Columbia Fleeces

It depends on how you will wear it. A lightweight micro fleece breathes well and layers cleanly under a shell, which makes it the best pick for active days and as a midlayer, while a midweight like the Steens Mountain adds everyday warmth worn on its own. A heavier high-pile or Sherpa fleece is warmest for standing around in the cold but too bulky to layer comfortably under a jacket. If you only buy one, a midweight covers the most ground in the Irish climate.

Yes, and it is one of the most useful ways to wear one. A fleece traps warmth while still letting moisture move, so under a waterproof shell it keeps you warm without the clammy feel of a non-breathable layer. A lighter or micro fleece layers best because it is less bulky through the shoulders, and a full-zip makes it easy to vent or take off as you warm up on a climb. Save the chunky fleeces for wearing on their own.

Wash on a cool, gentle cycle with ordinary detergent, and skip the fabric softener, which coats the fibres, clogs them and cuts both warmth and breathability. Air dry or tumble on low, since high heat can flatten or melt the pile. Turning the fleece inside out and washing a full load helps stop the surface pilling and cuts the microfibres it sheds, and washing it less often than you think it needs makes it last longer.

The warmest are the heavyweight and high-pile styles, like the Sherpa-faced fleeces and the thicker Steens Mountain models, which trap a lot of air and are made for wearing on their own in the cold. Midweight fleeces sit in the middle for everyday warmth, and the lightweight micro and grid fleeces are the least warm alone but the best at layering and moving sweat. If warmth worn solo is the goal, go heavier; if you want warmth under a jacket, a lighter fleece actually works better.

Yes, choose Click & Collect at checkout. Orders are usually ready within 24 hours and you will get an email when ready. Available from our Dublin Carrickmines, Dublin Blanchardstown and Cork City Centre stores.

Yes, we offer free standard delivery on all orders over €100.

We have four stores across Ireland: Dublin Carrickmines, Dublin Blanchardstown, Cork City Centre and Arnotts Dublin.