Sparkling techniques and ideas. A complete review of seven gems that give a sense of the future of fleece.
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
Fleece, born about 40 years ago and one of the inventions that has probably influenced the world out of all the outdoor equipment, is still steadily evolving. Nowadays, from the materials, brushing methods, to the details of the construction, the designers' approaches have created unique products that match the wide range of applications and complex requirements of the users, and are filled with amazing new products that will give you a sense of the future this season.
This time, I bought the seventh fleece that has been attracting attention this season, and, as usual, I tried wearing it for a short period of time. We bring you reviews of seven gems of the most impressive items that will be great for a variety of occasions this winter.
table of contents
- The evolution of fleece never stops. Featured fleece impressions
- Patagonia R1 Air: A new standard technical fleece for winter that has undergone legitimate evolution
- Teton Bros. WOOL AIR HOODY: Hats off to the comfort that was carefully honed without any oddity
- Houdini Mono Air: A piece that will suit your mountain lover every day
- MILLET Alpha Light Sweat Crew: High-level comfort that connects you from the mountains to your everyday life without any discomfort
- OMM Core Hoodie: The latest material that gives you a sense of unfathomable potential. Whether you can use it well depends on you
- Houdini Alto Crew: The ultimate comfort that will make you want to be left with the warmth of mother nature
- STATIC ADRIFT CREW: Ultra-lightweight active insulation layer that fills the gaps in winter layering
The evolution of fleece never stops. Featured fleece impressions
*☆☆☆~★★★ Ratings are impressions when viewed as thin to medium-thick fleece.
Patagonia R1 Air: A new standard technical fleece for winter that has undergone legitimate evolution
Wearing size S (176cm/64kg)
Heat retention ★★☆ Comfort ★★★ Ease of movement ★★★ Breathability ★★☆ Weight ★★☆ Mountain wear ★★★ Street wear ★☆☆
Patagonia, a pioneer in this field, has been examining a wide variety of fleece products in the world, and it the R1 series is truly a "constant classic" in the technical fleece world, with the largest number of followers in the world.
The R1 Air has joined R1 . While maintaining the good balance and versatility of the R1 , R1 , and has evolved smarterly as a "regulator fleece" in the sense that it relieves changes in the cold and heat that the body feels.
A major highlight is that the fibers are made of hollow fiber polyester (100% recycled) and fine zigzag grooves on the surface of the fabric give a unique and sophisticated impression, resulting in heat retention, moisture absorption, breathability and quick drying that you wouldn't expect from the outside (just like the masterpiece base layer Capilene Air ). The uneven, convex parts are made of short-pile brushed fleece, which feels good on the skin and is warm. The good news is that this new pattern keeps the weight down by about 50g while maintaining high heat retention and breathability.
The sleeves are well-reached and highly stretchy, making it both fit and easy to move in, and despite its tight and non-doubling silhouette, it feels comfortable to wear like wearing a thick T-shirt. The shoulder seams also firmly avoid the pinnacle, and there is no stress when carrying a backpack. This zip-neck type has one chest zip pocket, but it's sufficient as long as it is used as a middle-aged one.
By the way, I chose the zip neck type because I thought that it would work well as a second base layer on top of a slim fit mid layer or a lightweight base layer. When I tried using it as a mid-layer in the cold, it was as expected, and even though it was colder than I expected, it was not too hot and not too cold, and it was comfortable.
It also has a high-cue, fresh, durable, antibacterial and deodorizing finish that makes it safe for long-term activities. The elegant designs typical of Patagonia are also useful for trekking, climbing, backcountry, and if you want to, it's easy to use in any outdoor environment in winter, making it an excellent choice. Personally, I don't think I'll let it go 24 hours a day, whether on or off this winter.
