Backcountry Highliner Fleece Review

Gearhead® Field Test

Picture this: you're perched at 3,000 feet, wind howling across a sea of granite, and your layering system is the only thing standing between you and a full-on sufferfest. We just got back from an 85-mile trek through Patagonia's wildest corners—think relentless wind, sideways rain, and terrain that chews up gear for breakfast. The verdict? The Backcountry Highliner PrimaLoft Air-Perm Fleece didn't just keep up—it became the MVP of our kit. For this deep-dive review, we're focusing on the hooded version—available in both men's and women's cuts that are remarkably similar in performance and features. After a week of real-deal backcountry miles, this fleece has officially earned its stripes in our gear closet. 

But here's what really caught us off guard: this isn't your old-school, boxy fleece. Forget everything you know about mid-layers that turn you into the Michelin Man or trap heat like a greenhouse. The Highliner is a new breed—built for movement, engineered for breathability, and dialed for the kind of adventures that don't stick to the script. Let's dig into why this piece is a must-have for anyone who chases complicated weather, big miles, and bigger stories. 

Watch The Video Review!

The Highliner Collection: Versatility, No Compromises

The Highliner collection represents ideal lightweight midlayers that thrive all year round. It's designed for those in-between days when the forecast can't make up its mind, and you're swapping your beanie for a sunhat before noon. Morning frost, afternoon sun, sudden elevation gains—this is the Highliner's natural habitat. 

Whether you're crushing powder on backcountry tours, lapping resort runs, grinding out miles on multi-day backpacking trips, or tackling day hikes that culminate in high-alpine scrambles for the summit, the Highliner adapts. It's equally at home during pre-dawn alpine starts, cozy around the campfire after a long day, or thrown on for casual errands in town. This is the piece that bridges the gap between your most demanding outdoor pursuits and everyday life. 

Choose your style: hooded for alpine missions where every ounce of protection counts—think backcountry skiing in variable conditions, multi-pitch climbing when weather windows shift, or backpacking through shoulder seasons. The quarter-zip shines for trail runs, resort skiing when you're working up a sweat, day hiking in mild conditions, and even those "I'll just wear it to the office" days. The color palette? Everything from low-key earth tones to bold hues that won't get lost in your pack. What we love most is the confidence in the design—this isn't outdoor gear trying to pass as streetwear, or vice versa. It's unapologetically built for the trail but looks right at home grabbing coffee post-hike. 

Fit & Mobility—Freedom To Roam

Let’s address the classic fleece gripes: restriction and bulk. The Highliner flips the script. The first time you pull it on, you’ll notice it disappears—no bunching, no binding, just pure freedom of movement. The active fit is dialed for efficiency, but never feels tight or clingy, whether you’re scrambling for a summit or shouldering a heavy pack. 

The fabric is also very thin, despite its cozy warmth. The minimalistic construction prevents the elbow and shoulder areas from feeling bulky, as many other fleeces do. The Highliner’s built-in stretch gives it a mobility-friendly feel, helping the fleece move with your body whether you’re making moves at the crag or navigating technical miles while wearing a backpacking pack.  

The hood deserves a standing ovation. It stays put under a helmet, shields you from gusts, and never morphs into a floppy distraction. Integrated thumbholes aren’t just for show—they keep sleeves locked in place when you’re layering up or down. And the kangaroo pocket? Perfectly placed for hand-warming, snack-stashing, or just giving your digits a break, all without interfering with pack straps or harnesses. It’s the kind of thoughtful detail that only comes from real-world testing. 

Pack It Down & Never Leave It Behind

Confession: some of us are chaos packers. But even the most disorganized among us can appreciate the Highliner’s secret weapon—it packs into its own hidden neck pocket. This isn’t a party trick; it’s a legit solution for keeping your kit dialed. Clip it to your pack with the built-in carabiner loop, free up space for the essentials, and never dig for your mid-layer again. When it’s stowed into this pocket, the hoodie is about the size of a grapefruit, with slight variation depending on sizing.  

For day hikes, the self-packing feature keeps things tidy. It’s easy to pack it away into a larger stuff sack when you’re backpacking or hang it on the outside of your pack for easy access on a day hike. Options matter, especially when the weather can’t make up its mind.

Fabric Weight: Light, Warm & Built For The Long Haul

As far as trail weight goes, the women’s version clocks in at just 5.7 ounces, the men’s at 6.6 ounces. But don’t let the weight fool you. That airy feel translates to real-world performance and warmth: fast-drying, quick to vent excess heat, and soft enough to wear next-to-skin all day. 

Here’s where the Highliner gets technical. At 95gsm, the PrimaLoft Active Evolve fabric feels almost impossibly light—so light you’ll double-check it’s in your pack. That’s lighter than most baselayers, yet it delivers warmth that punches above its weight. The fabric is fluffy in the best way—think your favorite childhood plush but engineered for the wild. The 100% recycled material is impossibly soft, has nice loft to it, and it’s substantial enough for a wide range of activities. For ounce-counters, fastpackers, and anyone who hates bulk, this is a game-changer. 

Layering & Breathability: The Secret Sauce

This is where the Highliner leaves traditional fleece in the dust. The PrimaLoft Active Evolve fabric breathes like nothing else we’ve tested. On cool mornings on our backpacking trip, we wore it over a tech tee and never felt clammy or chilled. The airflow is dialed—warm enough to stave off the shivers but never stifling when you’re grinding uphill. When we made it to windy ridgetops, it worked perfectly with a lightweight rain or wind shell for the perfect amount of warmth while on the move. 

The real magic happens when you start stacking layers. Base, Highliner, puffy, shell—this fleece plays well with every combo. Unlike old-school fleece that traps heat and moisture, the Highliner helps regulate your temp, even under a shell. It’s not meant to be your outermost armor in a blizzard, but as the heart of your layering system, it’s unbeatable. 

Durability: Lightweight, Not Delicate

We’ll admit, we were skeptical. The fabric feels so thin, we wondered if it would survive a single trip, let alone a week of Patagonia’s finest gear abuse. But after 85 miles, countless pack-on/pack-off cycles, and a few unplanned bushwhacks, the Highliner still looked fresh. 

There was a bit of initial shedding pre-wash (par for the course with this kind of fleece), but one spin in the washer and a low cycle in the dryer solved it. No pilling at the shoulders, no snags from trail debris, no loss of loft. We even slept in it on sub-freezing nights and wore it as an outer layer in howling wind. The verdict: this fleece is tougher than it looks, and ready for seasons of adventure. 

Gearhead® Expertise: Your Trail Partner

Don’t settle for gear that slows you down or leaves you guessing. Our Gearheads have tested the Highliner everywhere from alpine ridges to coffee runs, and we’re always stoked to share what we’ve learned. Chat with us online, give us a ring, or swing by a Backcountry store—we’re here to make sure your next adventure is your best one yet. 

Watch The Gearhead Adventure Film!

Explore More Hiking Content 
From The Backcountry Bulletin