Many new fabric blends and weaves have flooded the market promising to keep you warmer than ever. And, many of them actually work pretty well. Some, like Polartec Thermal Pro, are just variations on common winter fabrics like fleece. But, as we already, fleece is incredibly warm.
With Under Armour ColdGear for Men and Women, a special conductive layer is included to both absorb and retain body heat naturally. The North Face Thermoball Jacket and Traction Booties actually use pockets of recycled fabrics and insulating materials to create unique warming fabrics.
So, these fabrics aren't necessarily better or worse. They're just designed with winter temperatures in mind.