Pros and Cons of Fleece Clothing

Pros

- The synthetic fibres are soft and do not chaff the skin. Fleece which is finer and softer is called 'microfibre'.

- Popular amongst 'eco warriors', it's seen as clean and green because it's source material is recycled polyethylene terephthalate.

- Unlike wool, a thin and light weight piece of fleece can provide alot of insulation and warmth.

- Perfect solution to allergy sufferers from natural wool products.

- Like with leather fleece breaths easily. Therefore perspiration/sweat will pass through fleece easily and will not be held in the material. This is why fleece is so popular with outdoor activities, and why cotton is not (cotton absorbs and holds moisture).

- Fleece can be placed in a washing machine, but only on a cold water cycle.

- Can insulate and keep people warm even when the fleece is soaking wet.

Cons

- Not all fleece manufacturers have a clean 'green' record. Therefore it's a somewhat dubious claim that fleece is a 'green product, because petroleum is used in it's manufacture.

- Fleece can be placed in a washing machine, but not in hot water cycle, likewise it should not be steam cleaned or ironed.

- Whilst some fleece jackets and hats come with fire protectants, other fleece tops and sweaters can act as a flammable material. Whilst wool is flammable as well, it;s classification rating is lower, because it poses less of a fire hazard.

- The material is easily susceptible to tear and rip when snagged on a hook etc.

- Fleece can produce a static charge, sometimes quite high charges. Not ideal for owners of pets, because it attracts and holds pet hairs on it's surface. Which are very hard to remove.

- Will not protect against the wind, this is because fleece is not dense enough. It's breaths easily, but on the other hand this allows wind to come in from the opposite direction.