A fleece for under a tenner? Sounds too good to be true — but the Mountain Warehouse Snowdon II genuinely delivers. We took it trail running, wild camping and hiking in classic British weather to see if it holds up. Spoiler: it does. Here’s why this budget banger impressed us.

Mountain Warehouse Snowdon II

Ideal for: Hiking, wildcamping, 3-season adventuring

Not suitable for: Deep-winter wildcamping, fastpacking

The Mountain Warehouse Snowdon II fleece is a lightweight, no-frills midlayer built for British adventures on a budget. It’s made from 100% polyester, comes with a quarter-zip front and features a soft brushed inner that makes it ideal for layering, lounging or sleeping in. Weighing very little and packing down to about the size of a melon, it’s a great option to chuck in your rucksack when heading off on a hike, bikepacking trip or overnighter. Most impressively, though? It costs just £9.99 when on offer — which it nearly always is.

Mountain Warehouse Snowdon II fleece review

Mountain Warehouse is one of those names that just about everyone in the UK outdoor scene knows — whether you’ve picked up a pair of cheap waterproof trousers from one of their high street stores or grabbed a fleece last-minute before a camping trip. With their roots firmly planted in the British outdoors, they’ve carved out a space for themselves as one of the most accessible gear brands around, producing low-cost alternatives to premium kit. We’ve previously reviewed the Mountain Warehouse Camber II fleece and found it to be a decent performer for the money — but with the Snowdon II under the spotlight today, we’re taking a closer look at just how good a fleece you can get for less than a tenner.

The Snowdon II is billed as a basic midlayer for cold-weather use. It’s got none of the bells and whistles you’d expect on a more premium fleece — no thumb loops, no fancy fabric tech, no hidden pockets. But what it does have is comfort, warmth, and simplicity. Designed as a classic polyester midlayer, it weighs next to nothing, packs down small and slips easily over a base layer or under a shell. It’s a quarter-zip fleece with a brushed interior and anti-pilling construction — and it comes in at just £9.99 when on offer (down from an RRP of £24.99, which it rarely seems to sell for).

At this price point, it sits squarely alongside other entry-level midlayers like the Quechua MH100 fleece from Decathlon — a piece that’s impressed us before. It’s also comparable to the Regatta Thompson fleece, which costs a few quid more but offers slightly more in the way of styling.

Mountain Warehouse Snowdon II vs Camber II: what are the differences?

If you’re shopping around on the Mountain Warehouse website, you will see the Camber II coming up for exactly the same price (and exactly the same feature-set) as the Snowdon II. So what are the differences, and which should you choose? Luckily, as part of this testing protocol, Mountain Warehouse sent us both — and we got to see precisely what’s what.

In a nutshell, they’re the same product: The fit is the same, the zip is the same, and the material feels very much the same. They deliver the same level of warmth, breathability and cosiness. The only discernible difference we were able to identify, in fact, is that the Snowdon II comes in striped colourways whereas the Camber II comes in block single colours only. Why Mountain Warehouse have therefore decided to pitch these as different products is slightly beyond our comprehension. But the answer to the above question is simple: it’s simply a matter of choosing which design you prefer!

Read our review of the Camber II here

Our experience using the Mountain Warehouse Snowdon II fleece

Over six weeks, we put the Snowdon II through its paces across a mix of day hikes, trail runs and wild camping nights. We ran in it, climbed in it, and even slept in it — testing its breathability, warmth and general comfort in classic British conditions. We took it with us on a couple of local microadventures and a longer trip into Bannau Brycheiniog, including a breezy walk up the Fan y Big ridgeline. We also gave it a decent cycle through the washing machine — five or six times, in fact — to see how well it handled repeated wear and care.

A stripped-back feature-set

Let’s be honest: there aren’t many features here, but the ones it does have are well executed. The fleece is a quarter-zip design, meaning you get just enough ventilation without sacrificing warmth. The zip itself is surprisingly smooth — one of the best we tested in this price bracket — and thanks to the long toggle, it’s genuinely glove-friendly. That’s not something we’d usually point out at this price, but it made a noticeable difference on a chilly morning at camp when we didn’t want to expose our hands too long to the cold.

