What is Microfleece?

Microfleece is a thin, finely brushed polyester knit, usually 100 to 200 gsm, made to add warmth without adding bulk. It is the lightest weight in the fleece family, so it works as a next-to-skin layer that still breathes and dries fast. That low weight and slim profile are why microfleece shows up on branded base layers, gilets, and slim quarter-zips.

Definition

Microfleece uses very fine polyester yarns, knit and then brushed with a short, dense nap on one or both faces. The fine fibers create a smooth, low-profile pile that holds a thin layer of warm air, so the fabric stays light and packable rather than thick and lofted.

A practical example: a 140 gsm microfleece half-zip worn under a softshell on a commute. It takes the chill off without bulking up the sleeves, slides easily under a jacket, and dries on a radiator overnight.

How microfleece works

The warmth comes from the brushed surface, not from thickness. Fine polyester yarn is knit tight and then napped to raise short fibers that trap still air close to the skin. Because the pile is shallow and the yarn is thin, microfleece traps less air than heavy fleece, so it warms less but moves moisture better and layers without bulk. That balance is the point of the fabric.

Weight tells you most of the story. True microfleece sits roughly between 100 and 200 gsm, lighter than the 200 to 300 gsm of classic polar fleece. The thin build gives it a smooth hand, low pill tendency when knit well, and quick drying, which suits active use and travel. The trade-offs follow from the same thinness: it offers little wind resistance on its own, gives modest standalone warmth, and shows seams and logos clearly because the surface is flat.

Most microfleece is 100 percent polyester, and a growing share uses recycled PET. The smooth, dense face takes embroidery and heat transfer cleanly, which matters when the garment carries a logo through years of washing. Anti-pill finishing keeps that flat face looking crisp, so branding stays sharp.

Microfleece in branded merch

1. Slim base and mid layers. A microfleece half-zip or crew sits neatly under a shell, so it suits outdoor crews, event staff, and ski-trip gifts where layering matters more than standalone bulk.
2. Lightweight gilets and pullovers. A microfleece gilet reads as smart and modern, embroiders cleanly on the chest, and works indoors or out for office and field teams alike.
3. Travel and accessory items. Microfleece scarves, neck gaiters, and packable pullovers make light, useful giveaways that fold small for conference bags and welcome kits.