Patagonia official website Men's R1 air zip neck
Teton Bros. WOOL AIR HOODY: Hats off to the comfort that was carefully honed without any oddity
Wearing size M (176cm/64kg)
Heat retention ★★★ Comfort ★★★ Ease of movement ★★★ Breathability ★☆☆ Weight ☆☆☆ Mountain wear ★★★ Street wear ★★☆
Teton Bros. , a brand that is located in Japan that continues to produce world-class, practical and innovative outdoor products, Polartec for many years , and is often the first in the world to use the latest fabrics that are not yet used by any brand.
One of them is WOOL AIR HOODY which appeared since last season Polartec Wool Highloft used in this model looks like a traditional synthetic high loft fleece, but as the name suggests, the key point is that it is a blended fabric containing 52% wool.
The difference is first reflected in the comfort of the wear. Compared to conventional 100% polyester high lofts, each fiber bundle has a more delicate and soft feel, and gives it a greater volume and high elasticity. The pleasant feeling of being wrapped in a high-quality blanket will make you feel happy the moment you wear it. The moderate fit is not too thin or too loose, and the raglan sleeves make it stress-free and easy to move around with.
Although it certainly doesn't weigh light, it has a high volume that is hard to imagine with this weight. The delicate brushed material feels comfortable on the skin.
Of course, it has excellent moisture and temperature control performance and deodorizing and antibacterial properties that wool has, and its adjustability to alleviate overheating and excessive coldness is higher than conventional synthetic fleece. In other words, even though it is this thick, it is not too hot, not too cold, not too stuffy. This means you can wear it comfortably forever.
The attention to detail is very careful about small parts that make your outdoors comfortable in the cold season, such as a fluffy hood that fits comfortably on your head, sleeves with thumb holes that contribute to heat retention and ease of layering, and large hand warmer pockets that make it comfortable to wear in the cold season.
The sturdy and thick construction may not be suitable for warm seasons or high-tempo activities, but the highest level of heat retention in this review and overall functionality, combined with just the right amount of adjustment, will definitely be useful for activities in harsh winter mountain mountains, including backcountry skiing. Plus, it has a sophisticated design, colouring, and texture that can be actively taken out as street wear, so you can wear it every day without having to sleep in the back of your chest of drawers for the weekend's crucial occasions.
Am I the only one who thinks that this highly refined piece that opens up a new door for fleece is highly value-effective in the long run?
Houdini Mono Air: A piece that will suit your mountain lover every day
Wearing size S (176cm/64kg)
Heat retention★☆☆ Comfort★★☆ Ease of movement★★★ Breathability★☆☆ Weight☆☆☆ Mountain wear★★☆ Street wear★★★
is probably one of the few outdoor brands in the world, having achieved this season the use of environmentally friendly materials such as recycled and biodegradable materials for all fabrics produced
In Houdini Polartec® Power Air™, " a new material that is 100% recyclable and can reduce the falling off of microfibers, which are said to be harmful to the global environment, by up to five times as much as conventional fleece . This Mono Air Houdi is a lightweight, evolved active fleece jacket that has been added to the family.
The slim and simple look, yet minimalistic and sophisticated designs don't feel boring, suggesting that they still have a good sense of taste, which can be said to be their specialty. At the same time, the high collar, double zipper on the front, and sleeves with thumb holes, which can be considered functional beauty, are designed to be easy to use when active, and while still retaining the previous model, what's more exciting about the current model is that the newly developed " Polartec® Power Air Light " makes the fabric thinner, and to some extent it eliminates the "weight" that was bothering the previous model.
Polartec® Power Air™, which makes full use of the latest technology, an interview with our website last year , but once again, we explain the mechanism: the padding and layer of air trapped in a small air pocket with a capsule structure creates insulation. This fleece material overcomes its environmental weakness, as it is not made from exposed fibers with raised surfaces as before, so it can significantly reduce the microplastics that occur when the fibers fall out. The matte and smooth surface is smooth and resistant to pilling, making it easy to layer.
