Why are hooded fleeces so hard to find? The only ones I've seen are the Lowe Alpine Ninja Hoody and the Haglofs Gemini. I was hoping to spend less than that.

Do cheaper hooded fleeces exist?

Hooded fleeces were once very common. I had a bright red one in the late 1970s when fleece used to pill easily and wear out shortly afterwards. When I tried to buy a replacement in the early 1980s I couldn't find a single one with a hood. One retailer told me it wasn't fashionable, saying that walkers didn't want to look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Errr... yeah... we still carry packs though! Anyway, one day I saw a bolt of green, non-pilling fleece on a market stall and decided to have a crack at making my own. With the loan of a hand-cranked old Singer sewing maching, some tough polyester thread, and a new zip, all I really needed was to be shown how to thread and operate the machine. I unpicked all the stitches on the old jacket, laid out the shapes on the green fleece, cut round everything, and stitched them all back together. Result... one new hooded fleece for the cost of the materials.

Dave dont know it helps but Ive got a "quicksilver" hooded sweatshirt/pullover its made from what feels like 200 weight fleece.
I dont see it on their website but I got it in TK max for around a tenner in january for lazing about the house or campsite. Its not what you would call technical but its as warm as any other 200 weight polartec Ive ever worn.

P.S. Its chocolate brown in colour

GoOutdoors have a Mountain Hardware micro chill hoody for 25 quid.

I may have to nip into TKMaxx again at some point then! Couldn't see them on GoOutdoors Andy? Must have sold out :( Thanks for the ideas though folks.

It seems that 'only women want hooded fleeces', according to shops and manufacturers... Millets have four hooded fleeces for women, none for men.

I've seen Quiksilver fleeces in TKM, using a French fleece, Terksaen. It looked indistinguishable from Polartec.

I can't see it on the website either, but it's in an advertising thingy that they sent me with an order the other day. May be worth giving them a bell.

A bit of a late post on this topic but i've just joined this glorious site so thought i'd leave my first post!

A while back I was also after for a hooded fleece and the only thing i came across was this:

http://mountainwarehouse.com/shop/product/products_id/2472.html

... and ordered myself one. It's a decent fleece and does a great job of keeping you warm but it is quite a bulky, heavy weight fleece and is more of an outlayer than mid. Still keeping an eye out for a hooded microfleece that doesn't cost an arm, a leg and a kidney!

Thank you very much for that karma! I shall likely be investing in one of those too. What was the sleeve length like?

I managed to snag myself a Haglofs Triton from the classifieds which I'm exceptionally pleased with...

Hi Dave,

Glad you managed to get hold of a Triton. They're quality fleeces from what I've read. The arm length on the fleece I bought is a little on the generous side but if you already have the Triton then I wouldn't bother with the one i posted a link for. It isn't much of a technical fleece. Hope it's keeping you toasty!

Hi,

I work for a small surf brand in Cornwall called Finisterre - specialising in Technical Apparel. This is done on the back of an inspiring envrionmental ethic. Thought you might be interested to know that we do a Hooded Fleece, made from Polartec Classic 100, currently half price at £35. They can be found here http://www.finisterreuk.com/sdcms/product.php?pid=44&cid=5.

We also do a similar garment without a hood, at £30, and various other shells including Base Layers, mid layers and waterproof Shells. More information can be found on our website www.finisterreuk.com or if you would like to get in touch please do so at info@finisterreuk.com, or gove us a call on 01872 554481.

Many thanks.

How does the sleeve length compare with other manufacturers lengths? Being built like Clyde causes problems...

Oh, and as it's May 31st will I be ok ordering any time today? Thanks for the info! They do look nice.

Dave,

The sizing on our garments is slim fit with broad shoulders and longer arms. The arm legnth has been repeatedly congratulated by those with longer limbs. If, however, you do have a problem with the length, we will happily refund or exchange it for you.

You can order anytime today, they will also be at this price throughout June.

Many thanks,

Stephen,

Some nice looking stuff on there; added to my kit manufacturers' list... The shells look well designed.

I note that you've gone for mid-body pockets, so well suited to climbers, I suspect (and there seems to be something of a similar mindset between surfers and climbers, so not a great shift in marketing required).

Not being a surfer, I'm not sure why surfers might need 'technical' dry clothing; it's not as if you hike miles across moorland to get to the beach. Or maybe you do...?

I got myself a lowe alpine ninja at tk maxx for £35- you shoud deffo try ther.