What Are the Different Types of Fleece?

Check out 14 of the most popular types of fleece fabrications on the market.

Many fleeces are made from synthetic materials, but some are made from natural materials like cotton. People who love cotton fleeces say they’re more breathable than some human-made materials that feel heavier or “stuffier” against your skin. Cotton fleeces help circulate air while still keeping you warm.

Probably the most common type of fleece fabric out there, sweatshirt fleece is a type of cotton fleece. The outer layer of fleece looks like regular cotton jersey material. The inside of the sweatshirt material is brushed so it has a soft, springy, comfy texture against your skin.

This is an umbrella term for any fleece material made from polyester. Polyester fleece was invented to mimic wool, for people allergic to the natural material. While poly fleece is human-made, some people prefer it to cotton sweatshirt fleece because it’s more durable and is less likely to shrink when you wash and dry it. The synthetic polyester fibers also make this type of fleece quick-drying and moisture wicking, and ideal for workwear and workout clothing.

While polyester fleece does resemble natural sheep’s wool to an extent, sherpa fleece is the closest synthetic fleece that matches wool in texture and appearance. Sherpa fleece is smooth on one side and “wooly” on the other. Apparel manufacturers often use sherpa fleece to line outerwear (even denim and corduroy) to make these garments even warmer.

Dubbed one of the most durable types of fleece, polar fleece is also one of the most commonly used types of fleece for apparel and outerwear layers. Polar fleece is sumptuously warm and comes in different thicknesses. (However, the thicker the polar fleece material, the stiffer it can feel when you wear it.) We love that polar fleece repels water and dries quickly. If you’re wearing a polar fleece pullover in a sudden downpour or snow shower, it’ll dry more quickly than other types of fleece while keeping you warm.

This type of fleece is thinner than others. That’s why it’s most commonly used for lighter hoodies, sweatshirts or shorts that you’d wear in spring, summer or early fall. You’ll see French terry in loungewear you’d wear to keep you cozy inside your home, rather than heading out for a walk on a winter evening.

Known as the thinnest and most lightweight fleece fabric, styles made from microfleece are comfortable to wear since they don’t weigh you down. Microfleece clothing acts as perfect layers under or over other garments, since the lightweight fabric is stretchier and more flexible. While microfleece isn’t as warm or insulating as other fleece types, it’s more breathable. You’ll see microfleece used for lightweight shirts, pullovers, jackets, activewear, and even bathrobes and throw blankets.

Obviously, since fleece tends to pill if you buy a low-quality item or don’t care for it properly, anti-pill fleece came on the scene. This type of fleece doesn’t pill as you wear, wash and dry it. The fabric manufacturer treats fleece with a chemical that prevents the fleece fibers from tangling and pilling. While the treatment may not last “forever,” it’ll last for a good portion of the garment’s lifetime. When you buy a hoodie made of anti-pill fleece, it’ll feel better and last longer than a regular fleece hoodie. It’s a good idea to specifically look for anti-pill fleece for apparel that gets worn and washed frequently, like uniform items or sleepwear.

This type of fleece is softer and smoother than anti-pill fleece, so it feels softer against your skin. Blizzard fleece is thicker than other fleece types, so it tends to be warmer. This fleece is made from 100% durable polyester fibers. You’ll usually find it used to make scarves and gloves to keep your neck and hands warm in very cold weather. Blankets are often made from blizzard fleece. You may notice that this type of fleece tends to pill more than others.

This type of fleece is made from two sizes of twisted cotton/poly blend yarn. The resulting fabric is textured, with a heathered appearance. You’ll most often see slub fleece used for athletic sweatshirts and jackets.

This human-made stretch fabric is interchangeably called spandex and lycra. This fleece fabric is made primarily of cotton with a small amount of spandex, resulting in a very stretchy fabric that’s perfect for more fitted fleece garments. Some cold-weather performance wear is made from spandex fleece to keep you warm while allowing for freedom of movement if you’re jogging outside in colder temperatures.

This fleece is versatile, most commonly used in pool loungewear and bathroom staples. Terry fleece is thick and luxurious. The fabric is woven from two warp threads, with one that’s looser so that when it’s pulled through the weft you get piling on both sides of the fabric. You’ll see terrycloth for after-swimming pullovers and bathrobes. Don’t confuse terry fleece with French terry fleece, which is made from cotton jersey!

This type of fleece is what the name implies: This fleece is bonded to another fabric. In outerwear, a fleece lining that’s attached to a heavier fabric is considered a “bonded fleece.” A bonded fleece layer makes your apparel warmer, but also resistant to certain weather elements like wind. Sometimes, if two types of fleeces are bonded together, that’s also called bonded fleece. You’ll find bonded fleece in outerwear, sweatshirts and shirts. 

Plush fleece is super-soft, luxurious and furry. This fleece is most often used for comfy blankets, since it’s so heavy. You’ll usually see it made into baby blankets.

Once you’ve got your favorite fleece pullovers or hoodies, you want them to last for years. The good news is that fleece garments are durable, so they’re safe to wash and dry in your machines. However, you should know how to care for them correctly so they stay soft and looking like new. The key is to not expose your fleecewear

to high, direct heat; otherwise, it can melt the fleece fibers and shrink the sweatshirt.

Here are some expert guidelines to care for your well-loved fleeces:

1. Try to wash your fleecewear together so everything has a similar weight and texture.

2. Use a lint roller on your fleece wear to catch any debris before you do anything else.

3. Spot-treat any stains with a stain-remover that’s safe for fleecewear. You can also use a small amount of dish detergent in place of a stain remover. Let these items soak in cold water for 15 to 20 minutes before laundering.

4. Turn your fleece styles inside-out before you toss them into the washing machine.

5. Wash your fleecewear on a gentle cycle using a mild detergent and cold water. (You can also hand wash your fleece using a mild detergent and cold water.) Don’t ever use fabric softener or bleach with fleecewear.