Best Mid Layers for Skiing and Snowboarding in 2020

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REI | Patagonia

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Outdoor Research Vashon Fleece

The Vashon Fleece from Outdoor Research gives all the hard wearing durability of polyester fleece with the added bonus of the odour resistant warmth of wool. The result of this balanced mix of fabrics is a highly breathable, extremely cosy jacket with good moisture management. The relatively slim fit means that this super warm mid layer can be worn underneath an outer shell on the extra cold days on the slopes. But it is also suitable as a stand-alone jacket for everyday wear in the shoulder seasons. It’s versatile, it looks great on, and most importantly it will make time on ski-lifts (and everything in between) much more enjoyable.

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Outdoor Research | Backcountry

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Mountain Hardwear Monkey Woman Grid Hooded Jacket

The Monkey Woman/Man Grid jacket provides superb insulation and warmth for those pushing their limits in the snow. It performs in a very similar way to the Rab Alpha Freak, providing moisture wicking warmth where needed. And like the Rab, the thinner panels are designed with alpine adventures in mind: harness compatible and providing free movement. Mountain Hardwear use Polartec High Loft as the main insulating fabric, which is made from 59% recycled polyester. And although you’ll have to fork out a few more pennies than for the Rab, you’ll get to enjoy a full length zip, three extra zippered pockets, and peace of mind that you’ll be wearing recycled fabric!

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Amazon | Backcountry

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The best insulated mid layers for skiing and snowboarding

Berghaus Nula Hybrid Jacket

The new Berghaus Nula Hybrid Jacket provides exceptional warmth around the core of your body thanks to the Hydroloft Polyball insulation panels on the front and back of the jacket. The synthetic insulation feels incredibly lightweight on and also contains water resistant fibers to provide greater levels of weatherproofing. The rest of the jacket (hood, shoulders, arms and underarms) are constructed of a thin and lightweight knitted fleece that is soft to the skin and super breathable in all the right places. It also features a high collar and streamlined hood that works well underneath a helmet. The Nula really comes into its own, however, during high intensity activities in cold weather, like ski touring and splitboarding, when the body temperature fluctuates often. Plus, if it gets too warm to wear if packs down well into a pack and weights only 370g (13oz).

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Berghaus | Cotswold Outdoor | Amazon

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Rab Alpha Flux Jacket

The Rab Alpha Flux Jacket is another superb offering from Rab, who have once again teamed up with Polartec. This highly versatile mid layer is ideal for skiing and snowboarding in a variety of condition and a top choice for splitboarding and ski touring when movement, breathability and wind protection are key. The exposed Polartec Alpha fleece on the inside of the jacket feels fabulously soft against the skin and does an excellent job at wicking away moisture from the body. The non-insulated underarm stretch panels are treated with odour resistant Polygiene, and ensure that this slim fitting jacket provides plenty of freedom when moving. Plus, the lightweight nylon shell does an excellent job at beading water away in light snowfall or drizzle when wearing as a standalone layer in milder mountain conditions, or when touring. The jacket fits very nicely under an outer shell on colder mountain days, but is also a highly effective jacket for many active adventures at all times of the year (I run in it during the coldest days of the year).

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Amazon | Backcountry | Cotswold Outdoor

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Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hybrid Jacket

The Nano-Air Light Hybrid Jacket is an inexplicably lightweight Patagonia mid layer that is made for skiers and snowboarders who value versatility, high performance, and the feeling of wearing nothing for warmth! The front panel and arms are filled with 40g Full Range synthetic insulation which is protected by a ripstop nylon shell that is also DWR coated. The back, sides and underarms, however, adopt a different fabric style altogether: Polygiene treated polyester waffle knit that is highly moisture wicking and controls odour. This hybrid design makes the Nano-Air an ideal mid layer underneath an outer shell on cold mountain days, as well as a standalone jacket for ski touring, spring skiing and year-round adventures in cool conditions.

