Quechua MH100 fleece review: A basic midlayer built for beginners
The Quechua MH100 fleece is a simple, well-cut midlayer made for the hills, the campsite and everything in between. It’s not without its faults, but at under a tenner, it does far more than it has any right to.
Quechua MH100 fleece midlayer
Ideal for: Hiking, trekking, wildcamping, DofE
Not suitable for: Running, climbing
The Quechua MH100 is Decathlon’s entry-level hiking fleece. Made from 100% polyester, it’s a no-frills midlayer designed for budget-conscious walkers, wild campers and first-time adventurers. It features a reliable quarter zip, a close-fitting neck and a neat, athletic cut. Breathability isn’t its strong suit, but it delivers dependable warmth for the price and weight. At just 270g and £9.99 RRP, the MH100 is an excellent pick for anyone looking for a basic midlayer to see them through their first few trips outdoors.
The Good
Super cheap
Durable
Attractive fit
The Bad
Not as breathable as other budget mid-layers
Quechua MH100 Fleece midlayer review
Quechua is the in-house mountain sports brand from Decathlon — a company known throughout Europe for making adventure gear that’s affordable, accessible, and ready to go straight off the shelf. Based in the French Alps, Quechua was founded to create functional, everyday gear that helps people enjoy the outdoors without needing to fork out for premium kit. We’ve tested a number of Quechua products over the years and while they’re rarely flashy, they often punch above their price point.
The MH100 fleece is a classic example of what Quechua does best. It’s a stripped-back, budget-friendly polyester fleece built to keep you warm while hiking, camping or simply exploring the great outdoors. It’s light enough to stash in your bag at just 270 grams and basic enough to throw on without a second thought. No bells, no whistles — just warmth and comfort at a sensible price. At the time of writing, the RRP is £9.99, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a cheaper fleece that still performs in real-world conditions.
Compared to other budget fleece midlayers on the market, the MH100 holds up well. The Mountain Warehouse Camber II comes in at the same price, but lacks the athletic cut and offers fewer design details. The Regatta Thompson fleece costs slightly more (£13 RRP), but edges ahead in terms of breathability and durability. Still, the MH100 sits comfortably in the same bracket and comes off as one of the simplest choices out there for anyone after an affordable but functional fleece.
Our experience with the Quechua MH100 fleece midlayer
We first tested the Quechua MH100 on a one-night wild camp in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, carrying full packs up to the Fan y Big ridgeline in early spring conditions. With temperatures hovering around 6°C, we hiked uphill for around 90 minutes, working up a fair sweat — but never felt cold or clammy in the fleece. It stayed comfortable from car park to campsite, and kept us warm in our sleeping bag through the night. We followed this up with a series of trail runs across the South East over a four-week period in order to properly put its breathability to the test. While the fleece kept us warm, we did notice some overheating on high-effort sections, confirming our suspicions about its ability to breathe. That being said, it never left us feeling uncomfortable, with our only concerns being its ability to dry out in a tent overnight after particularly strenuous (and sweaty!) hikes.
Features and performance
The MH100 doesn’t come loaded with technical features, but what it does have has clearly been thought through. The quarter zip, for starters, is a welcome inclusion. It’s functional, reliable, and offers enough adjustment for venting warmth on uphill slogs or trapping heat when the wind picks up. It’s not quite as smooth as some of the zips we’ve tested on similarly priced fleeces (like the one on the Regatta Thompson), but it doesn’t snag and works well enough to do its job.
Additionally, we really liked the fit of the fleece. It has a more athletic cut than most budget fleeces, which gives it a closer, more modern feel. It’s flattering without being tight, and works well both on the trail and in more casual settings. You can absolutely get away with wearing it to the pub after a walk — and not all budget fleeces can say that.
The neck is worth mentioning too. It’s tight-fitting, which might not be to everyone’s taste, but we liked it. When fully zipped, it seals in warmth nicely without flapping or stretching. Combined with the fleece’s overall cut, it gives a neat and tidy finish that elevates the MH100 above the usual budget fare.
As with most fleeces at this price point, the fabric is standard 100% polyester. But the brushed inner and outer surfaces give it a surprisingly soft and comfortable feel. It’s pleasant against the skin and never felt scratchy, even when worn over just a t-shirt.
There are some downsides, however. Breathability is limited — particularly during higher-effort activities like trail running or cycling. Compared to the Regatta Thompson or even the Camber II, the MH100 feels a little sweatier in use. We put this down to the tighter fit, which seems to limit airflow more than a looser-cut fleece would. If you’re planning to use this fleece for more intense activities, it might be worth sizing up to help improve breathability.
We also noticed some minor quality issues over time. After a few wears and washes, the stitching around the hem and wrist cuffs began to come loose. It wasn’t enough to make the fleece unwearable, but it did raise questions about how well this would hold up with regular weekly use over a long season.
How it performed in the UK
For its intended purpose — as a basic midlayer for hiking, camping and general outdoor use — the MH100 performs really well. It keeps you warm when the temperature dips, fits nicely under a waterproof shell, and feels soft and comfortable for long periods of wear. It’s exactly what you’d want in a fleece that costs less than a tenner.
The breathability issues we experienced weren’t deal-breakers for us, especially given the price, and they’re unlikely to be noticed by more casual users or those using it in lower-intensity conditions. It wouldn’t be our pick for a long-distance fastpacking trip, but for day hikes, campsite use or keeping warm around town, it more than holds its own.
FAQ Title
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The MH100 is warm enough for most UK conditions in spring and autumn, and works well as a midlayer in colder weather. We used it during a wild camp with temperatures around 6°C and stayed comfortably warm throughout. It’s not designed for extreme cold, but does a solid job for general use.
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Breathability is the MH100’s weakest point. While it’s fine for hiking and general walking, it struggled to keep up during higher-exertion activities like running. We suspect the tight fit limits airflow a bit. If you run hot or plan to use it for intense movement, consider sizing up or looking elsewhere.
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Absolutely. At £9.99, it’s easily one of the best-value midlayers we’ve tested. It’s warm, soft, well-fitting and ideal for casual hikers, campers and newcomers to the outdoors. It won’t rival premium fleeces in performance, but it delivers exactly what you need — and a bit more — at a price that’s hard to beat.
Final thoughts
If you’re after a budget-friendly fleece for the odd hike, campout or countryside ramble, the Quechua MH100 is a very solid choice. It won’t win any awards for innovation or technical wizardry, but it’ll keep you warm and comfortable, and that’s really all most of us need.The breathability could be better, and the build quality might not be up to more expensive midlayers, but those trade-offs are easy to justify at £9.99. This is a fleece that costs less than most pub lunches — and yet, with decent warmth, comfort and a smart fit, it delivers real trail-ready value.
For newcomers, occasional adventurers, or anyone who just wants a spare fleece that won’t break the bank, the MH100 is hard to fault. It’s proof that good kit doesn’t have to cost a fortune.





