HikingMountain WarehouseFleece Midlayer

Mountain Warehouse Snowdon II fleece review: a budget no-brainer for campsite comfort

Stay warm, cosy and comfortable — all for under a tenner.

✓  Budget PickMountain Warehouse Snowdon II Fabric100% polyesterPrice£9.99 (on offer)RRP£24.99 The good✓  Super cheap at £9.99 on offer
✓  Comes in a range of colourways
✓  No-frills warmth
✓  Excellent glove-friendly zip
✓  Great fit — roomier than competitors
✓  Anti-pilling holds up to washing
✓  Comfortable enough to sleep in
The not-so-good✗  Not as breathable as premium lines
✗  No eco-credentials transparency
✗  Full RRP (£24.99) isn’t great value
Check price at Mountain Warehouse →

At a glance

Buy the Mountain Warehouse Snowdon II →

Overview

Mountain Warehouse is one of those names that just about everyone in the UK outdoor scene knows — whether you have picked up a pair of cheap waterproof trousers from one of their high street stores or grabbed a fleece last-minute before a camping trip. They have carved out a space for themselves as one of the most accessible kit brands around. We have previously reviewed the Mountain Warehouse Camber II fleece and found it a decent performer for the money — and with the Snowdon II under the spotlight today, we are taking a closer look at just how good a fleece you can get for less than a tenner.

The Snowdon II is a classic quarter-zip polyester midlayer with a brushed interior and anti-pilling construction. It comes in at £9.99 when on offer — down from an RRP of £24.99, which it rarely seems to sell for. At this price point, it sits alongside other entry-level midlayers like the Quechua MH100 fleece from Decathlon, and is comparable to the Regatta Thompson fleece, which costs a few quid more but offers slightly more in the way of styling.

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

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How we tested

Over six weeks, we put the Snowdon II through a mix of day hikes, trail runs and wild camping nights. We ran in it, climbed in it and slept in it — testing breathability, warmth and comfort in classic British conditions. We took it on local microadventures and a longer trip into Bannau Brycheiniog, including a breezy walk up the Fan y Big ridgeline in Wales. We also gave it a decent cycle through the washing machine — five or six times — to see how well it handled repeated wear and care.

Features and performance

Let us be honest: there are not many features here, but the ones it does have are well executed. The quarter-zip design gives just enough ventilation without sacrificing warmth. The zip is surprisingly smooth — one of the best in this price bracket — and thanks to the long toggle, it is genuinely glove-friendly. That made a noticeable difference on a chilly morning at camp when we did not want to expose our hands to the cold for long.

Fit-wise, the Snowdon II is a touch roomier than tighter-fitting models like the Quechua MH100, which makes it better for layering and also more breathable. The inner is brushed, giving it a soft and cosy feel against the skin — the sort of fleece you will happily wear over a t-shirt or sleep in when the temperature drops at night. We found it ideal for camp life: warm enough when you stop moving, light enough not to be bulky or overbearing. The anti-pilling claim also holds up; we washed it half a dozen times and there has been very little sign of wear or bobbling.

“It’s the sort of kit you buy once, then forget about — until the day you find yourself reaching for it again, because it just works.”

Performance in UK conditions

For a fleece that costs less than a tenner, the Snowdon II handled real-world adventures with surprising competence. On gentle ambles and high-tempo trail runs alike, it delivered a level of performance that genuinely impressed us. Polyester is not known for its breathability, but this fleece did a solid job managing body heat and moisture — drying quickly once we paused for a break. Whether we were climbing towards a breezy ridgeline in Bannau Brycheiniog or stomping back to the car after a wild camp, it kept us dry enough, warm enough and comfortable. The brushed inner came into its own in the evening at camp: soft, snug and very welcome.

Where the Snowdon II really shines is in comfort. The fit is relaxed without being baggy, the fabric is soft enough to sleep in, and the construction feels better than the price would suggest. There is a reason we kept grabbing this fleece even when we had more expensive ones hanging nearby: it is just that easy to live with.

Buy the Mountain Warehouse Snowdon II →

Our verdictUnder a tenner: it’s warm, comfortable and does everything a good fleece should.The Mountain Warehouse Snowdon II is not flashy, it is not technical, and it is not going to impress gear snobs — but it is warm, comfortable and does everything a good fleece should. At £9.99 on offer, it is outstanding value. If you are just getting started with outdoor adventures or want a backup midlayer that does not need babying, this is a brilliant option. It is not the best fleece out there — but for the price, it is a bit of a steal. Just note: at the full £24.99 RRP, the Quechua MH100 or Regatta Thompson are better buys.Buy the Mountain Warehouse Snowdon II →

FAQs

How warm is the Mountain Warehouse Snowdon II?Good for the weight and price. Layered over a base layer and under a shell, it is more than enough for most UK hill days in spring and autumn. The brushed inner adds extra warmth and comfort.

How breathable is the Mountain Warehouse Snowdon II?Reasonably good for a basic polyester fleece. We ran in it and, while it absorbed some sweat, it dried quickly and did not cling uncomfortably. The roomier fit helps airflow compared to tighter-cut budget fleeces.

Is the Mountain Warehouse Snowdon II worth the money?Absolutely at £9.99 on offer (which it nearly always is). Warm, light, comfy and durable. At the full £24.99 RRP, the Quechua MH100 or Regatta Thompson fleece are better buys.