Campman Outdoor Gear & Apparel

Fall is fleece season. Temperatures are dropping, mornings are crisp, and the shell that carried you through summer suddenly needs a warm layer underneath it. Whether you want something to throw on for a chilly trailhead coffee or a technical midlayer built to move under a harness, this roundup covers our favorite FW26 fleeces from Picture Organic, Howler Brothers, and Rab.

Why Fleece Is the Fall Layer That Works Everywhere

Fleece earns its spot in a fall wardrobe because it does the job of a sweater without holding onto moisture the way cotton does. It breathes well during high output days, dries fast if it gets damp, and layers cleanly under a shell once winter shows up. A quarter zip or snap front fleece works as a standalone piece on a 50 degree afternoon and as a midlayer once the mercury drops further.

That quick drying nature is the real advantage over down or wool. If fall in your area means unpredictable rain or a sweaty push up the trail, fleece recovers faster and keeps insulating while it does.

Technical Midlayer Fleeces

These fleeces are built to move. Whether you are running up a fall ridge, working a chimney at the crag, or heading into the backcountry, these layers manage moisture and regulate temperature without slowing you down.

Rab Nexus Pull-On Fleece

The Nexus Pull-On is a lightweight stretch fleece built for active days where smart layering makes all the difference. It uses Rab's Thermic stretch fleece keeping bulk low and breathability high when the pace picks up on the skin track or the approach. A zip at the chest lets you vent heat without stopping, the pullover design stays clear of a climbing harness or pack hip belt, and a zippered chest pocket keeps a phone or snacks close. The women's version adds flatlock seams and double cuffs for extra comfort under a shell on cold mornings at the crag.

Men's

Women's

Rab Ascendor Light Hoody

The Ascendor Light Hoody is a low bulk, adaptable midlayer built for fast moving mountain days and fast changing conditions. Thermic S fabric uses alternating stripes of high and low lofting fleece to insulate and breathe at the same time, so the hoody breathes like an active layer on the move and still holds real warmth once you stop. The slim, stretchy fit layers easily under a harness or pack, the dropped hem stays secure over the hips, and the under helmet hood fits snugly for a boost of warmth in the wind.

Men's

Women's

Rab Ascendor Summit Hoody

The Ascendor Summit Hoody is the most technical piece in this lineup, a hybrid midlayer built for winter climbing. Pertex Quantum Air overlays across the chest, shoulders, and upper arms add wind and water resistance while staying air permeable, and PrimaLoft Evolve insulation underneath delivers low profile warmth that keeps breathing when the effort ramps up. Stretchy gridded fleece panels at the underarms, sides, and hood move moisture and add mobility, and the under helmet hood carries synthetic insulation to keep your ears warm. A slim fit, thumbhole cuffs, and a dropped hem keep it layered cleanly and in place, and a zippered chest pocket handles small essentials. It is the pick for cold alpine starts, frozen waterfalls, and winter mountaineering.

Men's

Women's

Casual and Everyday Fleeces

These are the fleeces that live in the back seat of the car or get packed for every weekend trip. Built more for comfort and versatility than technical performance, they are the layer you reach for without thinking twice.

Howler Brothers Palo Duro Fleece Hoodie

There are few cool weather occasions where the Palo Duro Fleece Hoodie is the wrong call. Built from grid fleece with a soft, athletic feel, it is the kind of layer that comes with you to the beach even if it's warm just in case there's a cold breeze blowing off the surf. A kangaroo pocket handles hands and small items, a zippered stash pocket at the lower back keeps valuables secure, and bungee drawcords at the hood allow quick adjustment in a gust.

Howler Brothers Tajima Hoodie

The Tajima Hoodie is the softest piece in this roundup and the one most likely to split time between the couch and the trailhead. A midweight reverse printed, partially-recycled fleece gives it a plush interior and a printed exterior that stands apart from the usual solid color hoodie. Printed ribbed cuffs and waistband carry the look to every edge, custom metal logo snaps close the hood in place of a drawcord, and a kangaroo pocket keeps hands warm. The regular fit works on its own around town or camp and under a ski jacket for casual resort laps. With cotton in the blend, it is best saved for dry days rather than sweaty efforts on the trail.

Picture Organic Inaria 1/4 PRD Fleece and Inaria 1/4 Fleece

The Inaria 1/4 Fleece is a light women's microfleece pullover built for warmth in every season, and it comes in two versions. The Inaria 1/4 PRD Fleece brings a printed fabric for a little extra personality, while the Inaria 1/4 Fleece keeps things clean in a solid color. Both are made from recycled microfleece with a regular fit that slides easily over a baselayer or shirt. The quarter zip makes it quick to pull on and off and dumps heat when you warm up, and elastic bound cuffs and hem with flatlock seams keep the fit snug and soft against the skin. It is an easy grab for a chilly campfire or a cold morning at the cabin.

Printed

Solid

FW26 Fleece Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes fleece a good fall layer?

Fleece breathes and dries fast, which makes it more forgiving than cotton or down when fall weather turns damp or your effort level spikes on a trail.

Should I size my fleece to wear alone or as a midlayer?

It depends on how you plan to use it. If you want to wear it under a shell all winter, size for room to layer. If it is mostly a standalone fall piece, your regular size works fine.

What is the difference between a grid fleece and a microfleece?

Grid fleece uses a waffle like texture to boost breathability and cut weight, while microfleece is a thin, dense, smooth fleece that adds warmth with very little bulk under a shell or over a baselayer.

Can I wear a technical fleece like the Ascendor Light Hoody for everyday use?

Absolutely. Technical fleeces built for climbing or ski touring perform just as well on a cold commute or dog walk. They are simply built with a slimmer fit and more athletic features than a casual piece.

Are these fleeces machine washable?

Yes, fleece is generally low maintenance. Wash cold and skip the fabric softener, since it can clog the fibers and reduce loft over time.

Does the Picture Organic Inaria 1/4 Fleece come in a printed version?

Yes. The Inaria 1/4 PRD Fleece is the printed version and the Inaria 1/4 Fleece is the solid version. Both share the same recycled microfleece, regular fit, and quarter zip, so the choice comes down to style.

Which fleece is best for packing light on a trip?

The Howler Brothers Palo Duro Fleece Hoodie packs flat and light, making it an easy choice to toss in a duffel for a weekend away without adding bulk.

Do any of these fleeces work well under a ski shell?

Yes, several are built for it. The Rab Ascendor Summit Hoody and Rab Nexus Pull-On Fleece are both designed to layer under a shell, and the Howler Brothers Tajima Hoodie works under a ski jacket for casual resort days.

About the Author

Derek Newman

Born in the Wasatch, Derek has had an affinity for mountain life since day one. He was on skis the year he learned to walk, and as a high school graduation present he gifted himself rock climbing lessons. Nearly two decades later, Derek spends most of his time climbing up and/or skiing down most of the mountains around Salt Lake City, and he's traveled around the world multiple times for the sole purpose of peak exploration. When he isn't a man about camp, he's working in Campman's content marketing crew writing up blogs about backcountry skiing or rock climbing as well as describing products that he's used personally. He's climbed in most climbing shoes, toured on most backcountry skis, and ridden the resort on skis, snowboards, and even some evac sleds.