Fleece Jumper

Fleece jumpers, the layer that does the warming

A fleece jumper is the middle piece of a cold-weather kit: it traps warm air against the body while a shell deals with weather from outside. The range takes in British army winter patterns, hooded versions, v-neck pullovers, tactical fleeces cut for men, styles made for women and jackets carrying hook-and-loop panels on the arms. What separates them is not colour but pile weight, how the neck closes and whether the shoulders are reinforced where a rucksack strap rubs.

What weight of fleece is right for British winters?

Light pile suits movement. It breathes quickly, packs down small and works walking uphill where a heavier layer would leave you soaked in sweat. Heavy pile suits standing still: watching, waiting, sitting in a cold vehicle, working outdoors at a fixed spot. Most people carrying one layer for the whole day are better served by a lighter fleece and a shell over the top than by a thick jumper alone, because the thick one cannot be turned down once it is on.

Why does fleece feel cold in the wind?

The pile holds warmth by keeping still air among the fibres, and wind blows that air straight out through the knit. Nothing is wrong with the garment: it simply is not a barrier. That is why a fleece pairs with a windproof jacket so naturally, the outer stopping the air and the fleece supplying the warmth. For a heavier outer with pockets that stay usable in the cold, a field jacket covers the same job with more structure.

Zip neck, full zip or straight pullover?

A full zip comes off without disturbing a hat or headtorch and vents fast on a climb. A short zip at the neck gives most of that control with less cold metal across the chest and fewer places for wind to enter. A v-neck pullover layers cleanly under a collared shirt and reads less like outdoor kit in ordinary company. A hood adds warmth exactly where heat escapes, though it can sit awkwardly under the hood of a shell.

What is worth checking before buying one?

• Shoulder and elbow panels: a hardwearing overlay resists the abrasion of straps and forearms on rough ground.
• Cuff closure: elastic or an adjustable tab stops draughts running up the sleeve when you reach forward.
• Pocket position: chest pockets stay reachable with a hip belt fastened, hand pockets do not.
• Hem drawcord: pulling the hem in traps the warm air a loose fleece keeps losing at the waist.

How do you stop a fleece bobbling?

Pilling comes from friction and heat, so wash it inside out on a cool cycle, keep it away from abrasive fabrics like hook-and-loop straps left open, and skip fabric conditioner, which coats the fibres and flattens the pile. Tumble drying is the fastest way to ruin loft; hanging it up costs an hour and nothing else. Cared for that way, a fleece outlasts most of what goes over it, which is one reason the classic wool designs in army jumper have never disappeared alongside them.