Best Midlayers of 2025
The best natural midlayers for warmth, breathability, and layering
February 14th, 2025
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Midlayers keep you warm when it’s cold out, they’re more breathable than a shell jacket, and a good midlayer sweater is oh-so-cozy. We love a good midlayer.
But midlayer is a pretty slippery term. We consider any layer you wear between a base layer and a shell jacket a midlayer, technically. As long as it’s in the middle of those, then it’s a midlayer.
But there are layers designed to be midlayers. Many traditional midlayers are fleece jackets, like the ones we tested in our Best Fleece Jackets guide, or thicker sweater-like layers made of wool, fleece, polyester, or some blend of these materials. Since we already tested fleeces and have an entire story dedicated to that, we figure it’s about time we test a bunch of natural midlayers to complement that story.
After researching and testing dozens of natural fiber midlayers, we spent six months testing 13 of the best in every season — from hot, muggy summer conditions in Maine to snowy Colorado winter and cold winter nights in the mountains of Arizona.
Based on our testing, we have recommendations for everything from breathable midlayers for mountain missions to more casual wool midlayers for layering around town. We’ll also recommend the most breathable, least expensive. We tested hooded zip-up midlayers, quarter-zip wool hoodies, wool sweaters, and more.
There are other layers you can use as a midlayer, such as a synthetic puffy jacket, but this story is dedicated to midlayers made with wool and other natural fibers — the original performance materials. Wool doesn’t stink, is better for the planet, and insulates when wet. You wear a midlayer when you’re working hard, so you’re going to sweat. And since it insulates when wet, wool is great for sweaty conditions
This guide is intended to help you find the best midlayer for your next chilly outdoor adventure or shoulder season outdoor trips. Whether you’re a hardcore backcountry skier, climber, or a casual hiker, we tested tons of different midlayers, so you’ll likely find something that suits your needs. Because no one wants to be too warm on their next cold-weather adventure.
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Comparison table
Men’s
| MEN'S MIDLAYER | TREELINE AWARD | MATERIALS | WEIGHT (light/mid/heavy) | AVAILABLE SIZES | HOOD? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridge Merino Convict Canyon Hoodie | Best Overall Read why |
Merino wool, polyester, spandex | Lightweight | S-XXL | Yes |
| Kuhl Dynawool Skuba Hoody | Best Extreme Cold Read why |
Merino wool, polyester, spandex | Heavyweight | S-XXL | Yes |
| Helly Hansen LIFA Merino Midweight Hoodie | Best Budget Read why |
Merino wool, polypropylene | Midweight | S-2X | Yes |
| Ibex Indie Hoodie | Best Lightweight Read why |
Merino wool | Lightweight | S-XXL | Yes |
| Ortovox Westalpen Swisswool Hybrid Jacket | Best For Skiing Read why |
Merino wool blend | Hybrid | S-XXL | No |
Women’s
| WOMEN'S MIDLAYER | TREELINE AWARD | MATERIALS | WEIGHT (light/mid/heavy) | AVAILABLE SIZES | HOOD? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridge Merino Convict Canyon Hoodie | Best Overall Read why |
Merino wool, polyester, spandex | Lightweight | XS-XL | Yes |
| Kuhl Dynawool Skuba Hoody | Best Extreme Cold Read why |
Merino wool, polyester, spandex | Heavyweight | XS-XL | Yes |
| Helly Hansen LIFA Merino Midweight Hoodie | Best Budget Read why |
Merino wool, polypropylene | Midweight | XS-XL | Yes |
| Ibex Indie Hoodie | Best Lightweight Read why |
Merino wool | Lightweight | XS-XXL | Yes |
| Ortovox Westalpen Swisswool Hybrid Jacket | Best For Skiing Read why |
Merino wool blend | Hybrid | XS-XL | No |
The winners
Best overall midlayer: Ridge Merino Convict Canyon Half Zip
Weight: 9 oz
Material: 51% polyester, 42% wool, and 7% spandex
Available sizes: S-XXL
What we liked: Lightweight, breathable, comfortable, versatile, has a half-zip and hood
What we didn’t like: Not as warm as some midlayers
The Ridge Merino Convict Canyon is an extremely lightweight, comfortable, and breathable hooded midlayer — everything we want in a midlayer. So, we’ve given it the best overall award. This is essentially a Patagonia R1 Thermal Jacket, but made with a blend of wool and polyester to better control odor and be more sustainable. We love the R1, but have always wished it were less prone to stinking. So, we love the Convict Canyon. It’s light enough for backpacking, warm enough for winter sports, looks good enough to wear casually, and doesn’t stink when we wear it a little too long.
