Fleece midlayers

Idahomnts

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 6, 2016
Messages
244
Almost every time. Depending on weather for sure but mostly a merino base layer and fleece mid with a shell for outer, later in the year or where wind is going to be a pain I will throw in the puffy and fleece , I like to hike in fleece because it breathes well, on the other hand some of the heavier polartec fleece has good wind resistance and all I need for hiking around , only real big pro IMO is I think it dries quickly and can be had for cents in the dollar at any thrift store ,lol
 

*zap*

WKR
Joined
Dec 20, 2018
Messages
7,774
Location
N/E Kansas
The military fleece liner jacket is a very good option. Very warm, good pockets and fairly inexpensive.
 

Ronb

WKR
Joined
Sep 28, 2013
Messages
499
Merino ss and kuiu 97 hoody. All season long. Shell and puffy come out of the pack when needed. I have tried many other combos and this beats all!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

5MilesBack

"DADDY"
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
16,243
Location
Colorado Springs
I might have more fleece than t-shirts, and I have a lot of t-shirts. Fleece is always my first choice for layering over my merino base top when I want some insulation. Microfleece for cool temps, and heavier fleece for colder temps while on the move. The only time I'll use my down puffy while hunting is when I stop for any time and it's cold.

Fleece breathes well and the fibers don't absorb any moisture, so you can basically just shake the moisture out of the garments. From my experience it's warmer and lighter than a wool midlayer. It's also very quiet. The only downside to fleece is burrs and stuff likes to stick to it.
 
Joined
Sep 7, 2016
Messages
1,929
Location
El Dorado HIlls
merino/synthetic blend base layer, waffle grid heavy weight hoody mid layer, treated down insulation puffy jacket and a rain shell for outer. I use this same setup from august to Novemeber. Only dfference I may change base layer for a thicker base and maybe add a vest for really cold temps.
 

Shadow14

WKR
Joined
Feb 28, 2018
Messages
396
Location
Georgia
I will usually run my FL Kilin with a jetstream vest. If its later in the season and the temps are down, I will throw a fleece in with my shell in my pack. Keeps me comfortable and warm in a multitude of conditions. Fleece is cheap, warm, and dries quickly.
 

Benjblt

WKR
Joined
Dec 1, 2016
Messages
1,304
Location
Western Oregon
Almost every time. Depending on weather for sure but mostly a merino base layer and fleece mid with a shell for outer, later in the year or where wind is going to be a pain I will throw in the puffy and fleece , I like to hike in fleece because it breathes well, on the other hand some of the heavier polartec fleece has good wind resistance and all I need for hiking around , only real big pro IMO is I think it dries quickly and can be had for cents in the dollar at any thrift store ,lol
I might have more fleece than t-shirts, and I have a lot of t-shirts. Fleece is always my first choice for layering over my merino base top when I want some insulation. Microfleece for cool temps, and heavier fleece for colder temps while on the move. The only time I'll use my down puffy while hunting is when I stop for any time and it's cold.

Fleece breathes well and the fibers don't absorb any moisture, so you can basically just shake the moisture out of the garments. From my experience it's warmer and lighter than a wool midlayer. It's also very quiet. The only downside to fleece is burrs and stuff likes to stick to it.

What fleece specifically do you use? I'm looking for something mid to heavy. Like 300 weight or heavier.
 
K

Kootenay Hunter

Guest
The only problem I get with fleece is that it doesn't breath, so if you start to sweat, that moisture is staying with you. But if it's cold or you're not moving much, it's great, cheap, and light weight. A lot of fleece gets rebranded as some super fabric, when it's just poly. I've handled some high end hunting brand stuff and if you remove the camo pattern, it's just poly fleece similar to what you can buy for $20.
 

elkduds

WKR
Joined
Jun 22, 2016
Messages
956
Location
CO Springs
My experience w fleece midlayer is positive. Plain old polartec 100 quarter zip, weighs nada and packs small. It breathes OK but does not wick.
 
OP
Wireman07

Wireman07

WKR
Joined
Apr 1, 2017
Messages
335
Location
Watertown,SD
Awesome thanks everybody. I don't really backcountry hunt, but i do spot and stalk day hunts for mule deer. And doing that i dont think i want to drop that much cash on a puffy. Might just do a fleece
 

5MilesBack

"DADDY"
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
16,243
Location
Colorado Springs
What fleece specifically do you use? I'm looking for something mid to heavy. Like 300 weight or heavier.

I use a bunch of no name brands that I pick up when I find them.......many times at thrift stores. I do have a bunch of Cabela's fleece jackets from when they've gone on deep discount. I wear those year round. I only have a couple pieces in camo, one is a 300 weight jacket and the other is a 200 weight.....less than $20 each.
 
Joined
Sep 23, 2018
Messages
1,943
Location
Santa Rosa, CA
I’ve got a C4E puffy I rarely wear, my Kuiu Peloton 240 hoodie gets worn all the time, even around town. I like to run a merino base layer, peloton 240 mid layer then a guide vest over the top. I typically run pretty warm and that seems to be a good, breathable set up.
 

Stingray

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 11, 2018
Messages
294
Location
East coast
I have a number of pieces. However, I find none of the hunting companies work as well as my Helly Hansen midmeight zip neck fleece pullovers. If it’s cool the weight is perfect. If it get really cold I’ll put on a Patagonia micro puff jacket or my Kryptek Aquillo jacket (dwr down) over the fleece. With those layers I can be comfortable at cold temperatures.

Of course, I’m a gear guy so I have lots of layers and often switch it up. When I do, I usually regret having left my helly hansen at home.

My next favorite pieces are the Sitka cold weather hoody or the Kryptek Sherpa. But the Sherpa smells after a day of hiking and sweating. I sometimes wear the Sitka heavyweight core zip neck shirt. But not often.
 
Top