Polar fleece vs cotton fleece: how warm is each, and for what temperature?

By Shivaan Seth, Founder

"How warm is it?" is the question we get most about our winterwear. The honest answer depends on the fabric, what you wear under it, and the wind. Here is how our two fleeces compare, and a simple temperature guide for each.

The short answer

Polar fleece is warmer than cotton fleece. With a T-shirt or long sleeve tee underneath, our cotton fleece keeps you warm down to about 10 to 12°C, and our polar fleece down to about 5 to 10°C. Colder than that, or in strong wind, wear polar over cotton and add an insulated jacket.

This is a wearing guide from how we and our customers wear them in Delhi and North India, not a lab rating. Wind, sun and how cold you run all change it.

How cold each fleece goes

Fabric	Warm down to about*	Our pieces
Cotton fleece, 350 GSM	10 to 12°C	Crew Neck Sweatshirt, Classic Hoodie, Quarter Zip
Polar fleece, 280 GSM	5 to 10°C	Zip-up Jacket, Hoodie, Pullover, Sleeveless Jacket (keeps your core warm)
Colder, or windy	Below about 5°C	Polar fleece over cotton fleece, plus an insulated or windproof jacket

*With a T-shirt or long sleeve tee underneath. For milder days and evenings, our Lightweight Hoodie (180 GSM) or a heavy long sleeve tee is enough.

Cotton fleece vs polar fleece

	Cotton fleece	Polar fleece
What it is	Cotton-rich knit, brushed soft on the inside	Polyester knit, brushed on both sides into a thick pile
Ours	80% cotton, 20% polyester, 350 GSM	100% polyester, 280 GSM
Warmth	Warm	Warmer: traps more air for its weight
Wind	Lets a breeze through	Blocks a light breeze
Breathability	Better: comfortable all day indoors	Can feel warm in heated rooms
Feel	Soft, like a classic sweatshirt	Plush and light
Drying	Slower	Fast
Best as	The mid layer you wear all day	The outer layer for mornings, nights and travel

Why GSM matters for warmth: a higher GSM means more fabric per square metre. But fibre and structure count too, which is how a 280 GSM polar fleece is warmer than a 350 GSM cotton fleece. More in what GSM means and our fabric guide.

Our fleece range

• Cotton fleece (350 GSM): Men's Crew Neck Sweatshirt, Men's Classic Hoodie, Quarter Zip Sweatshirt, Women's Crew Neck Sweatshirt, Women's Crew Neck Long Sweatshirt, Women's Classic Hoodie.
• Polar fleece (280 GSM): Men's Zip-up Jacket, Men's Hoodie, Men's Pullover, Men's Sleeveless Jacket, Women's Zip-up Jacket, Women's Hoodie, Women's Sleeveless Jacket.
• Lighter: Lightweight Hoodie (180 GSM) for mild evenings.

Shop all of it in men's winterwear and women's winterwear.

Caring for fleece

Wash cold and inside out, skip fabric softener (it flattens the pile), and dry flat or on a hanger in the shade. Keep polar fleece away from high heat when ironing or drying. Our garment care guide has the rest.

Frequently asked questions

Is polar fleece warmer than cotton fleece?

Yes. Polar fleece traps more warm air for its weight and blocks a light breeze, so it is the warmer of the two. With a layer underneath, our polar fleece keeps you warm down to about 5 to 10°C, our cotton fleece down to about 10 to 12°C.

How cold can a cotton fleece hoodie or sweatshirt keep you warm?

With a T-shirt or long sleeve tee underneath, our 350 GSM cotton fleece is comfortable down to about 10 to 12°C. Colder than that, add a polar fleece on top.

How cold can a polar fleece jacket keep you warm?

With a layer underneath, our 280 GSM polar fleece keeps you warm down to about 5 to 10°C. Below 5°C, or in strong wind, add an insulated or windproof jacket.

Is fleece enough for a Delhi winter?

For most Delhi days, yes: cotton fleece covers mild days down to about 10 to 12°C, and polar fleece covers cold mornings and nights down to about 5 to 10°C. On the coldest foggy mornings outdoors, add an insulated jacket.

Related guides: Best winter layers for Delhi and North India · Layering for a Delhi winter · Quarter zip sweaters for men

Shivaan