Fleece is not one fabric. It's four related constructions that behave differently on the body and require different production choices. Brushback loopback is what most people call "hoodie fleece." Sherpa is what luxury outerwear brands line their coats with. Polar fleece is the technical outdoor fabric. Micro fleece is the thin second layer under a shell. This page maps each type against weight, warmth, application, and sustainability options.
The Four Fleece Constructions We Manufacture
1. Brushback Loopback (Traditional Sweatshirt Fleece)
Three-thread loopback structure with the back-side loops brushed into a soft, uniform nap. The face stays smooth for printing. Cotton or cotton-poly base. Weight range 280-500 GSM.
- Standard weights: 300, 380, 450, 500 GSM
- Applications: pullover and zip hoodies, crewnecks, sweat shorts, joggers
- Behaviour: the warmer sibling of French terry, same structure, brushed back. Warmer, softer against skin, less breathable, less good for double-sided printing.
- Sustainability: available in organic cotton (OCS) and cotton / recycled polyester blends (RCS)
2. Sherpa Fleece
Deep pile fleece brushed on both faces to a dense, textured surface. Usually 100% polyester or polyester-blend. Weight 300-450 GSM. Highest warmth per weight of any fleece we run.
- Standard weights: 300, 380, 450 GSM
- Applications: jacket linings, statement fleece jackets, mid-layer pullovers, teddy-fleece coats
- Behaviour: visually distinctive (curly, textured surface), maximum warmth, decorative rather than base-layer role
- Sustainability: available in 100% recycled polyester with RCS or GRS chain of custody
3. Polar Fleece
Synthetic knitted fleece with anti-pill finish and moisture-wicking properties. 100% polyester base. Weight 200-400 GSM. The classic technical outdoor fleece.
- Standard weights: 200, 280, 340, 400 GSM (weights loosely map to the classic Polartec 100/200/300 scale)
- Applications: hoodies, half-zips, jackets, outdoor mid-layers, base fleece for laminated shells
- Behaviour: quick-drying, warm-when-wet, lightweight per unit warmth, hydrophobic (pushes moisture through rather than absorbing)
- Sustainability: we run polar fleece exclusively in recycled polyester (RCS/GRS), it's a category where the sustainable option is now the standard option
4. Micro Fleece
Thin polyester fleece for mid-layers and linings. Weight 130-200 GSM.
- Standard weights: 130, 160, 200 GSM
- Applications: hoodie linings, jacket linings, cold-weather base layers, running mid-layers
- Behaviour: extremely lightweight, dries fast, low bulk, integrates into layered systems
- Sustainability: recycled polyester default
Warmth Guide (Rough)
- Micro fleece, cool weather mid-layer, or lining inside a shell
- Polar fleece 200-280 GSM, light hoodie or standalone mid-layer
- Brushback loopback 300-380 GSM, standard autumn/winter hoodie or crewneck
- Brushback loopback 450-500 GSM, heavyweight winter hoodie
- Sherpa fleece 380-450 GSM, cold-weather statement jacket or coat lining
Sustainability Options
Polyester fleece (polar, sherpa, micro) sits in a category where recycled inputs have become the default. Our polar and micro fleece is produced from post-consumer rPET yarn with full RCS or GRS chain of custody documentation. Brushback loopback fleece is available in OCS-certified organic cotton, cotton / rPET blends, or Better Cotton mainstream sustainable cotton. GOTS available at higher MOQ.
Applications by Garment Type
- Pullover hoodie: brushback loopback 320-450 GSM
- Zip fleece jacket: polar fleece 280-400 GSM
- Sherpa jacket / teddy coat: sherpa 380-450 GSM
- Hoodie lining, jacket lining: micro fleece 130-200 GSM
- Outdoor mid-layer half-zip: polar fleece 200-280 GSM
- Cold-weather crewneck: brushback loopback 380-500 GSM
Frequently Asked Questions
Brushback loopback (traditional sweatshirt fleece), sherpa (deep pile), polar fleece (technical outdoor), and micro fleece (thin mid-layer / lining).
Micro = mid-layer / lining. Polar = light outerwear or hoodie. Brushback = warm autumn/winter hoodie or crewneck. Sherpa = highest warmth, jacket lining or statement coat.
Yes. Polar and micro fleece are default recycled polyester (RCS/GRS). Sherpa also available in rPET. Brushback loopback available in cotton / rPET blend.
Same three-thread loopback base structure. Fleece has back loops brushed into a soft nap (warmer, fluffier). French terry keeps back loops un-brushed (drapey, breathable).