This versatile nature is maybe why we like ‘em so much. These aren’t hyper-specific, specialised items you’ll only wear once a year—their sheer unbridled usefulness means they work for pretty much everything. Throw some wild patterns in the mix and things get even better.
But things weren’t always this way. Back in the early 1970s, staying warm on the mountains usually meant cramming a thick woolly jumper under your anorak. These toasty slabs of knitwear scored high on the warmth-o-meter, but they were a long way from light and nimble, especially after a downpour. Luckily, change was afoot… with new brands and new ideas cropping up all over the place as hikers, climbers and mountaineers took matters in their own hands and started producing their own gear.
This was an era of doing more, with less—meaning faster, cleaner climbing, without being dragged down with excessive equipment. This shift was echoed in the clothes made by this new batch of DIY brands, which had more in common with the sportswear of the day than the stoic army surplus clobber worn out on the hills in the previous decade. Boots were streamlined, new waterproof fabrics emerged, and the hunt was on to find something warm and comfortable to replace those old woolly jumpers.
As luck would have it, a fabric company in Massachusetts who specialised in the fine art of fake fur coats happened to be making kids clothes out of brushed polyester. Scandinavian fishermen were already wearing something similar to keep the North Atlantic chill at bay—but this new American version was a little more refined. With a bit of extra honing, this versatile fabric became what’s now universally known as ‘fleece’ and life in the outdoors was never the same again.
While the humble fleece might be ‘retro’ to some these days, in the mid 80s these synthetic pullovers were a true vision of modernity and a vital component in the outdoor layer system—worn over a base layer, and under a waterproof shell—it was the hearty filling of a particularly functional sandwich.
We’ve been making our own fleeces for a good while now, and while we’ve refined them a fair bit over the decades, that versatile essence still remains—in fact, if you scour the net for vintage KAVU fleece jackets from the 90s, you’ll see that they’re not a million miles off what we make right now. After all, if it ain’t broke…
At KAVU there are two main sub-genres of fleece… there’s that low-profile polar fleece stuff, and then there’s that super-thick teddy-bear-esque pile fabric which is sometimes referred to as ‘sherpa’ or ‘boa’ fleece. 
The Teannaway is a prime example of the former in action. This one is a true KAVU bestseller, and for good reason. With its over-the-head design and that 7.5oz polar fabric, it’ll fit nicely under a big coat when the chill sets in, but because of those nicely angled zip pockets it’ll also work as a jacket in its own right on a bright autumn day.
We should probably mention those patterns too. Like the Herschel Hat, the Teannaway is a bit of a blank canvas for our design team to let loose. From Sasquatches in shades to mind-warping Magic Eye-esque geometric prints, there’s no holding back here. And for those who like things a little toned down… there are some more subtle block colour options too. 
The Cavanaugh follows a similar tried-and-tested formula as the Teannaway, but as part of our women’s range, it’s a touch more streamlined. There’s no chest pocket, but we’ve kept that ultra-useful pass-through kangaroo pocket for your hands or your snacks or whatever else you put in your pockets. 
For something slightly different, but every bit as useful—there’s the Fleece Throwshirt. This is a 7.5oz polar fleece version of the signature overshirt design that we’ve been making since 1995. It’s got the same versatile do-everything-design (with underarm gussets to keep those arms nice ‘n’ free) as the original canvas version, but with the added warmth of fleece. If you’re after a winter-friendly version of a true KAVU Klassic, then this is the one.
And then, in our ‘chunky sherpa fleece’ category, we’ve got the Wayside Fleece Jacket. Made from 15oz pile fleece, this is a serious slice of winter-wear that makes cold mornings a whole lot more bearable. There’s plenty of pocket space too—and those corduroy details add a nice luxury flavour. Maybe the most ‘jacket-like’ of our fleece roster, the Wayside is just right for throwing over a hoodie or sweatshirt when Jack Frost comes knocking. 
The Cooper Vest is kind of like the sleeveless cousin of the Wayside. Same super-thick sherpa fleece fabric, but in vest form. This one goes particularly nicely with a flannel shirt and a stack of freshly chopped logs on an autumn day.
We could go on… there’s also the low-profile Brudenell Jacket, the Oh Chute overshirt and the Crew Who Sweatshirt (a fleece sweat that started out in our Japanese range)… as well as the ultimate in functional fleece-wear, the 15oz sherpa fleece Freeforall Overalls. All KAVU, all Klassic, these will get a lot of wear.
Shop all of our fleece here.
