Fleece Jacket Under Your Coat: 5 Lines Compared | Saniso

How a fleece mid layer keeps you warm

Coat zipped up and still cold? Then you need a warm layer between your shirt and your coat: a zip-up fleece jacket with elastic cuffs and an adjustable waist. It traps warm air around your body, and you open the zip when the work gets heavy.

Choose the fleece for your job. At Saniso you pick from five lines in sizes XS to 4XL: from the everyday BARRY, such as the black BARRY fleece in size L (S-51093), to the reinforced OXFORD. Saniso B.V. in Zwaag sells the STALCO and STALCO PERFECT brands as a wholesaler and webshop.

Why a fleece works as the warm middle layer

A fleece is the layer that does the insulating. Underneath you wear a T-shirt, polo or thermal shirt that sits close to the skin. On top you wear the jacket that stops wind and rain. The fleece in the middle traps warm air.

That order matters: base layer on the skin, fleece over it, jacket on the outside. A separate warm layer is also more flexible than one thick coat. Take the coat off for heavy lifting, put it back on during a break, and the fleece keeps you warm in both cases.

All five lines are made of 100% polyester and are described as thermally insulating. The NAVAS product pages describe the fleece as a layer under jackets, vests or raincoats.

Warmth you can open up: front zip, cuffs and waist cord

Warm work clothing is only comfortable if you can let heat out. A zip lets you do that in seconds. Elastic cuffs and a waistband or hem you can tighten keep cold air out when you stand still.

• Cuffs: all five lines have elastic cuffs. BARRY and BASIC NEON LINE cuffs fit over work gloves.
• Waist or hem: adjustable with elastic and cord stoppers on every line.
• Wrists: OXFORD adds thumb holes, so the sleeves stay put when you reach.

Light enough to fit under a work coat

Fleece weight is given in grams per square metre (g/m²). The higher the number, the thicker the fabric. A thicker fleece is usually warmer, but it also takes up more room under your coat.

• BARRY and BASIC NEON LINE: 280 g/m²
• NAVAS: 300 g/m²
• OXFORD: 320 g/m²
• ASPEN: 400 g/m², the thickest in this range

So if your coat is already snug, a 280 g/m² fleece will sit more easily under it. If you work in an unheated hall without a coat, the thicker ASPEN gives more warmth on its own.

Who wears a fleece jacket for work?

A work fleece suits anyone who works outside or in cold rooms during the colder months, for example in construction, paving, road works, a warehouse or an unheated workshop. It also suits DIYers in a cold shed or garage.

Some typical situations and the line that fits:

• Near traffic or in low light: a fluorescent fleece such as BASIC NEON LINE.
• In a cold hall without a coat: a thick fleece such as ASPEN.
• Heavy work where shoulders and elbows rub against materials: the reinforced OXFORD.
• Teams that want a company logo on it: BARRY, ASPEN and NAVAS can be personalised with embroidery.

All lines in this range are men's fleeces.

Five STALCO fleece lines compared: which suits your job?

Each line has its own strong point. The list below starts with the simplest model and ends with the high-visibility fleece.

BARRY: the everyday fleece in six colours

BARRY is the basic work fleece at the lowest price. It weighs 280 g/m², has two zipped waist pockets and is quick-drying. It closes with a zip; check the product page of your colour and size for the zip details.

BARRY comes in black, blue, grey, khaki, navy and red, in sizes S to 4XL. For example, the navy BARRY in size M (S-44543).

ASPEN: extra chest pocket, sizes from XS

ASPEN is the thick STALCO fleece at 400 g/m². Next to the two waist pockets it has a zipped chest pocket on the left, handy for a phone or notebook.

It is the only line that starts at size XS, such as the black ASPEN in XS (S090494009). ASPEN comes in black, grey and navy up to 4XL, for example the navy ASPEN in size L (S090494020).

NAVAS: chin guard and YKK zips

NAVAS belongs to STALCO PERFECT. It has a high stand-up collar with a chin guard, so the zip does not rub your neck. The front zip and all three pockets close with YKK zips: one chest pocket for your phone and two side pockets.

