Millet Iceland Jacket

www.millet.fr/en, 1 pound, 4 ounces
There’s nothing more useful than a fleece jacket for three-season use. But you should know that not all fleeces are equal. You could pay less with a CostCo brand, but you won’t get the performance, style, or technical advantage you find with Millet’s Iceland Jacket. The durable, non-pilling Polartec Thermal Pro 200 (made from recycled polyester threads that have a high warmth-to-weight ratio) should be enough to convince you, but then add in a water-repellent finish that thwarts rain and snow and even the penny-pinching skeptics should be convinced. Inside, the brushed threads are truly soft, with a felt-cashmere feel; outside, the jacket has a tightly woven, ribbed finish with flat-lock seams in a contrasting colors. There is no interior phone pocket, which we missed, but the two deep, zippered hand warmer pockets are comfortable and convenient. They’re lined with a soft mesh, to help reduce weight. The collar zips up to protect the neck without feeling claustrophobic, and there’s a discreet elastic draw cord on the bottom of the hem to pull the coat in tight for skiing or hiking on windy days.