Middle-ground protection: 200-290 g/m² fleece tops
At 200-290 g/m², "midweight" men's fleeces are the most adaptable kind! As long as you're not practising a really intensive physical activity, you can wear them either as a lightweight outer layer when the temperature sits somewhere around 10°C, or as a mid-layer if it's frostier. Insulating but not overly thick, they can be worn with ease beneath a coat or jacket to offer extra warmth without adding unnecessary bulk.
Lightweight, micro fleece jumpers or jackets, weighing under 200 g/m² - undeniably versatile, especially in classic tones of black, grey or navy blue!
Incredibly lightweight but still capable of offering substantive warmth, every man should have a couple of microfleece jumpers or jackets hung pride of place in his wardrobe. Although they're not designed to tackle extreme cold, these models are ideal in spring and autumn and are absolutely perfect for layering. Thanks to their thin fabric, they're a dream to wear beneath a windbreaker or water-repellent layer during the mid-season, or under puffer jackets or parkas that are a little more fitted in the depths of winter. On the other end of the scale, they'll keep you at a comfortable temperature on milder days when the sun is shining too. These go-to models are more breathable than their heavier fleece counterparts, meaning they're also ideal for when you hit up a trail, head for a jog or embark on any other type of intense exercise. They'll keep your muscles warm without inviting heavy perspiration! If you're looking for an everyday fleece that can be thrown on at any moment, choose one of these! They really are a men's clothing essential. While it's great to add some colour to your wardrobe, we'd thoroughly recommend having at least one subtly coloured monochrome fleece in your closet for easy-pairing. Think classic shades of black, grey or navy blue!
Narrowing down your choice from thickness to style: half zip fleece jumper or full zip fleece jacket?
As you've probably already concluded by now, two principal styles of men's fleece tops branch from the three distinct fleece categories. These are half zip fleece jumpers and full zip fleece jackets. Once you've considered the practicality of what heaviness of fleece to go for, the rest really comes down to personal preference! Despite their different appearance, these two styles incorporate many of the same practical features: both generally have a funnel neck for extra warmth, can be unzipped (to varying degrees!) to carry off an attractive layering effect, and might have elasticated cuffs (or even adjustable hems) to up the insulation-anti that tad more. Added to that, many of our jackets and jumpers feature embroidered motifs to give extra character to a clothing classic. We might be inclined to suggest full zip jackets if you're simply after a new, stylish outer layer, but at the end of the day the choice is yours! At the very least, one of each design may be your best bet for a well-rounded wardrobe.
Feel-good fleeces
To recap, choosing your new favourite men's fleece requires a little bit of thought, both in terms of practicality and style. First consider what level of insulation you're in need of, and then – since you no doubt have an eye for style – ponder which cut you're more inclined towards. Whatever you go for, it's pretty much guaranteed that any item made of ultra-soft, super-warm and easy-care fleece won't leave you disappointed. Fleeces propose the perfect solution to any clothing predicament!