We always talk about preparing for a rainy day, but what about the cold day? The fleece jacket for women is an essential item when dressing for a chilly day. They are lightweight, water-repellent, and the warmth provided by the fleece material makes them ideal for those dreadfully cold days.
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What are the Best Fleece Jackets For Women?
Now that you know what to look for in a fleece jacket for women, we can safely dive into some of the options available in the market. I evaluated these products after taking careful consideration of the above-mentioned features and these are some of the best options I could find. I hope they will be a good starting point for your search for a fleece jacket for women.
I have also added a FAQ section to help answer some of the questions you might have.
1. Columbia Women’s Benton Springs Full Zip Fleece Jacket
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.8 Pounds (0.4 kg) Material: 100% Polyester |
See it in your local store:
This product is my top choice on this list. It is made from 100% polyester MTR filament that is warm, soft, and gentle on the skin. The zipper closure and collared neck provide comfort by ensuring that you are protected from the cold. The fleece jacket is available in multiple colors and sizes from XS to XL.
The active design partnered with the lightweight and zippered pockets makes this product a suitable choice for outdoor activities such as hiking and walking. The zippered pockets ensure that your small valuables are secure while you jog or hike. However, just like the Amazon Essentials Women’s Classic-Fit Long-Sleeve Polar Soft Fleece Jacket, the sleeves on these jackets are longer compared to the size, which can result in an unflattering fit.
The Benton Springs Fleece Jacket is more on the lighter side, so it is suited for cool temperatures and layering In cold weather. The sizes run small, so I recommend buying a size bigger than your normal size. Users who bought this product in black also noted that the black was more grey than black.
Pros
- Front zipper closure,
- Zippered pockets for small items,
- Collared neck for additional warmth,
- Active and lightweight design for outdoor activities
Cons
- Size runs small,
- Colors are different from the website,
- Sleeves run long
2. Amazon Essentials Women’s Classic Fit Long-Sleeve Polar Soft Fleece Jacket
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Material: 100% Polyester |
See it in your local store:
The Amazon Essentials Classic-Fit Fleece Jacket is the best budget option on my list. It features a zipper closure for protection against the wind and the cold. The zipper goes all the way to the collar to ensure that no cold air can penetrate down the neck.
Unlike the Columbia Women’s Benton Springs Full-Zip Fleece Jacket, it is a medium-weight jacket. It is warmer, but it also takes longer to dry. It does not have any logos on the outside, which makes it suitable for workplace wearing. Elasticized cuffs and contoured side seams give it a fitted look.
Although the sleeves are long for the jacket size, you can solve this by rolling or folding up the sleeves. Unfortunately, this product does not cater to busty individuals due to its slim fitting. However, I would recommend getting a size big to accommodate the bust.
Also, some users found that the quality of this product deteriorated after a few washes. The stitching started to come off, and the elastic stretched and loosened, while in some cases, the product shrank after washing and drying.
Pros
- Midweight for increased warmth,
- Zipper closure for protection from the cold,
- High collar to increase warmth,
- Zippered pockets to secure small items,
- Elasticized cuffs to prevent cold air from penetrating
Cons
- Not suitable for busty individuals,
- Not durable,
- Sleeves run long
3. Columbia Women’s Benton Springs II Long Hoodie
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1 Pounds (0.5 kg) Material: 100% Polyester |
See it in your local store:
The Benton Springs II is made of Soft 250Gg filament fleece that is comfortable and soft. Unlike other jackets on this list, the design is long-form, which means that its length goes below the waistline, making it ideal for individuals with long torsos. It is also the only jacket with a two-way zipper on this list. This zipper allows one to open it either from the top or the bottom. This feature increases flexibility and comfort as the wearer can open the zip from below to sit comfortably or from the top to access inner pockets easily.
The zipper closure and the hoodie provide the desired warmth. However, the absence of drawstrings on the waist and wrist hems means that some cold air can creep into the jacket.
It is versatile for both casual and active wear as a result of its lightweight design. It comes with zippered hand pockets for keeping your hands warm.
Pros
- Two-way zipper closure to increase flexibility,
- Long length design for increased warmth and aesthetics,
- Hoodie to protect the ears from cold weather,
- Versatile design for active or casual wear,
- Zipped pockets to keep small items from falling out
Cons
- Does not have cuff and hem drawstrings,
- Not durable
4. The North Face Women’s Osito Hybrid Full Zip Fleece Jacket
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Material: 100% Polyester |
See it in your local store:
The Osito Hybrid Fleece Jacket is very warm and it is the premium choice on this list. Unlike the Amazon Essentials Women’s Classic-Fit Long-Sleeve Polar Soft Fleece Jacket this jacket design has enough room to accommodate users who are busty. However, the jacket sizes run small, and the sleeves are considerably short for tall users.
The zipper closure goes all the way up to the collar to maximize warmth on cold days, and the zipped pockets are ideal for securing small items when engaging in outdoor activities. Cuffed sleeves also contribute to its warmth by blocking cold air from penetrating inside the jacket.
However, as with the Columbia Women’s Benton Springs Full Zip Fleece Jacket, some users were unhappy with the color of this product.
Pros
- Zippered closure for maximum warmth,
- Designed to accommodate busty individuals,
- Cuffed sleeves to keep the cold out,
- Zippered pockets to keep small items secure
Cons
- Sizes run small,
- Sleeves run short
5. Port Authority Ladies Value Fleece Jacket
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.8 Pounds (0.4 kg) Material: 100% Polyester |
See it in your local store:
Just like the Amazon Essentials Women’s Classic Fit Long-Sleeve Polar Soft Fleece Jacket, this jacket is also a midweight product, making it ideal for cold temperatures. The hem drawcord allows you to achieve a secure fit while offering protection from the wind to stay warm. Like all the products on this list, this jacket also has a front zippered closure which is excellent for breathability.
