Does anyone wear fleece anymore?

[kodiakfly]

I did a search and found a bunch of good reading, but still have some questions. And questions I can't answer myself because I live on an island with few if any local options to go try on myself...I'm purely shopping online looking at pictures.

All I hear is "Merino" and "puffy" nowadays. And I understand why...smell, weight, warm...seems like an obvious choice. But in the fishing community, fleece is still king. Maybe because it's not as strenuous as backcountry hunting and we don't sweat like hogs and worry about freezing to death on a mountain, we're not worried about 3-day stench, or weight. I'm really well outfitted in fleece, but I'm wondering if I'm totally missing the boat by not filling my closet with a few sheep's worth of Merino of if many here still wear fleece and all synthetics. (I do have a few puffy coats in synthetic and down and a pair of Compressor pants already, so no need for advice there.)

Admittedly, it's been a few years since I bought new Merino and it's too itchy for me to wear NTS...I just can't get past it. Has it gotten better in the past few years? Is there a trick to getting Merino that itches less? How's the Sitka Merino? If it's not Merino, is there a place for a heavy fleece shirt over a base layer and under a shell? Or are we all just going Merino straight to a puffy or a shell? How many still wear synthetics and a fleece mid layer?

And I do apologize for the stupid question that seems like a no-brainer to everyone here. But like I say, I can't even go down to the store and look at this stuff or try it on. I'm at the mercy of your advice, and I appreciate it.

 

[rodney482]

I love fleece for an extra layer of warmth. However with todays super lightweight prima loft it usually gets left home.

Its a great outer layer if it wasnt for every thing sticking to it.

 

[weaver]

I wear merino for the smell factor. Not necessary if you can shower every day.
First Lite merino has never itched for me.

 

[a3dhunter]

I'm still wearing a fleece as my third layer.

Keep looking at replacing it but haven't yet, it does the job and I like it.

 

[5MilesBack]

I have a ton of fleece and absolutely use it. In fact, 99% of the winter all I use are fleece jackets around home. For hunting I use merino base layers and socks and that's it for merino. Then if I need an insulation layer, I wear microfleece mock-T's between my merino and camo. And if I need more insulation than that, I use my fleece jackets as an outer layer. If I need ultra insulation for sitting then I'll use my down puffy. But for "on the move" type stuff I really like my fleece........makes no noise, and keeps me warm.

 

[Huntr]

I still use and love fleece! Merino base layers and then fleece. Super quiet, breathes well and is beyond comfortable.

 

[Browtine]

I still use fleece over a merino layer when it's cold. A fleece Patagonia R1 pullover is way warmer than a similiar weight merino top.

 

[Wrongside]

I still use and love fleece! Merino base layers and then fleece. Super quiet, breathes well and is beyond comfortable.

I still use fleece over a merino layer when it's cold. A fleece Patagonia R1 pullover is way warmer than a similiar weight merino top.

Similar to my approach as well. The Primaloft or down stuff stays in the pack till glassing. The fleece is more durable than merino or puffy layers, and warmer for weight than the wool. IMO/E.

 

[Ray]

My minus 33 and first light shirts do not itch like the merino from several years ago. Order a first light from cabelas and then return it if you don't like the feel.

As for fleece I am really liking my Copper River Fleece hoody that I picked up while stuck in Cordova last fall. It's a smooth face performance fleece. Not wind proof. Black body with olive hood and arms. No pockets is my only issue.

I also have a North Face Kenai (?) zip hoody. Very light and the weimeriner color vanishes in the mountains.

For our highly varied conditions here in AK, fleece and wool are the top materials.

 

[Ridge Ghost]

I still use fleece as a second layer after my merino base.

I really like having a layer of fleece over the merino if there's any chance I will be belly crawling, especially when antelope hunting. The fleece seems more durable and won't snag / get holes as easily.

 

[fillthefreezer]

i like fleece for when ill be wet for sure. typically thats not backpack hunting for me though, more like spring bear and blacktail, in which i return home after dark.
i think fleece is the best option for clothing to be worn while wet, primaloft is better than down in this regard, but still falls short of fleece. problem with the fleece for packing in, it only compresses to the size of my sleeping bag!

 

[desertcj]

I wear fleece as an outer layer. I also carry rain slicks. It's heavier, but warm enough for me and the price was right. I'd like to try merino as a mid layer but it's twice the price and I'm generally happy with what I have(synthetic, poly/cotton) blend.

 

[Warren1726]

Yep! Merino wool base layer, Mountain Hardwear fleece over that, Primaloft vest over that.

 

[SDHNTR]

I wear fleece all the time in archery hunts from a blind or stand when quiet is a necessity. I would love to see a form fitting, thick, high loft, fleece jacket from Sitka. It sucks that all the fleece options are cut so baggy.

 

[dirtytough]

I usually have a thin fleece layer in my pack. On winter hunts here in ND I wear fleece the whole time.

 

[Matt Cashell]

I still use fleece, although the Uncompaghre has really cut down on how often.

The Patagonia R1 is a staple because of the warmth to weight ratio. The R3 Hi Loft is in there often.

I prefer to support hunting clothing companies however, and I am excited to try the First Lite Grid Fleece (Very R1 like). It seems like it took forever for a hunting company to hit that nail.

 

[mtswampfox]

have two pieces [hoodie/jacket] made by gray wolf woolens for wearing around the plantation. next season am going to have him make me some with the wind stopper installed. very nice product

 

[jquarnberg]

I love grid fleece. Wish we seen it more in the new hunting clothing. I always wished my kuiu guide jacket had that grid fleece, I have an under armour jacket that has it and think its great. That first lite grid fleece top looks pretty cool.

 

[Browtine]

The Patagonia R1 is a staple because of the warmth to weight ratio.
I prefer to support hunting clothing companies however, and I am excited to try the First Lite Grid Fleece (Very R1 like). It seems like it took forever for a hunting company to hit that nail.

Where are you guys seeing the new fleece from First Lite? An R1 type fleece in camo would be a hot item!

 

[kodiakfly]

OK, cool. I guess I'm not insane! I didn't know what replies to expect, but I'm happy to see my fleece isn't antiquated and outdated. It's just like was said above, we don't see hunting companies make fleece, so I didn't know if it had been cast to the side or not.

OK, my mind is more at ease now. I'll pick up a Merino top somewhere and keep my fleece on over that.

Thanks again for guys answering my question and not calling it dumb. It's nice to be able to ask stupid questions and not feel stupid.