter

A smart, high-performance, and affordable model:
the Mont-Bell Trail Action Parka

Here is ◎

• price
• durability
• Heat retention
• Easy to layer

Here is △

• The zipper is hard to slide
• Large storage size

From the lineup of fleece jackets released by Montbell, a proud Japanese brand, I chose the Trail Action Parka, which is said to be suitable for active scenes. To be honest, I hadn't paid much attention to it until I started testing it this time. After using it in various ways, I was impressed by Montbell's performance. It made me even more proud of our Japanese brand

The fabric is made of Stretch Clima Plus, which is highly stretchable and warm. It doesn't feel tight when you use it, so it's stress-free from start to finish. It's also sturdy and durable overall. The surface is made of smooth jersey material, which makes it easy to slip on, so there's no stress when wearing the outer layer. The pockets under both sides are positioned high, making them easy to access even when the waist belt of the pack is fastened, which is a point that we highly praise

However, while there are many attractive points when viewed individually, it's difficult to say which stand out more than the other models in this comparison. However, given the quality, the exceptional price of 7,200 yen makes it truly excellent value for money

Next page: Detailed review of each item

On the previous page, we introduced the rankings of the compared models, a list of their ratings and specifications, and our recommendations based on that. From here, we will provide additional information about the ratings, the criteria used, and why we came to those ratings

Detailed review of each item

Comfort and mobility

Comfort is evaluated from the perspective of how it feels to the touch, how well the cuffs fit, and how comfortable it is to wear, etc. Mobility is evaluated mainly from the perspective of ease of movement due to the quality of the cut and stretch

Basically, each model is designed to improve mobility, and they all have good stretchability, and none of the models felt tight or stressful while I was moving around

As a result, the model that best combined comfort and mobility the HOUDINI Outright Houdi . As mentioned above, once you experience the magical comfort of wearing it, you will never forget it. In addition, because it is highly stretchable, it was almost completely stress-free.

Furthermore, even when I fastened the front zipper, it didn't touch my chin, and the soft fabric wrapped around my neck and chin was extremely comfortable. It's an item I'll want to wear forever. Also, in terms of feel, the Patagonia R1 is also recommended, as its pile-like fabric is very comfortable.

Heat retention

Thinner fabrics make the garment lighter, but they also tend to have less heat retention. This is true for all outdoor gear, but it's a very difficult balance to strike

I was already surprised that all of the items weighing less than 500g each still had a certain level of warmth, but the one that stood out above all others the NORRONA falketind warm1 Jacket . While fleece material is used to improve heat retention, stretch fabric is used throughout, providing an excellent balance of warmth and mobility. Though thin and light, the warmth of the original brushed fleece material is still intact. Also, although it is quite heavy, the Mont-Bell Trail Action Parka is also a model with top-class warmth retention among these. I think it will be useful in early spring and autumn/winter.

Quick drying performance

Although I sweat a lot, I have neglected to choose the right items and have caught a cold from sweat on several occasions. Sweat chills while on the move can weaken your physical strength and sometimes increase your risk of danger. It is extremely important to choose items with excellent moisture absorption and quick-drying properties, not only for the base layer, but also for the mid-layer and outer layer, as this will also improve comfort

The item that I felt had the best moisture absorption and quick-drying properties this time the MILLET Rocca Hoodie . The 3D honeycomb structure of the inner fabric quickly absorbs sweat. At the same time, it ensures breathability and dries the fastest, allowing even me, a sweaty person, to move around comfortably. The fabric itself is very thin, so it makes sense that it dries quickly. However, this tends to be inversely proportional to heat retention, so it's up to the user to decide which to prioritize.

On the other hand, the Patagonia R1 not only retains heat to a certain extent, but also has excellent moisture absorption and quick-drying properties. This shows that the Polartec® Power Grid™ fabric used in the jacket has very high specifications.

weight

Considering the high specs of these models, it's already surprising that all of them weigh less than 500g, but what's even more surprising the MILLET Rocca Hoodie . The catalog weight is 390g, but the actual weight is a surprising 298g, less than 300g. Naturally, it also packs down to the smallest size, eliminating any stress when packing.

The NORRONA falketind warm1 Jacket is also attractive for its light weight of just 319g considering its warmth. It's certainly lighter because it doesn't have a hood, but when you consider the balance of warmth, durability, and weight, it still has very high specs.

Ease of use

the NORRONA falketind warm1 Jacket are equipped with a hood, which can be zipped up and tightened to the mouth, making it suitable for use as a balaclava. It's a good idea to have a hood, as it can be used to deal with sudden changes in weather. The HOUDINI Outright Houdi , which features adjustable drawcords for the hood and hem, is particularly highly rated for its ease of use.

the Millet Rocca Hoodie and the Mont-bell Trail Action Parka for those who prefer "left and right hand pockets only < left and right hand pockets + chest pocket" and also prefer zippers the Patagonia R1 which have no zippers , are more for warming your hands than for storing things.

When opening and closing the zipper the NORRONA falketind warm1 Jacket , I felt it was a little stiff, but this is only in comparison to other models, so if that doesn't bother you, it probably won't be a problem at all.

So, while each model has its own merits and demerits in terms of details, overall I found the Patagonia R1 to be the easiest to use. Aside from storage capacity, I personally find the combination of hand warmer pockets and a chest pocket that doubles as ventilation to be sufficient. Other than that, it has a smooth zipper and a hood that doubles as a balaclava. As I mentioned at the beginning, what captivated me this time was not only the comfort of the jacket, but also its ease of use.

summary

So, we've taken a look at some lightweight fleeces that are perfect for this time of year. Each model offers at least some of the key points we evaluate: comfort and mobility, warmth, moisture absorption and quick drying, weight, and ease of use. However, each model specializes in different areas, so by choosing the right item for your purpose, you'll be able to perform to your full potential in the field. We hope this article will be helpful in your selection of items

We also recommend this article about fleece jackets

• 3 questions to ask yourself when choosing the right insulation gear and 15 recommended items
• Let's summarize how to choose a mid-layer

TAC

I live in Hokkaido. On my days off, I can't stay still at home and am always doing some kind of activity. In the summer, I enjoy mountain climbing, fishing, and camping, and in the winter, I enjoy snowboarding and smelt fishing. I'm a fan of this site, and I joined because I was excited to share the appeal of the gear. I hope to review not only mountain climbing, but also a variety of other activities

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