Regatta Thor III Fleece embroidered — the workwear mid-layer for trades and outdoor

Regatta Thor III TRF532 profile

The Thor III is part of the Regatta Professional workwear line and has been used in European trade businesses as a standard mid-layer since 2010. Material: 100 % polyester microfleece at 280 gsm density, anti-pill treatment, half-zip collar (15 cm), two side zip pockets and elastic cuffs at hem and sleeves. Sizes XS–4XL for men, women's cut TRA532 in 8–18 (XS–XXL). 14 colours — from black, navy and anthracite to hi-vis orange and yellow for safety-class requirements.

Anti-pill here is not a marketing word: the fibre undergoes a special treatment that prevents the typical fleece pilling on the outside after multiple washes. That is the main reason a Thor III still looks decent after three years of crew use — where cheaper fleece pullovers resemble tennis balls after one season. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, so approved for skin contact.

Material and construction — what microfleece does in the workshop

Microfleece is not equal to microfleece. The Thor III uses a double-knit microfleece with two support threads per row, which is significantly more dimensionally stable than the cheap single-knit fleece of other brands. Practically: the pullover keeps its shape even after 20 washes, the zip pockets do not stretch out and the collar does not flop like on cheaper models.

Anti-pill treatment and wash resistance

Anti-pill means the fibre ends of the microfleece surface are thermally sealed. That prevents mini-knots forming where the fabric is rubbed (e.g. against shoulder straps or rucksack braces). Practical test in our facility: after 50 washes at 40 °C the surface is practically unchanged. At 60 °C wash (often needed for heavily soiled workwear) 30-plus washes without visible pilling are realistic.

Fabric density and warmth performance

280 gsm microfleece is the right density for a mid-layer: warm enough for spring and autumn outdoor work, thin enough not to bind under a softshell or hardshell outer jacket. In severe winter (below zero) you need a heavier layer — look at the Regatta Outback II Bodywarmer or the Ardmore rain jacket. In summer outdoor work the Thor III alone over a t-shirt is often already too warm; in that case a thinner 200 gsm microfleece is the better pick.

Women's cut TRA532

The women's variant TRA532 is not just "the same in smaller sizes". The cut is slightly narrower at the waist, the sleeves are shorter and the collar sits flatter — which in women's crew use in the logistics warehouse or service team makes the difference between "fits" and "does not fit". Sizes 8–18 (XS–XXL), available in eleven colours.

Embroidery on microfleece — what works, what doesn't

Embroidery is the only sensible finishing method on microfleece. Print (DTG, DTF, screen print) works poorly on fleece because the high-pile fibre surface breaks up the print image and makes colours look dull. Embroidery, by contrast, sits cleanly on the dense microfleece knit and survives every wash.

Logo position and embroidery size

Standard position for a company logo is the left chest, max 8 × 8 cm — that covers 90 % of all workwear orders. If the logo needs to be larger (e.g. a club crest on the back), we go up to 25 × 25 cm on the back. The 280 gsm fabric density carries embroidery up to 12,000 stitches stably — enough for very detailed logos with multi-colour gradients or crest structures.

Setup cost and embroidery thread

Setup per logo roughly €25 one-off (digitisation of the logo into an embroidery file). Embroidery thread is standard polyester multifilament, 1,000 stitches per square centimetre, up to 16 thread colours per logo. Pantone matching for brand colours via our Pantone-to-thread conversion table (Madeira Classic Rayon and Polyneon thread range).

Embroidery position for hi-vis variants

For hi-vis orange and yellow variants the logo position must not cover the reflective strips — so the chest position sits left below the shoulder seam, the back position above the lumbar strip. We check this in the mockup before releasing embroidery.

Volume tiers and pricing

The volume staircase on the Thor III runs in five bands — 10, 25, 50, 100 and 250-plus pieces. The strongest discount breaks sit at 25 pieces (–15 %) and 100 pieces (–28 %). Prices are gross net including single-side embroidery (left chest, 8 × 8 cm), excluding VAT and shipping.

A second embroidery position (e.g. back plus chest) adds €4.50 to €8.90 per position with volume tiers. For hi-vis variants a surcharge of €1.50 per piece applies because the colour batch must be ordered separately.

Use cases — who embroiders Thor III at ShirtStore?

The Thor III dominates four use clusters in DACH: trades mid-layer (construction, electrical, plumbing), logistics indoor layer, outdoor clubs (ski club, walking club, forestry service) and forestry / gardening service crews. In all four worlds, stability after 30 washes and clean embroidery counts more than fashion appearance.

