Why Real Hikers Wear Fleece

Imagine the ideal hiker. What is he or she wearing? Standing among the foliage in hiking boots, heavy cotton twill pants, a spacious pack and a warm fleece vest, the perfect hiker is ready to climb. The fleece vest might not be a fashion statement, but it’s certainly an important item to own if you’re ready to get serious about hiking.

Don’t get caught in the mountains without your gear. Here’s why a fleece vest is a hiking essential.

Warm Your Core

You might think that you need a full-on jacket to hike in chilly weather, but in reality, you’re doing enough physical activity to keep yourself warm for the most part. The trick is to keep your core warm and the rest ventilated—a fleece vest over a long-sleeved tee is more than enough for a cool day in the mountains.  

At the Ready

You keep most of your essentials in a pack, but it takes a lot of effort to put it down and rifle through the contents to find smaller items. The convenient zip pockets in your fleece vest offer an alternative to what’s on your back for stowing things like a cell phone, lip balm, headphones and a pair of polarized sunglasses.  

Stay Trim

When you’re out working hard, the last thing you need is a bulky coat getting in your way. Preserve your full range of motion with a fleece vest that lets your arms move freely as you clamber up the rocks. A henley or a turtleneck underneath protects you against the wind, but won’t stop you from taking a single step.

Hiking enthusiasts know that the gear means everything when you’re setting off on the trails. A fleece vest is the perfect way to stay warm without getting bogged down.

A fleece vest is every hiker’s best friend.

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