Flylow Brigitte Tech Flannel
Fabric: 100% Polyester
Reviewer: 5’9”, 145 lbs
Size Tested: Large
MSRP: $95
Best For: Casual wear or layering for activities
Kara Williard: The Brigitte Tech Flannel has long been a favorite of mine and remains a tried and true option that has stood the test of time. Seriously, I have done a lot of different activities in this flannel; whether dressing up for dinner, mountain bike guiding, or spring skiing, the Brigitte is the flannel for the job. A lot of the time, it often just resides in my car so I can throw it on for any given occasion. It’s a great midweight layer that can be used both casually and actively.
While the Brigitte isn’t exceptionally breathable, it can offer a surprisingly warm and technical addition to your layering system for colder days. The fabric is more in line with a technical material, but it isn’t limited as a strictly technical flannel. Overall, it’s quite simplistic and minimal, featuring only one chest pocket. The biggest upgrade to this flannel was a few years ago when Flylow went from buttons to burly snaps, which made it easier to take on and off. I typically wear Mediums on Flylow tops, but with the Brigitte, the material isn’t super flexible so I found it to feel more comfortable and less restrictive up top (particularly through the bust and shoulders) in a Large, especially when I had long sleeves on underneath. There are also two adjustable buttoned-cinches on the back to snug up the fit around the waist, if you prefer a more fitted look. After wearing the Brigitte on over 100 occasions, it has proven incredibly durable and still looks as good as the day I purchased it a few years ago. I often find myself choosing this as the one flannel I will bring along on trips because of its versatility (case in point: it’s about to travel with me down to New Zealand for a ski trip).
If you are looking for a pretty flexible flannel that has some application for outdoor activities but will also transfer to a lot of casual wear, this is definitely a great choice for any given occasion.
Outdoor Research Feedback
Fabric: 100% Polyester
Reviewer: 6’0”, 165 lbs
Size Tested: Medium
MSRP: $95
Best For: Soft & comfy casual wear
David Golay: The Outdoor Research Feedback is a midweight flannel that stands out for its especially soft fabric, and it’s a nice, versatile piece for casual wear in moderate to cool temperatures. The Feedback breathes fairly well and does a nice job of regulating temperature, but it still feels most at home as a casual piece — and it looks nice doing it.
The fit on the Feedback is definitely on the relaxed side, so it’s not the best option (on me, anyway) for layering underneath trimmer-fitting technical pieces. I’ve been wearing the Feedback in my typical size Medium, and due to its sleeve and torso lengths (which I’d call true to size) I’m not really interested in sizing down — the body is just somewhat roomy.
The fabric of the Feedback is also notably heavy for how warm it is — an ultralight piece it is not. Given its intentions as a more casual item, I think that’s entirely reasonable and likely pays dividends when it comes to durability, but for folks looking for something with a high warmth-to-weight ratio, there are definitely better options. I did eventually wear a hole in the elbow of my first Feedback and had to re-sew a couple of the buttons along the way, but it took years and hundreds of days of use to get there, so I definitely feel like I got my money’s worth out of it. The combination of a versatile degree of warmth; excellent comfort and softness; solid durability; and good looks is a nice combination, especially for folks who prefer a slightly roomier, more relaxed fit.
Club Ride Sawtooth
Fabric: 97% Polyester / 3% Spandex
Reviewer: 6’0”, 165 lbs
Size Tested: Medium
MSRP: $90
Best For: Stealthily being a technical piece
David: Club Ride is well known for making fancier-looking clothes that are secretly more technical bike-oriented pieces, and the Sawtooth flannel is a great example of that. It’s a great looking, trim fitting flannel that incorporates a bunch of features to make it a more comfortable and higher-performing shirt on the bike, and the combination is a very cool one.
The Sawtooth is a comparatively lightweight flannel, and one that I’m happy wearing casually in temperatures from the low 50s to low 70s Fahrenheit; any cooler than that, especially if I’m not being very active, and I’ll want to layer something over it. The relatively trim fit of the Sawtooth makes that easy, and it breathes quite well with help from some stealthy mesh underarm panels (which aren’t very visually noticeable when the shirt is being worn). A sunglasses wipe panel on the inside of the front hem and a small zippered lumbar pocket round out the other more bike-oriented features.
All that makes the Sawtooth really versatile — I’ve been wearing it casually on mellower bike rides in cooler weather and days that combine the two, such as running errands on the bike or riding to meet up with friends. It’s comfortable in any situation, breathes well, and looks impressively good for something that’s as functional as it is.
