Different Types of Brushed Fleece Used in Hoodie Manufacturing

When fashion brands think about premium hoodies, they often focus on design, fit, GSM, and branding. However, one of the biggest factors influencing comfort, quality, and customer perception is the type of fleece used inside the garment.

Many brands assume that brushed fleece is a single fabric. In reality, brushed fleece is an entire category of fabrics, with multiple variations based on fibre composition, knitting structure, weight, and finishing techniques. Two hoodies may both be labelled as fleece, yet offer completely different levels of softness, warmth, durability, and structure.

For brands involved in custom hoodie manufacturing, understanding the different types of brushed fleece can help create products that align with target customers, price points, and market positioning.

Quick Comparison: Popular Types of Brushed Fleece

Fleece Type	Composition	Typical GSM	Feel & Performance	Best For
Cotton-Rich Brushed Fleece	Cotton / Polyester Blend	300–450 GSM	Soft, breathable, premium	Streetwear and lifestyle brands
100% Cotton Brushed Fleece	Pure Cotton	320–500 GSM	Natural feel, premium comfort	Luxury and premium fashion
Polar Fleece	100% Polyester	200–350 GSM	Lightweight and highly insulating	Outdoor and technical apparel
Microfleece	Fine Polyester Fibres	150–250 GSM	Lightweight and flexible	Sportswear and layering pieces
CVC Fleece	Cotton-Dominant Blend	280–400 GSM	Durable and cost-effective	Large-scale production
Anti-Pilling Fleece	Various Compositions	280–450 GSM	Maintains smooth appearance	Premium retail collections
Sherpa Fleece	Polyester-Based	300–600 GSM	Extremely warm and plush	Winter hoodies and outerwear

What Is Brushed Fleece?

Brushed fleece begins as a knitted fabric with interior loops. During the finishing process, these loops are mechanically brushed to raise the fibres and create a soft, fluffy surface.

This brushing process traps air between the fibres, increasing warmth and creating the cozy feel that customers associate with premium hoodies. The result is a fabric that feels warmer, softer, and more luxurious than many other knit constructions.

However, not all brushed fleece is the same. The final performance depends on the fibres used, the knitting method, and the finishing techniques applied during production.

Types of Brushed Fleece Used in Hoodie Manufacturing

Not all brushed fleece fabrics are created equal. The type of fleece used in a hoodie can significantly impact its comfort, warmth, durability, appearance, and price point. When sourcing fabrics for custom hoodie manufacturing, fashion brands typically evaluate fleece based on three factors: fibre composition, speciality finishing, and fabric construction.

Cotton-Rich Brushed Fleece: The Streetwear Standard

Cotton-rich brushed fleece is the most widely used fabric in premium hoodie manufacturing. Common compositions include 80% Cotton / 20% Polyester and 70% Cotton / 30% Polyester.

The cotton-rich outer face creates a clean, matte appearance that works exceptionally well for screen printing, embroidery, and other customization techniques. The polyester component helps create a soft brushed interior while improving durability, shape retention, and resistance to shrinkage.

This balance of comfort, structure, and longevity makes cotton-rich fleece the preferred choice for premium streetwear brands, D2C labels, and lifestyle collections.

100% Cotton Brushed Fleece: Premium Comfort

For brands seeking a fully natural fabric, 100% cotton brushed fleece remains one of the most premium options available.

Compared to blended fabrics, pure cotton fleece offers superior breathability, a softer natural hand feel, and stronger sustainability appeal. Customers often associate 100% cotton garments with higher quality and comfort.

Many luxury fashion brands and premium streetwear labels use heavyweight cotton fleece to create hoodies with a refined feel and elevated brand perception.

Polar Fleece: Lightweight Warmth

Unlike traditional cotton-based fleece, polar fleece is made entirely from polyester fibres and is brushed on both sides to create a dense, fuzzy texture.

It delivers excellent insulation while remaining lightweight, making it ideal for outdoor apparel and performance wear. Although it lacks the structured feel of cotton fleece, its warmth-to-weight ratio makes it highly effective in colder conditions.

Polar fleece is commonly used in outdoor hoodies, hiking layers, zip-up jackets, and technical apparel.

Microfleece: Performance Without Bulk

Microfleece is a lightweight version of polar fleece made from ultra-fine polyester fibres.

It provides warmth, flexibility, and moisture management without adding significant weight. This makes it particularly suitable for sportswear, travel apparel, and layering pieces where mobility is important.

Fashion brands targeting activewear and performance-focused consumers often choose microfleece for lightweight hoodie collections.

Speciality Brushed Fleece Fabrics

CVC Fleece: The Commercial Favourite

CVC, or Chief Value Cotton, is a cotton-dominant blend that typically contains between 55% and 60% cotton, with the remaining percentage made up of polyester.

Manufacturers favour CVC fleece because it delivers softness, durability, and cost efficiency in a single fabric. The polyester content reduces shrinkage and improves shape retention, while the cotton content maintains comfort and breathability.

For brands producing large volumes, CVC fleece offers a practical balance between quality and affordability.

Anti-Pilling Fleece: Designed for Longevity

One of the most common complaints about low-quality fleece is pilling, where fibres gather into small balls after repeated washing and wear.

Anti-pilling fleece undergoes specialized finishing treatments that help maintain a smooth surface over time. This improves the garment's appearance, durability, and customer satisfaction.

