The most frigid of us all know this material very well.

Very comfortable, polar fleece makes you feel like you're wearing pyjamas, as well as keeping you nice and warm all winter long.

Contents:

1. What are polar fleece fabrics used for?
2. Properties of polar fleece
3. Different types of polar fleece
4. Polar fleece garments
5. The best marking techniques for custom polar fleece
6. The differences between polar fleece, micro-polar fleece and Softshell fleece
7. Polar fleece certifications
8. To conclude

While your friends are shivering and getting sick all winter long, you're feeling just fine in your favourite jacket? Chances are it's made of polar textile!

This fabric was created in the 1970s by Patagonia and Malden Mills. These two companies were looking for an alternative to wool, which, when wet, becomes very heavy and ineffective at maintaining body heat. Initially, this material was only used in sportswear for outdoor activities. It was in the 1990s that so-called "everyday" garments made from polar fleece fabrics began to be marketed.

And since then, thanks to technological advances, polar fleece has come a long way. It is now breathable, allowing better evacuation of perspiration, and much lighter. A real must-have in winter!

This fabric has become increasingly popular, and can now be found in both everyday clothing and sportswear. Here are just a few of the many uses for this material:

Fashion

It can be found in many items of clothing in your autumn-winter wardrobe: personalised jackets, waistcoats, scarves or hats, etc.

Sport

It is very popular for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, skiing or snowboarding, as it is very light and keeps you warm, even in snowy conditions.

Household linen

Whether you're sleeping through the night, snug and warm in bed, or taking a nap on the sofa, a personalised blanket is extremely practical. It's soft and cosy, and you'll be sure not to wake up because of the cold.

Automotive industry

Yes, it is also used in the automotive sector. Seats, steering wheels and armrests need a soft, comfortable and warm texture. Textile polar is ideal for this.

Pets

Our furry friends appreciate the softness of fluffy polar fleece just as much. And don't forget that their fur doesn't completely protect them from the cold. That's why many pet cushions, baskets and blankets are made from this fabric.

Army and security

It is used in the vast majority of military and security clothing, as it is ideal for use in difficult weather conditions. What's more, because it's not very thick, it doesn't restrict freedom of movement in any way.

This fabric is wonderful and has many uses, but do you know why it is so different from others? Here, in a nutshell, are the main reasons why you should choose it.

Do you often play sports outdoors? Do you still want to go running outdoors even in the depths of winter? Then this is the material you need to keep you warm without feeling cramped, because it's so light.

Thanks to technological advances, polar fleece has become a breathable fabric. It efficiently wicks away moisture and perspiration, while retaining body heat.

This fabric is not waterproof, but it dries very quickly. You can wear it in wet conditions or for sports in contact with water.

We've been singing the praises of this fabric since the beginning of this article, but it does have a few drawbacks:

• Very light: it weighs nothing, even when wet (plus it dries very quickly).

• Very hard-wearing: it keeps its shape and colour for a very long time, even if you wash it regularly in the washing machine.

• Very soft: comfortable and soft to the touch, it's non-irritating and non-itchy.

• Pilling: over time, after repeated use, pilling may occur. This will only affect the appearance of the garment, not its ability to retain heat.

• Pet hair: if you have pets, you'll certainly need to remove any clinging hair regularly, as polar fleece accumulates static electricity and therefore hair (and dust too).

• Wind: in windy areas, you'll need an extra layer to protect you from draughts and keep in the heat effectively.

Sportswear, a jacket for everyday wear, a blanket for the best Netflix nights in front of the fireplace... This material that makes up these different objects is not necessarily the same. Here are the different polar fleece fabrics and their special features:

Basic polar fleece

Ideal for blankets, jackets, scarves or sweatshirts, this is a soft, lightweight fabric that keeps you warm when the thermometer falls.

Polar microfleece

Very similar to basic polar fleece, but thinner and lighter thanks to the microfibres it's made of (great for winter travel, as it saves a lot of space in your suitcase). It is ideal as an under-sweater or for making thermal T-shirts.

Anti-pill fleece

Some people were so fed up with pilling that they developed a fleece fabric that would not wear out. With this anti-pilling technology, your textile polar will stay soft and smooth, just like fresh from the factory.

High loft fleece

If you're a very cold person or go to very cold places, this variant will be your best friend. With its thicker, fluffy texture, it offers extra insulation. Thick polar fleece is used for winter jackets and sleeping bags.

