how to choose a hiking jumper, fleece or padded jacket

How to choose a hiking jumper or fleece?

To stay warm, the famous "fleece" is available as a gilet, hoodie or jacket...
On the other hand, there are cotton blend hiking jumpers... it's sometimes difficult to find your way through so many options.
We'll help you make the right choice!

Jumpers and fleeces are perfect as a second layer to keep your body warm, whether you’re hiking or in your daily life.

The choice of a hiking jumper or fleece garment depends on 3 main criteria:
The intensity of your effort, which will require more or less breathability and zips to regulate your temperature
The weather outside, especially the temperature and rain, which will require more or less warmth and water-repellency
The duration of your hike or trek, which will require more or less compactness to fit in a backpack

Summary

How to recognise a good fleece or jumper?
What type of fleece or jumper for everyday?

The minute dictionary to differentiate between "jumper" and "fleece"

Before we get started, let's start with a not-so-slight detail: we're going to talk about jumpers AND fleece.
A jumper can be made of fleece, and a fleece is not necessarily a jumper.
WHAT IS IT?
Fleece is a "highly insulating polyester fibre", and a jumper is a "wool or cotton knit covering the upper body, which is pulled over the head".
OK so far, even for those at the back of the class🤓?
Great, now we can start!

Have a good read 😀

How to recognise a good fleece or jumper?

The choice of fleece clothing is extremely wide: from the ultra-warm, ultra-thin jacket to the plush sweater that makes you feel like you're in your duvet.
Jumpers, on the other hand, have become such a classic that they all seem to look the same... no wonder it's sometimes difficult to distinguish the different levels of quality and choose one model over another.
So let's start by looking at the basic characteristics of jumpers and fleeces to get a clearer picture.

HIKING JUMPERS

Country walking jumpers are designed for moderate efforts.

See our hiking jumpers
Mountain walking jumpers are designed for more intense efforts. The clothing will then be more technical to accompany your movements, the intensity of your effort and to better protect you from the wind while keeping you at the right temperature.

See our fleeces

HOW TO CHOOSE A PADDED JACKET, PULLOVER, FLEECE FOR HIKING?

Which fleece or sweater to keep warm while hiking?

Feeling a bit "chilly"? To help you hike all year round, during mid-season, or on cool summer evenings, you have two options.
1) Opt for a thin and lightweight fleece, like our Quechua MH520 light models for women or men, and our MH100 range for children.
2) Wear a hiking sweater to stay warm and comfortable without needing an extra layer. Our Quechua NH100 women’s and NH150 men’s models are, for example, suitable for cooler weather, between 10°C and 13°C.

Is wind expected during your hike? Keep in mind that it will lower the perceived temperature. In that case, we recommend adding a third layer: the "protective" thickness of the three-layer technique. Or choose a hybrid sweater or fleece jacket with windproof panels.

Planning a hike with some elevation? Opt for a fleece that is both lightweight and breathable, which will keep you warm while making it easier to wick away sweat. As for style, we suggest going for a fitted fleece if you prefer a close-fitting look, or a sweater if you like a more relaxed, cozy feel. Then, in terms of features, it's up to you: with or without a hood, central or side zipper, brushed knit pockets or not, etc.

Hiking in cold winter conditions (4°C and below): a warm fleece

If you’re walking in the snow, the air is colder, and your body needs more warmth. To enjoy your winter adventure, wearing a fleece designed for temperatures below 4°C is the best option. At Quechua, our warmest fleeces for hiking are the SH900 for women and SH900 for men. Planning for varying temperatures and activity levels? Consider choosing a technical fleece that offers breathability, like our Quechua MH500 zip-up models for children, women, and men in hoodie style. A sweater will be too light for these outdoor conditions. But nothing stops you from keeping it for your cozy evening by the fire after your hike! 🫖🔥

Worried about the cold and want to be sure it doesn’t seep into your clothing?
Don’t hesitate to opt for a fleece with a few extra features:
- sleeves that are tightened or have thumb loops to limit air infiltration;
- a hood to keep your head warm and shielded from the wind (especially if you forget your hat), as we lose a large amount of heat through the head;
- fleece-lined pockets that warm your hands and provide comfort.

