The fluffy trend is officially in full swing. Even better, fleece is one of the few fluffy fabrics that have gotten wide acclaim in recent years. Brands like The North Face, Patagonia, Snow Peak, and Salamon made outdoor fashion more popular, allowing fleece to enter the spotlight.
While fleece is a top choice for battling cold weather in the US and other wintery countries, many options exist. This article will explore the top four types of fleece jackets that are perfect for any winter wardrobe in 2024.
Table of Contents
Is the fleece jacket market still popular in 2024?
Fleece jackets: 4 different types for an incredible variety
3 factors business buyers should consider when choosing fleece jackets
Bottom line
Is the fleece jacket market still popular in 2024?
Fleece jackets are trendy this year (2024). Experts say the global market reached US$ 3.488 billion in 2023 and will cross US$ 5.114 billion by 2030. They expect the market to reach this value at 5.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
The market also owes its impressive growth to the rising popularity of outdoor activities, especially during winter. In addition, men bought more fleece jackets than women, generating over 55% of the total revenue. North America is also the leading region for the fleece jacket market.
Fleece jackets: 4 different types for an incredible variety
1. Polar fleece
Polar or polyester fleece jackets are like cozy hugs in jacket form. They have double-sided piles and the most common fleece jackets for outdoor wear (even blankets and garment linings). Manufacturers make them from soft, fluffy polyester to make them warm enough for winter.
Interestingly, polyester fleece jackets are surprisingly warm for their weight. Their designs can trap little pockets of warm air to keep wearers toasty. Consumers also don’t have to worry about bulky layers, as polar fleece jackets are widespread for being lightweight and flexible.
More importantly, polar fleece jackets are breathable so consumers won’t get sweaty on hikes or chilly mornings. These jackets can come in various colors and styles with zips, buttons, or pullovers—some even have handy pockets.
Like every other winter essential, search interest in fleece jackets peaked during the winter months. They attracted 33,100 searches in November 2023 and 49,500 searches monthly in December 2023 and January 2024.
2. Sherpa fleece
Sheep are not the only ones with thick, fluffy coats this season. People can also get that snug warmth with Sherpa fleece jackets. This faux-sheepskin takes regular fleece and cranks the cozy factor with a plush, sherpa-like lining. Interestingly, sherpa fleece is a perfect replica of natural wool fleece.
Additionally, Sherpa fleece jackets are incredibly practical. Their thick lining traps even more heat than regular fleece, making them perfect for extra chilly days or evenings. Sherpa fleece jackets are often water-resistant to shrug off light snow or drizzles—some even come with features like hoods and windproof panels for extra protection.
While super warm, Sherpa fleeces can be bulkier than their fleece cousins. Regardless, they are still lightweight enough not to burden the wearer. Sherpa fleeces also come in various styles, from zip-up jackets to cozy pullovers, allowing consumers to layer them with T-shirts and other light clothing easily.
Similarly, interest in Sherpa fleece jackets surged during the winter months. Monthly searches for them peaked at 49,500 in December 2023 and January 2024.
3. Microfleece
What if consumers don’t want the weight of Polar or Sherpa fleece? They can’t go wrong with microfleece jackets. Despite their ultra-thin, tightly woven fleece materials, microfleece jackets pack a punch when it comes to warmth.
These products can trap enough air to keep wearers warm on crisp mornings or cool evenings—sadly, no heavy winter environments. Regardless, microfleece jackets have super soft and comfortable textures. People also love them for their impressive breathability and flexibility, making the lower insulation a worthy trade-off.
More importantly, microfleece jackets’ lightweight nature makes them perfect for layering, especially outdoor exercises. Microfleece jackets attracted 8,100 in December 2023 and 6,600 in January 2024. So, retailers can expect interest to surge again during the following winter months.
4. Heavyweight fleece jackets
Consumers will look for jackets that provide maximum warmth when the weather gets unbearably cold. One option that fits the bill perfectly is heavyweight fleece jackets. However, heavy-weight fleece jackets are thick enough to restrict the user’s movement.
Consumers can only wear them if they don’t plan to do a lot of physical activities. They will quickly overheat if they do. Nevertheless, this outerwear is a top choice for maximum comfort in harsh or arctic conditions. Heavyweight fleece jackets don’t have high search volumes.
Like the other types, they registered higher interest in the winter months, reaching 3,600 searches in December 2023 and 2,900 searches in January 2024—a 160% increase from the last two month’s 720 searches.
3 factors business buyers should consider when choosing fleece jackets
1. Weight
Each fleece type has a different weight, indicating the material’s thickness and loft. The higher the number, the more warmth the jacket will provide. Here’s a table showing the three different jacket weights.
| Fleece jacket weight | Description |
| 100 (lightweight) | These fleece jackets are great for physical activities. They can also provide enough warmth as mid-layers or shell jackets on slightly colder games. |
| 200 (midweight) | These fleece jackets have the most versatility. Consumers can use them as outer layers for cool environments or pair them with thicker layers for colder days. |
| 300 (Heavyweight) | As mentioned earlier, these fleece jackets are the least versatile. But, they don’t need a layering system to provide enough warmth for harsh environments. |
2. Breathability
Another critical factor consumers consider when shopping for fleece jackets is breathability. Breathability is also related to weight; hence, a lighter jacket will be more breathable than a heavyweight option.
Midweight fleece jackets are also breathable enough to help consumers cool down in active conditions. While heavier fleece jackets are notorious for being less breathable, the narrative is changing. Some brands merge heavyweight and lightweight fleece to create jackets with high warmth and maximum breathability.
3. Extra features
Fleece jackets are constantly getting design updates, with many brands adding and redesigning features. Some options may have necessary cold-beating features, like long sleeves and stand-up collars, while others have multiple pockets. Here are some key features to look out for:
I. Anti-pill
Anti-pill fleece jackets have unique treatments that stop notorious thread balls from spoiling the outfit’s look and effectiveness. These thread balls happen because of washing and drying abrasion, reducing the jacket’s heat capabilities.
II. Hoods
Fleece jackets with hoods are among the most versatile options. They allow consumers to quickly increase warmth without sacrificing breathability.
III. Thumb loops
Although this feature attracts mixed feelings, thumb loops are great for consumers who love them for extra warmth. This feature allows the jacket’s sleeves to reach the consumer’s palms, providing additional comfort and stopping the sleeves from moving up.
Bottom line
Fleece jackets are a great way to stay warm in chilly conditions. They come in different types, giving consumers a range of choices depending on how warm they want to be. Retailers can stock polar, Sherpa, microfleece, and heavyweight fleece jackets to create a more diverse winter collection.
However, business buyers can also curate a more focused fleece inventory by following this short guide on what to consider when choosing fleece jackets in 2024.
