Polyester Fleece
Thick, insulating polyester knit with a brushed pile surface. Distinct from generic fleece by its heavier weight and use in outerwear. Popular brands include Polartec.
Material Score Breakdown
7-axis material rubric, not a garment verdict — see disclosure below.
How long the fabric lasts with regular use
Softness, feel against skin, wearability
Air flow and ventilation
Heat retention and insulation
Ability to pull sweat away from skin
Environmental impact of production and disposal
How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain
Brands using polyester fleece
1 brand has products in our catalog whose composition contains polyester fleece. Sorted by how many garments they offer with this fiber.
Brand grade = average overall score across all of their products containing polyester fleece.
Products with polyester fleece
See all →Top-scored garments in our catalog whose composition contains polyester fleece. Click through for the full quality + health + eco breakdown.
What this score doesn't measure
This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from polyester fleece. The axes above are research-backed averages for the fiber itself.
- ×Construction. Yarn staple length, weave / knit structure, stitch count, finishing. Identical fiber, very different garments.
- ×Fabric weight (GSM). A 140 GSM tee and a 220 GSM tee made of the same polyester fleece feel and last very differently.
- ×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.
Best For
Excellent comfort (78) and easy care (80) for daily wear
Good warmth (82) for cold weather
Good durability (65) and comfort (78) for office wear
Detailed Use Case Scores
Pros
- ✓ Excellent warmth-to-weight ratio
- ✓ Soft and comfortable
- ✓ Quick-drying
- ✓ Retains warmth even when damp
Cons
- ✗ Pills over time
- ✗ Sheds significant microplastics
- ✗ Not wind-resistant without a shell
- ✗ Static-prone in dry conditions
Better alternatives
Higher-scored synthetic materials. Same category — what to consider instead.
+18 vs Polyester Fleece · 76/100
Membrane technology that is waterproof yet breathable. A laminate applied to other fabrics rather than a fabric itself.
+17 vs Polyester Fleece · 75/100
Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber — the world's strongest fiber by weight. 15x stronger than steel, used in cut-resistant gear, ultralight backpacks, and high-performance sails.
+16 vs Polyester Fleece · 74/100
Waterproof breathable membrane fabric (Gore-Tex, eVent, or similar technology) laminated to a face fabric. The gold standard for rain and storm protection in technical outerwear.
Care Guide
Special Notes
• Wash inside out to reduce pilling
• Never use fabric softener
• Use a microfiber-catching wash bag to reduce microplastic shedding
Additional Care Tips
- • Machine wash cold (30°C/85°F) inside out on gentle cycle — always use a microfiber-catching bag
- • Tumble dry on low heat or air-only — high heat melts polyester and increases pilling
- • Never iron polyester fleece — it will melt, glaze, or develop shiny spots
- • Avoid fabric softener — it reduces fleece's ability to wick moisture and trap warm air
- • Use a fabric shaver every few months to remove pills and restore the plush surface
- • Store folded; polyester fleece does not wrinkle and is very low-maintenance
Cost
$$$$$
Budget-friendly
Shrinkage
Won't shrink with normal washing
Eco Rating
High environmental impact