Recycled polar fleece

Unsurprisingly, this is the most environmentally friendly option. Made from recycled plastic bottles or similar materials, it's ideal for those who want to stay warm while reducing their carbon footprint.

Softshell fleece

This combines the characteristics of basic polar fleece with the water and wind resistance of Softshell fabric. It's the ultimate sports polar fleece, ideal for all outdoor activities.

Many items of clothing and household linen are available in this material. Here are a few of our best-selling examples:

Personalised jackets

The polar fleece jacket will be your most faithful ally against the cold on your next mountain hike.

Discover our fleece jackets

Personalised blankets

The finishing touch for a successful Netflix, sofa and hot chocolate evening.

Our selection of fleece blankets

Personalised neckwarmers

Are you constantly getting your scarf stuck in drawers or doors? With a neck warmer, this will soon be a thing of the past. Suitable for everyday life as well as sports.

The best fleece neck warmers

Personalised waistcoats

Ideal at work, especially for factory workers, to keep warm while maintaining your arms' range of movement.

Customise your fleece waistcoats

Now that you know which fleece garment you're going to choose, the most important part remains: personalising it with your logo! Here are the best options available to you:

DTF printing

If you want to print a complex logo with lots of gradients, shades and colours, DTF printing is for you. As well as being attractive, your logo will be highly resistant; this technique is particularly suitable for personalising sportswear.

Screen print transfer

This is the most economical technique. If your logo is made up of solid colours, with no gradations or shades, this technique is perfect. The result is high quality but unfortunately not eternal: your logo will fade over time, especially if you wash it regularly.

Find out more about screen print transfers

Embroidery

This is a particularly elegant, original and high-quality technique. It's perfect for logos with lots of small details or multiple colours. You can wash your embroidered logo as many times as you like in the washing machine without worrying about it fading or becoming damaged, the result is very resistant.

Digital transfer

This is an increasingly popular printing technique, particularly suitable for complex and colourful logos. It's a good option for all textiles, including polar fleece fabrics. The result is high quality but, unless you have a magic wand, your logo will fade over time with repeated use and washing.

Find out more about digital transfer

Like us, you may be a big fan of polar fabrics, but would you be able to tell the difference between basic polar fleece, microfibre polar fleece and Softshell fleece?

Softshell fleece

It's designed to be used as an outer layer because of the great protection it offers.

It is made from a combination of different materials that make it waterproof and windproof.

It means you can stay warm even in difficult weather conditions.

Polar fleece

Designed to be used as a mid-layer or over-layer when the temperature drops.

It is soft and lightweight, designed to keep you warm even in the coldest places.

Its soft texture on the outside and brushed interior help to retain body heat and wick away moisture.

Polar microfleece

It is designed to be used as an intermediate layer because it is very thin.

It is similar to basic polar fleece, but has a softer texture and is (even) lighter.

What's more, micro-polar fleece moulds almost perfectly to the shape of your body.

There are a number of certifications that ensure you're buying a quality textile made from the best polar fleece. Here are the main ones:

OEKO-TEX Standard 100

This certification is one of the most widely recognised in the world, so if the polar fleece garment you want to buy doesn't have it, don't bother! It guarantees that the materials used meet safety requirements (detection of harmful substances, for example).

Bluesign

This certification guarantees that the polar material (and other textile materials) used to make the garment meets criteria for safety, rational use of resources and environmentally responsible production.

Global Recycled Standard

This certification applies to products made from recycled materials. It guarantees the traceability, authenticity and safety of recycled materials.

Fair trade certification

The presence of this certification indicates that, from the farmers who supplied the raw materials to the factory workers who made your garment, all workers have been treated ethically and paid a fair wage, all in a safe working environment.

To sum up, polar fleece is a component of many of the garments we wear in winter, because it is our best ally when it comes to coping with the cold. With its widespread use, we now have a wide choice of polar textile garments, so we can find the ones that best suit our needs and body shape. How lucky we are!

Add to that the fact that there's also plenty of scope for personalisation, and you'll be able to get the perfect promotional fleece garment for your target audience.

Now you can peel back the labels on your clothes and check whether your favourite jacket contains warm polar fleece or not. So now you know what type of fleece best suits your needs and can make an informed, more conscious purchase. If you're still shivering in winter, you've only got yourself to blame!