At first glance the Eider Mission (we tested the women's hoodie in grey) is far more good-looking than your average fleece. We love the knit-effect outer layer and the soft fleecy inner. The grey marl version looks smart enough to wear both on and off the mountain and straight to apres.
The Mission Hoodie also gets top marks for eco-friendliness, something we always look for in fleeces. The material is recycled Polartec Thermal Pro and is certified as Low Impact.
Our first thought when testing out the Eider Mission is that it's rather on the slim side - we'd probably go for a size up when heading for the pistes, especially so that we could fit a base layer underneath. Besides that, the Mission sits beautifully under a ski jacket and feels reassuringly thick and comfortable to wear all day. The hood is well-cut and flattering, with an elasticated edging to keep it sitting close to your face. Coupled with a high-zipped, adjustable neck, you've got excellent extra protection on bitingly cold days. We like the deep zipped hand pockets, too. The fleece is not the lightest or thinnest we've ever tested, but did prove reasonably breathable. On hot days we'd pick something more lightweight, but as a cold weather mid layer it has proved excellent, and we also find ourselves reaching for it at home for anything from winter hikes to nipping to the shops, making it a versatile choice, especially for under £70.
