When you want to stay cosy and relaxed, a zip fleece hoodie offers the perfect opportunity as a men's fleece option, whether you’re out and about in the great outdoors, or just visiting a friend in town. It offers a casual way to stay warm and insulated, but is also soft enough to be worn for daily winter activities such as walking the dog.

It has been specially designed to retain heat while remaining breathable, thanks to its insulating technologies, making you less likely to overheat compared to cotton hoodies. The range of fleece hoodies from Columbia Sportswear® has a zipped front rather than a traditional hoodie that you slide over your head, so you can wear it with the hood up or down, and open it up for ventilation if you’re getting too warm around the waist area.

Why choose a fleece hoodie over a standard hoodie

Fleece is a specially designed fabric that takes its name from the warm outer coating of sheep, and that same lofty style of fibres works extremely well to lock in heat, making it softer and warmer than a cotton hoodie. We also have hooded fleece jackets that take the warmth and softness of fleece and combine it with our wicking technology Omni-Wick™ which means you can wear it during sporting activities and hikes.

Cotton doesn’t have this ability, and if you want a hoodie that’s lightweight, fleece made from polyester is an excellent addition to your layering strategy. Standard jumper hoodies do come in a wide variety of styles and colours, but you can match your outdoor look with a sportier, athletic style with a Columbia Sportswear® fleece hoodie. It’s also difficult to layer up with a standard hoodie, but with a full-zip hooded fleece that’s also thin, layering up is never an issue.

Design benefits of a fleece hoodie

There are several benefits to a zip fleece hoodie whether you’re wearing it to stay warm when active, or need it to retain heat when you aren’t moving much:

• The polyester is a durable material and easy to wash
• They aren’t heavy like traditional cotton hoodies
• Half-zip and full-zip designs allow for easy temperature regulation
• Kangaroo and zip pockets are deep so you can carry essentials and warm your hands
• They come in regular or moisture-wicking materials
• With multiple styles and colours, you can wear them just about anywhere
• They have a relaxed fit so you can layer them easily and carry a bag too
• Available in both men's fleece and women's fleece styles

What’s more, the polyester design also copes better than cotton if it gets wet or damp, and dries a lot quicker too whether it’s from moisture created during exercise or from a light rain.

FAQs

How to choose a fleece hoodie?

When picking out your fleece hoodie for winter, spring or autumn from our collection, this guide helps you go for one that you love the style of, but that also meets your needs. A thicker fleece hoodie can be thrown on quickly when you need to head out to the shops or for a quick walk in cooler weather, but a thinner hoodie is more practical for layering. Choose a half-zip fleece with pockets so that it remains functional, and layer it with a synthetic down jacket and hiking footwear when necessary.

Are fleece hoodies warmer than cotton hoodies?

A cotton jersey is ideal to grab when you want to take the edge off on a cool night, but a fleece hoodie has been engineered to have a finer, fluffier feel to trap the warm air you generate and hold it near the body. Fleece is a much better insulator, and it can maintain your warmth even if you’re not moving much.

Can I wear fleece hoodies all year round?

Our unisex hoodies aren’t just limited to winter weather. They can be worn when the morning and evening air in spring and autumn is still nippy, but also for summer evenings where you can start to feel a little too cold when the sun dips down. For colder months, a half-zip fleece will keep your arms and torso warm, while lighter fleeces are ideal for year-round use.

Are fleece hoodies good for walking in?

Fleeces are not restrictive by nature, and you can effortlessly walk in a hoodie with a full range of movement. However, as their primary purpose is to retain heat, you might find yourself a little too warm during intense activity. The built-in hood adds convenience, allowing you to adapt quickly to changing conditions.

Do fleece hoodies wick sweat away?

Most standard fleeces will not wick sweat away efficiently, as they retain both heat and some moisture. If you tend to overheat, consider a lighter, moisture-wicking fleece that allows better breathability while still keeping you warm.