When it comes to choosing outdoor clothing for women today the choice is as diverse as that for the blokes and the choices of fleece tops that are available is amazing when it comes to styles, colours and prices, so how do you make your choice, here are a few things to consider.

Fit: It needs to be snug and comfortable. Too tight and it is going to restrict your movements and stop you from wearing another layer underneath, especially important in the winter months. Too baggy and it will be less effective in blocking out those icy winds.

Pockets:  Make sure that they are zipped and are accessible for your needs, for example when wearing your rucksack, as some designs offer a mixture of small chest pockets, waist and internal pockets.

Cuffs: Again this may affect your final choice as some designs employ cinch cuffs to close the sleeve down over the wrist and help to prevent draughts. Other do not use any elastic which makes them ideal for rolling up the sleeve when the weather is that bit warmer, and some even offer thumb loops which help secure the sleeves

Fabric: Most fleeces use a single fabric or a blend. The most common fabric is polyester; however the warmth of the garment will normally depend on the overall density of the knit. A good rule of thumb is that the heavier the fleece (look at its weight in grams) the better the protection against the weather.

Hem: Again, most designs utilize a drawcord which makes the hems adjustable, so that you loosen or tighten them as the weather and conditions allow, but some are designed to retain their shape and stay snug around your waist. Make sure that the fleece covers both the lower back and your upper bottom, as some fashion orientated designs can be shorter.

Zip: The ultimate question Full or half zip? Both have advantages and again it really comes down to the conditions in which the top is be used. A half zip top tends to be more compact when you put it into your rucksack and tends to be utilized as a ‘to be used when required’ type of layer. A full zip tends to feel more substantial and ready to use at an outer layer when facing the elements.

By no means exhaustive this list should let you rule out some of the many options when choosing a ladies fleece to add to your outdoor clothing for women wardrobe. Here at Outdoor Look we are always trying to bring the best designed products at the best prices, check out the website for the latest additions.