The 5 Best Ultralight Fleece For Backpacking and Hiking in Every Season!
As ultralight backpackers, we’re big fans of anything that weighs less, packs down smaller, functions in a plethora of situations, and is comfortable to boot. If there’s anything that fits the bill as far as ultralight clothing for backpacking goes, it’s the ultralight fleece.
Lightweight, functional, layerable and packable, it’s the active layer we didn’t know we needed until we tried it. Of course, these types of clothing aren’t perfect–we wrote all about what you need to know before buying an ultralight fleece in this article–but suffice it to say they have a downside: they’re delicate. So take care when choosing one, prepare to baby it, know how to repair your clothing, and maybe avoid bushwhacking in it.
But if the breathability, insulating power and light weight of an active layer are calling to you, these are some of our faves, all of which we’ve tested and tried personally.
The 5 Best Ultralight Fleece
Polartec Alpha Direct from Leve Outdoors: The UL Standard
Polartec Alpha Direct is the original ultralight fleece. As a result, it’s the one you’ll see most often from cottage and ultralight gear makers like those on Garage Grown Gear. Brands like Squak (whom we love–use code TERRADRIFT for 15% off) offer options, as do Leve Outdoors (pictured above), Sambob and more. This is the best ultralight fleece hoodie material for backpacking in our opinion simply due to how light it is. There are also multiple weights available in this one, from an ultralight 60 to hefty 120.
Because the fibers on the outside, it’s easier to get dirty and harder to clean, say if you dribble some of your backpacking meal down the front of your shirt. It does only have a touch of stretch, but I still found it plenty easy to pull on and off.
- Features: Not as stretchy as other options.
- Durability: Delicate. Tears are common and should be expected.
- Weight: 4oz | 113g (Medium)
- Sustainability: Made of recycled materials.
Houdini Pace Flow Hoodie: The Stylish, Durable Option
My first breathable active zip-up was the Pace Flow Hoodie from Houdini, a famously sustainably-minded brand. We wore this one for years before we tried Alpha Direct because it’s not only more durable, but also designed to be recycled at the end of its life. Then we discovered the new Pace Flow 1/2 Zip made of the same stuff (Polartec Power Dry Mesh) and liked its hoodless collar even better for layering. It’s made up of what looks like multiple layers of bubbled material with a sort of grid pattern of holes. Any stretch comes strictly from the pattern itself, not added elastane.
It is a bit heavier than some other options, but we’re OK with the trade-off for a more durable pullover, especially when it comes to hiking and less weight-restricted activities. Find the Pace Flow options here.
- Features: Moderately stretchy. Available in a full zip or 1/4 zip pullover
- Durability: More durable than average. Snags are more likely than tears.
- Weight: 10 oz | 286 g (men’s large)
- Sustainability: Circular (made of recycled materials and recyclable), Bluesign Certified.
Sambob Octa Hoodie: Soft on the Inside, Slick on the Outside
One of the newer ultralight fleece materials to hit the scene is Octa from fabric manufacturer Teijin. I tested an Octa Hoodie from Sambob that’s made of the stuff. It’s not quite as soft on the skin as some other options, and doesn’t feel as high-end; It’s reminiscent of that team jersey fabric from high school (but not quite as cheap). It has a smooth outer face for easy layering under insulated jackets or shells (and it’s easier to wipe down when dirty) and short fluffy fibers on the cozy interior. It’s highly breathable and the fabric is a bit thicker so doesn’t feel like it will tear as easily as some other options, though we expect it will snag in time. There’s good stretch to it, which makes for easy on-and-offs and plenty of comfort while moving.
- Features: Stretchy on its own, available in several forms, including fluffy fibers and lower-profile grid patterns. Insulation is on the inside.
- Durability: Less likely to tear as easily as some options with larger holes. Easier to clean the outer fabric.
- Weight: 4.6oz | 130g (medium wide)
- Sustainability: Octa on its own not made of recycled materials. SamBob is a small, inclusive cottage brand that makes products in the U.S.
The North Face Summit Series Full Zip Hoodie: The Abrasion-Resistant One
The North Face’s Futurefleece line is also made with Octa, but a non-brushed, less shedding-prone option that looks more like an alternating grid pattern of little poofs on the inside. What sets TNF options apart (and why they’ve rebranded the material as “FutureFleece”) is the more durable outer material on articles that’s more abrasion resistant and much harder to tear or snag because perforations are much smaller. That means it’s not quite as breathable as Octa on its own, but it will stand up to slightly more abuse.
It’s also present on The North Face’s Futurefleece line (in a non-brushed, less shedding-prone option), but with a more durable outer material that’s abrasion resistant. It’s not quite as breathable as Octa on its own, but it will stand up to slightly more abuse and is available in a zip-up. We’re big fans of this TNF Summit Series Full Zip Hoodie.
- Features: Stretchy on its own, available in several forms, including fluffy fibers and lower-profile grid patterns. Insulation is on the inside.
- Durability: Less likely to tear as easily as some options with larger holes. Easier to clean the outer fabric.
- Weight: TKoz | TKg (medium)
- Sustainability: Made of 47% recycled materials.
PrimaLoft Active Evolve: The Soft One
One of the newest fabrics to hit the UL scene is Active Evolve from PrimaLoft and it’s stupendously silky soft and incredibly stretchy. It’s insulating, breathable, and feels lovely on, but the fabric sheds from the minute you take it off the rack. SO absolutely wash it before you wear it, ideally in a Guppy Friend washing bag to capture microplastic particles.
And because it’s made of synthetic materials, that means tons of microplastics are getting into soil and waterways every time you wear it. The shedding decreased after the first wash (I recommend using a Guppy Friend washing bag to capture microplastic particles), but I was still disappointed and wouldn’t necessarily recommend this option over the others on this list solely in the name of sustainability. Still want to try it? It’s available from Backcountry: the Highliner PrimaLoft Air-Perm Fleece in hoodie or 1/4-zip.
- Features: Stretchy, packable in an included pocket. Available in full zip or 1/4 zip pullover.
- Durability: Delicate. Tears and snags are common and should be expected after one wear. Shedding microplastics is significant.
- Weight: 6.2 oz | 187 g (men’s medium)
- Sustainability: Made of 100% recycled polyester.
Bottom Line
Ultralight fleece is a highly versatile and functional type of apparel for outdoor adventures in every season. It’s packable for cool dark starts and chilly summits in summer, breezy fall and spring hikes, and high-output winter pursuits. Just remember to take care of it and learn how repair it, that layering is key, and to shop responsibly and don’t over consume. Wander on!
Check out These Articles Next:
The best grid fleece (that’s not Melanzana)
How to wash fleece to reduce microplastics
Our favorite sustainable fleece