Premium brands often specify anti-pilling fleece to ensure their hoodies maintain a high-quality look throughout their lifespan.

Sherpa Fleece: Maximum Warmth and Luxury

Sherpa fleece is designed to mimic the appearance and texture of sheep's wool. It features a thick, plush surface that provides exceptional warmth and comfort.

In hoodie manufacturing, sherpa is often bonded to a jersey or fleece exterior, creating a garment that feels smooth on the outside and luxuriously soft on the inside.

Sherpa fleece is commonly used in winter collections, cold-weather outerwear, and premium hoodies designed for maximum insulation.

Understanding Fleece by GSM

The weight of brushed fleece plays a major role in determining how a hoodie looks, feels, and performs.

Light-to-Midweight Fleece (240–300 GSM) offers flexibility, softness, and easy layering. These fabrics are often used for commercial merchandise, entry-level collections, and transitional weather garments.

Heavyweight Fleece (350–420 GSM) provides more warmth, structure, and durability. This range is particularly popular among premium D2C brands and streetwear labels.

Super Heavyweight Fleece (450–550+ GSM) creates the dense, boxy silhouettes that define modern luxury streetwear. These fabrics offer exceptional structure, substantial hand feel, and a premium customer experience.

2-End vs 3-End Fleece: Why Construction Matters

Beyond fibre composition and GSM, the knitting construction itself influences how fleece performs.

2-End Fleece is produced using two yarn systems and is generally lighter, softer, and more cost-effective. It is commonly used in commercial programs, promotional apparel, and entry-level hoodie collections.

3-End Fleece uses three yarn systems consisting of a face yarn, tie yarn, and back yarn. This creates a denser, more stable fabric with improved durability, shape retention, and a richer brushed interior.

For fashion brands targeting premium streetwear and luxury casualwear, 3-End Cotton-Rich Brushed Fleece in the 380–450 GSM range is widely regarded as the industry benchmark for high-quality hoodie manufacturing.

Fashion Brands Trust NoName As The Best Hoodie Manufacturer in India

Choosing the right fleece is only one part of creating a successful hoodie collection. Translating fabric selection into a high-quality finished garment requires expertise in sourcing, sampling, pattern development, and production.

For fashion brands looking for hoodie manufacturing in India, NoName, as a leading hoodie manufacturer in India, helps brands navigate these decisions by recommending fleece constructions that align with their target audience, price point, and design vision.

Whether a collection requires heavyweight 3-end fleece, premium cotton fleece, or sustainable recycled options, NoName supports brands from fabric sourcing through bulk production, ensuring consistent quality across every order.

Conclusion

Not all brushed fleece fabrics deliver the same customer experience. Fibre composition, knitting structure, GSM, and finishing techniques all influence how a hoodie feels, performs, and is perceived in the market.

For most premium fashion brands, cotton-rich 3-end brushed fleece remains the benchmark for high-quality hoodie manufacturing. However, options such as organic cotton fleece, anti-pilling fleece, microfleece, and sherpa fleece offer unique advantages depending on the collection's goals.

If you are developing a new hoodie line and need expert guidance on fabric sourcing and custom hoodie manufacturing, NoName can help you identify the right fleece construction for your brand and bring your collection to life with confidence.

FAQs

1. What is the best type of brushed fleece for premium hoodies?

For premium hoodies, 3-end cotton-rich brushed fleece is widely considered the industry standard. It offers excellent structure, durability, warmth, and a soft brushed interior, making it ideal for premium streetwear and luxury casualwear collections.

2. What is the difference between 2-end fleece and 3-end fleece?

The main difference lies in the knit construction. 2-end fleece uses two yarn systems and is lighter and more cost-effective, while 3-end fleece uses three yarn systems to create a denser, more durable fabric with better shape retention and a more luxurious feel.

3. Which GSM is best for hoodie manufacturing?

The ideal GSM depends on your brand's target market. 280–320 GSM works well for lightweight hoodies, 350–420 GSM is popular for premium everyday hoodies, and 450 GSM+ is preferred for heavyweight streetwear and luxury oversized hoodies.

4. Is cotton-rich fleece better than 100% cotton fleece for hoodies?

Both have advantages. 100% cotton fleece offers a natural feel, superior breathability, and a premium touch, while cotton-rich fleece blends provide better durability, reduced shrinkage, and improved shape retention, making them a practical choice for large-scale production.

5. How do fashion brands choose the right brushed fleece fabric?

Fashion brands choose brushed fleece based on their target audience, climate, price point, and brand positioning. Premium streetwear brands often select heavyweight 3-end fleece, while performance and outdoor brands may prefer polar fleece or microfleece for warmth and functionality.

You should explore this comprehensive Guide on Custom Hoodie Manufacturing

Custom Hoodie Manufacturing Guide 2026 for Fashion Brands

You can explore more in this article about Materials:

Fleece vs. Terry For Hoodies

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About the Author

This blog is written by Shraddha Srivastava, a fashion expert and industry observer known for breaking down complex trends into practical, actionable insights. With a strong understanding of garment manufacturing, retail, consumer psychology, and brand strategy, she also brings hands-on knowledge of apparel import–export processes, global compliance, and cross-border sourcing. Shraddha helps fashion brands navigate sourcing, imports, and market expansion, making growth simple, scalable, and data-driven.