Hi everyone
Any thoughts on the above with regards to the quality (or lack thereof) of certain brands etc. when it comes to fleece tops / jackets.
Thanks!
I find the vast majorty of fleece perform fairly similarly for most thing. The polartec grid fleece tends to feel like a nice weight, and the waffle pattern manages to stay warm but breath reasonably well.
Local brands I find First Ascent to be well designed and stays reasonably true to size. The Decathalon fleeces are a great cost to performance. These days I tend to go pretty simple with fleece. A grid stop fleece in quarter zip, the weight saved with no pockets/hoods/fullzips etc means you can carry a wind breaker or a puffy to layer if it’s particualrly cold. But I know many people prefer a full zip and pockets.
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@Jaxz - thank you, appreciate your input! 
Agree with @Jaxz.
What I find is expensive good quality fleeces seem to last longer. Many moons ago, like 2001, I bought a Patagonia fleece whilst in London, on sale, so did not pay their ‘Moral Tax’. This fleece has outlasted all my Cape Storm and no-name-brand numbers. Except for the YKK zip, which is a general failure point.
What does make a diffs as well, as Jaxz mentions, is the actual fabric used. Polartec makes good quality fleece fabrics. Notable is the First Ascent (FA) K2 made with Polartec Powerstretch - best warmth to weight ratio for fleece.
I own a FA Polartec Windstop fleece, was called the Serac - now WindPro, paid 1/2 price for it. So the fabric is good but the cut is shite, for me. Point being had I paid full price I’d be bummed.
FA make a fleece called the Storm Fleece that’s pretty good actually, my partner has one and she’s very happy with it.
She also owns the K2 longs, very very toasty.
I think crucially you need to be clear on what the fleece is for. Is it a thicker outer layer, a super thin 2nd or base layer, or low-mid weight mid layer. Is it for very aerobic activity or just for warmth. This will help you make the right decision…
For aerobic activity choose something thinner, with waffle grid pattern.
For warmth choose pile on the inside, tight cuffs and snug fit is important. Make sure the zip that comes up the neck does not chafe your Adam’s Apple…my Serac is so tight on my throat I hardly close it.
And remember fleece shrinks over time.
I also recommend those waffle patterned 'n piled on the inside fleeces. They will not stop the wind but will wick/breathe well enough. If you can get a fleece with a hood also a bonus.
3/4 zip is a minimum. Don’t go for no zip, you need to vent.
Where I do slightly disagree with Jaxz is the FA fleeces sizing can be iffy. I’ve actually been to Drifters in Jhb where the store manager showed me two fleeces sized the same but clearly different.
But in closing, here is SA we don’t get much pick of the crop, so (a) you will not find a very ‘technical’ fleece and thus (b) no need to burn a hole in yr pocket.
(…got a bit carried away there…)
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@Carl - nah, I appreciate the getting carried away, the more info I have the better chance of staying warm.
What I need it for is definitely for layering with the intent of NOT getting cold … Everest Base Camp. I am not the biggest nor the smallest, however I seem to always get cold. So I want to make sure that I go with the correct clothing and not end up being miserable every day of the Trek.
A few years ago I got some decent information on sleeping bags and I do believe it saved my life. 
Thanks for your input.
This just reminded me. I bought a bunch of AlphaDirect. I need to get it stitched into a hoody, just need to find a seamstress.
Will update once I have as a potential alternative.
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