A warm, comfy and thoughtfully designed fleece that shines on both trail days and pub nights, the Columbia Sequoia Grove is a dependable all-rounder that’s stylish enough to wear anywhere and practical enough for big days out in the British hills.

Columbia Sequoia Grove fleece midlayer

Ideal for: Hiking, wildcamping, daily wear

Not suitable for: Fastpacking, ultra high-intensity activity

A polyester fleece midlayer designed to bridge the gap between everyday wear and proper outdoor use. At 380g, it’s not the lightest fleece on the market, but what you get in return is a thoughtfully designed, go-anywhere layer with wind-resistant detailing, deep zipped pockets and a snug, snood-like neck that locks in warmth. It’s breathable, pill-resistant, and built to last — and while the £65 RRP might not scream budget, its price feels more justified with every wear.

The Columbia Sequoia Grove fleece review

Columbia might not come with the same heritage-laced backstory as some of Britain’s mountain mainstays, but this Oregon-born brand has built a solid reputation for dependable, good-value outdoor gear. Since 1938, they’ve been making kit for hikers, skiers and all-round outdoorsy types, with a focus on functionality over flash. Their gear tends to be straightforward, reliable and fairly priced — which is exactly why we were keen to get hands-on with the Sequoia Grove fleece.

And get our hands on it we did. The Sequoia Grove fleece is one of Columbia’s more versatile midlayers, and it’s available in two versions: a full zip and a quarter zip. We’ve been testing the full zip, but both share the same recycled fabric, cosy feel and laid-back styling. Designed to be warm, comfortable and easy to wear whether you’re on the trail or heading to the pub, it’s the kind of layer that slips easily into everyday use. At 380g (in medium), it’s not the lightest fleece out there, but it still packs down neatly and offers plenty of warmth for breezy hill days. At time of writing, it’s priced at £65, though you’ll often find it for closer to £45 on Columbia’s own site.

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So where does it sit in the market? Well, being a classic polyester fleece, the Sequoia Grove goes toe-to-toe with a huge number of alternatives — from the ultra-budget to the unnecessarily spendy. On the low end, you’ve got options like Decathlon’s £9.99 MH100. While that fleece will absolutely do the job in basic conditions, it lacks the breathability, refined fit and durability that the Columbia offers. The Sequoia Grove feels better cut, better stitched, and is clearly built to last — making it a far more dependable option for regular outdoor use.

At the other end of the spectrum, you’ve got premium options like the Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T. That one’s a bit of a cult classic, but it’ll set you back around £120 and — crucially — doesn’t include a full-length zip or zipped hand pockets, both of which make the Sequoia Grove easier to use as an outer layer and more adaptable across changing weather. In use, we actually found the Columbia fleece to be just as capable for general hillwalking, and even more convenient for layering on the move.

All in, the Sequoia Grove sits in a kind of sweet spot — it’s considerably more polished and versatile than true budget options, but without drifting into the inflated pricing of more fashion-led fleece designs. For people after one fleece to cover everything from the trail to the taproom, we think it’s one of the best-value all-rounders out there right now.

Our experience using the Columbia Sequoia Grove fleece in the UK

We had this jacket on test over several weeks, taking it out on chilly hikes across the South Downs, on long hill days in the Chilterns, and for two wild camping nights in nearby woodlands. We also wore it during a bitterly cold day in the Brecon Beacons, where it sat happily over a merino baselayer and under a Helly Hansen Everdown down jacket as we made our way up the Fan y Big ridgeline. On this trip, the mercury barely rose above 1°C, and windchill made it feel even lower — but the Sequoia Grove held its own. From trail use to tent use and even the odd run-commute in between, we gave this fleece a proper run for its money.

The Columbia Sequoia Grove: Our favourite features

The Sequoia Grove might look like a fairly straightforward fleece at first glance, but there’s a lot of smart thinking built into it — and that’s where Columbia has really delivered. From the fabrics to the fastenings, everything here feels like it’s been designed by people who actually use this stuff, and who know the value of getting the small details right.

Take the zips, for example. Columbia have opted for IDEAL zippers over the more commonly seen YKK ones, and we’ve got no complaints. The full-length front zip is smooth and reliable, even when you’re wearing gloves — helped along by toggles that are easy to grab with cold or clumsy fingers. Having that full zip makes the fleece noticeably more versatile too: you can wear it like a jumper or throw it on like a jacket, depending on what the day throws at you.

