NOTE: This fleece runs snug by American standards, particularly through the torso. Tall buyers and anyone planning to layer over a thick base should size up. The stand-up collar can feel snug when fully zipped, though in practice this is rarely an issue since most wear it at mid-zip. Please consult our Sizing & Condition Guide at the bottom of this listing. This item is in unissued condition.
The French Army & the CCE Pattern
The Armée de Terre issued this quarter-zip fleece as part of its CCE cold-weather uniform kit, a system that became standard across all French military branches beginning in the mid-1990s. CCE stands for Camouflage Centre-Europe. Introduced in 1991 to replace the older TAP 47 paratrooper pattern and plain khaki F2 uniforms, it is a four-color scheme of black, medium green, brown, and tan, designed specifically for the denser mixed-forest terrain of central and western Europe. While it draws on the American M81 Woodland for its color palette, the stripe pattern is thicker and heavier, producing a general camouflaging effect rather than imitating the shapes of individual leaves or vines. CCE served as the standard field uniform of the French armed forces for three decades and is only now being phased out in favor of a new Multicam-based pattern.
Construction
The fabric is 100% polyester fleece at 260 GSM and 9.8 ounces total weight. At that density, 260 GSM sits in the practical sweet spot for a fleece midlayer: warm enough to insulate without overheating, light enough to compress and store, and engineered to trap thousands of tiny air pockets while letting body moisture escape outward rather than accumulating against the skin.
Polyester at this weight retains its insulating properties when wet and dries faster than cotton, which matters on trail once sweat and weather become a factor. The quarter-zip opening lets you vent heat on a climb without pulling the layer off. The stand-up collar closes the neck gap that most midlayers leave exposed. Cuffed wrists seal out wind at the wrist, which is where cold air typically enters a layering system first.
In the Field
At just under 10 ounces, this fleece earns a regular place in packs. Hunters use it as a quiet, packable layer that adds warmth during slow sits without the bulk of a jacket. Hikers reach for it on cool morning starts and stash it when the trail heats up.
At camp, it goes on the moment you stop moving. It is a low-pile fleece that keeps you warm without becoming a heavy moisture magnet, which makes it well-suited for layering under a rain shell without creating zipper bulk at the chest. Comparable midlayers from Patagonia or Arc'teryx in the same weight class run $80 to $150. This one is $19.99, unissued, and built to military specification.
Sizing & Fit
French military sizing is based on chest circumference in centimeters, not US standard sizing. The label reading "112" refers to a 112 cm chest, which translates to a US large or extra large depending on your build. Tall buyers and anyone planning to layer underneath should size up. Consult our Sizing & Condition Guide at the bottom of this page before ordering.
The Short & Sweet
- Unissued Armée de Terre cold-weather issue
- 100% polyester fleece, 260 GSM, 9.8 oz
- CCE (Camouflage Centre-Europe) woodland pattern, standard French military issue 1994 to present
- Quarter-zip with stand-up collar and cuffed wrists
- Insulates when wet; dries faster than cotton
- Mid-weight: suited for cool to cold conditions as a midlayer or standalone
- Runs snug by American sizing; size up for tall frames or heavier base layers
