Buying a vest: fleece, softshell or quilted?

Buying guide

Buying a vest: fleece, softshell or quilted?

A vest is one of the most versatile pieces of clothing you can own: light enough to wear under a coat, warm enough to use as a standalone layer outdoors. But with fleece, softshell and quilted models side by side, the choice isn't always obvious. This guide helps you choose based on material, use and fit.

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The three main types of vest

Fleece vest

Soft, light and flexible. Insulates well in dry weather but offers little protection against wind and rain. Ideal as a base layer, in the office or for relaxed use at home.

Softshell vest

Woven more densely and often wind- and water-resistant on the outside. Suited to active outdoor use: hiking, cycling or garden work.

Quilted vest

Filled with an insulating layer, synthetic or down. Warmer per weight than fleece and packs down small, but less breathable during exertion.

Curious about fleece specifically? Browse the fleece vest range.

When do you wear which vest?

Under a coat
Choose a thin fleece or light quilted vest, so there's still room for a coat on top.
As a standalone layer outdoors
Softshell for wind and rain protection, or a quilted vest for shorter, dry, cold moments.
Indoors
A fleece vest is soft and breathable enough to wear comfortably all day.

Choosing the right fit

Women's and men's models usually differ in shoulder width and torso length. If you want to wear the vest under a coat, size up slightly. Wearing it on its own, a closer fit is usually more comfortable. Check the size guides for women and men to find the right size.

Want warmth too? Consider a heated vest

A fleece, softshell or quilted vest mainly holds warmth your body already makes. Sit still a lot, wait around outside, or get cold quickly? Then a heated vest can make just the difference: you control the temperature yourself, instead of relying on movement or extra layers. The Wøley is a heated fleece vest like this, with five heating zones and adjustable heat settings.

Wøley heated fleece vest

Gløde product

Wøley Heated Fleece Vest

5 heating zones, 3 heat settings, washable. Available in blue and red.

from €139.99

Shop the Wøley

Read more

Still deciding between a regular and a heated vest? Read Vest or heated vest: which do you choose?

Choosing between two heated products? Check out heated fleece vest vs. heated body warmer.

New vest at home? Here's how to keep it looking good: vest washing and care.

In short

Choose fleece for comfort at home, softshell for active outdoor use and a quilted model for compact warmth. Do you often feel cold when sitting still? Then a heated vest is worth considering.