The same zippers feature on the hip pockets, which are deeper and better built than you’d typically expect at this price point. You can comfortably stash a phone, a power bank or a folded map in there, though heavy items do bounce around a bit — as they tend to in unstructured fleece. Still, the fleece lining means they double up nicely as hand-warmers when the wind picks up, and the zip closures give you peace of mind when you’re moving fast.

That wind protection carries through to the neck, which features a raised collar lined with a smooth polyester panel on the outside. It’s a snug fit, almost snood-like, and makes a noticeable difference on gusty ridgelines. We really appreciated this detail on days where the wind chill was biting — it keeps warmth in and draughts out, without the need for an extra buff or neck gaiter.

Around the edges, you’ve got stretchy wrist and hem cuffs that sit comfortably against the skin. There’s no need for toggles or cinch cords here — the material hugs just enough to stay in place, which makes pulling the fleece on and off mid-hike that little bit easier. When you’re constantly layering up and down, that kind of ease of use goes a long way.

Over our six-week test period, the Sequoia Grove proved itself to be far more durable than most midlayers in this price range. It handled wild camps, hill days and post-hike pub sessions without fuss, and came out of the washing machine — and even the tumble dryer — looking fresh every time. No pilling, no weird bobbling, no sagging around the seams. Just a fleece that kept bouncing back, no matter how hard we pushed it.

It’s also made entirely from recycled polyester, which feels like an important step in the right direction. Sure, it’s not a silver bullet for sustainability — but it’s encouraging to see Columbia baking recycled materials into their main product lines, rather than saving them for expensive eco-capsules.

How it performs in a nutshell

Across the South Downs, the Brecon Beacons, and our local trails in the Chilterns, the Columbia Sequoia Grove fleece handled British conditions with ease. It’s not a deep-winter fleece — you’ll want something heavier for snowy days or Scottish winter scrambles — but for typical UK temperatures ranging from zero to eight degrees, it’s spot on.

It worked well as a midlayer on cold, wind-blown hillsides and also breathed well enough that we could keep it on during high-effort sections, especially when worn over something light like a merino tee. It dried fast overnight in the tent, and never once left us feeling clammy or cold. Whether on a wildcamp or a quick hill loop before work, it became a grab-and-go favourite.

Columbia Sequoia Grove fleece FAQs

Warm enough for chilly UK hill days, but not overly insulated. It’s ideal as a midlayer in temps around 0–8°C, especially when worn over a baselayer. Not suited for extreme cold solo, but performs excellently under a shell or down jacket.
It’s not hyper-breathable, but it punches above its weight for a standard polyester fleece. You’ll get away with wearing it during high-intensity walks and runs, especially in colder weather. If you need more airflow, unzip and vent.
At £65 RRP — and regularly available for less — it’s of reasonable value: Better built and better styled than true budget options, and still well-priced against premium alternatives. For anyone after one fleece to do it all, it’s a top pick.

Our verdict

At £65 RRP — and often closer to £45 — the Columbia Sequoia Grove sits in that mid-range price point where expectations can be tricky. But it delivers. This isn’t a radical reimagining of the fleece midlayer, and it doesn’t try to be. What you get instead is a dependable, well-built fleece with a handful of smart, user-friendly features that elevate it above the budget crowd. The full-length zip, fleece-lined hand pockets, and wind-resistant collar all come together to make it genuinely useful in the kind of changeable, blustery conditions we face here in the UK.

In terms of performance, it holds its own. It’s not ultralight or hyper-technical, but it kept us warm on cold wildcamps, breathed well enough on fast-moving hill days, and dried quickly when damp — either from rain or sweat. It layers well, packs down without fuss, and looks good enough to wear straight from the trail to the pub. Compared to cheaper polyester fleeces, it feels more considered in its design and noticeably better cut. Compared to premium options, it costs half as much and still gets the job done.

If you’re after a fleece that nails the balance between outdoor function and everyday wearability, this is one of the best-value options we’ve come across. Whether it’s a core layer for winter hikes or something to chuck on during a chilly evening dog walk, theSequoia Grove is the kind of fleece you’ll end up wearing more than you think — and appreciating more each time you do.