The 9 Best Women's Fleece Jackets of 2023
By: Sarah Ziffer: Women's & Kid's Techwear Buyer | November 20, 2022
There’s hardly any occasion that isn’t the perfect time for the perfect fleece jacket. Okay, maybe a scorching beach, but you get what we mean. If the temps are anywhere from chilly to frigid, and you’re doing anything from sitting on the couch to summiting a glaciated mountain, there’s probably a fleece that is just right for the occasion. The ultimate versatile insulated layer is an ode to all things soft, insulating, breathable, and moisture-wicking. With newer grid styles allowing the fleece jacket to transcend from everyday staple to technical masterpiece, and good old fleeces continuing to be cozy, practical, and active, when we say that these are the best women’s fleeces around, you know they’ve got a high bar to measure up to.
New This Year:
Putting together the guide for this year, there were a few women's fleece jackets that really stood out to us. The North Face’s Futurefleece is one of the best that we’ve tested. It’s lightweight, layers extremely well under a ski shell, and is simply an awesome four-season layer. Another highlight was just how many of our favorite fleeces were able to straddle the border between techwear and lifestyle. With brands like FW, Billabong, and Volcom putting out technically savvy jackets that are also incredibly cute and cozy, it’s going to be easy to find a fleece that you’ll never want to take off.
This Year's Best Women's Women's Fleece Jackets:
Billabong Boundary Mock 3 Fleece
Add a little pop of cozy color to your outdoor excursions with the all-weather Billabong Boundary Mock 3 Fleece. Equipped with a durable water-repellant coating and soft recycled polyester, this adventure-proof quarter zip is the way to wander.
We love the look of the Boundary Mock 3. If you are looking for a great all-around fleece and you just don’t do plain old black or gray, check out the awesome patterns on this one.
| Closure | Material | Original Price |
| Quarter Zip | Polyester, Recycled Polyester | $79.95 |
FW Root Pillow Fleece
How much more comfortable can it get when your pullover packs into an actual pillow? The FW Root Pillow Fleece has standout features like the stand-up zip collar to keep you cozy up to your chin, and the handwarmer pockets equipped with YKK zippers to securely close when needed. Once you warm up and it's time to get some zzz's, pack the fleece into the kangaroo flap pocket and try not to snore!
This thing is plush. By far the most over-the-top cozy option on the list, this high-pile fleece is built for absolute comfort. If the best fleece for you is a big warm cloud to wrap yourself up in, look no further.
| Closure | Material | Original Price |
| Quarter Zip | Polyester, Wool | $199.95 |
Picture Organic Arcca ¼ Fleece
The Picture Organic Arcca 1/4 Fleece is a classic snap mid-layer with cool color block patterns. A straight fit and high collar keep warmth close to your body and elastic cuffs keep out the wind. Wear the Arcca to the market or the mountain, its warm versatility is ready for any activity, big or small.
Picture Organic is known for two things: unique color blocked designs and environmentally friendly construction. The Arcca lives up to the brand’s reputation, providing both things in one versatile layer.
| Closure | Material | Original Price |
| Quarter Length Snaps | Polyester, Recycled Polyester | $89.95 |
Kari Traa Rothe Hoodie
Keep cozy in cooler times with the Kari Traa Rothe Hoodie. This soft and comfortable mid layer is easy to wear, quick to slip into, and features a hand-warming kangaroo pocket for the hand that's not holding the cup of hot cocoa.
This high pile hoodie might not be quite as Full Cloud Mode as the FW Root Pillow, but it definitely leans more on the cozy everyday wear side than the technical side of the fleece spectrum. But the thing that really sells it for us is that it’s just so cute! Wear it and love it through all of the colder months.
| Closure | Material | Original Price |
| Quarter Zip | Elastane, Fleece, Polyamide, Polyester | $90 |
Patagonia R2 Techface Jacket
The Patagonia R2® TechFace Jacket is a versatile instant classic that will see more use than anything else in your closet. Stretchy, highly water resistant, and warm enough for all but full-on winter weather, the R2® TechFace Jacket will take a beating and still come out looking good and performing like a champ.
If you have been reading through the list and waiting for the technical layering options to show up, your time has come. The R2 tech face is one of the best layering pieces out there. Somewhere in between a grid fleece and a softshell, it is perfect for ski tours, winter hikes, and cold weather activities where it can serve double duty as an outer layer or a mid layer.
| Closure | Material | Original Price |
| Full Zip | Polyester, Spandex | $179 |
The North Face Summit FUTUREFLEECE Full Zip Hoodie
Less weight, more warmth, and easy to throw in your pack when you're on the go, The North Face Summit FUTUREFLEECE™ Full Zip Hoodie is a toasty addition to your baselayer when you need more warmth than you thought you would. Full loop construction lets FUTUREFLEECE™ trap more warmth with less material than ever before. This is one garment that deserves a spot in your pack any time you leave the trailhead.
The Futurefleece is one piece we always recommend to any skier or snowboarder looking to up their layering game. This technical grid fleece is one of the best active mid layers on the market. It’s perfect for ski touring, and pretty close to perfect for just about anything else.
| Closure | Material | Original Price |
| Full Zip | Polyester, Recycled Polyester | $148.95 |
Volcom Spring Shred Hoodie
Ski season doesn't end when winter ends. No, no, no. If you call yourself a dedicated shredder, you better be hitting the slopes in the springtime. Don't worry, we've got just the layer for you: the Volcom Spring Shred Hoodie.
