I bought my first fleece jacket(a Malden Mills product) and it was a noticeable improvement over the quite adequate woolen garments I had been wearing up till then. I still have it and have developed an incredible attachment to it because of the fairly daunting conditions in which it has shielded me.

I have found it to be softer, warmer for equivalent weight
(particularly when wet), and moth proof. I was dazzled by the way my fleece jacket kept me warm in wet snow/sleet/rain condition like the weather that killed the Canadian gentleman we were just discussing. It also worked wonderfully as insulation inside a dry suit when I was diving in 34 degree water, better than the insulation provided by the dry suit manufacturer. The third critical situation was my first date in eighteen years. It worked there, as well.

Fleece does have a downside. It isn't good around sparks. I don't believe it ignites and burns, so much as it melts, a trait that is not good for your skin. Fleece is definitely not the thing to wear to a plane crash or a wildfire. I don't know about odor. The longest I have worn a garment was three weeks (very vigorous exercise) and everything smelled bad at the end of that excursion, but the fleece was no worse than anything else.

Malden Mills fleece has the reputation, particularly when fabricated into garments by high end manufacturers like Patagonia. My first fleece was made by Patagonia, well before they became known as Patagucci. All I can say is that the purchase turned out to be a bargain. I have owned cheaper brands, as well, and none of them have fallen apart on me. I scored a real bargain about a year ago - a wonderful jacket from Duluth Trading Company with nice features, solidly built and in the best possible color (red) - all for about $40. I couldn't get my wallet out fast enough.

I think there are two main branches in outdoor clothing. Traditional woolens worn by those who build campfires and fleece worn by those who use stoves. North woods contrasted with mountain climbing.



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