Sherpa vs Fleece: What's the Difference, and Which One Is Warmer?

Nobody mentions this in the coat aisle: sherpa is fleece.

Not "like" fleece. It is one. Sherpa is the fluffy, curly, looks-like-a-lamb member of the fleece family. The smooth stuff your quarter-zip is made of is its cousin.

So "sherpa vs fleece" is really a question about two cousins. One is plush and warm and a little extra. One is light and sporty and easygoing. And since one of our favorite Jill-isms is that sherpa is not just a fabric, it's a lifestyle, you can guess we have opinions.

The quick version first, then the details.

Quick Answer: Sherpa vs Fleece

Sherpa vs Fleece at a Glance

What Is Sherpa Fabric?

Sherpa is a knit fabric with two different sides. One side is smooth. The other has a deep, bumpy pile that looks like the woolly side of a sheepskin. It's named for the Sherpa people of Nepal, because it resembles the wool-lined clothing they traditionally wear.

What is sherpa made of? Most sherpa material is polyester. Some is cotton or a blend. Despite the look, there's no wool in it unless the label says so, which is why it's sometimes called faux shearling. Ours is 100% polyester.

What does it feel like? Like a blanket decided to become clothing. Which, around here, is exactly what happened.

What Is Fleece?

Fleece is a soft knit fabric, almost always polyester, that's been brushed to raise a fuzzy surface. That fuzz traps air, and trapped air is what keeps you warm. It was invented in the late 1970s as a lighter, faster-drying alternative to wool, and it took over closets from there.

Fleece comes in weights. Microfleece is thin and smooth. Polar fleece is the midweight classic. And at the plush end of the family are the high-pile fleeces: teddy and sherpa.

Is Sherpa Warmer Than Fleece?

Usually, yes, when the two are a similar weight. Warmth comes from trapped air, and sherpa's deep, lofty pile holds more of it than a flat fleece. That's why sherpa fleece feels warm the second you put it on.

Two honest caveats. First, weight matters: a heavy polar fleece can be warmer than a thin sherpa, so compare the whole jacket, not just the name on the tag. Second, neither one blocks wind or rain on its own, so on a blustery day, put a shell over it.

The simplest way to remember it: sherpa wins when you're sitting still. Fleece wins when you're moving.

Fleece vs Sherpa: How to Choose

For the couch: sherpa. It's a blanket you don't have to hold onto.

For a cold stadium or a porch in November: sherpa. You're sitting still for hours, which is its whole job.

For a hike, a run, or the gym: fleece. It breathes better and dries faster when you sweat.

For layering under a coat: thin fleece. Or skip the layering and wear sherpa as the coat. For errands and in-between days, a Cropped Lounger is the same sherpa with less of it.

For a gift: sherpa. Nobody has ever opened a box and gasped at microfleece.

Where Our Sherpa Fits

Jill started with blankets. Hundreds of thousands of them. Then she wanted to wear one outside, and the answer was sherpa. Then more sherpa.

The Sherpa Lounger is two blanket fabrics in one jacket: plush sherpa on the outside and smooth, blanket-soft Wellsoft on the inside. So you get the high pile for warmth and the smooth side against your skin. Add an oversized hood, thumbholes, pockets, and one button, and it works as a blanket on the couch and a jacket on the sidewalk. Shop the Loungers, or start with the full-length Classic Lounger.

The sherpa hoodie is the same blanket feel in a lighter, pull-on shape. The Hoodie Hub has classic and cropped.

The Lounger Lite takes the soft inside layer of the Lounger and makes it the whole jacket. It's the lighter, more breathable, packable one. See the Lounger Lite.

Want the full story? Here's why Jill made the Lounger, and here's how to wear a sherpa jacket all season.

WARNING: YOU WILL CATCH YOURSELF PETTING YOUR OWN SLEEVE.

Sherpa vs Teddy vs Shearling

Sherpa vs teddy fleece. Both are high-pile fleece. Teddy has a longer, looser, fluffier pile, like a stuffed bear. Sherpa is tighter and curlier, closer to real wool. Warmth is similar and depends mostly on how thick and dense the fabric is.

Sherpa vs shearling. Shearling is real sheepskin with the wool still attached. Sherpa is the fabric version: no animal products, much lighter, and far easier to wash.

Sherpa vs a wearable blanket. One is a fabric and the other is what you make with it. The wearable blanket guide covers that side of the family.

How to Care for Sherpa

Sherpa stays soft when you keep heat away from it. Wash cold on a gentle cycle, skip the fabric softener, and let it air dry. Ours says it right on the label: machine wash, line dry. The full care guide is here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sherpa the same as fleece?

Sherpa is a type of fleece. Regular fleece has a short, smooth surface, while sherpa has a thick, curly pile on one side made to resemble sheep's wool. All sherpa is fleece, but not all fleece is sherpa.

Is sherpa really warm?

Yes. Sherpa's deep pile traps a layer of air that holds in body heat, which makes it one of the warmest fleece fabrics. It's best for cold, dry conditions. In wind or rain, wear a shell over it.

Which is warmer, sherpa or teddy fleece?

Sherpa and teddy fleece are about equally warm. Both are high-pile fleece, so thickness and density matter more than the name on the tag.

What is another name for sherpa fabric?

Sherpa is also called faux shearling or faux sheepskin, because it imitates the look of real sheepskin. You'll also see it labeled sherpa fleece. Teddy fleece and berber fleece are similar high-pile fabrics, but they have different textures.

Is sherpa real wool?

No. Sherpa is made to look like wool, but it's a manufactured fabric, usually polyester. It contains no wool or animal fibers unless the label says otherwise, and it's lighter and easier to care for than real sheepskin.

Is sherpa 100% cotton?

Usually not. Most sherpa is 100% polyester. Some sherpa is made from cotton or a cotton blend, so check the fabric content on the label. Jill Martin's sherpa is 100% polyester.

Is sherpa a good fabric?

Sherpa is a good fabric for warmth and comfort. It's soft, plush, warm for its weight, and usually machine washable. The trade-off: it's plush, not sporty. Wear it to stay cozy, not to the gym.

Can sherpa go in the dryer?

It's best to keep sherpa out of a hot dryer, because heat can mat the pile. Follow the care label. Many sherpa pieces, including Jill Martin's Loungers and hoodies, say to line dry.

Pick Your Cousin

Moving? Fleece.

Staying warm, staying put, staying cozy? Sherpa.

We know which one we'd wear outside. 💙

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