Designed to be an outer layer for slushy park skiing and snowboarding, this hoodie is water-repellant, long cut, and filled with style. It has a unique design and packs a ton of value for sunny day shredding.
| Closure | Material | Original Price |
| Pullover | Polyester | $75 |
Houdini Power Houdi
Aside from including more and more recycled material, the Houdini Power Houdi Fleece Jacket is pretty much unchanged since its release 15 years ago. It's still the gold standard for durability and versatility in a technical fleece hoodie, made from indestructible Polartec® Power Stretch® Pro. Under a ski shell, on its own on a rock wall, or as your go-to casual hoodie, this jacket is a solid lock. It was made to last a lifetime--ask anyone who has one. In our increasingly disposable world, it's great to know you're going to be able to wear the Houdini Power Houdi for a decade.
If you’re looking for the best fleece on the market, the Power Houdi is not a bad place to start. This thing is gourmet. The design is functional and elegant, the materials are deliciously soft yet incredibly engineered, and all together, it feels and performs like a dream for any cold weather activity.
| Closure | Material | Original Price |
| Full Zip | Elastane, Polyamide, Polyester | $209.95 |
Arc’teryx Kyanite Hoodie
Even when it's chilly, people who move fast usually need only a little bit of warmth. Enter the Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoodie, a trim and stretchy fleece hoodie that moves and breathes as well as you do. Trail running, backpacking, climbing, ski touring, you name it, the Kyanite adapts to the activity like a chameleon. Made of long-lasting Polartec® Power Stretch™ Pro with a Scuba Hood™ and No Slip Zip™ main zipper, this is one hoodie you can't live without.
Simplicity in style is the key to this jacket. It’s one of the best technical non-grid fleeces on the market, and we love its plush hand feel and unparalleled breathability on the go.
| Closure | Material | Original Price |
| Full Zip | Elastane, Nylon, Polyester | $180 |
Learn More With Our Other Outerwear & Layering Guides:
- Waterproof Ratings & Breathability Guide
- Skiing & Snowboarding - What to Wear Skiing & Snowboarding
- Outerwear - How to Choose a Ski & Snowboard Jacket
- Outerwear - How to Choose Ski & Snowboard Pants
- Outerwear - Fit Guide & Jacket Length
- How to Wash Waterproof Jackets & Clothing
- Outerwear - How to Choose by Region
- Outerwear - Construction, Fabric & Features
- Insulated Garments - How to Choose
- Insulated Garments - How to Wash Down & Synthetic Jackets
- Base Layers & Long Underwear - How to Choose
- GORE-TEX® Fabric - How it Works & Product Testing
- GORE-TEX® Fabric - How to Wash & Keep Waterproof
- Backcountry - How to Dress
Learn About Our Favorite Gear
- The Best Men's Ski Jackets
- The Best Women's Ski Jackets
- The Best Men's Snowboard Jackets
- The Best Women's Snowboard Jackets
- The Best Kids' Ski & Snowboard Jackets
- The Best Men's Ski Pants
- The Best Women's Ski Pants
- The Best Men's Snowboard Pants
- The Best Women's Snowboard Pants
- The Best Men's Ski Bibs
- The Best Men's Snowboard Bibs
- The Best Women's Ski Bibs
- The Best Kids' Ski & Snowboard Pants
- The Best Men's Down & Puffy Jackets
- The Best Men's Ski & Snowboard Mid Layers
- The Best Men's Ski & Snowboard Base Layers
- The Best Women's Snowboard Bibs
- The Best Men's Fleece Jackets
- The Best Women's Down & Puffy Jackets
- The Best Women's Fleece Jackets
- The Best Men's Rain Jackets
- The Best Women's Rain Jackets
- The Best Men's Hardshell Jackets
- The Best Women's Hardshell Jackets
- The Best Women's Ski & Snowboard Mid Layers
- The Best Women's Ski & Snowboard Base Layers
- The Best Down Vests
- The Best Fleece Vests
The Selection Process:
Our techwear buyers have an endless amount of knowledge on all things outerwear stemming from years of experience in the outdoor industry in tandem with their countless hours spent outside in all conditions around the world. From hot to cold, snow, rain, wind, and even sunshine, they know what clothing will keep you comfortable. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Sarah Ziffer
Growing up in Florida, I missed out on the chance to get involved in snow sports. Tired of the heat, and seeking out the mountains, I moved to Seattle to start a new adventure. A few years after moving to WA I fulfilled my dream of learning to snowboard and immediately fell in love with it. After just one time out on a friend’s board I was hooked. I outfitted myself from head to toe with gear from evo, and got a season pass at Snoqualmie.
I quickly realized that snowboarding inspired me to live a lifestyle centered around the outdoors. I left my job at a fashion company to come and work for evo and become immersed in the culture and experiences that make the snowboarding community so vibrant. I have been at evo since 2017, am currently the women's and kids' techwear buyer, and enjoy learning and experiencing everything this incredible community has to offer.