Key takeaways
- Polartec Power Stretch is a stretchy, close-fitting fleece with four-way stretch.
- It has a smooth, durable outer face and a warm, wicking brushed inner face.
- Its flexibility and snug fit make it great for layers, gloves, hats, and tights.
- It blends fleece warmth and breathability with freedom of movement and a next-to-skin fit.
Polartec brand fabric.
What Polartec Power Stretch is
Polartec Power Stretch is a stretchy, close-fitting fleece fabric from Polartec, known for its four-way stretch, snug fit, smooth durable outer face, and warm, moisture-wicking brushed inner face. It moves with the body without restricting motion.
What sets it apart
Where regular fleece is looser and less stretchy, Power Stretch is engineered to hug the body and flex with you, making it ideal for form-fitting, high-motion garments. The smooth outer face is more durable and layers easily under shells, while the brushed inner face keeps you warm and wicks sweat.
A climber wears Power Stretch gloves and a snug Power Stretch top under their shell — the four-way stretch lets them move freely on the rock while staying warm, where a bulky, non-stretch fleece would bunch up and restrict motion.
Where it’s used
Its stretch and snug fit make Power Stretch popular for close-fitting base layers and mid layers, gloves and liners, hats, neck gaiters, and tights — anywhere a warm, flexible, next-to-skin fit is wanted for active cold-weather use.
The bottom line
Polartec Power Stretch is the stretchy, close-fitting fleece: four-way stretch, a smooth durable outer face, and a warm wicking inner face that move with your body. It's the go-to for form-fitting base and mid layers, gloves, hats, and tights — combining fleece warmth and breathability with the flexibility and snug fit that active cold-weather use demands.
Frequently asked questions
What is Polartec Power Stretch?
Polartec Power Stretch is a stretchy, close-fitting fleece fabric from Polartec. It features four-way stretch, a smooth and durable outer face, and a warm, moisture-wicking brushed inner face. The combination gives a snug, flexible layer that's warm and breathable while moving freely with your body.
What makes Power Stretch different from regular fleece?
Its defining feature is four-way stretch and a close, body-hugging fit. Regular fleece is usually looser and less stretchy; Power Stretch is engineered to move with you without restriction, making it ideal for form-fitting and high-motion garments. It also has a smoother, more durable outer face than typical fleece.
Where is Polartec Power Stretch used?
Because it's stretchy and snug, it's used in close-fitting base layers and mid-layers, as well as gloves and glove liners, hats, neck gaiters, and tights — anywhere a warm, flexible, next-to-skin fit is wanted. Its blend of warmth, breathability, and freedom of movement suits active cold-weather use.
Sources
- Polartec fabric technologies — Polartec
- Fleece & layering — The Mountaineers