Your New Winter Staple: The Backcountry Highliner Fleece from Outside magazine Alison Jaksen

Your New Winter Staple: The Backcountry Highliner Fleece

Dragging yourself out the door for that winter run or ride would be a heck of a lot easier if you could just roll out in the same cozy hoodie you like to wear while sipping your coffee. Well, now you can. Breathable enough for ski touring, warm enough for winter camping, and soft enough to lounge in, the Backcountry Highliner PrimaLoft Air-Perm Fleece is designed to cross the threshold between working hard and chilling hard without skipping a beat.

At home, the brushed-fleece pile feels cozy and soft, and the stretchy knit moves with you, whether you’re curled up with a book or busting out a yoga flow. A kangaroo pocket fits everything from dog treats to your favorite paperback, and the colorful accents and on-trend silhouette make the Highliner casual enough for brewery wear.

Highliner Fleece
(Photo: Backcountry)

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But when you really put the Highliner to the test outdoors, all the hidden performance benefits come to life. The Highliner PrimaLoft Air-Perm may feel like a favorite sweater, but its main fabric is a high-performance Oeko-Tek material insulated with an air-permeable fleece pile. When you’re moving fast, the large pores between the tufts of recycled polyester dump heat, letting you regulate your body temperature without having to stop and remove layers. When you’re standing still, the filaments trap warmth against the skin, while thumb loops and a full-coverage hood help you hold the heat close.

Adding a shell or outer layer seals in the warmth, turning the pores into bubbles of body-heated air while the polyester pile continues to wick moisture outward. The combo keeps you warm and dry in a range of conditions. And if you do start to overheat, the Highliner tucks into a hidden neck pocket and clips to your backpack or harness for later use.

Highliner Fleece
(Photo: Backcountry)

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In the winter, there’s a razor-thin line between too warm and not warm enough, and few layers can boost your temperature without also sparking a sweat the minute you start uphill. That’s where the Highliner Fleece excels. It keeps you warm when you’re stationary and dry when you’re on the move. It’s the perfect layer whenever you want to feel just a touch cozier—no matter what your day brings.


Established in 1996, Backcountry has become a trusted cornerstone in outdoor retail, offering a curated selection of premium products from nearly 800 brands both online and across nine U.S. locations. In addition to the Backcountry flagship, the company operates Competitive Cyclist, a dedicated destination for premium road, gravel, and mountain bike gear, and Steep & Cheap, its outlet for past-season and overstock deals. Backcountry expanded its portfolio in 2025 with the acquisitions of Level Nine Sports and BikeTiresDirect, further strengthening its position across snow sports and cycling.

The post Your New Winter Staple: The Backcountry Highliner Fleece appeared first on Outside Online.

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