It has a tight, waste-free fit, yet has excellent elasticity, so it is almost impossible to say that it feels cramped, and its modest heat retention, high ventilation and quick-drying properties make it a solid mid-layer in active situations. The simple and reliable functionality makes it suitable for a wide range of occasions as an intermediate wear for outdoor activities such as mountain climbing and camping.
That being said, however, compared to the other models that have been put on display this time, the characteristics of each of them are not generally outstanding, and even the heat retention properties are weaker than the previous brushed fleece of the same weight. Although it is sufficient for breathability and quick drying, it is not surprisingly high, and I feel that the use of the product can be limited to activities in places that are not deep in mountains, in spring, autumn, or in winter when the cold is subsided.
However, you should not misunderstand that what this jacket is aiming for is not the best performance on the ridge, specialized for technical applications. This fleece is not just for adventures that last just a few days in a year (of course I never think it's worthless), but it's a perfect piece for those looking for a piece that enriches everyday life, or a piece that will align with every day, whether it's in the mountains, in a cafe or in a restaurant.
MILLET Alpha Light Sweat Crew: High-level comfort that connects you from the mountains to your everyday life without any discomfort
UK size M wear (176cm/64kg)
Heat retention ★★☆ Comfort ★★★ Ease of movement ★★☆ Breathability ★★☆ Weight ★☆☆ Mountain wear ★★★ Street wear ★★☆
Polartec® Alpha® is a pioneer in highly breathable padding and is now known as its synonymous with its signature, and , sometimes as a padding and sometimes Polartec® Alpha®Direct , and even now, nearly 10 years after its launch, it continues to produce innovative items. Among the items made with Polartec® Alpha®Direct, this MILLET Alpha Light sweat crew is the perfect item to be " one of the season . " When I first saw it, I couldn't help but feel unconscious about hitting my knee.
Originally, active insulation (highly breathable padded jacket) is a material and product that is labelled "cold protection clothing that you don't need to take off while you're still, as it keeps the body warm moderately while you're still, and when you're moving, it quickly cools the body with excellent ventilation and quick-drying functions. The Alpha Light Sweat Crew eliminated waste in order to make the most of its characteristics, and as a result, they came to the conclusion that it was a sweatshirt that doesn't even have zippers or pockets.
What's more interesting about this sweatshirt made of highly breathable padding is that it is sandwiched between a highly sweat-absorbent lining and a highly breathable outer material. It may certainly be a more edgy feature if used exposed, but the slurping appearance is radical, and you'll have to leave it with a somewhat unsophisticated look. It is difficult to feel the pride and skill of a mass brand as it is finished in such a sweat-like finish, while still maintaining functionality, and is easy for a wider range of people to wear, and is so perfect that it can only be worn on a regular basis.
The thin, lightweight, not too tight, and the silhouette is not too tight, and the moderate stretch make it comfortable to wear in any situation. Whether you're wearing your daily loungewear, heading to your PC for work or relaxing at a cafe, you're always comfortable, and there's no doubt that if you go to the mountains, you'll be able to show your true value even more.
The smooth and sweat-absorbent lining absorbs sweat from the scalp to some extent, so you can wear it directly on the scalp, but if you want to maximize sweat-processing capabilities more functionally, you can effectively layer it by such as the brand's drynamic mesh scalp, or a thin base layer. I tried going out skiing between the base layer and the ski jacket, and was able to spend the day comfortably, whether going back and forth between lifts, downs and rest houses.
The lineup also includes a jacket type, and if you can focus on mountains, I would recommend that, but personally I would recommend this crew type because it gives you a sense of new possibilities and satisfaction that are different from the previous Polartec® Alpha® jackets.
OMM Core Hoodie: The latest material that gives you a sense of unfathomable potential. Whether you can use it well depends on you
Wearing size M (176cm/64kg)
Heat retention★☆☆ Comfort★★☆ Ease of movement★★★ Breathability★★★ Weight★★★ Mountain wear★★★ Street wear☆☆☆
OMM always pursues its own unique approach to unprecedented and pursues its own optimal solution, has finally released the ultra-lightweight fleece " Core Series" , unconventional yet reasonable, and is truly an OMM -like piece.