Trades — construction, electrical, plumbing

For classic trades crew wear the Thor III is the most-ordered fleece shell with us. Typical order: 10 to 30 pieces in black or anthracite (universal colours that hide dirt) plus a hi-vis orange variant for the outdoor crew. Embroidery: company logo on the left chest plus optional "first.last" embroidery on the right chest for the older name-tag style.

Logistics and indoor warehouse service

In indoor logistics service (pickup crew, dispatch crew, inventory crew) microfleece mid-layer is the standard setup between t-shirt and safety vest. Quantities 30 to 80 pieces, mostly anthracite or navy, sometimes with two embroidery positions (logo plus department letter). Detail documentation on warehouse workwear standards in our logistics customer hub.

Outdoor clubs — walking club, ski club

Walking-club and ski-club mid-layer in club colours with embroidered crests is the second large category. Quantities 20 to 60 pieces, often in navy plus hi-vis yellow for safety visibility on the piste. The club service setup covers crest digitisation, volume tiers and shipping logistics in one package.

Forestry and gardening service

Forestry crews and gardening service teams need a mid-layer that does not catch on bark and that still works after a 60 °C wash. Thor III delivers both — anti-pill plus 280 gsm stability. Embroidery usually with company logo plus a safety-warning patch ("chainsaw caution" or similar) on the back.

Frequently asked questions on Regatta Thor III embroidery

What is the difference between Thor III and Thor II?

Thor III is the 2018 revision of the Thor II. Key differences: anti-pill process revised, collar 2 cm higher (better wind protection at the neck), side pockets now with zip rather than open opening. Size cut identical — so on a follow-up order it combines seamlessly with an existing Thor II stock.

Which colours are immediately available?

14 colours in the top sizes (M–XXL) on direct access: black, navy, anthracite, bottle green, slate blue, burgundy, royal blue, hi-vis orange, hi-vis yellow, asphalt grey, smoke grey, magenta, forest green, walnut brown. Special colours within 48 hours from the Regatta central warehouse in Manchester.

Can I use Thor III as Class 1 or Class 2 safety clothing?

Only the hi-vis orange and hi-vis yellow variants are certified to EN ISO 20471 (Class 1 for the standard variant). For Class 2 or Class 3 safety requirements (motorway construction, rail work) you need an additional safety vest or a different model — look at the Regatta TRA600 Hi-Vis Pro Body Warmer or ask us about Result Safe-Guard.

What embroidery size and stitch count works on 280 gsm?

Standard is 8 × 8 cm left chest at 5,000–8,000 stitches — the sweet spot for a detailed company logo. Up to 12 × 12 cm and 12,000 stitches with standard pricing. Larger embroidery (e.g. back crest) up to 25 × 25 cm and 18,000 stitches is possible but moves to a different pricing class (plus 30–50 % surcharge per position).

How long does the embroidery on Thor III last?

Embroidery with polyester multifilament thread on microfleece lasts practically indefinitely — it outlasts the garment itself. After 100 washes at 40 °C there is no bleeding or loss of thread colours. At 60 °C Madeira Classic Rayon thread is recommended over Polyneon because the thermal behaviour is better.

What does embroidery cost for 10 employee pullovers?

10 pieces including single-side embroidery (left chest, 8 × 8 cm, 5,000–8,000 stitches): €22.90 net per piece. Plus a one-off €25 setup fee (logo digitisation). Total therefore €254 net plus shipping for the ten pullovers. For two embroidery positions add €4.50 per position.

Can I have hi-vis orange embroidered with a company logo?

Yes, without restrictions. The logo position must not cover the reflective strips — chest position below the shoulder seam, back position above the lumbar strip. We check this in the mockup before releasing embroidery. EN ISO 20471 Class 1 remains intact.

Is it worth ordering reserve sizes for new employees?

Yes — many of our trades and logistics customers order 10–15 % reserve over the crew headcount as a stockpile for new hires. Logo files are stored for 24 months, volume-tier conditions are preserved. Reorder runs as one click in the account dashboard without new logo setup.

Related topics

• Regatta brand hub — all outdoor workwear models
• Result workwear — sister brand
• Russell workwear polos
• Trades crew wear (construction, electrical, plumbing)
• Logistics and warehouse workwear
• Workwear overview
• Embroidery for workwear logos
• Flex print as alternative on hardshell
• Club service for outdoor crews
• Request trades bulk quote
• Configure Regatta Thor III now