My Fleece Jacket Is See-Through: Alpha Direct and Grid Fleece

Ever since I started backpacking in the 1990s, I've carried a lightweight fleece jacket. The puffer jacket may have eclipsed it in popularity, and merino wool is sustainable and stink-free. But the humble fleece is durable, breathable, and light. It also costs next to nothing. (I have 30-year-old Marmot fleece that still works great.) Much as I still love that old fleece, you may have noticed climbers and backpackers wearing a specific kind of new, high-tech performance fleece—whether it's the Patagonia R1, the Senchi Designs Alpha 120, or the famous, ever-elusive Melanzana Micro Grid. What is it? Do you need it? Here's a quick rundown of fleece varieties. Once you're done here, check out the rest of our outdoor apparel guides, from the Best Rain Jackets to the Best Running Shorts. Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only c ... Read full article.