While continuing to keep on producing a series of personal hit materials in recent years, such as the PrimaLoft® Active series and the PrimaLoft® Cross Core™ series, we are the first in the world to use the new insulation material, " PrimaLoft NEXT PrimaLoft From the first thing I heard at the exhibition, I was only thinking about it as "Is it a material that rivals Polartec Alpha?", but I was surprised when I opened the lid. It has been discovered that it is a material that can make both inside and outside the body, overturning previous concepts.
First of all, this new material, like the active insulation of the past, functions as "a highly air-ventilated insulation material that combines high heat retention, breathability and quick-drying properties, allowing you to continue wearing it during winter activities." However, what is crucially different from any insulation material up until now is that this one piece has been announced to work directly on the scalp as if it were wearing multiple layers called "base layer + mid layer."
To explain this mechanism simply from the release information, the PrimaLoft Next series is made of polyester fibers that are highly absorbent and quick-drying, so sweat from the skin is first absorbed and expelled from the outside without retaining water (← the role of a base layer). Furthermore, this collection of brushed fibers mimics the properties found in animal fur, and is made up of fibers of different lengths and thinness, and inside the material , it functions to flow air when moving (ventilated and quickly dry) and trap air when stationary (warmth-height retention) (←a mid-layer role). An innovative part of this material is that these two functions are combined in a single piece of fabric, and it is said that it will overturn the common sense of active insulation.
What actually happens? So, when I put it through the sleeves right away, I was surprised at how light and compact it was. Despite this, I was surprised at how warmer the scalp felt quickly and softer than I could imagine. I then felt a breeze blowing in just by moving my body a little, and I was even more surprised by its overwhelming high breathability. Both the heat retention and ventilation (quick drying) feel a bit vivid, and it's hilarious at how powerful it is.
The finely-fine brushed fleece is very comfortable on the skin, despite its 100% synthetic fiber, and is highly recommended as a first layer. Although it is very tight, the moderate stretching means no stress during movement (however, it takes a bit of attention to strong pulls. The official website also warned me, but it is undeniable that it is still in development in terms of durability, including scratches and fallouts).
However, because of its uniqueness, I also felt that it was not easy to understand when it comes to "the best layering combination and how to use it," such as how to layer it. Honestly, this is a point that hasn't been answered yet. Just because this one piece can act as a base or middle layer, you will naturally find it difficult to handle when it's extremely hot or extremely cold, so you will need to wear layering. So what should I do (what should I wear) in that case? There will need experience.
Although it's a premise that I haven't really used it that much yet, I realized that it worked the most comfortably so far, so far when a Core Hoodie and then layered another mid-layer, such as fleece or active insulation, that is, I used the Core Hoodie At that time, it was comfortable, giving me a sense of unfathomable potential. Of course, this is a review that has only just started being released, so if they become more sophisticated, there is a good chance that they will find a more suited to wear. Furthermore, the next more advanced model may emerge that overcomes these complexities.
Anyway, I am not yet able to establish a combination of "this" that makes full use of this potential, but at the same time, I am sure I am one who wants to master the first place that looks like a shrewd horse someday. It's a new gear that's worth exploring.
Houdini Alto Crew: The ultimate comfort that will make you want to be left with the warmth of mother nature
Wearing size S (176cm/64kg)
Heat retention ★★★ Comfort ★★★ Ease of movement ★★☆ Breathability ★☆☆ Weight ☆☆☆ Mountain wear ☆☆☆ Street wear ★★★
With Houdini, who has the magic of transforming high-tech features for the harsh outdoors into tools to enrich your everyday life, fleece can be reborn in such a stylish way. The Alto Crew is an item that shakes the concept of fleece.
