Zorali Air-Grid™ Fleece Review

Field test and review

Back in 2020, I had the opportunity to field-test and review Zorali gear when this Australian brand first launched. Even then, Zorali stood out for its commitment to sustainability and its vision of fostering a responsible outdoor lifestyle. Their approach includes sourcing materials responsibly, using natural fibres such as hemp and organic cotton, and incorporating recycled fabrics into their designs. As a carbon-neutral company, they donate 1% of their revenue to environmental preservation and restoration and plant ten trees for every product sold, which has resulted in over 776,000 trees planted to date.

In my earlier review, I tested the Recycled Venture Pants, a product that exemplified Zorali’s ethos of combining functionality with sustainability, although there was a bit of room for improvement in terms of functionality.

Fast forward to 2022, I was fortunate to receive another standout product from Zorali’s range: the Air-Grid™ Fleece. This mid-layer top is built for the kind of use that needs warmth, breathability and packability all at once, so here’s how it performed for me on the trail.

What is the Zorali Air-Grid Fleece?

The Air-Grid Fleece is a mid-layer long-sleeve top designed for use across all seasons. It’s made from technical micro-grid fleece using 100% recycled plastic waste, a fabric built to trap heat close to the body while wicking moisture away and letting it escape into the air. It’s light for what it does, just 339g for a medium size (men’s), yet it holds warmth like a noticeably bulkier midweight layer.

Zorali built it to solve a specific problem: a garment warm enough for winter hiking that still breathes well in warmer conditions or during high-output activity. Whether that trade-off actually works is really a question for the trail, which is where I tested it.

Features and Design

The Air-Grid Fleece comes with a few thoughtful features:

• 100% Recycled Microgrid Fleece: Made from recycled plastic waste, this fabric traps warmth, wicks moisture, and compresses efficiently for packing.
• Thumbholes at the cuffs: Useful for keeping hands warm or securing sleeves during layering.
• Hood cord adjustment: Helps trap heat and block out cold winds.
• Micro-grid technology: Provides warmth without the bulk or weight of traditional fleece.

The grid pattern is also what lets it compress down small for packing, and the design is plain enough that it works as easily off the trail as on it.

Performance on the Trail

I’ve tested the Air-Grid Fleece on both day and multi-day trips, in everything from sub-zero alpine temperatures to mild, rainy weather. Layered under a shell, it kept me warm in -3°C conditions in the Tasmanian Alps without ever feeling bulky, and the snug fit meant it sat well under an outer layer rather than adding bulk to it. That combination works because the micro-grid structure traps heat close to the body while still letting the fabric wick moisture and push it out into the air, so on a steep, damp ascent it managed sweat well and I didn’t overheat the way you can in a heavier fleece. That’s the balance that makes it useful across shoulder seasons, when you might be sweating on the climb and cooling down fast at the top.

It’s also more versatile than a typical technical mid-layer. I’ve worn it around camp, while travelling, and as an everyday layer at home, and the fairly plain design means it doesn’t look out of place off the trail. Zorali backs it with a lifetime warranty covering any defects in materials or workmanship for the reasonable lifetime of the product, which matters for a piece you’re likely to keep wearing well past the trail.

Across the different conditions I’ve used it in, the Air-Grid Fleece has done what Zorali designed it to do: kept me warm without extra bulk, breathed well enough on the climbs, and packed down small enough to carry without a second thought. The sustainability side of Zorali’s business (the recycled fabric, the carbon-neutral status, ten trees planted for every product sold) doesn’t change how the fleece performs on the trail, but it’s part of why I keep testing their gear.

Where to Buy

The Air-Grid Fleece is available directly from Zorali’s website. Head over to Zorali to learn more or to grab one for yourself.