HikingQuechuaFleece Midlayer

Quechua MH100 fleece review: a basic midlayer built for beginners

A basic midlayer built for beginners — and a serious bargain at £9.99.

✓  Budget PickQuechua MH100 Fleece Weight270 gFabric100% polyesterPrice£9.99 The good✓  £9.99 — genuinely outstanding value
✓  Durable
✓  Athletic, flattering cut
✓  Tight-fitting neck seals warmth
✓  Soft brushed lining
✓  Reliable quarter zip
The not-so-good✗  Breathability is the weakest point
✗  Minor stitching issues after a few washes
Check price at Decathlon →

At a glance

Buy the Quechua MH100 at Decathlon →

Overview

The Quechua MH100 is Decathlon’s entry-level hiking fleece. Made from 100% polyester, it is a no-frills midlayer designed for budget-conscious walkers, wild campers and first-time adventurers. It features a reliable quarter zip, a close-fitting neck and a neat, athletic cut. Breathability is not its strong suit, but it delivers dependable warmth for the price and weight. At just 270 g and £9.99 RRP, the MH100 is an excellent pick for anyone looking for a basic midlayer to see them through their first few trips outdoors.

Quechua is the in-house mountain sports brand from Decathlon — a company known throughout Europe for making adventure kit that is affordable, accessible and ready to go straight off the shelf. We have tested a number of Quechua products over the years and while they are rarely flashy, they often punch above their price point. The MH100 fleece is a classic example of what Quechua does best: a stripped-back, budget-friendly polyester fleece built to keep you warm while hiking, camping or exploring the outdoors. At £9.99, you would be hard-pressed to find a cheaper fleece that still performs in real-world conditions.

Compared to other budget fleece midlayers, the MH100 holds up well. The Mountain Warehouse Camber II comes in at the same price, but lacks the athletic cut and offers fewer design details. The Regatta Thompson fleece costs slightly more (£13 RRP), but edges ahead in terms of breathability and durability. Still, the MH100 sits comfortably in the same bracket and comes off as one of the simplest choices out there for anyone after an affordable but functional fleece.

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How we tested

We first tested the Quechua MH100 on a one-night wild camp in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, carrying full packs up to the Fan y Big ridgeline in early spring conditions. With temperatures hovering around 6°C, we hiked uphill for around 90 minutes, working up a fair sweat — but never felt cold or clammy in the fleece. It stayed comfortable from car park to campsite, and kept us warm in our sleeping bag through the night. We followed this up with a series of trail runs across the South East over four weeks to put its breathability to the test. While the fleece kept us warm, we did notice some overheating on high-effort sections — confirming our suspicions about its ability to breathe. That said, it never left us feeling uncomfortable, with our only concerns being its ability to dry out in a tent overnight after particularly strenuous hikes.

Features and performance

The MH100 does not come loaded with technical features, but what it does have has clearly been thought through. The quarter zip is functional, reliable, and offers enough adjustment for venting warmth on uphill slogs or trapping heat when the wind picks up. It is not quite as smooth as some zips we have tested on similarly priced fleeces, but it does not snag and does its job well.

We really liked the fit. It has a more athletic cut than most budget fleeces, which gives it a closer, more modern feel. It is flattering without being tight, and works well both on the trail and in casual settings — you can absolutely get away with wearing it to the pub after a walk, and not all budget fleeces can say that. The neck is worth mentioning too: tight-fitting, which might not be to everyone’s taste, but we liked it. When fully zipped, it seals in warmth nicely without flapping or stretching. As with most fleeces at this price point, the fabric is standard 100% polyester, but the brushed inner and outer surfaces give it a surprisingly soft and comfortable feel.

There are some downsides, however. Breathability is limited — particularly during higher-effort activities like trail running or cycling. The MH100 feels a little sweatier in use than the Regatta Thompson or even the Camber II. We put this down to the tighter fit limiting airflow more than a looser-cut fleece would. If you are planning to use this for more intense activities, it might be worth sizing up. We also noticed some minor quality issues over time: after a few wears and washes, the stitching around the hem and wrist cuffs began to come loose. Not enough to make the fleece unwearable, but worth knowing for anyone planning weekly use over a long season.

“A fleece that costs less than most pub lunches — and yet delivers real trail-ready value.”

Performance in the UK

For its intended purpose — a basic midlayer for hiking, camping and general outdoor use — the MH100 performs really well. It keeps you warm when the temperature dips, fits nicely under a waterproof shell, and feels soft and comfortable for long periods of wear. The breathability issues are not deal-breakers at this price, and unlikely to be noticed by casual users or those using it in lower-intensity conditions. It would not be our pick for a long-distance fastpacking trip, but for day hikes, campsite use or keeping warm around town, it more than holds its own.

Buy the Quechua MH100 at Decathlon →

Our verdictFor newcomers and occasional adventurers, the £9.99 MH100 is hard to fault.If you are after a budget-friendly fleece for the odd hike, campout or countryside ramble, the Quechua MH100 is a very solid choice. It will not win any awards for innovation or technical wizardry, but it will keep you warm and comfortable, and that is really all most people need. The breathability could be better, and the build quality might not be up to more expensive midlayers, but those trade-offs are easy to justify at £9.99. It is proof that good kit does not have to cost a fortune.Buy the Quechua MH100 at Decathlon →

FAQs

How warm is the Quechua MH100 fleece?Warm enough for most UK conditions in spring and autumn, and works well as a midlayer in colder weather. We used it in temperatures around 6°C and stayed comfortably warm. Not designed for extreme cold, but solid for general use.

How breathable is the Quechua MH100 fleece?Breathability is the MH100’s weakest point. Fine for hiking and general walking, but struggled to keep up during higher-exertion activities like running. If you run hot or plan intense movement, consider sizing up or looking elsewhere.

Is the Quechua MH100 fleece worth the money?Absolutely. At £9.99, it is one of the best-value midlayers we have tested. Warm, soft, well-fitting and ideal for casual hikers, campers and newcomers to the outdoors. It delivers exactly what you need — and a bit more — at a price that is hard to beat.