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Patagonia

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Black Diamond First Light Hoody

For those that struggle with the idea of wearing down insulation in potentially wet conditions, the Black Diamond First Light Hoody is an excellent alternative. This mid weight mid layer features PrimaLoft Silver Insulation Active, which lets the jacket breathe during even the toughest days on the slopes. It boasts a stretch-woven nylon outer that is lightweight and durable, and NanoSphere durable water repellent (DWR) coating, making it ideal as a standalone layer for ski touring or charging hard in the backcountry. Other features include zippered hand pockets, an internal chest pocket that the jacket stows into, an insulated hood and elasticated cuffs.

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Amazon | REI | Backcountry

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What is a mid layer?

A mid layer, believe it or not, is the layer that you wear over the top of a base layer, and underneath an outer layer. Simples! It is usually slim fitting, comfortable, moisture wicking and breathable. But first and foremost the best mid layers for skiing and snowboarding are designed to provide warmth and insulation.

While an outer layer will help keep out the rain, snow and wind, and a base layer will wick moisture away from your body, a mid layer provides warmth.

The properties of mid layers for skiing a snowboarding

• Insulation and warmth

  This is the most important property of mid layers for skiing and snowboarding. Insulation is provided by varying fabrics that cleverly trap air within their fibers. The tiny pockets of air trapped between the fibers create a cosy layer of insulation.

• Fit

  Most mid layers are usually slim fitting so as not to create too much bulk beneath an outer layer. That’s not to say that they are restricting in any way. Quite the opposite. They provide high levels of movement by using flexible or stretchy fabrics that move with the body.

• Breathability and moisture wicking

  Another important property of mid layers is the ability for moisture build up to be moved away from the body and clothing. Good base layers, that sit directly on the skin, will wick away the moisture from the body. This moisture then needs to be transferred out of the layering system altogether. Mid layers made with breathable fabrics enable this to happen. Synthetic fabrics are especially good at this, and the whole process speeds up the drying process, preventing fabrics from becoming saturated and uncomfortable.

• Packability

  Although not a deal breaker, a mid layer that is lightweight and packable is a definite plus. On days when you’re not sure how the conditions will turn out you don’t want to be lugging around a bulky and heavy mid layer in your pack, should you need to shed a layer. This is especially important when ski touring. Down mid layers are the most compressible and packable of all the options.

• Weather resistance

  On warmer, drier days in the mountains, it can be a big bonus if your mid layer can also provide enough protection to be worn as an outer layer. Many mid layers have outer shells that are made from durable fabrics and are treated with a DWR (durable water resistant) coating. This makes them wind and water resistant and adds more versatility to layering systems.

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What are the different types of mid layers for skiing?

Fleece mid layer

Features: Moisture wicking, breathable, warm, quick drying, durable, inexpensive, holds onto odour, can be bulky.

• • Probably the most common type of mid layer for skiing and snowboarding is a synthetic fleece. Usually made from polyester, fleece mid layers are a durable and relatively inexpensive option. They are available in different weights/thicknesses for a variety of conditions. There are also technical versions of synthetic fleece, like Polartec Alpha, that perform better than regular fleece fabrics.

Down insulation

Features: Very warm, highly compressible, lightweight, durable if cared for well, expensive, lose insulation when wet.

• • Down insulated mid layers are hands down the warmest type of mid layer on offer. They are also the most expensive and don’t provide warmth when wet. Ideal for those super chilly bluebird days. The level of warmth is measured by the weight of the down (how much down is in the jacket), and the fill power (how lofty/dense the down is). For more information on this, read our down vs synthetic article.

Synthetic insulation

Features: Warm, breathable, quick drying, stays warm when wet, highly durable, lightweight.

• Mid layers with synthetic insulation offer more warmth than fleeces, but can never compete with the warmth offered by down jackets, relative to their weight. They also sit between the two when it comes to price. However, they do offer excellent insulation when wet, and impressive warmth, breathability and protection against the elements. Filled with fibers that mimic the properties of down, technical synthetic insulation like Primaloft also offer superb durability and are an excellent option in wet/moist conditions.

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Whether you charge hard in the backcountry or enjoy cruising the groomed runs, there’s certainly something that is perfect for you on our list of the best mid layers for skiing and snowboarding.