I sell A LOT of fleece my work, that said I personally prefer wearing soft-shells or, insulated pieces for outside wear.

The basic fleece types without a laminate underneath has zero wind protection thus the two styles I do have are relegated to home-sweater duty. But, it you're needing a warm sweater to wear underneath your outer jacket and a light-puffy insulated jacket is a bit too speedy for the budget, fleece has its place. Lots variety and types to choose from, the 1/2-zip sweater fleece style is hugely popular for dad and grand dad's this time of year

Nah, I'm a big fan of fleece. Have lots of them, mostly pull-over 1/4 zips. Mainly Orvis, LL Bean, and Duluth, did buy a Carhart one last year that I like too.)

Also have some fleece throws, my favorite one is a Glock fleece (its also Bullitt's favorite too - he loves getting under it while we sit on the sofa and watch stuff on TV)

Wool is awful makes me itch. Rather be cold. I am ok with fleece

I despised the wooly pulley's they issued us in the Marines.

Fleece doesn't bother me but microfiber is best used for drying and polishing cars.