If light rain or drizzle is expected during your hike, make sure your fleece is water-repellent: water droplets will "slide" off the fabric without being absorbed (as long as it’s not too heavy a downpour). Our SH500 technical fleeces for women and men, for example, are ideal for demanding winter hikes: they’re warm, breathable, water-repellent, and their hoods keep your head insulated from the elements. To sum up, when it’s very cold, opt for a fleece designed for winter, which is more insulating than a regular fleece or sweater thanks to its high density (measured in g/m²). Not sure what that means? Keep reading!

Fleece Focus: the Ideal Fabric for Cold Weather

What fabric weight for a warm fleece?

To measure the thermal protection level of a fleece, there’s a key reference: fabric weight. Expressed in grams per square meter (g/m²), it corresponds to the weight of the fabric (reduced to one square meter for easy comparison between garments). Theoretically, the thicker and heavier the fabric, the higher the garment’s fabric weight. And the warmer it will be compared to fabric made from exactly the same material, with the same technical properties. But be careful not to compare the weight of a cotton fabric with a fleece fabric: their very different thermal properties make comparison impossible. Similarly, don’t rely solely on fabric thickness, as density can vary from one material to another! For reference, warm hiking and trekking fleeces generally weigh between 150 g/m² and 400 g/m².

🌤️ Around 100 g/m², the fleece is lightweight, suitable for summer or spring outings.
🍂 Around 200 g/m², it’s an intermediate fleece, the most versatile weight: a good option if you plan to wear it in various conditions.
❄️ From 300 g/m² and up, we’re talking about thick, very warm fleece jackets: more suited for fall and winter conditions.

As you can see, the higher the fabric weight of a fleece, the more it retains body heat. So, if you’re stationary in a very cool environment, we recommend opting for a high fabric weight. Beyond the weather, you also need to consider your level of effort, the duration of your excursion, and the features you want. To help you find THE fleece jacket that suits you and combines all the desired characteristics, we’ve prepared a complete guide in the next article.

In fact, when should you wear a fleece or a jumper when hiking?

Feeling "a little chilly"?
A jumper or fleece jacket can give you that extra bit of warmth and a soft feeling of comfort.
The key is to wear it as a second layer, which has a thermal insulation role.
If the term "second layer" doesn't ring a bell, you can read this article on the three layer technique.
Above a cool temperature, the fleece alone is recommended if it’s not raining.
If you ever find yourself in a light rain, remember to check that your fleece is water-repellent (i.e. water droplets will "slide off" the material as long as it's not raining too hard), or add a thin waterproof layer on top.

What type of fleece or jumper for everyday?

The fleece has become an essential part of our wardrobe, whether we're into hiking or napping on the couch.
And why deprive yourself of it?
Practical, warm, cosy and comforting, the fleece has many advantages for indoor use or everyday life.
But is it better than a good old jumper?
We help you choose the right jumper or fleece for your daily life.

Choosing a fleece jumper, gilet or sweatshirt for the home

For "athleisure" use (for the non-English speakers in the room, this is a contraction of ""athlete"" and ""leisure"": a sort of cross between sports and urban fashion), you should choose fleece jumpers and jackets designed for cooler weather, i.e. between 4 and 13°C.
You don't need a super-compact fleece, because you don't have to pack it in a backpack. You can then opt for thick, soft fleeces that will make you feel like you're walking around wrapped up in your duvet.
Normally, you won't be going for an indoor sports session. So you won't particularly need a fleece with zips, which are used to regulate the temperature during intense exercise by letting in more or less outside air. Beyond the warmth, it’s ultimately the look and your body shape that will determine your choice!

BONUS: windproof and water-repellent in winter, down jacket or fleece?

Are you undecided between a down jacket and a fleece? The down jacket will be more windproof and water repellent than a fleece.
However, the advent of hybrid fleeces has changed all that! There are fleeces with waterproof inserts on the shoulders, lower sleeves and hood.
This means you don't necessarily need an extra layer if a few flakes fall.
Check out our hybrid fleece jackets for adults with a body-mapping design to give you warmth where you need it.

If you’re hiking for several days and are worried about varying weather conditions, a trekking down jacking will probably be more suitable!

You know more about choosing your jumper or fleece depending on your purpose: sipping hot chocolate by the fire in a chalet (or elsewhere, but you get the picture), or hiking in different temperatures and terrains.
We wish you beautiful and comfortable adventures (inside and/or outside) with your jumper or fleece!

Pénélope

Hiking enthusiast

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Functional features, utility, warmth, durability… these are just some of the criteria to be considered when buying snow hiking gear. Depending on your level of ability, we can help you make the right choices!