Grid Fleece: A Deep Dive into Its Pros and Cons
Grid fleece has become a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts and everyday wearers alike. Its unique structure offers a balance of warmth, breathability, and durability, making it a versatile option for a variety of activities and conditions.
What is Grid Fleece?
Grid fleece is a type of synthetic fleece fabric characterized by its distinctive grid-like pattern. This pattern is created by varying the thickness and density of the fleece fibers, resulting in a fabric with excellent moisture-wicking properties and enhanced breathability. The grid structure also helps to trap air, providing insulation and warmth.
Recommended Grid Fleece Tops and Hoodies
Despite its effectiveness, grid fleece garments are relatively difficult to find, although newer fabrics with grid-style weaves have been developed including Polartec Power Grid. Here are a few of our favorites.
| Make / Model | Men's | Warmth | Women's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patagonia R1 Pullover | Men's | Lightweight | Women's |
| Patagonia R1 Pullover Hoody | Patagonia R1 Pullover Hoody | Lightweight | Not Available |
| Patagonia R2 Techface Hoody | Patagonia R2 Techface Hoody | Midweight | Not Available |
| Patagonia Capilene Power Grid Thermal Weight Zip Neck | Men's | Midweight | Women's |
| Black Diamond Coefficient Storm Hoody | Men's | Midweight | Women's |
| Outdoor Research Vigor Plus Grid Hoodie | Men's | Midweight | Women's |
| Mountain Hardwear Power Grid Full Zip Hoodie | Men's | Midweight | Women's |
| Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Hoodie | Men's | Lightweight | Women's |
| Sitka Fanatic Hoodie | Men's | Lightweight | Women's |
| Skygoat CAMP Hoodie | Men's | Lightweight | Women's |
| The North Face Tekware Grid Fleece 1/4 Zip | Men's | Lightweight | Women's |
| Lightheart Gear Microgrid Fleece Hoodies | Men's | Lightweight | Women's |
Pros
- Excellent Breathability: The grid pattern allows for efficient moisture transport, moving sweat away from the body and preventing it from accumulating. This makes grid fleece ideal for high-output activities where you’re likely to sweat, such as hiking, running, and cycling.
- Lightweight and Packable: Grid fleece garments are typically lightweight and compressible, making them easy to pack and carry on outdoor adventures.
- Quick-Drying: Grid fleece dries quickly, which is a significant advantage in unpredictable weather conditions or after washing.
- Durable: Grid fleece is generally quite durable and can withstand the rigors of outdoor use.
- Versatile: Grid fleece can be used as a standalone layer in mild weather or as a mid-layer under a shell jacket in colder conditions.
- Comfortable: The grid structure provides a soft and comfortable feel against the skin.
- Stylish: Many grid fleece garments are available in a variety of colors and styles, making them suitable for both casual and activewear.
Cons of Grid Fleece
- Less Warm than Traditional Fleece: While grid fleece offers good insulation, it may not be as warm as traditional fleece, especially in extremely cold conditions.
- Less Wind-Resistant: The grid structure can allow some wind to pass through, which may make it less suitable for windy conditions.
When to Choose Grid Fleece
- High-Output Activities: Grid fleece is an excellent choice for activities where you’re likely to sweat, such as hiking, running, and cycling.
- Layering System: Grid fleece makes an excellent mid-layer in a layering system, providing warmth and breathability under a hard shell jacket.
- Mild Weather: Grid fleece can be worn as a standalone layer in mild weather conditions.
Overall, grid fleece is a versatile, high-performance fabric that offers a great balance of warmth, breathability, and durability. It’s a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts and everyday wearers alike, and its unique grid structure provides many benefits that make it stand out from traditional fleece. By understanding the pros and cons of grid fleece, you can decide whether it’s the right choice for your needs.
