The CHIOS fleece jacket from Nebulus made a very good overall impression in our test. The jacket is available for men and women. It has a zipper on the front, an elastic band on the underside and closable pockets on the front. It is available in six different color combinations for men and four different color combinations for women. There are also six different sizes for men and five for women. For our test, we received the jacket in anthracite-orange in size M for men and in purple-red and size S for women. A special feature of the jacket is that only the inside has a fleece surface, the outside is made of thread fabric. The jacket fits our testers very well. The material quality and workmanship were just as impressive as the jacket in the practical test. This shows that the jacket fits comfortably for a long time and can be easily adjusted to different temperatures. Unfortunately, the collar proves to be very tight.
Advantages
✅ High wearing comfort
✅ Good workmanship and quality
✅ Spacious pockets
✅ Elastic band on the underside
✅ Comfortable fleece inside
✅ Lightweight garment
Disadvantages
❌ Very tight collar
❌ Not washable above 30 °C
The first impression
Packaging and labeling
ℹ️ Here we take a closer look at packaging. Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important factor. In addition, adequate protection of the product must of course also be ensured.
| Criterion | Remark | Score achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Product protection | Sturdy shipping carton, additional protection against soiling with plastic bag | 100 points |
| Sustainability Packaging | No unnecessary packaging waste was used, items were packed very compactly | 100 points |
| Packaging convenience | Easy opening of the shipping carton with scissors or a knife | 90 points |
| Total | 97 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
In our case, the CHIOS fleece jacket from Nebulus was delivered together with other products in a sturdy shipping box . The shipping box was undamaged and could be easily opened with a knife or scissors. The shipping box was also optimally sized, as it was filled to the top. This protects the environment: not only is the amount of material required for the shipping box minimized, but the small space required by the package also ensures better utilization of the transport vehicles. Inside the box was the CHIOS fleece jacket in its product packaging.
The product packaging consists of a transparent plastic bag in which the CHIOS fleece jacket was packed. The film is tear-resistant and cannot be stretched. A Nebulus logo is printed on the front of the packaging. There is also a sticker with a barcode and the product name and size of the fleece jacket. There are warnings on the back that the bag poses a choking hazard. The information is available in four languages, including German and English.
The top of the bag has an opening which is sealed with an adhesive strip on the film. The adhesive strip is reusable. So if the jacket is returned, the bag can be resealed with the existing adhesive strip. There is another layer of thin paper between the individual layers of the folded jacket to prevent the jacket fabric from rubbing against each other during transportation. The tag on the zipper is also wrapped in thin packaging paper.
The shipping box and plastic bag protect the CHIOS fleece jacket very well from damage and soiling.
After unpacking
Package contents and instructions
ℹ️ Most people’s first impression after unpacking is immediately memorable. Are the contents of the package complete and does the manufacturer make it as easy as possible for me to use the product straight away?
| Criterion | Remark | Score achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Package contents & scope | Fleece jacket, requires no additional accessories. Supplied with cardboard disk with brand logo | 100 points |
| Instructions for use | Not available, but not required. Washing and material instructions on the label. | 100 points |
| Total | 100 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
As you would expect, the CHIOS fleece jacket does not require any additional accessories and is delivered without them. There is a cardboard disc the size of a beer mat on the label, which is printed on both sides in high gloss with the Nebulus logo, which can also be found on the product packaging.
There are no instructions for use, but they are not required. Washing instructions can be found on a label on the inside of the jacket, where this is illustrated with the familiar symbols. There is also information on the material composition of the CHIOS fleece jacket and the size and product name.
The first time in your hand
Product processing and appearance
ℹ️ Before we start the practical test, we take a close look at the product processing. How high quality are the materials used? Is the look and feel satisfactory?
| Criterion | Remark | Score achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Visual appearance | Depending on the color combination, simple to polarizing design with Nebulus crest and colored accents | 100 points |
| Processing and material | Good, almost flawless workmanship, pleasant fabric | 100 points |
| Stability | Stretchy and tear-resistant fabric combined with strong seams | 100 points |
| Sustainability of the product | Good quality indicates a long service life | 100 points |
| Total | 100 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
For our test, we received the CHIOS fleece jacket for women in purple-red and for men in anthracite-orange. In addition to these color combinations, Nebulus offers the jacket in a variety of other color combinations. The range extends from simple base colors with color contrasts to very colorful combinations, whereby the available combinations differ for men and women. While the gray base tone of our men’s version gives the jacket a timeless design, the purple and red women’s version looks very lively.
Regardless of the men’s or women’s version, the outside of the fleece jacket is knitted, although the fabric is not quite as coarse as that of a classic cardigan. The color of the thread used is not uniform, but varies within a certain range, and the fabric is mottled accordingly. For example, the thread in the men’s version ranges between white and black, with the color anthracite only appearing in the middle. The thread of the women’s version also varies between light and dark purple.
The fabric is further processed on the inside of the jacket, creating a thin layer of fleece fabric that offers optimum comfort. The fabric is even and feels good against the skin.
The front can be opened along its entire length with a zipper . The zipper is in the respective contrasting color, i.e. orange in the case of our men’s version and red in the case of our women’s version. There is also a small pendant in black on the handle of the zipper.
The fleece jacket has two pockets on the front, which are positioned at stomach height. These do not have a zipper. The opening of the jackets is inconspicuously integrated into the seam that runs along the side of the body and holds the front and back of the jacket together. As a result, the pockets are so discreetly integrated into the jacket that they are barely noticeable. The inside pocket simply has a second layer of fabric sewn onto the inside of the jacket. Instead, the belly pockets have their own front and back, which are only connected to the rest of the jacket via the zipper and another contact point at the end of the inside pocket.
