Fleece Layers

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This one is functional and fun! It's fuzzy, it makes you look like a Muppet, and it's warm despite being mostly made out of holes and only weighing a little over 3 ounces. We added this to our kit for our thru-hike of the Grand Enchantment Trail in 2023. After hearing about previous hikers' experiences and realizing we'd need another layer to stay comfortable in the often below freezing nights of the Arizona and New Mexican deserts in spring. We found this cottage company after a little digging and some positive reviews.

Made from Alpha Direct, a new-age fabric, it ability to retain heat defies its strange look. It's not a replacement for a down jacket but it was our only insulating layer for a large part of the Hayduke. It dries quickly and is surprisingly durable. Please don't bushwhack in this, you will snag it on a twig and destroy it, just use your common sense with ultralight layers light this. Love it, love supporting cottage industries and consider sizing up if on the cusp of two sizes, I didn't and it's a little snugger then preferred.

(Seen here on Moose and Bugs somewhere east of the Sonoran desert in southeast Arizona.)

Senchi Designs A90

This my standard fleece layer when I want something a little more robust. It's well cut, with a trim, athletic fit like most Arc'teryx clothing, mine is a few years old and made from Polartec, newer models are made from an inhouse designed fabric. I really like this fleece as it's very breathable. That makes it a layer I can keep on even when the aerobic intensity increases, something I can't always do as I run hot when active and would rather push the pace then slow down to prevent getting sweaty. I ski in it, run in it and use it for the bulk of my training hiking and backpacking as well. And it's a mainstay in my international hiking and adventure kit. Hundreds of days of use and it's still going strong.

(Seen here on Moose at almost 15,000 feet in front of Karakol Peak in the Tian Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan and again in northern Japan going out for dinner in Sapporo, just to show it's both exhibits both fashion and function.)

Arc'teryx Delta

Arc'teryx Kyanite

Arc'teryx Kyanite Women's Hoody: This is my go to winter fleece. It's the softest, most comfortable layer I own, with a velour like inside and amazing four way stretch. The hood fits my head perfectly, retaining all my body heat, yet it's gentle on my face. It has an athletic fit so it fits under my down jacket for the really cold days/nights. The slightly longer cut also allows me to move around in it without it riding up, exposing my skin. This is honestly one of my favorite jackets, I've owned it for about 6 years and it still looks and feels the same as the day I bought it.

(Seen here on Bugs on Mazama Ridge, Mt. Rainier on a multi-day backcountry ski adventure.)