What is a tactical fleece and what to look for when choosing one?
The first knitted fleece fabrics appeared on the market in 1979, when the American company Malden Mills Industries invented and patented a material called Polartec®. It is from this name that the term ‘fleece’ is derived. In this article, we will focus on the most popular fleece product - the fleece hoodies, and above all on tactical models.
Read our guide and find out what fleece is made of, what properties it has and the importance of the fabric weight used for the sweatshirts. Also find out which tactical fleece to choose, i.e. what features and elements to look out for when buying it.
What is fleece made of and what properties does it have?
Fleece is a knitted fabric, for which mainly polyester is used. It is sometimes further enriched with admixtures of other fibres in order to give it specific characteristics such as greater strength or flexibility. It is a material that is commonly used in hiking and outdoor clothing, as it has characteristics that find use on a variety of off-road expeditions. Among the most important characteristics of fleece are:
- Great thermal insulation - polyester fibers retain body heat while not blocking air flow.
- Lightness and softness - this material is very light and pleasant to the touch, it does not scratch the skin like wool.
- Durability - synthetic fleece fabric is characterized by high resistance to wear. Clothes made of fleece retain their properties for a long time.
- Does not absorb water - it absorbs moisture only about 1% of its weight, so it can be worn in light rain.
- Easy care - fleece clothes can be washed in a washing machine and dried in a tumble dryer without fear of losing their properties.
- Vapour permeability - fleece wicks water vapour (sweat) away but does not let air through from the outside.
Fleece weight - what does it mean?
The grammage of a fleece is a parameter which describes the density of the fabric expressed in grams per square metre (g/m²). The higher the grammage value, the thicker the fleece is. For example:
- 200 g/m² on the product label means that a square meter of the material weighs 200 grams
- 300 g/m² means that a square meter of this fabric weighs 300 grams
Usually the thicker the fleece, the warmer it is, although this is not a hard rule. Today, manufacturers often produce fleece sweatshirts that provide more warmth with less material. An example of this is Polartec® Alpha® insulation - extremely lightweight and thin, yet capable of delivering significantly more warmth than traditional, thick fleeces.
Which tactical fleece to choose?
Choosing a tactical fleece is, despite appearances, no easy task. Today, the market is so vast that it is easy to get lost. Above all, we always recommend buying clothing from trusted sources and from reputable brands operating in the outdoor-tactical market. Below, we will discuss in detail what to look out for in particular when buying a tactical fleece:
Fleece cut
Before you buy a tactical fleece, pay attention to its cut. There are kangaroo-type, over-the-shoulder models available, as well as classic full zip fleece. You can buy both bulky and more body-hugging versions on the market. If you plan to wear an extra, thinner sweatshirt underneath the fleece then choose a looser model that will accommodate the extra layers of clothing. It is worth noting that many clothing brands, such as Helikon, understate their sizes, so it is best to consult the size chart, which should be on the product card, before purchasing. Below is a sample size chart of the Helikon Infantry fleece:
| Size | Chest circumference (cm) | Total length - back without collar (cm) | Sleeve length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 108 | 68 | 55 |
| S | 114 | 71 | 56 |
| M | 120 | 74 | 58 |
| L | 126 | 77 | 60 |
| XL | 132 | 80 | 61,5 |
| XXL | 138 | 83 | 62,5 |
| XXXL | 144 | 84,5 | 63,5 |
It is also always a good idea to choose a fleece with an extended back, as the kidneys are then protected from being blown up. It is also important that the cut allows easy access to pockets and equipment carried on the waistband of the trousers.
Type of camouflage
Many people who decide to buy a tactical fleece opt for a model in camouflage. This is important for those who are looking for clothing that allows them to blend in with their surroundings, for example during survival expeditions or ASG games. At Militaria.pl you will find fleeces in camouflages such as:
- PL Woodland
- Tiger Stripe
- Black / wz. 93
- Dark Camo
- Flecktarn
- M95 CZ Camo
- MultiCam
Read our guide on types of camouflage and their use!
Zips
During various activities, we unzip the fleece when we are too hot and then zip it up again when it gets cooler. This type of activity is repeated many times, so it is worth paying attention to the quality of the zips in the fleece you buy.
Tactical fleeces are most often equipped with YKK zips, which are characterised by high durability. If the fleece jacket model you choose is equipped with a zip of this brand, you can be sure that it will not get damaged too quickly, plus its unzipping and zipping will be smooth.
Velcro panels
Velcro (velcro) panels are standard on many tactical fleece sweatshirts. Thanks to them, you can attach patches, which will emphasise your individual character or indicate your affiliation with a particular individual, group or organisation. This is useful, for example, if you take part in an ASG competition and want to put your team's patch on the fleece.
Pullers
The ribbing on military fleece is often found on the cuffs, at the bottom of the sweatshirt and at the waist. It is worth paying attention to this element, as it allows the fleece to be better fitted to the body. What's more, the drawstrings allow you to adjust the ventilation - when it's colder, you can pull them up to keep the heat in, and loosen them during more intensive activity to increase airflow.
Number of pockets and their arrangement in fleece sweatshirts
Tactical fleeces are characterized by numerous pockets of various sizes. Properly arranged - on the chest, hips, sleeves and even on the back - they allow quick and convenient access to the most important items. This way: a flashlight, multitool, map, phone and other accessories are always within easy reach. In this case, the more pockets the better - for example, a “poacher” type pocket located on the back at kidney level will also accommodate small provisions.
Additional reinforcements
A tactical fleece should necessarily have additional reinforcements, especially in areas exposed to intensive use. Often the elbows and shoulders are reinforced, because during expeditions a rucksack is repeatedly put on and taken off, which causes friction and wear and tear on the fabric of the fleece. Sometimes, however, the back, sleeves, collars and the lower part of the fleece are also reinforced with additional materials such as rip-stop mesh.
Fleece with or without hood?
Whether you choose a fleece sweatshirt with or without a hood depends entirely on your needs. Some people just aren't keen on hoods in the jackets or fleece. However, if the hood doesn't bother you, it's worth considering its presence - it can take the place of a beanie or scarf. If it is voluminous enough, it can be worn over a beanie to provide extra warmth. For example, we recommend fleece sweatshirts that have a hood with a visor - this prevents water from getting in your face when it rains.
The fleece range at Militaria.pl
At Militaria.pl we offer a wide range of fleece sweatshirts that will work well for everyday wear, during tactical operations and while hiking in the mountains. Our offer includes fleeces of various weights - both thicker and thinner ones are available. Among the available models you will find products of renowned brands such as: Helikon, Hi-Tec, M-Tac, Highlander or Columbia.
Most of the fleeces available in our shop provide great thermal insulation even in very cold temperatures, while effectively wicking away excess heat and moisture. In addition, they have reinforcements in areas particularly vulnerable to wear and tear. Typically tactical models are equipped with numerous pockets, which allow you to comfortably carry essential equipment.
