The Best Midlayers of 2024-2025

A good facsimile to the R1 Thermal — for a good bit less — the REI Co-op Flash Hyperstretch Fleece Jacket ($99) checks most of the boxes we’re looking for in a midlayer. Warm enough, breathable when you need it, and stretchy to move with you. For less than a Benjamin, the Flash Hyperstretch does it all on the cheap.

Unlike the R1, the Flash Hyperstretch tacks on a few hand-warming pockets, which makes this piece better suited as an outer facing layer. The longer torso length also aids in this effort, as well as the drawcord cinch at the hem, meaning you won’t have to rely on another jacket to keep errant breezes at bay.

The built-in stretch is also a notch above other fleeces we’ve tested, and that 11% spandex in the weave is put to good work when reaching high overhead. Unfortunately the budget cuts are apparent when you do this, as there are no thumbholes in the Hyperstretch. A small price to pay, we’d argue, as the fleece leans a bit more casual, and the absence makes sense here.

The hood, we found, is a bit too accommodating — almost like a sweatshirt hood, and won’t be quite as sportif as pieces like the FUTUREFLEECE from The North Face or Outdoor Research Deviator. Still, it’s forgiven for the ‘all-around’ bent on the Flash Hyperstretch. We enjoy wearing this jacket everywhere from bumping around town to winter runs, and for the money, that’s impressive versatility.

The FUTUREFLEECE fits more snugly than many fleeces, which helps to retain your hard-earned warmth between the uniquely bundled piles of yarn. The spaces between these bundles are quite thin, and allow for more air transfer when you really need to vent heat. While huffing up skin tracks in Colorado this spring, we found this hoodie to be the perfect weight.

Side-by-side, we found that the Octa fleece felt sturdier than Alpha Direct pieces, with an ultrathin outer face that helped keep the FUTUREFLEECE from being snagged on branches. All loose-knit fleeces are going to feel a bit fragile, but with the fleece yarns facing the interior of the jacket, there’s a good bit less to get caught on.

This fleece’s features are otherwise light, with a single chest pocket taking up slim real estate and thumb loops on the sleeves. The Summit Series from The North Face is all about high-alpine efficiency, so no love is lost here from us. Still, if a few dialed chest pockets are on your wish list, the Patagonia R1 Thermal is ready for action.

If you’re after a more summer-weight active fleece, consider the Senchi Alpha 90 Hoodie or Mountain Hardwear AirMesh Hoodie — both lighter weaves that work great at a hiking pace. For a wider range of conditions, however, the FUTUREFLEECE is our pick.

We’ve worn our Proton for more than five years now of constant use, and while it’s packed out some, it’s still going strong. The only other wear we’ve noticed has been the chest pocket zipper giving up the ghost and the logo wearing away. The price is undeniable here, but it pays out dividends in durability.

The 80 gsm PrimaLoft Gold used throughout the Proton makes it a notch warmer than the standard Atom (which uses 60 gsm), and compared to quilted synthetic jackets like the Patagonia Nano Puff, we tend to prefer sheet-style synthetic pieces like the Proton, as they retain more warmth without the losses associated with stitch lines.

Unlike the Atom (which uses underarm fleece panels to dump moisture), the Proton uses a more breathable Fortius Air 20 face fabric material to remain breathable. We found that in truly cold winds, the fleece panels on the Atom would let too much breeze through, while the Proton lets in just enough.

Ideal as a static warmth piece for shoulder season endeavors — or even an active piece for cold alpine climbing — the Proton has a dedicated spot in our closets.

A good vest can provide the surge of warmth you need on your core, while leaving your arms exposed to radiate off any extra heat you might build up. Because of this, we find pieces like the ThermoBall perfect for working hard in cold conditions, such as during Nordic skiing. Vests can also be a good way to add just a bit more warmth to a layering system without the added weight and bulk of a full extra jacket.

The ThermoBall Eco Vest, as the name implies, is made with 100% recycled fabrics and insulation. The big story here, however, is the ThermoBall tech, which is a synthetic look-alike to goose down that provides equivalent warmth to 600-fill power down. We’re big proponents of going for synthetic fills when it comes to high-output activities, and ThermoBall is one of the more novel solutions we’ve tested to date.

The vest itself packs down small into itself, and has a quilted pattern and zippered hand pockets. Compared to the other vest we recommend, the Odlo S-Thermic Vest, the North Face has a much more city-savvy look to it, and we see just as many of them on the street as we do on trails. While not the lightest midlayer on our list, this vest is still a great option for compact warmth.

We found that the Wool Aire wears a lot warmer than it looks like it should, and would place it just behind the Arc’teryx Proton. The 80 gsm merino wool insulation doesn’t quite have the loft of other synthetic fills, but it makes up for it in warmth-trapping air space between the fibers. The fine fit and trim on this hoodie is everything we’ve come to expect from Ibex, with a soft-brushed touch

Breathability, it turns out, is really where the Wool Aire shines, as it siphons dampness from within in ways that down-filled jackets can only dream of. There’s little to no loss of loft when really working in this hoodie, and that keeps it warm throughout the entire effort. When wearing this jacket during an early-season hike into the Grand Staircase-Escalante recently, it shouldered a wide range of temperature swings — from icy mornings to T-shirt weather afternoons.

