Finding the right heavyweight fleece fabric is not just about warmth—it's about durability, appearance, and trust in your supplier. Whether you're a brand owner, a sourcing agent, or an apparel factory buyer like Ron in the U.S., choosing the wrong fabric weight or source can break your winterwear line.
Heavy GSM fleece fabrics for winter wear are available from specialized Chinese manufacturers who offer bulk customization, in-stock options, and global shipping support.
As a fleece manufacturer myself based in Keqiao, I’ve helped clients worldwide get the exact fleece feel and performance they need for cold weather clothing. Below, I’ll break down where to source the best heavy GSM fleece, what to watch for, and how to ensure consistent quality.
What GSM is Best for Winter Fleece Fabric?
When it comes to winter clothing, GSM (grams per square meter) is everything. A slight variation can mean the difference between light outerwear and thermal-grade protection.
For true winter fleece garments, a GSM of 300 to 450 is ideal depending on garment type, lining needs, and climate zone.
Why is 300+ GSM the benchmark for winterwear?
Most buyers consider anything under 250 GSM too light for standalone winter fleece. FabricWeight.com confirms that 300 GSM is the tipping point for insulation. At Fumao, we produce fleece ranging from 280 to 460 GSM, with 360 GSM being the sweet spot for outerwear brands.
This weight offers a thick pile, better structure, and warmth retention even without inner linings. For hoodies and jackets meant for sub-zero use, we often recommend dual-layer fleece with brushed backing.
How does brushing affect GSM perception?
Brushed fleece appears bulkier and feels warmer, even if its actual GSM is slightly lower. Techniques like double-sided brushing can increase air trapping. According to Textile Learner, brushed fleece enhances softness, a major factor in winterwear comfort.
Buyers often request brushed + anti-pilling fleece in our premium winter collections, especially when supplying to retail chains in colder U.S. states or Canada.
What Are the Key Features to Look for in Winter Fleece?
Not all fleece is created equal. The best winter fleece isn't just heavy—it also needs to resist wear, handle washing, and stay warm when damp.
Look for fleece fabrics with anti-pilling finish, thermal stability, dense knitting, and functional finishes like waterproofing or lamination.
What is anti-pilling and why does it matter?
Pilling refers to those annoying fuzz balls that appear on worn fabric. In winter fleece, this not only affects appearance but also insulation. Milliken Textiles explains that pilling reduces airflow barriers, lowering thermal insulation.
Our fleece undergoes Martindale abrasion and pilling tests, especially for export to retailers like Kohl’s or sporting goods brands in the U.S.
Should fleece be moisture-wicking for winter?
Absolutely. Breathability and moisture transport are key to comfort. Polyester fleece with wicking finishes helps evaporate sweat, making it ideal for outdoor activewear. Polartec pioneered this principle, and we’ve adapted similar structures in our warp-knit fleece production lines in Shaoxing.
Buyers targeting ski wear or mountain gear should request fleece with both wicking and windproof lamination layers.
Where Are the Best Suppliers for Heavy Fleece Located?
While you can find fleece globally, China—especially the Zhejiang region—is still the top source for variety, scale, and speed.
Keqiao and Shaoxing are the most reliable hubs for sourcing heavy GSM fleece thanks to integrated mills, dyeing units, coating factories, and shipping infrastructure.
Why is Keqiao the center of fleece fabric manufacturing?
Keqiao hosts the world's largest textile market and over 8,000 mills. Our company is based here, giving us access to in-house weaving, printing, coating, and QC—crucial for fleece customization.
According to Keqiao Textile Expo, fleece buyers from over 120 countries attend annual fairs here to discover new blends, finishes, and fleece weights.
What advantages do direct factories offer vs. trading companies?
Going direct means better price control, faster sampling, and real customization. Many trading firms resell from Keqiao mills anyway. We recommend buyers ask for mill capacity, lab testing access, and SGS reports before placing fleece orders.
As a direct factory with coating, printing, and brushing capability, we cut down lead times by 40% compared to outsourcing models.
How to Order Custom Heavy Fleece from China?
The sourcing process doesn’t need to be complicated. With the right partner, you can get custom fleece in your specs, colors, and weight—without stepping foot in China.
Start by requesting swatch books and GSM samples, then confirm specs through lab dips, final handfeel, and quality control reports.
What should be included in a fleece tech pack?
A solid tech pack includes fabric weight, composition, brushing side(s), color codes (Pantone), shrinkage tolerance, and performance finishes (like anti-static or antibacterial). Tools like Techpacker help create clear spec sheets for overseas suppliers.
We often advise our clients to include test reports and end-use goals so we can align the fleece structure (knit gauge, density) with real usage conditions.
How long does fleece bulk production take?
For in-stock fleece colors, we can deliver bulk orders within 7–10 days. For custom shades and GSM, allow 15–25 days depending on volume. Air freight is common for urgent orders, while sea shipping remains standard.
We provide real-time updates using Fabric QC dashboards including shrinkage, pilling, GSM variance, and visual inspection data—accessible via QR code scanning on each roll.
Conclusion
Heavy GSM fleece is essential for serious winter wear. But it’s not just about high weight—buyers need anti-pilling, performance finishes, and trusted factory partners to deliver quality every time. With Fumao’s base in Keqiao and full vertical setup—from weaving to brushing to lamination—we give international brands the confidence they need to source fleece for their winter lines. Ready to upgrade your cold-weather garments? Let's build something that keeps warmth in and sourcing risk out.