Fit-wise, the Snowdon II is a touch roomier than some tighter-fitting models like the Quechua MH100, which makes it better for layering. That extra space means it doesn’t feel restrictive over a base layer, but still slides neatly under a waterproof or insulated jacket. It also makes it more breathable, even during fast ascents or runs — not bad for a polyester fleece.

The inner is brushed, giving it a soft and cosy feel against the skin. It’s the sort of fleece you’ll happily wear over a t-shirt or base layer, but equally fine to sleep in when the temperature drops at night. We found it ideal for camp life — warm enough when you stop moving, but light enough not to be bulky or overbearing.

The anti-pilling claim also holds up. We washed the Snowdon II half a dozen times during testing, and there’s been very little sign of wear or bobbling. That’s not something you can always say for polyester fleece, especially budget ones, so it’s a small but significant win for long-term value.

Aesthetically, the subtle tiger-striped pattern adds a bit of personality. It’s not going to win any design awards, but it’s a pleasant departure from plain black or navy. There are also multiple colourways available, which adds to the sense that this is a fleece you can live in — whether you’re on a windswept fell or heading to the pub post-walk.

How the Snowdon II performs in real-world UK conditions

For a fleece that costs less than a tenner, the Snowdon II handled real-world adventures with surprising competence. We expected a simple midlayer that might work for a bit of light use but would show its limits the moment we pushed it — but that never really happened. On gentle ambles and high-tempo trail runs alike, it delivered a level of performance that genuinely impressed us.

Polyester isn’t known for its breathability, but this fleece did a solid job managing body heat and moisture. On uphill stretches in mild spring weather, it handled sweat far better than we thought it would — drying quickly once we paused for a break. It’s no merino, of course, and it does soak up a bit of moisture during more intense efforts, but it never felt clammy or uncomfortable. Whether we were climbing towards a breezy ridgeline in Bannau Brycheiniog or stomping back to the car after a wild camp, the Snowdon II kept us dry enough, warm enough and — most importantly — content.

In terms of warmth, it’s somewhere in the middle. You’re not going to get summit-day insulation here, but it’s perfect for milder British weather. Worn over a base layer and under a waterproof, it kept us comfortable in light wind and drizzle. When the temperature dropped in the evening at camp, the brushed inner came into its own: soft, snug and very welcome.

But where the Snowdon II really shines is in comfort. The fit is relaxed without being baggy, the fabric is soft enough to sleep in, and the construction feels better than the price would suggest. We wore it straight onto the skin, under jackets, over base layers and even to bed, and we never once felt the need to take it off. That says a lot. There’s a reason we kept grabbing this fleece even when we had more expensive ones hanging nearby: it’s just that easy to live with.

Mountain Warehouse Snowdon II fleece FAQs

It’s not the warmest fleece you’ll ever wear, but it does a great job for the weight and price. Layered over a base layer and under a shell, it’s more than enough for most UK hill days, especially in spring and autumn. The brushed inner adds a touch of extra warmth and comfort.
For a basic polyester fleece, the breathability is actually quite good. We ran in it during testing and, while it did absorb some sweat, it dried quickly and didn’t cling uncomfortably. It’s perfectly suited to hiking, bikepacking or other mid-intensity activity in cool weather.
Absolutely. For £9.99, it’s a no-brainer. It’s warm, light, comfy and durable — everything you need from a midlayer for British adventures. At full RRP (£24.99), you might consider other options like the Quechua MH100, but at the offer price (which it’s nearly always at), it’s a steal.

Mountain Warehouse Snowdon II fleece: Our thoughts in a nutshell

For under a tenner, the Mountain Warehouse Snowdon II is hard to argue with. It’s not flashy, it’s not technical, and it’s not going to impress any gear snobs — but it’s warm, comfortable and does everything a good fleece should. If you’re after a fuss-free layer for hiking, bikepacking, camping or just general everyday use, this is a brilliant option.

Is it the best fleece out there? No. But for the price, it’s outstanding — and if you’re just getting started with outdoor adventures or want a backup midlayer that doesn’t need wrapping in cotton wool, the Snowdon II is a bit of a steal. It’s the sort of gear you buy once, then forget about — until the day you find yourself reaching for it again, because it just works.

Mountain Warehouse Snowdon II fleece review: A budget no-brainer for campsite comfort