Micro Fleece
Fabric — one of 56 in the glossary
A lightweight polyester fleece knitted from very fine filament yarn and brushed lightly on both faces, giving a dense, smooth, low-loft surface rather than the deep pile of a standard fleece. It is warm for its weight, dries quickly, packs down small and pills less than heavier fleece, which is why it is the usual choice for a mid-layer rather than an outer one.
Fine yarn, shallow nap
The "micro" is the filament. Micro fleece is knitted from very fine polyester filaments, which lets the fabric be dense and smooth at a low weight — typically well under half what a polar fleece weighs.
It is brushed on both sides but only lightly, so the nap is short and even rather than deep and lofty. That is what gives it the flat, slightly suede-like hand.
Less loft means less trapped air, so it is less warm than a heavy fleece. It is warm for its weight, which is a different claim.
Why it pills less
Pilling needs loose fibre ends to work free. A shallow nap of fine continuous filament offers fewer of them than the deep, heavily brushed pile of a polar fleece.
The density helps too: a tighter knit holds the filaments more firmly.
It still pills eventually, particularly where a bag strap or a seatbelt rubs. Nothing brushed is immune.
Where it is the right choice
As a mid-layer under a shell, where bulk is the enemy and the fleece is not doing the wind-stopping.
For anything that has to pack down — travel, kit bags, giveaways that ship by weight.
For decoration it is the easier fleece: the smooth, low-loft face takes embroidery cleanly and holds a print far better than a deep pile. Fine detail is still best avoided.
Common questions
- What is micro fleece?
- A lightweight polyester fleece knitted from very fine filaments and lightly brushed on both sides, giving a dense, smooth, low-loft surface rather than a deep pile.
- Is micro fleece warmer than regular fleece?
- No, less warm in absolute terms, because there is less loft trapping air. It is warmer for its weight, which is why it works as a mid-layer.
- Does micro fleece pill?
- Less than heavier fleece, because a shallow nap of fine filament offers fewer loose ends to work free. It still pills where something rubs it repeatedly.
- Can you embroider on micro fleece?
- Yes, and it is the easier fleece to decorate — the smooth, low-loft face takes stitches cleanly. Deep pile fleece swallows detail in a way micro fleece does not.
See also
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