Fleece

You can tell from the weight in grams per square metre. Around 200 g is a light fleece for the in-between seasons, 280 to 330 g is a sturdy winter fleece. Fleece insulates well relative to its weight and stays warm even when slightly damp.

Standard fleece is not windproof: air passes straight through it, which makes a big difference to how cold it feels in strong wind. There are versions with a windproof membrane, and otherwise you wear a windproof jacket or bodywarmer over it.

Better not to. Polyester fleece air dries within a few hours, while heat in the dryer flattens the fibres and reduces insulating power. Fabric softener has the same effect and is best avoided.

A full-zip fleece is easy to put on and take off and can be worn open if you get warm. A half-zip or quarter-zip model is pulled on over your head; it fits more snugly, lets in less draught and is less bulky under a jacket. Choose a full zip if you often switch between indoors and outdoors, and a half zip as a mid-layer under a jacket.

After many washes, fleece can develop fuzz or small pills, especially in areas with friction such as the forearms and sides. Fleece with an anti-pilling finish stays smooth for longer. You can limit pilling by washing the fleece inside out, at a low temperature, without fabric softener and not together with rough clothing such as denim or items with hook-and-loop fasteners.