Are we getting fleeced?

[sailfish]

I have always been a cheap skate re gear and camp clothing etc
However have been considering buying a good fleece rather than the usual thin Big W or Kmart. I am considering the Mont Zute, anyone have one, what do think of them? Obviously the cheap ones are thinner, lighter and not as warm but I wonder if there is that much difference on a weight for weight basis, polar fleece, tech fleece or thermolite fleece. Can anyone quantify this or at least give an informed opinion?
Are we getting fleeced?

Regards,
Ken

[Maelgwn]

Hi Sailfish

My largely unscientific opinion is that they are all as warm as each other but a better quality fleece lasts longer without as much pilling and so is more comfortable to wear. The genuine polartec fleece tends not to noticeable pill at all.

[photohiker]

I really don't know, but I will say that some fleeces just don't seem to work as well as they should. I've got a nice cosy looking MD 'Climber' fleece that I have never felt warm in. Its Polartec. On the other hand, I still wear a 'Sierra Sport' brand fleece that I picked up in Denver on sale around 1990. Its thin, maybe 50 weight, and cosy. Go figure.

[Moondog55]

Warmth wise yes i agree, but if we talk about value for money and longevity the good stuff wins hands down
Trouble is it becomes "outdated" and "unfashionable" long before it is worn out
Any body remember Dianne Bisset and "DBStuff" i have been wearing one of her SAS parkas for over 20 years, still not even close to being worn out

[Maelgwn]

Warmth wise yes i agree, but if we talk about value for money and longevity the good stuff wins hands down
Trouble is it becomes "outdated" and "unfashionable" long before it is worn out
Any body remember Dianne Bisset and "DBStuff" i have been wearing one of her SAS parkas for over 20 years, still not even close to being worn out

Fashion??? This is a bushwalking forum, I thought we were known for our lack of fashion sense. I mean boots + gaitors + shorts + old shirt from the op shop, all with a healthy dose of mud colouring, how much better can you get?

And slightly more seriously, the thin plain colour polar fleece has been a sticker for a while now.

O and Windstopper is not as warm as straight polarfleece but has other advantages ...

[tasadam]

Fashion was in the '80s when we wore rainbow striped thermal long johns with shorts over the top...


Oh crap, did I just confess to that??

[blacksheep]

there is actually quite a wide range in qualities of fleece- warmth to weight ration/pill resistance/ air permeability in cfm and loft all make real performance differences. But as a quick consumer guide, if the fleece is primarily intended as an insulation layer (ie: not windproof) seek out thicker fleeces with open/ spongy knit sonstruction. Rub your thumb on the pile for a few seconds to see if it stays open or starts to ball/pill. I'd suggest most of the better outdoor brands wouldn't be using poor quality fleece.

[photohiker]

Fashion was in the '80s when we wore rainbow striped thermal long johns with shorts over the top...


Oh crap, did I just confess to that??

You did. Is this you?



(Its actually PTC*)

[DonQx]

I have always been a cheap skate re gear and camp clothing etc
However have been considering buying a good fleece rather than the usual thin Big W or Kmart.

Over the years we've found quite a bit of good stuff and cheap at tip shops, opp shops & garage sales.

[gayet]

tasadam wrote:
Fashion was in the '80s when we wore rainbow striped thermal long johns with shorts over the top...


Oh crap, did I just confess to that??

You did. Is this you?

But there is almost colour matching between the thermals and the gloves!
I want some of the booties though.....

[dee_legg]

The fit of the fleece is also really important. The MD Climber for instance is a super warm and thick jacket but if there are two inches between your body and the fleece then it's not going to be able to work as effectively as possible.
This is often why thinner and more closely fitting jackets will feel warmer, and is also why layering thinner layers will often be warmer than trying to achieve maximum warmth with one layer.

[sailfish]

Ta all,

So the only reason some hikers wear the brand fleeces is to look like real authentic hikers then. I thought there must be some practical advantage, I'll keep that in mind.

I have a navy work wear fleece BIZ Collection 720 g XS but large fit. It is by far the warmest I have but bulky. Cost around $30 from memory. I prefer a more muted colour in the bush besides it won't pack well. The Mont Zute is about $125 ATM 650g. Being a hollow fiber, it seems logical, all things being equal that it should be thicker and warmer than a solid fiber fleece of the same weight. This is the basis of my interest in it so I would like to hear from anyone with one.

Someone told me a good fleece feels springy when crushed, some do feel that way and others just collapse with no resistance. I guessing the springy ones would recover better from being jammed tightly into a bag. Trouble is I am a long way from hiking shops so how do I assess things online?

I don't know about the value of wind blockers as I use a rain shell for that.


Regards,
Ken

[SteveJ]

I score heaps of fleece tops from Vinnies, all manner of brands in shirts, vests, jackets and tops, including a few exspensive ones, I have found they are all good, especially for $4 each. I keep the 'cheaper ' (none lable) ones for working and the others (with good brand names) so I look like a walker when I am walking

Steve

[vagrom]

Spot on re: the Op Shops, especially if you head across to Vinnies on the ritzy side of town.
At this time of year, the racks are groaning with fleece stuff and indeed, there's some pretty smart name brand stuff often going for a song. Adelaide: the Parade; Hobart: Argyle St and Red Cross on Brisbane St is very good too.
You'll have the chance to compare what flimsy looks like beside something of quality. As you haven't paid hundreds for it, bushbashing and a bit of mud is much easier to take. It's probably good prep. for the eventual purshase of something new.
You might find a full zip front better than something you pull over and having sleeves you can pull up is a necessity an up-hill grind becomes very hot in this stuff. Long enough sleeves for cold evenings. So much variation between light and heavyweight stuff; pockets better than not.