(Image credit: Patagonia/Gemini)

The clocks are changing, the temperature is dropping, and fleece season is officially here. I’ve been testing fitness gear for a decade, and one of my go-to items is my Micro-D Patagonia fleece — and right now, it’s 50% off in this REI sale .

Good gear lasts more than one season, and this fleece is going into its 10th winter. It has a high neck to keep the weather out, and it’s made of fast-drying microfleece for a breathable yet cosy layer.

This layer is seriously cute and cosy for fall, with dropped shoulders for a relaxed fit that sits at hip-height. It’s a lightweight layer, weighing 8.6 ounces, so it won’t take up much space or weight in your pack, and it has a relaxed fit for throwing on mid-hike.

The half-zip design makes it easy to layer — you can pull the zip right down to make it more breathable as you start walking, or zip it fully to keep the cold out when you stop for a hot chocolate.…