I’ve also come to really like the Sawtooth as a travel shirt — it’s fairly light and packable, and looks good enough that I can get away with wearing it to some nicer restaurants. It’s also breathable, doesn’t wrinkle easily, and has done a great job of drying quickly and not getting too funky, even when worn way too many days between washes.
Patagonia Fjord Midweight Flannel
Fabric: 100% organic cotton twill (5.9 oz)
Reviewer: 5’8”, 155 lbs
Size Tested: Medium
MSRP: $99
Best For: relaxed, reliable comfort
Luke Koppa: I’ve been wearing two Fjord Flannels for more than eight years now, and they’re still some of my favorites. I have older versions, which used a 6.5-oz organic cotton fabric, which is fairly heavy but still very supple and soft. The latest “midweight” version uses a slightly lighter 5.9-oz fabric, but having felt some of the new shirts, it’s still a fairly substantial weave (there’s also a 4.8-oz “lightweight” version).
The fit is on the roomier end compared to the options here from Topo Designs and Everlane, but I wouldn’t call it baggy; it’s loose enough to layer over a light hoody, but not so loose that it looks excessively droopy when worn on its own. For an everyday flannel that I’m also often using for camping, outdoor chores, etc. — not one that I’m trying to use as a sorry excuse for a “nice” shirt for a night out — the Fjord Flannel’s fit is just about perfect for me. Note: my Fjord Flannels definitely shrunk a bit after the first few washer / dryer cycles, so while I thought they were a bit too boxy at first, they now fit great.
The Fjord Flannel starts out incredibly soft, and only gets slightly less soft over time. The only thing I’ve managed to damage on my Fjord Flannels is the shoulder area on one, but that was totally my fault — an ember from a campfire burned through it and the jacket I had underneath, but that was fixed by a quick patch-job that’s held strong ever since.
Overall, I have nothing to complain about with regard to the Fjord Flannel. It’s comfy, it has a versatile fit, it’s proved to be very durable, and it’s made from 100% organic cotton.
Flylow Handlebar Tech Flannel
Fabric: 100% Polyester
Reviewer: 5’11”, 165 lbs
Size Tested: Medium
MSRP: $95
Best For: Casual and light work wear in the fall, spring, and cooler summer evenings; light ski midlayer
Drew Kelly: As a mountain town bum, I’m a sucker for any piece of clothing that can do at least double-duty, and for me, Flylow’s Handlebar Tech Flannel has been capable of more than that. With its pattern; pearl-snap-reminiscent buttons; athletic-esque cut in the shoulders and chest; and casual fit in the midsection, hem, and sleeves, I’ve found the Handlebar Tech Flannel to serve fashionably and functionally both at work and also under a shell layer on a warm day at the ski resort.
And while its application definitely comes down to personal taste, I think the fit, materials, and weight of the Handlebar Tech Flannel also point to these uses. At 5’11″ and 165 lbs, I’ve found the fit and moderate stretch of this shirt to allow me a full range of motion, and the uninsulated polyester has a smooth and subtly airy feel on my skin compared to many other flannels. While Flylow’s exciting marketing copy says this shirt has “superpowers,” I would say, at the very least, that it does feel at home in a pretty wide variety of situation for just a simple flannel shirt.
I’m mostly reaching for the Handlebar Tech Flannel on days in the high 30s to mid 60s Fahrenheit when I’m wanting something comfortable but a little more formal than my usual athleisure look. And though it feels much less stuffy, scratchy, and restrictive than many other flannels sometimes can, I wouldn’t go as far to choose this shirt as a layer for truly active pursuits, but I do think it could be moderately comfortable on less sweaty endeavors.
Everlane Brushed Flannel Shirt
Fabric: 100% cotton twill (5.8 oz)
Reviewer: 5’8”, 155 lbs
Size Tested: Medium
MSRP: $90
Best For: modern style
Luke: Everlane’s flannel is the best-looking, best-fitting (for me) one I’ve used. Its fit strikes a pretty much perfect balance for my body shape in terms of being slim and flattering, without feeling excessively restricting. Its 5.8-oz fabric is also one of the softer flannel fabrics I’ve used, and has stayed impressively soft over a few years of wear and washing.
Because of how much I like its looks and don’t want to ruin them, I rarely use Everlane’s Brushed Flannel for anything but casual use, going out in town for the night, etc. I was a little bummed to see that its price had jumped more than $20 since I got it a few years ago, but it was a really good deal back then, given how well made it is. If you’re looking for a dressier flannel with a slim-ish fit that’s still incredibly comfortable, this is one of my favorites.
