HikingMountain WarehouseFleece Midlayer

Mountain Warehouse Camber II fleece review: warmth for less than a tenner

A lightweight fleece that fits well, keeps you warm and costs less than a round of drinks.

✓  Budget PickMountain Warehouse Camber II Fabric100% polyesterPrice£9.99 (on offer)RRP£24.99 The good✓  £9.99 — great value
✓  Comes in a range of block colours
✓  No-frills warmth
✓  Excellent glove-friendly zip
✓  Roomier fit — great for layering
✓  Anti-pilling holds up to washing
✓  Comfortable enough to sleep in
The not-so-good✗  Not as breathable as premium fleeces
✗  No eco-credentials transparency
✗  Full £24.99 RRP is poor value
Check price at Mountain Warehouse →

At a glance

Overview

Mountain Warehouse is a staple name in the UK’s outdoor retail world. Founded in 1997, the brand has built a reputation for accessible, good-value kit for hikers, campers and outdoorsy types who want solid kit without paying over the odds. The Camber II is pitched as a simple midlayer focused on comfort and warmth: a straight-up polyester fleece you can pull on when the temperature drops. Quarter zip with a glove-friendly toggle, anti-pilling fabric, brushed interior, very light and packs down well. At £9.99 on offer (down from RRP £24.99), it almost always is on offer.

One thing to know before buying: as part of our testing protocol, Mountain Warehouse sent us both the Camber II and the Snowdon II — and they are the same product. The fit, zip, material, warmth, breathability and cosiness are identical. The only discernible difference is that the Camber II comes in block colours whereas the Snowdon II comes in striped colourways. It is simply a matter of choosing which design you prefer.

Compared to other affordable fleece midlayers, the Camber II holds its own. The Regatta Thompson (£13) and Quechua MH100 (£9.99) are its most direct rivals. We would argue the Camber II’s slightly roomier fit makes it even more versatile for active use than the MH100, and more or less equal to the Snowdon II. Personal preference on colour is the deciding factor between the two Mountain Warehouse options.

Ready for your next adventure?Walk Britain’s national parks with an expert who knows themJoin guided day hikes across the Lake District, Dartmoor, Eryri and more.Browse hiking trips →

How we tested

We tested the Mountain Warehouse Camber II fleece over six weeks on a variety of short adventures. We wore it for local hill walks, wild camping trips and a handful of trail runs to assess breathability. It accompanied us to the top of Fan y Big in Bannau Brycheiniog and doubled as a sleep layer on multiple overnighters. During this time, we put it through five or six wash cycles to see how well it handled long-term wear and whether the anti-pilling claims stood up. And you know what? This cheap little midlayer mostly performed excellently every time.

Features and performance

The quarter zip glides easily and feels robust even after repeated use. Thanks to the long toggle, it is easy to operate with gloves on — a detail that is often overlooked in budget layers but genuinely makes a difference on a cold day. The fit is roomy without being baggy, which makes it ideal for layering over baselayers or under a jacket. Not so slim that it clings uncomfortably, not so loose that it bunches under your shell. Just right, especially on the move.

The brushed inner is a standout feature — soft and cosy against the skin, comfortable enough to wear over a t-shirt or sleep in. We slept in it on multiple occasions and it felt just as comfortable at night as during the day. The anti-pilling fabric did a solid job of resisting wear during our testing window: after five or six washes and plenty of trail time, it still looked and felt much the same.

“We kept reaching for it, not because it was the most technical fleece in our kit cupboard, but because it was the most comfortable and dependable.”

Performance in UK conditions

On the trail, the Camber II proved to be a reliable workhorse. Whether on slow meanders through the woods or hammering uphill on a spring trail run, it did the job. Breathability is limited for a polyester fleece — but for a tenner, genuinely impressive. It performed better than expected when moving quickly and dried off quickly when sweaty. Not our top choice for long-distance ultralight hikes, but ideal for day walks, overnight trips and all-round use. Warmth holds its own in chilly mornings and evenings, especially when layered. The brushed lining adds to the feeling of cosiness when the wind picks up or the clouds roll in.

Our verdictA brilliant example of how good budget outdoor kit can be when it’s well thought through.The Mountain Warehouse Camber II fleece is not flashy, does not come with any technical claims, and will not win any awards — but it does everything you need a fleece to do, and it does it for less than a tenner. Whether you are after a backup layer for the car, a camping fleece you do not mind getting grubby, or something warm to chuck on after a run, this is more than up to the task. Just note: at the full £24.99 RRP, the Quechua MH100 or Regatta Thompson are better buys. At £9.99 on offer — which it nearly always is — it is a steal.Buy the Mountain Warehouse Camber II →

FAQs

How warm is the Mountain Warehouse Camber II?Warm enough for most UK conditions in spring, summer and autumn. Layered with a baselayer and waterproof, it holds its own on windy hilltops and cool evenings at camp.

How breathable is the Mountain Warehouse Camber II?Better than expected for a budget polyester fleece. We ran in it without finding it uncomfortably sweaty, and it dries quickly — a real bonus on multi-day trips.

Is the Mountain Warehouse Camber II worth the money?Without question at £9.99 on offer. Comfortable, lightweight and does the job better than some fleeces that cost twice as much. At the full £24.99 RRP, consider the Quechua MH100 or Regatta Thompson instead.