This product also runs small, so just like The North Face Women’s Osito Hybrid Full Zip Fleece Jacket, you have to order a size bigger than your regular size.
Pros
- Zippered closure for warmth and breathability,
- Contoured design for form fitting,
- Twill-taped neck to keep it in place,
- Drawcord adjustments for secure fitting
Cons
- Size runs small
After working on this review, I found it difficult to pick a top choice but I settled on the Columbia Women’s Benton Springs Full Zip Fleece Jacket. It has features like zipper closure that increase breathability and at the same time keep one warm. The lightweight active fit is also highly comfortable and flexible when engaging in outdoor activities.
What You Should Know Before Buying Fleece Jackets For Women
To get the best value for your money, you will need to get the best product. There are many options on the market, which increases the likelihood of being disappointed by your purchase. To help you with that, here is what you need to know about women’s fleece jackets.
Fleece Jacket Material
Fleece is well known for its soft and wool-like texture, and unlike other soft jacket materials such as nylon and polyester, it is gentle and ideal for individuals with sensitive skin.
Fleece can either be organic or inorganic and within these two main groups, there are various kinds of fleece materials. Inorganic fleece is commonly made out of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a type of polyester, while organic fleece is usually made of sheep wool, cotton, or a blend of these organic materials. Polyester fleece is smooth and shiny, and as a synthetic material, it can easily get damaged by heat from hot washing water or ironing.
Cotton or cotton-blended fleece are some of the common organic types. They are soft and smooth against the skin, but not as warm as other types. The French terry fleece is unbrushed, and as a result, it is not as fluffy as other types of fleece. It is often used for lightweight jackets and does not provide a lot of warmth. Sherpa fleece is made from polyester, and it is very fluffy and soft. Due to its texture and warmth, it is often used for medium and heavy jackets.
Polar fleece is thick, lightweight, and is the warmest type of fleece. It makes it the most ideal for extreme cold weather. It can keep you warm even when wet and is also quick-drying and highly breathable making it a great choice for outdoor activities in cold weather.
Warmth
The reason why you see a lot of fleece material clothes in winter is because of the warmth provided by this soft material. It is highly insulated and can trap heat from your body to keep you warm. This insulation makes fleece jackets the ideal choice for cold weather.
Wind And Water Resistance
Although not entirely waterproof, fleece repels water, so you will be safe if it drizzles. However, unless the jacket features a waterproof lining, it will not protect you from heavy rain like a rain poncho would. Thankfully, due to its low adsorption characteristics, fleece is quick-drying, and your jacket will be dry in no time.
Features such as drawstrings, zippers, and hoods may help in providing some protection against the wind. However, fleece jackets are not wind-resistant, so I would not recommend wearing them alone on windy days. It will be better to put on a down jacket over your fleece jacket to get protection from the wind.
Breathability
A breathable jacket allows you to regulate your temperature so that you stay warm but not clammy. Fleece has low adsorption, meaning it can let moisture pass through it to make it a highly breathable material. Features such as zipper closures that are used on some fleece jackets for women increase breathability thereby reducing the build-up of moisture and sweat odor.
Weight
Due to the characteristics of fleece, women’s fleece jackets are often lightweight and are a suitable choice for outdoor activities such as hiking, running, and cycling.
There are also some midweight women fleece jackets that are more insulated. These jackets are suitable for extremely cold temperatures compared to lightweight jackets and are handy for outdoor activities such as snowboarding.
Comfort, Size, And Fit
Comfort is yet another important consideration and thankfully, fleece jackets for women are soft and gentle on the skin as a result of the nature of the material. Manufacturers incorporate features such as drawstrings that can be used to adjust the jacket to the desired fit.
If you are unsure of your size, the best thing to do is to look at the size of the jackets in your closet. Remember to go through reviews of the product to ensure if the sizes are true to size, run big or small. This will help you decide if you should order a size bigger or smaller.
Features
Pockets: For someone that will be involved in outdoor activities such as hiking, pockets are always great to have. Not only can you keep your stuff in there, but you can also keep your hands warm as you walk.
Zippers: Zipper closures are excellent features that help with breathability and general comfort. Zippers that go all the way up to the collar increase warmth on cold days.
Drawstrings: Drawstrings are a convenient way to achieve your desired fit and protection from the wind. When loosened, they also increase breathability.
Hood: For outdoor activities such as hiking, a jacket with a hood is an ideal choice. It provides warmth and protects your ears from the wind. Detachable hoods are convenient as they can be easily removed.
Long design: Jackets with this design are longer than typical jackets and they reach below the waist line. Not only does this design look good, but it also provides extra warmth. Fleece jackets with longer designs are more suitable for colder temperatures and they tend to have a more desirable fit. Due to their length, these are often worn as the outer jacket when layering.
Questions and Answers About Fleece Jackets For Women
How do I wash a fleece jacket?
The best answer for this question is found on the tag on your jacket. Each jacket is made differently and the most accurate information regarding how to wash your fleece jacket is provided by the people who made the jacket. To avoid damaging your jacket, always go through and follow the provided guidelines.
How do I clean and maintain my fleece jacket in a good condition?
Most fleece jackets for women can be machine washed which is great. Always wash your jacket on the cool cycle and do not use bleach or fabric softener as that can damage the material. Avoid using heat for drying and let the jacket air dry. With fleece jackets for women, stay away from the iron as the fabric will most likely burn.
