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 the best midlayers is a must-read.
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, with all-around solid fleece options like the Patagonia R1 Thermal to budget-wise layers like the REI Co-op Flash Hyperstretch.
Our experts are a multi-sport bunch with layering needs that span the spectrum, and we aimed to cover the spread in our recommendations. We’ve climbed pitches of ice in these layers, worn them while commuting into town, and taken them along months-long thru-hikes. Take it from us: these layers will get you where you’re going.
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 Price & Value sections at the bottom of this article.
Editor’s Note: We updated our Midlayers guide on November 20, 2024, to add a huge selection of new midlayers to consider as we head into the winter season, with options for everything from cross-country skiing to booting around town.
The Best Midlayers of 2024-2025
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Warmest version of the R1 fleece -
Face fabric is smooth and tight-knit, shedding flurries well -
Microgrid fleece is warm and plush -
Nice snug hood -
Wide size range
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Not the most breathable option for high-output activities -
A bit heavy for a fleece -
Pricier than normal R1 fleece
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Stretchy material moves with you -
Large size range available -
Budget price -
Longer torso length
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No thumbholes in sleeves -
Bulky to pack
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Octa fleece is highly breathable, but holds warmth well when under a layer -
Extremely lightweight -
Versatile layering option -
Stretchy material is easy to move in
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Not enough pockets -
No wind resistance -
Thumb loops are a little fragile
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Exterior is highly abrasion-resistant -
PrimaLoft Gold is high-quality insulator, and is body mapped with different weights used in torso/arms -
Hand-warming pockets are placed higher to avoid climbing harnesses -
Helmet-compatible hood
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Has an upper limit for breathability -
Expensive -
No thumb loops
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Highly packable -
Synthetic fill will still insulate when wet -
100% recycled insulation and face fabrics -
Stuffs into its own pocket
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A little heavy for a vest -
Not as warm as a true down vest -
A bit pricey
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Surprisingly warm for the thickness -
Breathable -
Well-fitted hood -
Great for layering
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A few ounces heavy for the price -
Zipper feels undersized for the jacket
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Stylish design looks good in the mountains and around town -
Highly compressible given how warm it is -
Slippery fabric makes layering easy
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Extensive stitching adds some breathability but also allows rain to soak insulation faster -
A little heavier than similar lightweight layers -
Loose-fitting cuffs often let some heat escape
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High-cardio coverage -
Versatile temperature range -
Extended off-season use -
Enhanced durability in softshell covered areas
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Learning curve for layering underneath -
Drafty in tailwinds
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Super-versatile midlayer -
PFAS-free DWR waterproofing -
Highly breathable -
Harness- and helmet-compatible -
Multiple pockets -
One-hand hem adjustment
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Limited sizing and colors
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Dual fleece design combines warmth and stretch where you need it -
Lightweight -
High hand-warming pockets tuck out of way of harness or pack straps
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Trim fit might not be for everyone -
Bit too warm for high-paced activities
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Very compact packed size -
Pertex shell fabric is durable -
Adjustable hem -
Reflective details
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Not quite as warm as some vests
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Stylish midlayer that can be worn to the office or trail -
Four pockets that close with snaps
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Sizing isn’t the most accommodating — some may want to size up -
Heavier
Midlayer Comparison Chart
How We Tested the Best Midlayers
Our Expert Testers
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 through 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.
Editor Mary Murphy tested our initial slate of midlayers in late 2021 after wearing scores of layers and settling on a worthy 15. Her gear testing cred is deep, and she has tested a wide range of equipment for GearJunkie, including everything from camping stoves to hiking socks.
Since then, the entire roster of GearJunkie experts has contributed to our testing, including Editor Nick Belcaster, who resides between the mountains and the sea in western Washington. His range extends from thru-hiking to splitboard mountaineering, and all require a specific layering system to really nail the effort. He’s tested midlayers across entire seasons to ensure these options are as versatile as they claim to be.
Our Testing Process and Testing Grounds
Midlayers are an exceptional versatile layer, and we aimed to go as broad as we could in testing them. That meant layering up for cross-country skiing in the famed Methow Valley of Washington State, ice climbing in the refrigerated valleys of Colorado, and roaming the long trails of Iceland to gain the broadest possible understanding of where they excel and where they fall flat.
In order to do this, we aimed to test these layers in a minimum of three different specific sports, as well as across at least two seasons. Once we had a solid handle on a midlayer, we cycled it out to other testers to get a range of opinions from folks with different body types, temperature ranges, and styles.
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 ones we’ve seen are the man-made technologies used in synthetic insulated jackets. Brands like PrimaLoft make different types of synthetic insulation, from high-warmth blends to eco/recycled ones. Some brands will also have 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 grams per square meter (GSM) synthetic insulation. Many midlayers also don’t use added insulation — instead, they use a heavier fabric, like fleece jackets.
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.
Price & Value
Since midlayers can be made from a variety of insulations, they tend to range broadly in their prices. Also, consider that many are tailored to excel at different paces or temperature ranges and that simply going with the warmest layer you can afford might lead to overheating. Dial in on the sport-specific layering system you’re looking to perfect, and consider what aspects you need most from your midlayer.
Budget
The budget range of midlayers typically going to be grid fleeces and will run you around $100. These layers won’t pile on the features or fine trim, but instead will focus on providing reliable warmth when you need it. Fleece is reliable warmth once you build up some heat under it, and while it won’t hold it back from strong winds, a light windbreaker will protect you.
The $100 REI Co-op Flash Hyperstretch Fleece Jacket has a lot in common with our top pick and even a few features that it lacks, including a drawstring hem and a touch more stretch. Most fleeces in this price range will use in-house pile fleeces to keep costs down and may skip out on niceties such as thumb holes in the sleeves.
Mid-Tier
Bumping up a bit in price also means more warmth, and this range is where you’ll be able to get into synthetic puffies like the Patagonia Nano Puff ($229). These midlayers can be warmer than fleeces and boast more features, such as hand warming pockets, adjustable hoods, and different weights of insulation to adjust warmth and breathability.
Higher-end fleece technologies can also be used in midlayers in this range, with Polartec and Octayarn being notable. The $170 The North Face FUTUREFLEECE uses a techy 8-sided hollow yarn to weave its fleece and build in even more trapped air space, while the Norrøna Falketind Alpha120 ($219) uses two different types of Polartec in a body mapped design.
Premium
High-end midlayers will often run you north of $300, but will be trimmed out in the nicest materials that are sure to pay dividends in durability. Look for name brands like Pertex fabrics and PrimaLoft synthetic materials to ensure you’re getting what you pay for.
The merino wool insulation used in the Ibex Wool Aire Hoodie ($285) assuredly explains the price of this jacket, but we argue it’s well worth it. The $350 Arc’teryx Proton Hoody was the most expensive midlayer we’ve recommended, but now after five years of hard use, it’s still nearly as warm as it was on day one. You’ll pay up front, but the longevity can be worth the spend.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 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.
We tested the best synthetic insulated jackets from Arc’teryx, The North Face, Patagonia, and more to help you find the best option for your needs and budget.
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