Honeycomb fleece — tactical grid-textured fleece jackets

Honeycomb fleece: warmth without overheating

Honeycomb fleece is for people who move a lot: on the march, at a position, on a hike or a trip, when you spend the day standing in the wind and then carrying a backpack uphill. A regular fleece jacket quickly gets damp inside under that kind of load, while a grid fleece holds warmth and lets the excess out. That is why it is more often used as a working layer under a jacket or plate carrier than as a jacket just to keep warm. If you need fleece in general, regardless of texture, see all fleece jackets.

How grid fleece differs from regular fleece

The inside of this fabric is covered with raised cells, the "honeycombs". This is not decoration: channels between the ridges let air circulate, so warmth stays close to the body while excess moisture and heat move out into the outer layers. Smooth fleece is solid and warms evenly, but it breathes less under exertion.

These jackets most often use Light Grid Fleece made of 100% polyester; in the Helikon-Tex Alpha Tactical its density is 310 g/m². Even so, the jacket stays light, because part of the volume is air rather than fiber. Another plus is that polyester grid does not absorb moisture but moves it away, so even after active movement honeycomb fleece does not turn heavy and wet.

A practical bonus: this material resists pilling, washes well and keeps its shape. It is best washed without fabric softener, which clogs the structure and makes the jacket wick moisture less effectively.

How to layer a honeycomb fleece jacket

In cool weather a grid fleece can be worn on its own, and in cold weather as a mid layer between base layers and a jacket. Wear a synthetic or wool base layer under it: cotton holds moisture and cancels the advantage of the grid. On top, put a windproof or waterproof jacket, since the grid fabric lets more wind through than dense fleece.

While moving, unzip the front zipper: it is the fastest way to shed extra heat without taking the jacket off. The stand-up collar and the zipper guard at the chin protect you from wind when you stop.

What to look at when choosing: hood, pockets, size

The Alpha and 4.5.0 models have a chest pocket, two side pockets and two zippered sleeve pockets, plus Velcro panels for patches on the sleeves and chest, which is handy if the jacket is the outer layer of a uniform. The Han Wild L3 Grid Fleece, by contrast, has a hood and drawcords on the sleeves and hem, so it holds heat better without a hat. If a hood matters to you, browse all hooded fleece jackets.

Pay attention to size: Helikon-Tex uses letter sizes from XS to XXXL, other models use numbers from 44 to 60. For a mid layer choose a body-hugging fit with a little room, so the grid sits against the body and works, while a jacket still fits over it. In colors, the most common are olive fleece jackets and coyote fleece jackets; for field camouflage there is MultiCam fleece.

FAQ

Is honeycomb fleece as warm as regular fleece?

It is warm, but works differently. The grid structure holds warm air in the cells and lets the excess out, so it is more comfortable on the move. In wind without an outer jacket it lets more air through than dense smooth fleece.

Does a honeycomb fleece jacket pill after washing?

The material resists pilling and keeps its shape well. To help the grid keep its properties longer, wash on a gentle cycle without fabric softener and do not dry it on a radiator.

Should I choose a tactical honeycomb fleece with or without a hood?

Without a hood the jacket is more convenient under body armor, a helmet and a jacket with its own hood. The hooded model is better when the fleece is often the outer layer and you need to cover your head and neck.