Best Mid Layers

QUICK LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS

• Best Down Mid Layer For Hiking – Patagonia Down Sweater – Men’s / Women’s
• Best Wool Mid Layer for Hiking – Ibex Indie Hoodie – Men’s / Women’s
• Best Mid Layer for Stylish and Effective Insulation – Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Jacket – Men’s / Women’s
• Best Mid Layer for Budget-Minded Hikers – REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket – Men’s / Women’s
• Best Fleece Mid Layer – Patagonia R1 Full Zip Hoodie – Men’s / Women’s

Honorable Mentions

• Patagonia Nano Puff Hoodie – Men’s / Women’s
• Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT – Men’s / Women’s

Patagonia Down Sweater

Best Down Mid Layer for Hiking

• MSRP:
  • Regular: $279.00
  • Hooded: 329.00
• INSULATION: 800-fill traceable goose down
• HOOD: Yes (Hood-Specific Version)
• WEIGHT
  • Men’s: 13 oz
  • Women’s: 10.3 oz
• FABRIC: Recycled ripstop polyester
• PACKABILITY: Excellent

PROS: Very lightweight – Excellent packability – Warm – Sustainable production – Durable

CONS: Does not insulate when wet – Slow drying – High cost

LOOKING CLOSER: Patagonia’s Down Sweater is one of the most legendary mid layers in the outdoor adventure world. For many years, it’s been a top choice for hikers, backpackers, climbers, skiers, and others – and it’s not hard to see why. We have very high-quality down insulation, sourced to the highest ethical standards, along with a very compressible and robust design that makes it easy to take this layer anywhere.

With 800-fill power down, its warmth-to-weight/bulk ratio is nearly as good as it gets. The outer fabric, sourced from recycled materials, is ripstop, and we’ve found it to be one of the most durable. Down lasts nearly forever if well cared for, which further increases the durability. Like most items from Patagonia, this jacket has a relatively high cost but is easily one of the best mid layers on the market, and we also love that it comes with a hooded version for extra warmth.

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MEN’S Regular WOMEN’S Regular

MEN’S HoodedWOMEN’S Hooded

Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket

Best Mid Layer for stylish and effective insulation

• MSRP: $295.00
• INSULATION: 800-fill-power goose down
• HOOD: Yes
• WEIGHT: 12-14 ounces
• FABRIC: 20-denier ripstop nylon
• PACKABILITY: Excellent

PROS: Water-resistant coating – Versatile – Lightweight – Great appearance

CONS: Expensive – Does not insulate when wet

LOOKING CLOSER: Cotopaxi’s Fuego Hooded Down Jacket is our top pick when it comes to great-looking mid layers. In addition to the beautiful color scheme, it’s also an extremely effective and well-designed jacket. With 800-fill-power down, it has nearly top-of-the-line insulation along with a treated outer material to enhance the jacket’s weather resistance. Apart from the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish, the outer fabric is also very durable and well constructed. Combine this information with the fact that down-fill insulation is inherently long-lasting if well cared for, and we have a beautifully crafted mid layer that will turn heads with its stylish design and easily earns its place among the best mid layers on the market. Like many down layers, however, keep in mind that this option comes with a high price tag, and the down insulation will lose its ability to keep you warm if it gets wet.

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MEN’SWOMEN’S

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MEN’SWOMEN’S

Patagonia R1 Fleece

Best Fleece Midlayer

• 
• MSRP: $179.00
• INSULATION: Recycled Polyester Fleece
• HOOD: Yes for Full-Zip Version
• WEIGHT
  • Men’s: 12.9 oz.
  • Women’s: 10.9 oz.
• PACKABILITY: Poor (compared to down)

PROS: Sustainable production – Very durable construction – Insulates when wet  – Very Breathable

CONS: Doesn’t pack down very well – expensive for a fleece

STRAIGHT TALK: When it comes to performance fleeces designed exclusively for hard work, the R1 Air is hard to beat. The distinctive zig-zag pattern offers superb breathability and moisture-wicking properties, which are absolute gold for a hard day of hiking. But despite the excellent airflow, the R1 Air still retains ample heat to keep you cozy when the cool evenings approach. Now, this is a lightweight performance fleece and won’t provide the same level of warmth as a toasty down layer. However, this could be the best fleece mid-layer for you for cool evenings in the summer or all-day hiking in the chilly shoulder seasons (spring and fall).

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MEN’S Full-ZipWOMEN’S Full-Zip

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MEN’S Full ZipWOMEN’S Full Zip

Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT

• MSRP: $235.00
• INSULATION: Synthetic Polyester Fibers
• HOOD: Yes
• WEIGHT
  • Men’s: 10.9 oz.
  • Women’s: 9.6 oz.
• PACKABILITY: Good

PROS: Surprisingly lightweight – Insulates when wet  – Very effective warmth retention

CONS: Very thin shell material feels delicate

STRAIGHT TALK: Outdoor Research has been producing reliable layers for several years, and their SuperStrand has definitely become one of the best mid layers on the market. The synthetic polyester fibers provide excellent warmth, yet Outdoor Research has done a remarkable job keeping the jacket’s overall weight down and maximizing packability. This layer is also notably more affordable than most premium-level down options but still provides comparable warmth and protection. Keep in mind, however, that the excellent weight and packability are in part due to the very thin shell material that feels slightly fragile.

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MEN’SWOMEN’S

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MEN’SWOMEN’S

More Information About Mid Layers

Down Fill Power

When looking at down products, you will notice a number associated with the fill of the down – 400, 500, 650, 800, and so on. It’s helpful to understand this measurement when selecting your mid layer or other down-filled items.

“Fill power” is the most common factor used to measure down quality in jackets and sleeping bags. It denotes the amount of loft of the goose or duck-down fibers. “Maximum loft” is measured when the down fibers are fully and naturally expanded, while the fill power is how many cubic inches an ounce of down expands to at its maximum loft. A rating of 800, for instance, means that one ounce of down expands to 800 cubic inches.

Fill power can vary from below 300 to a maximum of 900. Many common down jackets and sleeping bags feature around 500 fill down. However, these lower ratings indicate poor quality down that was likely sourced from immature birds. Instead, we recommend looking for down ratings of at least 600 to ensure you’re getting a high-quality product that will keep you warm.

Why Trust Us?

Choosing the right outdoor gear and apparel can be difficult. But at Wildland Trekking, we live and work with hiking gear every single day. It’s an integral part of what we do, and we understand better than anyone how important it is to have the right equipment. In addition to our vast knowledge of backpacking gear, we also offer:

• Independence – our recommendations are not influenced by partnerships or sponsorships with outdoor gear and apparel manufacturers.
• Experience – as one of America’s top guide companies, we take 8,000-10,000 people on hiking and backpacking tours annually. Since our inception in 2005, we have guided more than 75,000 people into the wilderness.
• Cutting Edge Knowledge – we regularly attend trade shows and pay close attention to the leading edge of new developments.
• Up To Date Recommendations – we update our recommendations regularly as new products are developed and released.
• Dedication to our Readers – we know that the gear we select as our top picks will end up in the field with our readers, and we take that responsibility very seriously. We view our readers as guests on our guided trips, just without the guides. We are committed to helping you be as well-outfitted and prepared as possible for your adventures.

*Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. At no cost to you, we earn a commission on any products purchased through these links. Any proceeds go to supporting our blog and operations. These affiliate links do not influence the products that we include in our gear round-ups. We only recommend products that we 100% support and that we have used in the field.