Whether you live somewhere that has four defined seasons (and heavy winters), or somewhere more temperate, you should have a midlayer. Midlayers are some of the most versatile layers out there, and come in all sorts of shapes and styles. If you feel that layering for the cold is tricky, or if you need an insulated jacket, our list of best midlayers is a must-read.
Before we dive into this review, it’s important to provide a definition of a midlayer. Midlayers are just what they sound like — layers that can be worn with others, over a base layer or shirt, and also under an outerwear coat or shell.
Depending on the style, midlayers can even be worn on their own. They usually have features seen in jackets, like a front zip, maybe a hood, and always provide some sort of insulation.
In essence, midlayers are the epitome of necessity and versatility when it comes to layering.
We’ve tested a slew of midlayer styles: full-zip jackets, hoodies, vests, puffies, and lightweight and ultralight midlayers as well. Below are our best midlayer picks for winter.
Anytime you may need to layer — downhill skiing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, winter hiking, or just trudging through a storm — reach for one of these and you won’t be disappointed.
Read on for the full list, or jump to a favorite below. Also, be sure to check out our handy comparison chart, buyer’s guide, or FAQ sections at the bottom of this article.
- Best Overall Midlayer: Arc’teryx Nuclei FL Hoodie
- Best Budget Midlayer: Montane Protium Fleece Jacket
- Best Fleece Midlayer: Patagonia R1 TechFace Hoody
- Best Synthetic Puffy Midlayer: Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket
- Most Sustainable Midlayer: Picture Lixi Tech Sweater
- Best of the Rest: Helly Hansen LifaLoft Hybrid Insulator Jacket
- Norrøna Falketind Alpha120
- Odlo S-Thermic Vest
- The North Face ThermoBall Eco Vest 2.0
- Arc’teryx Atom AR Hoodie
- Stio Skycrest Insulated Snap Shirt
The Best Midlayers of 2023
Midlayer Comparison Chart
| Midlayer | Style | Material | Insulation | Weight | Pockets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc’teryx Nuclei FL Hoodie | Hoodie jacket | 10-denier ripstop 100% nylon shell | 65 g. synthetic Coreloft | 10-11 oz./ 285 g. | 3 |
| Montane Protium Fleece Jacket | Fleece | Brushed grid fleece | N/A, grid fleece | 380 g. | 2 |
| Patagonia R1 TechFace Hoody | Hoodie jacket | Polyester and spandex with DWR | N/A, grid fleece | 11.9-13.7 oz./ 337-390 g. | 3 |
| Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket | Puffy jacket | 100% recycled polyester with DWR | 60 g. PrimaLoft Gold Eco | 11.9 oz./ 337 g. | 3 |
| Picture Lixi Tech Sweater | Pullover | 50% recycled polyester, 50% polyester, 100% recycled insulation | 100 g. PrimaLoft Eco | 11.2 oz./ 320 g. | 1 |
| Helly Hansen LifaLoft Insulator Jacket | Full-zip jacket | 100% polyamide shell | PrimaLoft LifaLoft insulation | 12 oz./ 340 g. | 2 |
| Norrøna Falketind Alpha120 | Fleece hoodie | Polartec Alpha grid fleece | N/A, grid fleece | 8.6 oz./ 244 g. | 3 |
| Odlo S-Thermic Vest | Full-zip vest | Recycled polyamide and elastane | G-loft insulation | N/A | 2 |
| The North Face ThermoBall Eco Vest 2.0 | Full-zip vest | 100% recycled nylon | 11 g/ft. recycled polyester ThermoBall Eco | 14.6 oz./ 416 g. | 2 |
| Arc’teryx Atom AR Hoodie | Hoodie jacket | 100% polyester with DWR | 60-120 g. polyester synthetic insulation | 14 oz. | 2 |
| Stio Skycrest Insulated Snap Shirt | Button-up | Varies; 30-denier nylon with DWR or 50-denier polyester with DWR | 60 g. synthetic down | 12-15 oz. | 4 |
Why You Should Trust Us
After testing hundreds — perhaps thousands — of puffies, fleeces, and vests, the GearJunkie staff knows a thing or two about layering. To create this guide we dug threw our dusty closets, scoured the web, and chatted with pros to find the most reliable, stalwart jackets out there. Distilling the list down was no small task, but we feel comfortable recommending everything in this article for anything from a desperate ascent in the alpine, to a casual stroll around town.
This is a constantly evolving guide, and we are continually hauling layers into the backcountry to pit new models against the old to ensure our selection is fresh and relevant.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Midlayer
Which Midlayer Is Best: Jacket or Vest?
The first thing you should decide when browsing for a midlayer is whether you want a full jacket, hooded jacket, or an insulated vest. Some midlayers are a hybrid of both — insulated in the core, with just a face fabric for the arms (like merino).
Some are also water-repellent, and some aren’t. Our advice is to look at the big differentiators up top, and then look later at specific features.
Midlayer Insulation
There are a few types of insulation used in midlayers, but the most common one we’ve seen is synthetic fill. Brands like PrimaLoft make different types of synthetic insulation, from high-warmth blends to eco/recycled ones. Some brands will also have their own in-house insulation technologies.
Jackets will have different amounts of insulation, too — we’ve found the sweet spot is to look for a midlayer with 60-100 gram synthetic insulation. Many midlayers also don’t use added insulation — instead, they use a heavier fabric, like fleece.
If you aren’t buying an insulated layer, pay attention to the warmth level of the fabrics used. For example, a midlayer hoodie with merino construction or a merino liner can still provide lots of warmth and versatility, even if it isn’t stuffed with insulation.
Features and Price
Midlayers are already versatile. But they’re extra versatile if they have added features. Things like a high collar or hood, as well as interior and exterior pockets, can help bring a midlayer from good to great.
Lastly, you’ll want to consider price. Our favorite midlayers will run $150-200.
FAQ
You can think of a good midlayer like the Goldilocks of jackets: not too small, not too big, not too bulky, not too thin — just right in terms of fit, versatility and, above all, warmth.
Other components that make a midlayer like the ones on our list stand out from the rest include insulated hoods, zippered pockets with good placement, adjustable hems, and compatibility with other layers.
The warmest midlayers on this list in terms of insulation were the Arc’teryx Atom AR Hoodie and the Patagonia Nano Puff. Our other favorite midlayer that offers lots of warmth is the Arc’teryx Nuclei FL Hoodie.
The best midlayers, in our opinion, are the ones with added insulation and other features that make it easy and comfortable to layer. This tends to be a synthetic fill insulation, sewn into baffles or in between two layers of fabric to provide that insulation.
Depending on the style and what activities you’ll be using the midlayer for, materials like fleece or PrimaLoft synthetic insulation are always great choices.
In testing, we found the most popular midlayers among GearJunkie staff were full-zip and hoodie styles.
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