Unfortunately, the zipper used on the Wool Aire is a bit undergunned for the purpose, in our opinion, and feels a little fidgety to get started. We haven’t had any issues yet with long-term durability, but we’re continuing to test the hoodie and keeping our eye on it. We’ll also note that the packability on this jacket isn’t quite the best.

Even still, we’re big fans of the Wool Aire Hoodie, and as an alternative solution to insulating a midlayer, its in rare company. We think this jacket excels as a town-to-trail piece in colder temps — and if you’re looking for a trimmer option, the Wool Aire is also available in a vest, which we’ve reviewed.

There’s a reason the Nano Puff has been in stores since 2010. And while it’s always been a bestseller and a staple in our wardrobe, there have been improvements, such as the 100% post-consumer recycled insulation. Like a good cheese, you could say the Nano Puff only gets better with age.

The lightweight and synthetic-insulated Nano Puff is windproof and water-repellent, boasts a standard 60 gsm insulation, adjusts at the hem to seal in warmth, and has two zippered hand pockets. Compared to other midlayers we’ve worn, we’d say the warmth here is less than 80 gsm synth jackets like the Arc’teryx Proton, but warmer than grid fleeces like the Patagonia R1 or REI Flash Hyperstretch. In practice, that’s a great middle-ground.

We’ve used the Nano Puff extensively for summertime forays on its own, and during shoulder season and winter exploits when worn beneath a shell. Going with the hoodless jacket version means you’re saving space in your bag for jackets with them, and like the REI Flash Hyperstretch, the Nano Puff is also a bit more casual-conscious. We think this jacket looks great styled up for a cool night out on the town, or covered in patches — whatever floats your boat.

The Nano Puff can’t be talked about without mentioning Patagonia’s other primo synthetic midlayer, the Nano Air, which is rightfully popular as well. We think the Nano Air works better as a stretchy midlayer with a bit more warmth, but doesn’t look as chic as the Nano Puff. If you’re splitting time between the wilds and the sidewalks, we think this is the better layer.

These stretch-woven softshell panels cover the Deviator’s front, shoulders, sleeves, and hood and protect the areas where you’re likely to feel a headwind. Unlike the FUTUREFLEECE, which you’ll need to pop a softshell over to really trap warmth, this hoodie holds heat where you want it and sheds it where you don’t.

While testing on trail runs around Denver last winter, we found the breathability on this jacket to be unreal: “Perhaps the greatest testament to this jacket’s thermal performance was that it kept me dry while running up a half-mile incline that averages 15% gradient,” M.T. Elliott says. “I got sweaty, sure, but I didn’t feel wet when I jogged farther out onto the windy plateau and managed to dry off without feeling cold.”

Tailwinds, it turns out, are the arch nemesis of the Deviator, and can surprise you when running in this hoodie and changing direction. While we’d typically toss a windbreaker on to negate this, we also found that doubling up the fabric over those softshell panels can lead to some sweat accumulation. All this is to say that the Deviator is much better as a solo act, and it’s for this reason we tend to recommend the FUTUREFLEECE more often.

In its lane, however, it’s tough to argue with the Deviator, and for chilly winter runs, it’s an excellent option.

The VaporRise takes what the Deviator has going on and applies it to the entirety of the jacket — swaddling the jacket in a 20-denier Pertex Quantum Air shell that aids in both trapping heat and protecting the interior fleece. This shell is treated with a PFC-free DWR finish, and while not totally waterproof, it’ll shed light precip and snow.

The beauty of a hybrid jacket like this is that, unlike sheet synthetic jackets like the Arc’teryx Proton, the VaporRise lacks any interior fabric to protect the fleece insulation, which greatly benefits breathability. This fleece is also no joke, and the 83 gsm ‘VR Warm’ lining has a super soft touch and kept us toasty while belaying on ice climbs.

All this extra protection means that the VaporRise won’t excel at high-output activities, where the shell fabric will trap extra heat and begin to sweat out the layer. For these types of uses, look to The North Face FUTUREFLEECE or Patagonia R1 Thermal. In practice, this jacket works best at lower-paced cold endeavors like the ice climbs we took it on.

The combination of two materials, designed for warmth and breathability, means this midlayer jacket is the ultimate choice for higher-output activities. Also, the feel and fit of this fleece are amazing.

Norrøna says this breathable fleece midlayer is great for ski touring, mountaineering, hiking and backpacking, climbing, and general outdoor activities. We tested it backpacking, hiking, climbing, snowshoeing, and more.

The main polyamide shell fabric is a Pertex ripstop fabric, which ups the vest’s durability. And the zippered side pockets and reflective details make this one of the best midlayers on this whole list for early evening to nighttime activities outside (think running or walking the dog). Odlo finished up this layer with laser-cut ventilation and an adjustable hem.

While this vest is the same price as The North Face ThermoBall we’ve recommended, we tend to think that vest is a bit warmer and more versatile in that it can be worn as equally at the office as it can in the ski track. The S-Thermic, on the other hand, is a bit more breathable, so if temps aren’t quite as chilly, it can be a great option.

The Skycrest has a little bit of styling that really makes a difference — things like a drop hem and double-snap pockets. This insulated shirt is great for warmth during activity but is also appropriate for wearing in and around town. We loved this layer for its bright camo color choices.

Because of its insulation and versatility, we had to include the Skycrest Snap Shirt on our shortlist. That being said, our female tester found the layer can be a bit tight in the chest and shoulders — so if you’re in between sizes or want a roomier fit, be sure to size up. It’s also a bit heavier than other midlayers we tested.