KIT: TACTICAL FLEECES

Although they are nothing new, one of the most overlooked bits of kit in our “tactical wardrobe” is the fleece, but it’s actually one of the most versatile garments that you can own, both for training and for general use! As we head into the colder months of the year Bill takes a look at some of the models he’s been using and abusing and brings us the benefit of his years of use and technical garment knowledge!

It’s a common misconception that when the temperature plummets, wearing the thickest clothing possible is the ideal solution, but in reality most technical users, including shooters like you and I, can benefit from a variation on a layered clothing system. I’ve covered the system itself in some detail in the past, but this time I’d like to focus your thinking on one garment that is often overlooked when it comes to “Gucci” shells and softshells, and that’s the fleece.

As shooters, like other outdoor users, we are often exposed to challenging weather conditions and thus need performance clothing. A fleece jacket or pullover is an incredibly useful and versatile garment because it provides insulation and can be worn either as an outer layer (in dry weather) or as a mid-layer under a shell layer (in wet or snowy weather).

Fleeces are very comfortable to wear, quick-drying, moisture-wicking and breathable. Due to these qualities, they are perfect for wearing directly over a base-layer as a mid-layer. They also provide good warmth even if they get exposed to moisture (high humidity, rain etc.) and are less expensive than many other insulated garments. If you like, think of a fleece-like a technical string vest! A fleece by its very nature has a very open structure, and this means that when worn underneath an outer shell garment air is trapped in the “holes” and quickly warms up. These microscopic “holes” also allows moisture vapour to pass easily within your clothing system, transferring moisture away from your wicking baselayer, through the fleece mid-layer, to the breathable shell-layer where it can be dispersed, aiding massively to your overall comfort and performance.