SectionHiker never accepts payment for gear reviews or editorial coverage. When you buy through affiliate links on our site, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Help us continue to test and write unsponsored and independent gear reviews, hiking and backpacking FAQs, and free hiking guides.
I can’t wear standard fleece because of extreme static electricity. I can however wear grid fleece in total comfort. Unfortunately I find that the pure synthetic ones get smelly really fast, especially after a day of high intensity activity. Luckily I found the Ortovox Fleece Grid style and they have just enough merino wool in them to ward off most of the funk. I can get 3 or 4 days of use out of one before it smells like the synthetics after just one day. And they’re just as nice as a Patagonia R1 albeit a bit more pricey.
What do people find effective in getting the funky smell out of synthetic garments?
Soak it in Revivex Odor Eliminator when it’s really bad, then wash it regularly in Atsko Sport Wash (instead of regular laundry detergent) has been my strategy.
throw them away and buy better clothes is the best strategy.
to be specific, wool blends or nylon. Anything is better than 100% polyester, besides cotton, of course.
I don’t agree. Love polyester fleece.
Tide makes a ‘Sport’ formulation that has Febreeze added to it. My wife and I use that for all our various sweaty athletic stuff, hiking to biking to running, works well.
Thanks. I appreciate the cleaning suggestions and will give them a try. Phil, do you have a specific recommendation?
Use Borax, as an additive/complement to regular detergent. Alternatively, you could use washing soda too, but I’ve found Borax does a slightly better job of making garments smell awesome.
The trick is to use HOT water when pre-mixing the Borax in a separate bottle. The directions state so on the box. I actually use a Blender Bottle. If you do not dissolve the Borax (or washing soda) completely, it won’t work, nor will it get rinsed out, and you will have tiny white chunks clinging to your clothes at the end of the cycle.
Great article, Philip! May I also suggest to folks living near military surplus stores (for used) or willing to buy from surplus/military suppliers: the Level II piece of the the third generation Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS). The Level II layer is essentially similar to the R1 with no chest pocket. The manufacturer depends on the year/contract. Mine is from Halys and it has just a thin layer at the arm pits for venting but otherwise is waffle grid throughout. I like the level I (base layer) and II pieces of the ECWCS for camping/backpacking. One benefit if you can get one used is you won’t care too much if you get a burn hole from a campfire ember. Most surplus dealers will know exactly what you are asking for when you mention it. They make pants as well – but that could get pretty warm unless you are staking out a position near Bastogne. Thank you again for your post as you always have suggestions I had not known about or considered.
Don’t forget local made Ragged Mountain made clothes, north of North Conway NH. I like their clothes.
1) They’re selling the business and going out of business 2) they don’t sell grid fleece online. 3) last time I was in the store (last week) there was no grid fleece. Seriously, I tried to help the owner increase awareness, but they are hopeless.And yes, I love their clothes too and have a closet full of them.
I have lots of RM clothing . They should make Alpha Direct stuff.
Another local business is Burgeon Outdoors in Lincoln, I have two of their grids fleece pullovers and like em alot.
I have an old fleece from Chuck Roast I bought back in the late 90’s and still use it today
Solid writeup! Bummer to hear about Ragged Mountain (via comment box), but worth shouting out Burgeon Outdoor – they’re putting out solid MiNH fleeces as well.
I was just in there last week – they have a new owner who will continue making garments.
Another informative article, thanks! However, I do have a couple of questions. Why is the Patagonia Thermal Weight ( 6 oz) rated as midweight warmth, while the R1 (11 oz) is rated as lightweight warmth? Also, I’ve noticed that some of the cottage manufactures (Squawk Mtn., Lightheart and others) have the grid on the outside rather than the inside…wouldn’t that reduce thermal efficiency? Perhaps the fashionista aspect is more important to some than warmth?
Patagonia is awful at explaining their products and the differences between them. Good luck trying to parse it. I’ve given up. BTW Polartec Thermal Fleece is quite warm and much warmer than r1.