Fleece material: fleece clothing and its characteristics

When it comes to universal clothing that can be used as an element of both a sporty and a casual look, a fleece jacket is the best solution. Most people who have had the chance to try this item of clothing first-hand have seen how comfortable and functional this type of outerwear can be. Neat and discreet in appearance, this jacket remains as practical and comfortable as possible. Regardless of the situation, it always “supports” the habits and “shares” the goals of its owner, and is suitable for people of any gender or age.

What kind of material is fleece?

This is a special type of synthetic fabric. As practice shows, this material is the optimal basis for sewing functional clothing intended for fans of an active lifestyle. Unlike many analogues, fleece is very warm and dries much faster when wet. At the same time, the fabric is very practical and has a high service life.

A fleece jacket, like any other wardrobe item made of this material, does not require complex special care. The material can easily be machine washed, including in the automatic drying mode. Even in such conditions, the products are ready to serve their owners for many years without deformation, deterioration in appearance and stretching.

The following items are most often sewn from fleece:

• jackets;
• sweatshirts;
• pullovers;
• hats;
• balaclavas;
• gloves;
• trousers
• other multi-purpose sports and tourism products.

Today, synthetic fleece fabric is successfully used in the production of tourist equipment by leading brands in this field. Four main types of fleece can be used for the production of products:

• low density;
• medium density;
• high density;
• windproof.

The density of the latter is 100-300 g/m2, depending on the purpose of the finished item.

Main characteristics of fleece

If we consider the example of jackets, the characteristics of a fleece jacket are of fundamental importance when choosing the optimal product. When buying, they mainly pay attention to the density, weight, pile length and texture of the material.

The higher the density of the product, the thicker and longer the pile in the material. It should be taken into account that with increasing density and thermal insulation, vapor permeability (air circulation indicators) decreases. Considering the hydrophobicity of fleece as a material for sewing clothes, this is an important feature. For example, under conditions of intense physical activity, under a thick layer of fleece sweatshirt or jacket, ""streams"" of sweat quickly form, which cause discomfort to the user.

As for the rest of the characteristics, they look like this:

• Weight – Fleece is very lightweight, so while the insulation values ​​are the same, a packed fleece jacket will have less volume compared to alternative models.

• Elasticity – fleece stretches well and returns to its original state. This solves the problem of stretched sleeves or sagging elbows.

• Air circulation – fleece has a porous (cellular) structure that allows air to pass freely through the fibers. Thus, in a fleece sweatshirt, the body sweats less than in clothes made from other synthetic materials.

• Moisture absorption – fleece has excellent moisture absorption properties. This explains the popularity of the material in the production of sportswear.

At the same time, fleece jackets are very pleasant to the touch, soft, comfortable and easy to care for.

How to choose the right fleece jacket

Considering the above characteristics, when purchasing a fleece jacket, you need to pay attention to the following parameters of the product:

• Density. Material with a density of 100 g/m2 is an excellent option for those who are looking for a lightweight demi-season jacket for hiking that can protect against bad weather. If high thermal insulation is a priority requirement, then for cold weather it is recommended to choose jackets with a fabric density of 200-300 g/m2. The thickness of the material is inversely proportional to its versatility.

• Pile length. Like natural wool, fleece provides thermal insulation by trapping body-heated air in air pockets. If you plan to wear your jacket in cold winter weather, choose a model with a long pile.

• Interlayer in the shoulder area. It is advisable to buy products with a double interlayer. The shoulder area is more often than others subjected to active mechanical loads when wearing backpacks and bags. A simple precaution will extend the life of the jacket.

• Collar height. Each person's neck length is different, so you need to consider the collar height when buying. When buttoned, the collar should reach the level of the chin. Otherwise, the desired effect will not be achieved.

• Wind protection. To protect against cold wind, manufacturers provide models with a special drawstring in the bottom bar. The owner can tighten the drawstring and thus prevent the wind from penetrating under the jacket. It is also desirable to have a warm windproof lining on the chest.

• Pockets. The more pockets a winter fleece jacket has, the more comfortable and functional it is. It’s even better if the pockets have fasteners that help keep small items at hand.

1. Tight-fitting with an anatomical cut based on elastic material. Do not restrict movement and are suitable for use in conditions of high physical activity. Often such jackets are chosen by fans of alpine skiing. In the autumn and spring seasons, thin tight-fitting jackets will be appropriate in everyone's wardrobe.

2. A loose, sporty cut based on the down jacket principle. Such a jacket will be equally warm for both a winter fishing enthusiast and ordinary mothers who have to walk for hours with a stroller in the nearest park in cold weather. The presence of a tightening strip on the waist or at the bottom, as well as elastic cuffs are a positive argument in favor of the convenience of the model for winter.

The size of the jacket is very important. It is important to consider all the parameters - length, fit, degree of tightness of the hips and waist. A jacket that is too ""spacious"" will release heated air out through the open bottom edge. Even greater heat loss is caused by the fact that a loose jacket does not prevent the penetration of cold wind.