Natural fleece and synthetic fleece are both popular fabrics. There are pros and cons to both. While natural fleece comes from sheep wool, it is a renewable resource. Polar fleece is a synthetic fabric made from Polyethylene terephthalate, also called PET fibers. This synthetic fleece is commonly called polyester or polar fleece. This is an animal free product acceptable to vegans. Since PET is used in plastic bottles, polar fleece can also be made from recycled bottles reducing the need for natural resources including petroleum.

Sheep wool has been around since early civilization. Natural fleece easily soaks up moisture. It can soak up one third of its weight before it feels damp and uncomfortable. Because of its properties, it works well in winter hats, coats and also boot linings. Polar fleece was invented in the 1980s and has revolutionized outdoor clothing. Synthetic fleece will absorb less than one percent of its weight in moisture even when it is fully soaked. It retains its lightweight and breathability properties when it is wet. Synthetic fleece is most commonly used in active outerwear.

A natural property of wool fleece is that it is flame resistant. It will self extinguish. Wool blankets have even been used to extinguish small fires. Synthetic polar fleece burns easily unless it is treated with a flame retardant material. It also burns easliy when it is ironed. Polar fleece is also less wind resistant than natural fleece. It is made denser or has an added layer to provide wind breaking properties.


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