Cycling in midlayer fleece?

My preferred mid/outer layer is a Ground Effect Baked Alaska. It's pretty thin but with a windproof front. I have a Fjern fleece which I keep meaning to try as the cut should be good and its not too thick but the lack of wind proofing puts me off.

It's just a fleece top. Wear it if it's an appropriate weight for the temperature, with a windproof over the top (preferably one with decent venting options). It'll probably be better at its job than cycling specific clothing twice the price.

I really like this type of "powerstretch" fleece for cycling. Brushed inside is great for wicking sweat and the tighter outer weave blocks just enough wind that you don't need a windproof most of the time. They're great for hiking and winter running for the same reason.

FYI - they're cheaper at SportShoes . Try codes APGPY0, CACPG4 or AADF10 for more discount. They also have the full zip and hooded versions.

One of my favourite cycling (and general outdoor) garments is that gridded fleece but with a Scott logo on.

Today's 2*c ride I was wearing that and a Rab VR light. Perfect, and much better than 'proper' cycling kit I've had in the past for fit and breathability.

I'm increasingly of the view that a lot of cycling kit (and increasing amount of outdoor kit) is sh*te badged and logo'd up. Many items are poorly designed or specified and seem to have never been through a throrough prototype stage.

These little fleece layers, and my family have about 8 Montane, Scott or Pearl Izumi between them, are superb.

Mine last week:
https://flic.kr/p/2pzNjsC

Also, Montane regularly have them in sales:
https://mountain-kit.co.uk/men-c18/softshell-fleece-c26

Love those Montane midlayers. What seems to work for me is to wear under one of their windproof featherlight jackets, and use the zip to control temp. Add a short sleeve base if it's colder.

The blg plus for fleece over most 'soft shell' is that it breathes really well, wicks fast and dries quick. The downside is near zero wind and water resistance, so unless you layer a shell over it in rough conditions you get cold/wet pretty fast and when it's layered you tend to get sweaty ime. But there are some interesting more technical fleece fabrics, which combine basic fleece properties with a denser outer face to give significantly better wind resistance and durability.

One is the stuff that 7Mesh, erm, WTV I think, which gets a lot of good reviews, but I've never used. There's also what Patagonia calls R1 and R2 Techface - different from standard R1 and R2 fleece, which is actually a fabric called Stormfleece. Techface is predictably very expensive. but it's also used by Sport Pursuit own-brand cycling label Rivelo for their imaginatively-named Stormfleece MTB Jacket, which is a not insane 50 quid. I keep almost buying one out of curiosity, but still haven't quite managed to push the buy button.

So yeah, you can ride in fleece, gridded fleece, lightweight fleece or whatever, but there are other fleece options out there too.

The Higher State grid fleece tops from Sportsshoes are great value - I’ve used on for workwear all winter, for running or kayaking under a suitable jacket. I do prefer a more fitted top for road/gravel riding though.

My two favourite cycling tops are 25 year old polartec 100 cannondale tops. Just wish I could buy 10 more.

Wear on its own, with a summer cycling tee over the top or a windproof or rain top.

Really flexible use.

i am a fleece man.

my 3 faves are a Alpkit grid thing with a full zip and a hood. and 2 from Mountain warehouse. one is a full zip cardigan thing and the other a thicker pullover.

far far comfier than any cycling stuff and a fraction of the price.

mated with a thin base, perfect in most weather in the UK.

think i have the 1/2 zip versions of these. great for running, great for packing in the bag for pub. great for under a shell riding. would be shit by itself for riding IMV because it would be warm at slow speeds (climbing) and as not windproof cold at higher speeds (descending). YMMV

That's a bit where I was at Del. The plan is to have a thermal vest/t-shirt and the fleece as only the outer layer.

I’m a bit unsure if this worn with a few thermal t-shirts under it will be a sweat bag when climbing hills on the MTB?

For me absolutely. You must be my polar opposite on the heat generation scale.

Today I was climbing hills in 2*c wearing a normal weight long sleeve MTB jersey, and a 125gsm soft shell, with the zip open halfway down. Close the zip for descents.

I do use a fleece as a hiking midlayer.

Anyone else use one as the main outer layer?

One is the stuff that 7Mesh, erm, WTV I think

I've got their Chilco Vest. It's ridiculously warm. To the point that it's only really useful when temps are below eight-ten degs or so.  Under a hard windproof shell it's pretty much the ultimate for me. In that last cold snap in Jan when temps went to minus eight, on my commute my hands were block of ice,  but core was toasty in just long sleeved base, Chilco vest and a gore waterproof.

Anyone else use one as the main outer layer?

I've got the endura version of what the OP posted and its without doubt my most worn item of cycling kit. I absolutely hate wearing jackets as, no matter what they say, they're never properly breathable

Unless its absolutely lashing down or blowing a hooley, a midlayer fleece like this is perfect

I wear microfleeces and a layer under, when cold. Prefer that to jackets.

Many of my layers are ski base layers and some I use as a regular top, fleece or otherwise. Not really into logo'd bike tops. My ski and fleece stuff has lasted way longer, not snagged and usually warmer.

