Fleece might be the most underrated fabric in the outdoors. Sure, it has a ’90s throwback feel, but if you give fleece a chance in this decade, you’ll realize it’s got more value than a well-used espresso machine. Rock this lightweight, quarter-zip gridded fleece midlayer, made from our teddy-bear-soft Furano Fleece, and you may never wear anything else. It fits perfectly under a shell on a ski day or on its own as an everyday essential. A pass-through kangaroo pocket stores cold hands or supplies.
Conditions dependent, you split your time pretty evenly between the ski resort and the backcountry, which means you need gear that's tough and waterproof enough for the pounding of tram laps and storm skiing inbounds but won't sweat out on a climb on those days you decide to earn your turns. Here, we opt for fabrics and features that do double duty, like jacket powder skirts you can zip out or bib pants made for versatile pursuits.
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The Tate Fleece Features
Furano Fleece
Our proprietary Furano Fleece, by Intuitive, looks all comfy and soft, but it’s way tougher than your average teddy bear. It’s got a smooth-faced surface that blocks wind and a grid backing that adds warmth. Because it’s coated in a PFC-free Durable Water Repellent, you can wear it on its own as an exterior layer or layer it under a shell for extra insulation.
PFC-Free
PFCs, or perfluorocarbons, are found in chemicals often used in Durable Water Repellent (or DWR), and once released into the environment, those chemicals are no good. Instead of harmful PFCs, we’re using a friendlier, bio-based treatment that will still keep your fabric dry in a storm but is kinder to you and our planet.