It looks more like a sweatshirt than a fleece. It also seems like it's coming out of a showcase of a high-end brand, and the rustic yet luxurious design and texture give off a sexiness that is far from the sturdy and sturdy outdoor fashion.
Of course, its extraordinary charm is not just its appearance. Its usefulness in the mountains is not to mention the fact that it feels so happy when you put it through the sleeves of this sweater, which is made from thick fabric (made in Sweden), which mixes natural merino wool, which is obviously a form of natural, recycled fiber, Tencel.
The lining is made of finely brushed fleece fabric, giving it a soft, soft feel to the touch. What's more, the slightly loose silhouette is stretchy and doesn't feel cramped. The exquisite comfort that synthetic fibers can't yet produce, making you feel like you'll never want to take it off again once you wear it.
Of course, since it uses high-performance natural materials such as wool and Tencel, it not only keeps warm, but also maintains a certain degree of heat even when wet with sweat, and its natural moisturizing, moisture absorption, and quick-drying properties will help relieve excessive warming and cold sweat. It also has natural antibacterial and deodorizing effects and antistatic properties. It is also excellent as a middle layer for mountain climbing and skiing. It feels good to wear on your skin, but considering the silhouette and sweat absorption, it would be best to use it as a mid-layered jacket.
The lineup includes a full zip, half zip, and crew neck, making it great that you can choose according to your purpose and preferences. Personally, I think this ultimate comfort is something I don't want to wear in everyday life, so I chose a crew neck that is easy to use, from everyday life to skiing and mountain mountains in the winter. Among the above mentioned items, it is a fairly thick category, so it may not be suitable for activities where the temperature is not fully lowered, or for activities where you will sweat extremely in a short period of time, but it is highly recommended for everyday activities such as snow hiking, light snow beckoning, skiing and snowboarding.
Made from 100% natural fibers, biodegradable, and recycled, this fleece sweater is likely to be one of the few items that can satisfy the many aspirations that we mountain lovers want every day.
STATIC ADRIFT CREW: Ultra-lightweight active insulation layer that fills the gaps in winter layering
Wearing size L (176cm/64kg)
Heat retention★☆☆ Comfort★★☆ Ease of movement★★☆ Breathability★★★ Weight★★★ Mountain wear★★★ Street wear★☆☆
With the huge trend of active insulation (jackets) as a type of winter clothing that is becoming a solid position in mountaineering wear, a wide variety of items have now been created that truly meet a wide variety of needs. The ADRIFT CREW was developed by STATIC, a Japanese outdoor brand that aims to seriously address the impact on the environment, and is a fleece sweater that has the basic characteristics of active insulation, such as "dynamic heat retention," while also having many attractive features that can be reached in places that other models do not have.
After all, despite being the most lightweight of the year (even the L size is 111g), the lightness of the item gives you a warmth that is beyond imagination. The reason for this is "Octa" developed by TEIJIN, which was used for the fabric. Octa, a hollow fiber fiber with eight radially arranged protrusions, can hold more air inside and outside the fiber than regular fibers, so the brushed lining created by entwining these together can efficiently produce dead air even if it is thin.
Furthermore, the extremely thin fabric is a fine mesh shape, allowing a large amount of air to pass through when it moves or just moves. Therefore, it promotes heat retention when it is stopped, and when it is moving, and acts as an active insulation.
The silhouette is slightly wider and armholes, and the sleeve length is slightly shorter, so when I matched my shoulder width and arm length, the L size was a little dowel. Otherwise, it is stretchy and unlikely to feel difficult to move.
This knit is highly functional and can be compared to the many active insertion jackets and regulator fleece jackets, yet surprisingly light. It can be used as a main cold protection layer during high temperatures, and even if this is not enough for a single piece, it can be used as a small addition to your usual mid-layer. The slightly loose silhouette and smooth surface make it perfect for mid-layer or second layer to wear. Slide it into the gap in your backpack, and it will give you an order of magnitude of security and comfort that you've never had before.
