powerstretch vs fleece

[earthbound]

What are the merits of each? Are their weights similar?

[Bootstrap]

Think "tights". Not the thin ballet kind, but something more robust and more opaque (thank goodness) that wicks extremely well. Light, stretchy, not very windproof. Warm, but not in the same way as fleece.

On their web site that they classify materials like this:

Next to skin:
Polartec Power Dry
Polartec Power Stretch

Insulation:
Polartec Classic
Polartec Thermal Pro

Weather protection:
Polartec Wind Pro (various kinds)
Polartec Wind Bloc
Polartec Power Shield

Power stretch is designed for getting moisture away from your skin:
http://www.polartec.com/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/210

I have a pair of tights made out of this material, and I find them very comfortable. When it's too cold for just my swimsuit hiking shorts, I throw these on. They aren't as insulating as fleece, they aren't anywhere near as thick, and I can't imagine using this material in the same thicknesses as fleece.

Jonathan

[mudhead]

Go to one of those biggie stores you have access to there.

Find a Powerstretch balaclava by Seirus(?). Then go to JCPenney and check out one of those fleece 9way hooded things you always see in the flyers. Both have their uses.

I have seen many different "grades" of fleece. Not all is created equal.

[angewrite]

Powerstretch as sold by Marmot is known as an expedition weight base layer. It is wicking and warm, but not bulky although the price is. Fleece is just your basic warm layer. I wouldn't wear fleece next to my skin.