Best fleece gilets for shooters (and why they’re an essential part of your wardrobe).

If you aren’t already a convert to fleece gilets then what are you waiting for? They are ideal for layering. Wear them on their own over a shirt, or over a sweater, or if it’s really cold under a coat and over a sweater. As well as for shooting, the best fleece gilets are made for gardening, exercising the dog, sitting outside the pub having a beer… (Take a look at our list of best Tattersall check shirts here.)

They are such an essential we’ve compiled this list of the best fleece gilets, having talked to shooting friends and companions to see what they favour. (You might like to read “I’m a Schöffel gilet fan, but could I be tempted to wear anything else?”)

Shooting UK is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Find out more here. 

Why you should own a fleece gilet

• They keep you snug without feeling too hot
• They are supremely comfortable and let your arms move freely
• Most of them are easy to wash in a machine
• They dry quickly after a downpour
• They’re hardwearing and moths don’t appear keen on fleece
• They come in all shapes, sizes and colours
• They look quite smart
• You can wear them under a jacket and with a tie
• They come in all different price ranges – from budget to blow-out

While you’re at it, look at our suggestions for the best shooting wellies and the best waterproof shooting jackets. 

Our list of the best fleece gilets for shooting

1. JACK PYKE Countryman Fleece Gilet 

Best for low price

+ 300g thermal fleece

– Order a size up to wear over a sweater

• Sizes: S-3XL
• Colours: Anthracite, charcoal, dark olive, pheasant, deep aqua, light olive, burgundy
• Fabric: 100% polyester
• Machine washable: Yes

The Jack Pyke Countryman fleece gilet makes a cosy extra layer and is very competitively priced. Soft faux leather piping along the edges and two lower pockets that are zipped to hold in essentials like handy baler twine. It has a full length double puller zip and an elastic corded bottom for an individual fit. It’s good value, so had to be on our list of best fleece gilets.

BUY NOW 

2. Laksen Mens Norfolk Fleece Gilet

+ Robust

– Just two side pockets

• Sizes: XL – XXL
• Colours: Green as shown
• Fabric: 100% polyester
• Machine washable: Yes

This is a real working companion. You’ll find yourself wearing it all year round, on chilly summer mornings and nights as well as layered under coats and over sweaters in the winter. It’s lightweight, warm and robustly made with a faux suede trim to keep the edges looking tidy.

BUY NOW 

3. Aigle Mens Redulvesta Fleece Gilet 

Best bargain

BUY NOW 

5. Schöffel Mens Oakham Fleece Gilet 

Best for popularity

+ Classic

+ Hardwearing

– Price

• Colours: Aubergine, dark olive, fig, gunmetal , kingfisher, navy, claret, cedar green, cobalt blue, dark teal, bark
• Sizes: 32-54
• Fabric: 100% polyester 200g Polartec fleece
• Machine washable: Yes

Go to any type of country event and you’re likely to see somebody wearing one of these. The Schöffel Oakham fleece might be at the more expensive end of the market but it is a classic and beautifully made. Think about cost per wear and it’s certainly seem worth it. The Oakham is available in a whole selection of  different colours,  including classic navy and dark olive.An adjustable drawstring at the hem ensures a snug, draught-free fit, it has two zipped security pockets, is machine washable and quick drying and can be zipped into Schoffel’s Ptarmigan coat.

BUY NOW 

6. Schoffel Womens Lyndon Fleece Gilet 

Best for female Guns

+ Zippable pockets

-Price

• Colours: Aubergine,  fig, gunmetal , kingfisher, mocha, navy, ruby, cobalt blue, pomegranate, camel, cedar green, duck egg
• Sizes: 6-22
• Fabric: 100% polyester 200g Polartec fleece
• Machine washable: Yes

This is the Schoffel fleece cut for women. Like the Oakham it’s available in a host of colours and created from fleece which is soft, warm and anti-bobble. It also has an Alcantara® trim – a suede-like material along the collar, zip and sleeve edges.

BUY NOW 

7. Harkila Mens Polar Fleece Waistcoat

+ Super-soft Polartec® Thermal Pro fleece

+ Fits under coat

-Price

• Colours: Willow green as shown
• Sizes: S-XXXL
• Fabric: 100% polyester super-soft Polartec® Thermal Pro fleece
• Machine washable: Yes

When the wind bites, raise the collar on this fleece to keep out the cold. Or on milder day wear zipped further down over a shirt. Warm and practical, created from machine washable polyester. It has a two way zip and size zipped pockets.

BUY NOW

8. Schoffel Mens Gunnerside Shooting Vest 

When it’s too warm for a shooting jacket, the Gunnerside fleece shooting vest is a good alternative. Quick access to cartridges is given by the large, reinforced bellow pockets and there’s an internal zipped pocket for your wallet. It has Cordura® reinforced shoulder patches to protect you and your gun, with a recoil pad which is fully removable

BUY NOW 

9. Harkila Mens Sandhem Fleece Waistcoat

• Sizes: M-XXXL
• Colours: Navy, olive green
• Fabric: Shell 100% polyester Polartec® fleece
• Machine washable: Yes

The Harkila Sandhem gilet is a smart one – you can wear it in the field, around town or to work. It also features a wind-resistant lining. It has faux suede trims and zipped side pockets.

BUY NOW 

Top tips for buying a shooting gilet

A gilet, waistcoat or vest is an essential part of a shooter’s wardrobe. They are highly versatile, coming in a variety of styles and materials, be that tweed, fleece or cotton. They can be used as effective layering – whether as an outer layer or a mid-layer worn under a jacket or coat – and always make you look smart. A fleece gilet will take you from the shoot breakfast out into the field to the shoot lunch and back again.

This article was originally published in 2014 and has been updated.