About half the year I wear one of the stretchy hooded grid microfleeces from Alpkit for commuting under a windproof. When it’s as cold as it ever gets down here in the south I’ll wear it between a base layer and windproof, so maybe a handful of times a year. The thin stretchy hood works well under a helmet to stop your ears freezing.

But I’m not keen on a fleece as an outer layer on a MTB - I want maximum warmth when going fastest downhill and minimum warmth when going slowly uphill, so for me it’s all about windproofing and ventilation.

It has to be very wet for me to wear a waterproof when MTBing, I’ll always default to a more breathable windproof unless it’s rather cold and wet.

Na, okay, maybe in certain conditions, but as soon as you get any sort of wind, standard fleece is doing pretty much nothing. It exists to trap air warmed by your body close to your skin and insulate. When there's any sort of breeze that layer of warmed air is just stripped away. You may as well just wear a long-sleeved baselayer. Stick a windproof over the top and you'll get very warm quite quickly and get quite sweaty because even woven windproof fabrics - classic Pertex for example - have surprisingly limited breathability.

Personally I'd mostly always wear a non-membrane, lightweight woven soft shell. A lot more weather resistance, pretty much the same level of breathability, no excessive insulation value. If it's really cold, I'd maybe wear a very light fleece underneath, but more likely Rab VR Lite or Light or or however they're spelling it this year. But everyone's different. Maybe the attraction is that the fleece really isn't doing much?

Maybe the attraction is that the fleece really isn’t doing much?

I think BWD is onto something here. I wear a grid fleece as an outer a lot of the time. But I have a windproof in a pocket that I wear setting off and at stops. Cosy warm when I need to be, but don't need to take off and carry the fleece to be cool enough while riding.

Anyone else use one as the main outer layer?

Given that most fleeces are not wind proof, I've never seen the point of using one as an outer layer.

All my cycling tops (bar summer jerseys) have some form of windproof front fabric at least and then maybe a fleece only rear to breath better.

Midweight fleece and a windproof was working for me today.
[img] [/img]
Start cold, accept you'll warm up as you go.

I have a grid fleece that I wear under a thin jersey with a wind proof panel on the front. I add a layer under, weight depending on the temperature. Works well.

this post spurred me into action, so i came home with one of these today.

brushed fleece inner, smooth outer.      bargain too.     price matched at Leeds store.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/me n's-hiking-fleece-jacket-mh520-blue/_/R-p-332324?mc=8749615&c=mahogany+brown

I don't know if the fleece will be any good for cycling but I do know one sure as shit way to find out!

@chiefguru what thin windproof you got?

IME fleeces don't make good cycle clothing, unless it's very cold and you have a windproof layer on top.

They're generally too warm for cycling and they don't keep the wind out so can be cold on breezy days (also not great for uk hillwalking for the same reasons).

Much better with a jersey with Roubaix fabric. Warm but not too warm but also keeps most of the wind out.

The fleeces being discussed are basically gridded Roubaix

I've a gridded fleece and it is nothing like my Roubaix cycling jerseys. Maybe I've not seen the type of fleece the op is talking about. 🤷‍♂️

Why do no cycling companies make these. IE with back pockets, long back,

My old cannondale polartec 100s came with the standard 3 back pockets.

Please someone tell me I'm wrong

I’ve a gridded fleece and it is nothing like my Roubaix cycling jerseys. Maybe I’ve not seen the type of fleece the op is talking about

There's so many variations on 'fleece' around, same also with 'softshell'.
Mine are really thin, stretchy and just warm Roubaix type level of warmth.
Over the years I've had so many thin fleeces. I find them more adaptable and breathable than 'on trend' puffy jackets with down or plastic insulation when you're actually outdoors and moving.
Carrying two or three is heavier.
I also use a light windproof / pertex layer, and I'm a massive fan of my Rab Vapour rise or Montane equivalent before that.

I would say 95% of my cool weather (i.e. not t-shirt weather) riding is done in a thermal long sleeve top with a mid weight generic polartec type pullover on top, If is gets colder/wetter/windier I add a gilet or waterproof. If it gets warmer I undo the half zip. I very rarely have to take the fleece off.

Just buy an Altura Polartec cheap enough and brilliant 👍

Why do no cycling companies make these. IE with back pockets, long back,

My old cannondale polartec 100s came with the standard 3 back pockets.

Please someone tell me I’m wrong

They do but prices are high. E.g. Rab Cinder Ridgeline is basically fleece with some windproof panels and pockets: https://rab.equipment/eu/mens-cinder-ridgeline-jacket

I got mine from -40% sale and price still felt bith steep.

A lightweight gilet windproof gilet is handy over a thermal layer.

The Buffalo "lightweight " pertex windproof is a long sleeve windproof and mine has zips up both sides and velcro cuffs. Good for "breathing!" But I must admit I carry it more than I actually wear it, probably because its a pullover style so a bit more effort to take on and off . But has been useful on a good few occasions  now. Esp for the long descent on a cold day after a warm climb!

Soft shell gilet is another useful garment in winter/colder/damp days

“what thin windproof you got?”

@goby I’ve got an Alpkit Arro but it’s getting a bit tight due to pull-ups so I’ve just ordered a half price Endura Hummvee Windproof which is more MTB than roadie cut. I’ve also got an Aussie Grit vest which is great for those warmer but not warm enough days.