The hem is adjustable with a drawstring and stoppers to stop cold air coming in from below. NAVAS comes in black, grey, navy and olive, sizes S to 4XL. Examples: the black NAVAS in size L (S-78346) and the navy NAVAS in size L (S-78332).

OXFORD: reinforced fleece with thumb holes

OXFORD is the toughest fleece in the range. Patches of OXFORD fabric with a PU coating reinforce the shoulders, elbows and pockets. Stress points have extra stitching, and a flap covers the main zip against dirt and wind.

You get six pockets, a reinforced high collar with chin guard, thumb holes and reflective details. OXFORD comes in black and olive, sizes S to 4XL, such as the black OXFORD in size L (S-78883) or the olive one in size M (S090400015).

BASIC NEON LINE: fluorescent with 50 mm reflective tape

This is the high-visibility fleece in the range: neon yellow or neon orange with dark navy edges and 50 mm reflective tape. The product page lists EN ISO 20471, visibility class 2.

It has two zipped waist pockets and a zipped chest pocket. The navy inserts at the hem, sleeves and inside the collar protect the parts that wear fastest. Yellow runs from M to 4XL, such as the yellow fleece in size L (S-51704). Orange also comes in size S (S-51714).

Which size fleece fits under your jacket?

A fleece under a coat needs to do two things. It should leave room for your base layer underneath, and it should not be so roomy that your coat feels tight over it.

• Try the fleece on over the shirt you normally wear underneath.
• Put your work coat on over it and reach forward and up. If the coat pulls across your back or shoulders, the combination is too tight.
• With a snug coat, look at the thinner 280 g/m² lines first.

Size ranges per line:

• ASPEN: XS to 4XL
• BARRY, NAVAS and OXFORD: S to 4XL
• BASIC NEON LINE: orange S to 4XL, yellow M to 4XL

The product pages describe the cut as regular (BARRY, ASPEN), universal (NAVAS) or classic (OXFORD). There is no separate size chart, so check your usual size against the coat you wear on top.

Overview: STALCO fleece jackets at Saniso

In short: pick BARRY for an affordable everyday layer, ASPEN for the most warmth, NAVAS for neck protection, OXFORD for heavy wear and BASIC NEON LINE when you need to be seen.

Washing: the product pages of BARRY, ASPEN, NAVAS and OXFORD say wash at 30 °C, do not tumble dry, bleach, iron or dry clean. For BASIC NEON LINE the product page gives only a maximum of 25 washes.

Frequently asked questions

Is a fleece jacket warm enough on its own, or do you need a coat over it?

On a dry, calm day or in a cold hall, a fleece on its own is often enough. ASPEN is described for use as an outer layer in spring and autumn and for unheated rooms. In wind, rain or real winter cold, wear a work jacket over the fleece: the fleece keeps you warm, the jacket keeps the weather out.

Fleece sweatshirt or fleece jacket: is there a difference?

Not in this range. Some models are called a sweatshirt and others a jacket, but within each line the description is the same. Every line closes with a zip and has zipped pockets and elastic cuffs. Choose on the line, not on the word in the name.

What size fleece should you take to wear under a work jacket?

Start with your usual size and try it with the shirt you wear underneath and the coat you wear on top. If the coat pulls across your shoulders when you reach, go for a thinner fleece rather than a smaller size. If you need a small size, ASPEN starts at XS, such as S090494009.

When do you need a high-visibility fleece?

When you work near traffic, on a building site or in low light and others need to see you. BASIC NEON LINE is designed for work in low light. Keep in mind that it only helps when it is visible: a dark jacket zipped over it covers the colour and the reflective tape.

Is a reinforced fleece worth it for rough work?

If you carry materials on your shoulder, lean on your elbows or brush against rough surfaces, yes. OXFORD has PU-coated reinforcements on the shoulders, elbows and pockets, extra stitching at stress points and a flap over the zip. For lighter work, BARRY or NAVAS is usually enough, for example S-78346.

What do you wear under a fleece to stay dry?

A close-fitting, quick-drying base layer, such as a thermal shirt. It moves sweat away from your skin, so the fleece over it can keep you warm. Avoid a cotton shirt when you sweat a lot, because cotton holds on to moisture.

Contact: Saniso B.V., De Corantijn 95, 1689 AN Zwaag · +31 85 488 5920.