As a further color contrast to the base color, the jacket has seams in the same color as the zipper. A layer of fleece fabric in the same color is also sewn onto the inside of the collar. The fleece layer here is significantly thicker than on the inside of the jacket, making it even softer. There is also a patch with the Norwegian flag in the shape of a maple leaf on the left chest, with Nebulus lettering underneath. The accents in contrasting color together with the patch on the chest create an interesting visual effect.
The jacket does not have a hood. Instead, an elastic band is sewn into the bottom of the jacket, which can be adjusted in circumference using a clamp. The adjustment mechanism is located on the inside and, like the elastic band, is not visible from the outside.
The fabric of the fleece jackets is rather thin, slightly stretchy and yet tear-resistant. According to the manufacturer, the jacket is made entirely of polyester. The seams are all even and clean. There are hardly any protruding threads and, if there are any, they are only very short. Apart from this, the jacket has no other manufacturing faults.
Overall, the two fleece jackets with contrasting seams, inside collar and zipper as well as the patch on the chest are a fashionable garment that is polarizing depending on the colour combination , but always appealing. The quality of the fabrics used and the seams, as well as the overall finish, are also impressive .
This is what our practical test showed
Does the manufacturer keep its advertising promises?
ℹ️ Our practical test is the most relevant and therefore the most important. Here, the product has to undergo a wide range of criteria and tests. We check the functions and product promises of the test article.
| Criterion | Remark | Score achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Fit size | Comfortable fit with a close-fitting cut, collar unfortunately very tight | 80 points |
| Wearing comfort | Comfortable fabric and fit, pleasant fleece surface | 100 points |
| Temperature flexibility | Keeps you pleasantly warm despite the single-layer fabric, zipper on the front, elastic band on the underside | 100 points |
| Additional functions | Separate inner pockets effectively keep the inside warm | 100 points |
| Washability | Withstands 30°C wash without damage, 60°C wash not possible | 90 points |
| Total | 94 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
The CHIOS fleece jacket is sold in different sizes. These range from S to 3XL for men and from S to XXL for women. In our test , we received the jacket for women in S and for men in M. The men’s version in M fits our slim tester, who is 170 cm tall, like a glove, but would probably still fit well even if he were a few centimetres taller. The fleece jacket fits snugly on the body, but doesn’t feel baggy. The length is also suitable and the jacket ends at the right height. The women’s model in S also fits our tester, who is just over 1.60 m tall, very well and the jacket fits snugly here too.
The only criticism of the fit is the collar. In the case of our women’s model, this is already very tight when the zipper is pulled up to the top. With our men’s model, however, this is hardly possible and the zipper can only be closed with difficulty in this area. Despite the soft surface on the inside, the collar then presses uncomfortably against the neck.
The jacket sits very comfortably even after long periods of wear. Although the jacket only consists of one layer of fabric, it still keeps you very warm. On the other hand, the fleece jacket impresses with its relatively low weight, which is a particular advantage during sporting activities. The zipper can also be easily operated with gloves thanks to the pendant.
The elastic band at the bottom of the jacket can be tightened to provide additional protection against the cold. The adjustment mechanism is released with a button on a clip, and the elastic can then be tightened or loosened as required. When the elastic band is tightened, the penetration of cold air from below is effectively prevented, even during dynamic movement.
The advantage of the independent belly pockets also becomes apparent in the cold: The pocket lies completely inside the jacket. This not only keeps your hands warm, it can also be used to store battery-powered devices such as cell phones.
The fleece jacket is significantly less warm when the zipper is opened. The open front allows plenty of fresh air to reach the upper body. This allows the jacket temperature to be adjusted flexibly.
In the last part of our practical test, we wash the fleece jackets according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In the case of the CHIOS fleece jacket, this means an easy-care wash cycle at 30 °C without drying and ironing at 110 °C, which corresponds to the usual specifications for comparable garments. Unfortunately, washing at 60 °C, as would be recommended after sporting activities or heavy soiling, for example, is not possible. After washing, the laundry smells of the detergent used, but otherwise there is no noticeable difference. The fleece jackets survive the washing procedure without damage or fading.
Overall, the CHIOS fleece jacket impressed us in our practical test. It is very comfortable, keeps you pleasantly warm and also withstands washing without any problems. Only the collar is a little tight, but only when the zipper is closed all the way up.
Price/performance ratio
and ratings from consumers
ℹ️ Finally, we look at how the product compares to the competition. Can it keep up with the competition in terms of price and quality? Would we generally recommend buying it? We also examine consumer ratings and check whether the critical and positive reviews are actually justified.
| Criterion | Remark | Score achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Price / performance ratio | Very good quality in the lower price segment | 90 points |
| Rating cut | 4.6 (women) and 4.4 (men) out of 5.0 on Amazon | 75 points |
| Total | 83 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
On the Amazon platform, consumers have given the product an average rating of 4.4 stars for the men’s version and 4.6 stars for the women’s version. Customers are often dissatisfied with the zipper. Many customers like the quality and the available color combinations. In our practical test, we were able to confirm that the quality was good. We did not have any problems with the zipper in our test.
Prices of up to € 199.90 are charged on the Internet for equivalent products, with most products costing up to € 100. Very inexpensive products are available from as little as €16.70. The Nebulus fleece jacket is currently in the lower price segment with a price of €33.33 on Amazon. The price is reasonable for the quality and range of services you get.
Overall result
| Weighting | Score achieved* | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. packaging & labeling | 10% | 97 points |
| 2. package contents & instructions | 10% | 100 points |
| 3. product processing & appearance | 20% | 100 points |
| 4. in the practical test | 40% | 94 points |
| 5. price/performance & consumer ratings | 20% | 83 points |
| Total | 95 points |
