The lightest fleece top is no fleece top

Fleece is too heavy for the warmth, except for a hat or gloves or something like that

It's nice to have something that gives some warmth when wet but is highly breathable and dries really fast, to wear in cold rain or below freezing conditions under that rain jacket or wind shirt while I'm actively hiking. I have a very light vest (Montbell "Chameece" with the lining cut out) that I use for those purposes. 5.6 oz.

For me, anything warmer (like down or even puffy synthetic) would be too warm to hike in unless it's well below zero!

Edited by hikinggranny on 07/14/2011 17:34:18 MDT.

Light and cheap is expedition weight long underwear zip t-neck from sierra trading post:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/164,14215_Wickers-Long-Underwear-Top-Expedition-Weight-Mock-Zip-Long-Sleeve-For-Tall-Men.html

I've had a couple over the years and been very happy with them. My current one is a grid fleece, but the ones they have now may be different. mine weighs about 9.5 oz.

Does anyone know of a light fleece top with a back that is not fleece, but instead some light, breathable fabric? Seems like a good design for backpackers in cold weather. Hard to even think about fleece this time of year though.

If you just want to take some chill off when it's not really that cold, wear a windshirt.

fleece works fine ... they arent the lightest ... but then down aint exactly quick drying or something youd wear when active ... nor is synth the most breathable either

it all depends what youll be using it for and how confident you wont eff up

they sell all those R1s and R1 knockoffs for a reason ... and climbers actually wear em, not just at the local sbucks either ;)

Can you recommend an R1 knockoff-the cheaper the better. I want it for function. Just wore out an old fleece after 6 years .

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442627307&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302888491



this is the one i use except mine is hoodless... i jam in it, chimney in it, sleep in it, cuddle up to bears in it ... $62

you may have issues getting it if you arent in the land of the maple syrup though ...

also try first ascent EB knockoffs when theres a 30% off sale

Edited by bearbreeder on 07/14/2011 19:12:37 MDT.

Check out Melanzana

Thanks Much. Will check both leads out. MEC, well turnabout is fair play.

A thin fleece top is super useful: fleece is great insulation while active and a simple top is not heavy: in 100 wt polartec or similarly thin fleece, pullover style and with no frills, it should weight around 6 oz in a medium, very similar to a long sleeve base layer. It can be used over the base layer or as a base layer (eliminating the need for a spare one). Over a base layer and under a windshirt, it's a killer combo for moving in cold/windy conditions.
I use a Haglofs Solo Top from a few years back and which doesn't probably exist anymore but there should be many similar products.

I just contacted Land's End and they said their thermacheck 100 fleece is 8 oz (men's medium). Jennifer's must be a pretty small size if it's the same thing (also surprised to think you could actually buy Land's end at Sears, thought they were only mail order like LL Bean...?). I'll bet the Land's End item is polartec fleece. Sounds very similar to North face's TKA 100 polartec fleece at 7.5 oz.

My Land's End Thermacheck 100 Size Small is 7.5oz.

cabelas has some good fleece tops the e.c.w.c.s tops are nice they have the hoody in the bargain cave for 60$

I just bought a pullover/1/4 zipper fleece at WalMart, 14oz for XXL, $10.

I've got several 100 weight 1/4 zip fleece tops from Target. Weighs 7 oz in size medium, dries fast, and really warm. Great to wear under a wind shell in cold temps.

On this forum, I'd probably go with 5.6 oz Montbell Chameece fleece vest if I had to buy the lightest fleece all over again. I hear everyone on warmth to weight ratio of a thermawrap or Nanopuff being better, but while hiking in a cold rain in the southern Rockies, I still need my fuzzy bunny stuff under the shell.

Marmot makes a very light Polartec Power Dry base layer. My 1/4 zip in size small is only 5.3oz.