Topo Designs Mountain Shirt Plaid
Fabric: 100% organic cotton twill
Reviewer: 5’8”, 155 lbs
Size Tested: Medium
MSRP: $89
Best For: modern style
Luke: Topo Designs has made lots of flannel shirts over the years, and I still wear several of them on a regular basis. The Mountain Shirt has been a longstanding option in their lineup, with a midweight organic cotton fabric and a pretty slim fit, slightly shorter-than-average. The fabric is quite soft to the touch, though a bit stiffer than the Everlane and Patagonia flannels here, giving it a more substantial feel. The downside is that, combined with its slim fit, that can make the Mountain Shirt feel a bit restricting; it starts fairly slim and shrinks a bit after washing, so this is one that I wouldn’t be afraid to size up on if you’re between sizes or just want a bit more room.
The upside to the Mountain Shirt’s slimmer fit is that it offers a more modern look, while still being available in some nice plaids reminiscent of classic, baggier shirts. If you’re looking for something notably heavier and more substantial for colder days, outdoor work, etc., be sure to check out the Heavyweight version of the Mountain Shirt, which uses a 10.5-oz organic cotton fabric and also fits slightly roomier.
Flylow Penny Insulated Flannel
Fabric: 100% polyester flannel
Insulation: 40 grams of Spaceloft synthetic down insulation
Reviewer: 5’8”, 130 lbs
Size Tested: Medium
MSRP: $140
Best For: warm, non-technical looking outer layer
Kristin Sinnott: I’ve been looking for an insulated flannel for years, and while I’ve come across a number of them, most are sized for men, and the ones I did find that are unisex or women-specific are strictly for casual wear. The Penny Insulated Flannel has a women’s specific fit and is made from technical materials.
At first glance, the Penny Insulated Flannel looks like an ordinary flannel. The checkered pattern and fairly soft, brushed look and feel of the fabric make it rustic and appear well-loved, and the light layer of insulation doesn’t add any bulk.
I’m typically a size Medium in Flylow tops and, generally speaking, the Mediums are still extremely roomy on me. This is not the case with the Penny Insulated Flannel. It is more fitted than other Flylow apparel I’ve worn, to the point where the shoulders can feel even a little restricting if I add too many layers. However, I’ve found that I prefer to wear the flannel with only a tee or a lightweight long sleeve underneath because the synthetic down insulation provides enough warmth.
I took the Penny Insulated Flannel on a 3-week long road trip this spring and wore it on hikes, out to dinner, and around the campfire. It was a great multipurpose layer for the cool days and nights. I also spent a number of days skiing in it this past spring. The snap front maintains the flannel’s nice looks, but it does create an occasional draft when skiing, though on the days I wore it the slight breeze was welcome. If you’re searching for a jacket that looks casual but can be worn for a variety of adventures, the Penny Insulated Flannel is worth a look.
Believe they stopped making it, but love the Dakine Underwood, you can snag one of the remaining ones available at a steep discount
Dixxon Flannel is bar none the cream of the crop, amazing collaborations with various companies but until you own one you truly have and will not find a better flannel. Material is second to none, never shrink and impeccable styling & colours.
I have two Dixxon flannel shirts. Definitely NOT the cream of the crop! They are ok but are not cotton, it’s a plastic shirt that doesn’t really breath, give, or wick moisture. They just have nice looking flannel-esque colorways. Additionally the sleeves are cut small enough that if you have a somewhat athletic build they are so tight you can’t roll them up, the gauntlet is cut too short. They don’t shrink though and you can dry them in a machine.
The shirt they show from Outdoor Research, the Feedback Flannel is last years colorway, it’s been sold out almost everywhere for nine months.
My picks this year for a heavy weight real flannel shirt are Filson’s Vintage Flannel ($$$), and Redhead’s Brawny Flannel ($). Yes they will shrink but 100% real cotton flannel does that, just buy a size up or hang dry them.
For a Mid-weight flannel, Carhartt’s Ruged Flex ($) is super comfortable, extra tough, and with 3% spandex it will move around with you. Their colors aren’t the greatest this year though.
Dixxon has cotton as well, street wear(formerly skate wear) has always been superior in quality to many outdoor brsnds as it has to hold up AND look good. Brixton, vans, fox and dixxon are all easy choices for years of abuse. I like a tailored fit as opposed to baggy, but camping and changing weather requires room for layer changes etc so…..love both styles
Dixxon Is far the best with unique features no one compares and I mean no one I have over 70 Dixxon would buy anything else
Dixxon, for when you want to spend $60 on a shirt that’s worth $25. It truly is a low quality product. I respect their colorways and collaborations, but they are far from the best on any aspect aside from these. Good flannel should be cotton. It should fade to tell your story, not look the same in 5 years. I expect the company will eventually fall out of popularity, at which point you’ll find it at Target or Walmart for a more appropriate price.