{"id":5065,"date":"2018-08-12T19:47:51","date_gmt":"2018-08-12T18:47:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/superligero.es\/?p=5065"},"modified":"2026-09-06T23:28:46","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T21:28:46","slug":"use-of-fleece-for-hiking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/superligero.es\/en\/blog\/use-of-fleece-for-hiking\/","title":{"rendered":"Advantages of Fleece"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Fleece<\/p>\n

Fleece remains one of the most useful garments for hiking, trekking and mountain use. It does not stand out for being the most compact option or for offering the best wind protection, but as a midlayer it has a combination that is hard to match: it provides warmth, breathes well, dries quickly and still works reasonably well in damp conditions.<\/p>\n

For a while, I stopped using it and switched to softshell jackets. They seemed lighter and more versatile because they combined insulation and outer protection in a single garment. After several outings, I went back to the traditional fleece.<\/p>\n

Not because softshell is a bad option, but because a garment that does several things is not always the most suitable for every condition. The key is not to carry the bare minimum at any cost, but to build a layering system that you can adapt to exertion, wind, rain and temperature.<\/p>\n

Fleece or softshell: they do not serve exactly the same purpose<\/h2>\n

\"Using<\/p>\n

A softshell jacket usually combines an outer fabric that resists wind and abrasion with an inner face that provides some warmth or comfort. Depending on the model, it may shed light rain, but it does not normally replace a waterproof jacket in sustained rain.<\/p>\n

It is a comfortable, stretchy and practical garment in cool, windy conditions when your pace is not too high. It can work very well for winter activities, abrasive terrain or situations where you want to wear the same jacket for many hours.<\/p>\n

The problem comes when it is used as the only solution. Because it has a less breathable outer layer than a fleece, it usually vents less well on climbs, in mild temperatures or when walking fast. If it is warm and raining, it is easy to end up damp inside even if the garment provides some protection from rain on the outside.<\/p>\n

The midlayer within the layering system<\/h2>\n

\"Layering<\/p>\n

The layering system works because each garment has a specific job. This lets you add or remove clothing before you sweat too much or get cold during a stop.<\/p>\n