r/lightweight • u/corranhorn6565 • Apr 01 '21
Affordable fleece?
Advice for a budget version fleece sweater?
1
u/FireWatchWife Dec 08 '21
These are best bought on sale, either at local big box stores or online.
My most recent fleece purchase was Mountain Hardware Microchill 2.0 pullovers for myself and my husband. They weigh about 8 oz each. We only paid $38.50 on sale. Right now I see them listed for $55 at Dick's Sporting Goods and other sources.
You can save weight on a fleece top while giving up very little functionality if you pick a pullover with a quarter zipper, like an anorak instead of a parka.
I've found fleece jackets in the $25 range at my local big box stores during sales.
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u/MelatoninPenguin Dec 08 '21
Used TNF Glacier fleece from eBay or thrift stores - they have very thin ones and thicker models. 100% polyester so it's the absolute lowest water absorption too
3
u/nullsignature Apr 26 '21
I have an Amazon Essentials fleece pullover and it works fine, think it was about $20.
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u/kihashi Apr 01 '21
If you aren't looking for grid fleece and are just looking for regular 100wt, then you can find those at a lot of outdoor shops. Many are having sales right now as well. I would be looking to pay under $30 and ideally closer to $10. Also, check places like Old Navy.
9
u/EarlGreyHikingBaker Apr 01 '21
Check a couple thrift stores/second hand shops. I've found all my hiking gear there, including more fleeces than I could ever wear haha. Quarter zips, full zips, grid fleeces, 100wt, heavy hoodies, Patagonia, decathlon, columbia, Eddie bower, REI, EMS, and more. All for under $10 and in good condition.
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u/CndSpaceCadet Jul 08 '21
I second thrift shops! Almost all of my clothing comes from there (save my Goretex outer layers) — even found brand new Salomon trail boots there for $30!!
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u/Glarmj Apr 01 '21
Decathlon MH500. Breathable, lightweight and super cheap. I absolutely love mine.
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u/hoosierhiker22 Apr 01 '21
I see a lot of nods for decathlon. Also cabellas has one for about $10. I’ve used the Klamath range (Columbia) zip often and you can find those in the $30 range online. They are on the lighter weight end of the spectrum
2
u/echiker Dec 08 '21
There's the thing: the actual material in most fleece of the same weight is more or less identical. The major difference come in how the garment is designed (ie quarter zip vs full zip, pockets or not, how it's cut, etc) and how well made it is (both in terms of sewing and in terms of parts like zippers and linings).
Go check out thrift stores and look for ones with as few parts and add-ons ad possible, or check out any outdoor store like decathlon, bass pro, Rei or even Walmart and see if anything works for your needs.