If you’re looking for a stylish and comfortable fleece jacket that will last a long time, we can’t recommend the Patagonia Better Sweater (men’s / women’s) highly enough.

This dense fleece is super warm, and the hand pockets are soft on the inside and thick on the outside to keep your hands cozy as well. To top it all off, the Better Sweater holds up incredibly well over time – one of our staff has been wearing hers for almost a decade now, and it’s still going strong!

The Better Sweater is hands-down our favorite fleece jacket for casual use, and it’s a phenomenal value for the money too since it’ll no-doubt become one of the most-worn pieces of clothing in your closet. The Better Sweater is also available as a slightly more affordable Quarter-Zip (men’s / women’s).

The Patagonia R1 Air (men’s / women’s) is great for active people who are looking for a jacket with a good balance of warmth and low weight. Its zig-zag-patterned fabric is super soft, breathable, and comfortable, and it lets excess heat escape to help you thermoregulate. This makes it incredibly versatile and comfortable for the backcountry or for casual use when you’re closer to home. We recommend the R1 Air to those who want a single high-quality fleece they can use for pretty much any occasion. The R1 Air is also available as a Full-Zip Hoody (men’s / women’s).

If top-notch comfort and excellent value are what you’re after, the REI Hyperaxis 2.0 (men’s / women’s) is pretty tough to beat. It’s made with super soft stretch fleece with an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. The Hyperaxis Jacket is capable in the backcountry, and we’ve been pleased with its breathability on challenging cold-weather hikes. That said, we love wearing it in the frontcountry too since the high-pile lining is so warm, comfortable, and inviting. The fit isn’t quite as streamlined and stylish as the similar Arc’teryx Kyanite below, but the Hyperaxis Jacket is one of the best values on the market for a technical fleece.

We’ve been wearing the Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 (men’s) and Benton Springs (women’s) jackets for decades and love their classic style and affordable price tag. These fleeces are reliable, comfortable, and warm, plus they come in a ton of size and color choices so it’s easy to find one that suits you. The Steens Mountain/Benton Springs jackets aren’t quite as packable or performance-oriented as some, but they’re still excellent for work, day trips, and everyday wear. We’ve also used them for cold-weather backcountry trips with success. If you’re looking for a great all-around fleece jacket that won’t break the bank, look no further.

The Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T (men’s / women’s) is an incredibly comfortable pullover with iconic style that’s remained unchanged since the 1980s. It’s made with quality, double-sided fleece that’s both lightweight and durable. Plus, it has super comfy spandex-trimmed wrist cuffs and hem to trap heat and help it hold its shape. The slightly oversized fit gives the Synchilla a retro look, and makes it extra cozy and warm – which is why it’s become our go-to for relaxing and nights around the campfire. This fleece costs more than some others, but Patagonia clothing lasts for a really long time in our experience, so it’s worth every penny.

The Outdoor Research Vigor (men’s / women’s) is one of our favorite fleece jackets to wear when conditions are chilly, but we’re likely to break a sweat. It’s the lightest jacket on our list, and its quick-drying grid fleece provides the perfect amount of warmth and airflow to keep you comfortable even while chugging uphill. Essentially, the Vigor is a beefed-up baselayer, so it’s a great go-to for hiking, snowsports, or anything that requires constant thermoregulation. The price of the Vigor is excellent too – with comparable fleeces costing significantly more. We recommend the Vigor to anyone looking to score a great deal on a versatile, high-performance jacket for their active lifestyle. The Vigor is also available as a Full-Zip Hoodie (men’s / women’s) versions.

The KUHL Interceptr Jacket is a great casual option for those who want to dress comfortably and look good at the same time. The athletic fit, articulated sleeves, and zippered pockets are handsome and technical, but we find this warm, heavy-weight fleece to be better suited for everyday use than the backcountry. If it gets really stormy, it also layers nicely under a winter coat or a rain jacket. The Interceptr is sure to get a lot of use and it’s priced lower than similar full-zip jackets, so it’s an excellent value. The Interceptr is also available in Quarter-Zip.

The Arc’teryx Kyanite (men’s / women’s) is the definition of streamlined, stylish comfort. It’s comfortable enough to wear for relaxing, but it’s also a highly versatile layering piece for adventuring in damp, chilly conditions. The Kyanite is one of the warmest fleeces we tested and it works great as an outer layer in mild-weather. If you’ve got the extra money to spend, the Kyanite’s attractive looks and next-level performance are worth the bump in cost in our book.

The Eddie Bauer Super Sevens Fleece Pullover (men’s / women’s) is the ultimate light and breathable midlayer. It features alternating bands of fuzzy polyester and airy, open weave for the perfect combination of warmth and breathability when you’re working up a sweat. We love how easy it is to layer this thin fleece under a windbreaker or rain jacket to suit various conditions. And it’s ultralight, weighing in at just 4.2 oz., so it’s excellent for backpacking.

The Super Sevens Fleece is similar to another minimalist fleece we like, the Wren Hoodie by Senchi. The Wren is stylish and made locally in Portland, OR. Unfortunately, it’s only available in limited runs.