HikingRegattaFleece Midlayer

Regatta Thompson fleece review: a fleece that punches well above its price tag

A fleece that delivers such amazing value for money that you almost feel like a thief.

✓  Budget PickRegatta Thompson Fleece Weight250 gFabric170gsm recycled polyesterPrice£13 The good✓  £13 — genuinely outstanding value
✓  Warm for the price
✓  Stuffs into its own stuff sack
✓  Pill-resistant outer
✓  Inner neck gusset adds warmth
✓  Quarter zip smooth and snag-free
✓  Brushed lining — genuinely cosy
✓  Dries fast after heavy use
The not-so-good✗  Heavier and less packable than premium fleeces
✗  Breathability lags behind high-end grid fleeces
Check price at Regatta →

At a glance

Overview

It is not flashy, it is not ultralight, and it is certainly not groundbreaking. But what the Regatta Thompson fleece is, is everything you want from a midlayer — warm, soft, simple, and absurdly good value for money. At just £13, it is practically theft.

Founded in Manchester in 1981, Regatta has become one of the UK’s most recognisable outdoor brands — especially at the more affordable end of the market. Known for their wallet-friendly waterproofs, practical fleeces and dependable jackets, they have built a reputation for delivering functional kit at prices that rarely raise an eyebrow. While Regatta might not top any ultralight enthusiast’s wishlist, the brand has carved out a clear niche: good, honest outdoor clothing for folks who just want to get outside without bankrupting themselves.

The Thompson fleece is Regatta’s no-nonsense midlayer, designed for everyday wear across British hills, trails, and campsites. Weighing in at 250 g (size medium) and packing down to roughly the size of a loaf of bread, it is made from 170gsm recycled polyester. No membranes, no high-tech gimmicks — just simple, effective layering. And at £13 RRP, it is one of the cheapest fleece midlayers we have ever tested.

But what makes the Thompson really interesting is how it stacks up against other budget options. The Mountain Warehouse Camber II and the Decathlon MH100 are its nearest rivals, both priced at £9.99 at time of writing. The Camber comes up short on features, lacking the dual-sided fleece design and the Thompson’s neck gusset. The MH100, meanwhile, just does not breathe as well, even though it looks nearly identical on paper. All told, the Thompson feels like the best-rounded of the three — slightly more expensive, yes, but only by a few quid, and you get a lot of extra comfort for that.

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How we tested

To see what the Thompson could really do, we took it on a variety of classic British adventures. First up: a frosty half marathon trail run through the Chiltern Hills. Worn over a long-sleeve base layer in temperatures hovering around 4°C, the fleece kept us warm without turning us into walking greenhouses. Post-run, it was damp with sweat — as you would expect — but dried completely within an hour draped over a chair. We also used it throughout winter 2024/25 on a series of sub-zero hikes, layered under down jackets. On every occasion, it held its own — warm, comfortable, and breathable enough that we never once felt the need to rip it off mid-ascent.

Features and performance

There is no denying that the Thompson fleece is basic. But here is the thing — it nails the basics. The 170gsm recycled polyester traps warmth well enough to keep you toasty, but does not turn into a sweat trap the moment you pick up the pace. It is soft, too — especially on the inside. The brushed lining feels genuinely luxurious against the skin, making it comfortable to wear over a t-shirt or even straight onto bare skin.

One feature we really did not expect to appreciate as much as we did is the inner neck gusset. It adds noticeable structure to the collar, preventing the sag and stretch that is common in cheaper fleeces, and creates a slightly tighter seal around the neck that adds a surprising amount of extra warmth. Small detail, big impact. The quarter zip is another win — solid, snag-free, and smooth enough to operate with one hand on the move. It gives you a quick way to dump heat on climbs and trap warmth when the wind picks up.

Another standout feature is the outer fabric’s pill resistance. We have washed and worn this fleece more times than we can count — five or six washes and multiple outings under heavy packs — and it still looks box fresh. That is rare at this end of the price spectrum, where pilling is almost a guarantee. And the drying time impressed us too: whether drying overnight in a cold tent or on the move thanks to body heat, it never stays soggy for long.

“At £13, it’s hard to overstate just how much value this fleece offers. Sure, there are better-performing fleeces out there. But you’d need to spend at least five times the price to get them.”

Performance in the UK

Across every trip, run and hike, the Regatta Thompson fleece kept doing the one thing a fleece needs to do: keep us warm and comfortable. It is not breathable enough to rival high-end grid fleeces, and it is not the lightest thing in our packs either — but those are not the benchmarks here. For everyday British adventure — hillwalking in the Peaks, coastal hikes in Wales, or frosty mornings at the campsite — it does exactly what you need. We wore it on trail runs, sub-zero hikes and casual pub walks. At no point did it feel like it did not belong.

Our verdictThe best £13 you will ever spend on kit. Possibly the best £13 you will ever spend on anything.The Regatta Thompson fleece is not going to win any design awards. But then again, it is not trying to. It is built to do a job — and it does that job very, very well. At £13, it is hard to overstate just how much value this fleece offers. Sure, there are better-performing fleeces out there. But you would need to spend at least five times the price to get them, and the gains are often marginal at best. If you are a weekend walker, a budget backpacker, or just want a warm, cosy fleece you will not stress about stuffing into a rucksack, this is a no-brainer. In short: the Regatta Thompson fleece is proof that good kit does not have to be expensive.Buy the Regatta Thompson fleece →

FAQs

How warm is the Regatta Thompson fleece?Warm enough for most UK adventures. Not arctic-expedition warm, but for typical British weather — early spring hikes, chilly autumn evenings and layering under a jacket in winter — it does the job admirably.

How breathable is the Regatta Thompson fleece?Decent for what it is. We wore it on long runs and hikes without ever feeling swampy. For a budget polyester fleece, breathability is better than expected.

Is the Regatta Thompson fleece worth the money?Absolutely. For £13, it is hands-down one of the best value midlayers on the market. Warm, soft, durable and comfortable — everything you need from a fleece, at a price that is hard to believe.