Ridge Merino Convict Canyon Half Zip
Men's
Women's
We wore this hoodie while on a southbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, where temperatures were as cold as the upper 20s during the day. This midlayer, combined with a shell jacket and a base layer, kept us comfortable as we hiked all day in cold, snowy conditions.
The wool fabric didn’t stink even after months of wearing it without washing it often. It also breathes impressively well. We can usually wear it longer than expected, into the late mornings when the midday sun starts to warm and when going up steep hills. It’s also very durable — after 2,000 miles, it still looks practically new.
We wore the Ridge Merino Convict Canyon during the cold ending to a southbound Appalachian Trail thru-hike.
Fabric
The Convict has a half-zip and a hood, which allows you to adjust how warm it keeps you. The 51% polyester, 42% wool, and 7% spandex blend fabric has a grid fleece inner and a knit exterior. The fleeced inside of the fabric makes it much warmer than you’d expect from such a thin and light layer. And the wool-polyester blend is highly breathable.
By unzipping it fully and pushing up the sleeves, you can get enough ventilation so you don’t have to stop and take it off as often. When you get to the top of a climb, you can zip it up entirely and put on the hood to trap the heat you just built up. The hood wraps comfortably around your neck and head, keeping you very warm. It also has thumb holes, so the sleeves can mostly cover your hands.
Comfort
The fabric is exceptionally comfortable. The knit exterior face feels like cotton, and the inner feels like the fleeced interior of a cozy sweatshirt. It’s also super stretchy, which makes it so comfortable we often forget we’re wearing it. You can wear it as a standalone layer when it’s warmer, but not warm enough to only wear a t-shirt or thin base layer.
The fabric of the Ridge Merino Convict Canyon Half Zip is exceptionally comfortable, with a knit exterior face that feels like cotton and an interior that feels like a cozy fleece sweatshirt.
Weight
It weighs 9.2 ounces, which is very light for a fleece midlayer. Most other lightweight fleeces weigh several ounces more, so this is an excellent option for backpacking. It’s also suitable for other cases where you might not wear it the entire time, such as warm weather hikes that go to higher elevations when you might need it at a summit.
The only real drawback of the Convict Canyon is that it doesn’t block the wind much. We don’t expect any garment to be both breathable and block the wind, but this layer is perhaps too breathable for some use cases. Compared to the Patagonia R1, the Convict Canyon is slightly less wind-resistant but more breathable. If you want to rely solely on a midlayer to keep you warm on a windy ridge, the R1 will do a better job of that (R1 breathability vs. wind-resistance varies between models, though – learn more on that in our in-depth Patagonia R1 Air Full Zip Hoody Review).
With the Convict Canyon, the wind cuts through the fabric. When it’s cold and windy, we usually wear the Convict Canyon with a shell jacket to block the wind. Then, it’s more than warm enough. But compared to the R1 fleece, the Convict Canyon is not as windproof.
However, not as windproof means more breathable, which we think is a benefit in all but the coldest, windiest weather. Therefore, we think the Convict Canyon is the best of the best for a highly breathable, lightweight, durable, and versatile midlayer.
Best insulated midlayer for extreme cold: Kuhl Dynawool SKuba Hoodie
Weight: Heavyweight
Material: Merino wool, polyester, spandex
Available sizes: S-XXL
What we liked: Very warm, great zipper pockets, comfortable wool fleece fabric, has a casual look
What we didn’t like: Runs smaller than some Kuhl garments
The Kuhl Dynawool SKuba Hoodie is a very warm full zip hoodie. It’s made of Kuhl Powerflex material, a soft and stretchy polyester-wool blend. The fabric's exterior looks like a simple knit material, but the inside looks like fleece. We wear this hoodie often in the winter because it’s warm, cozy, and more casual-looking than some of the other midlayers we’ve covered. It works as an active piece for winter hiking, skiing, and snowboarding, but we don’t always want to look like we’re ready for an expedition. So we wear the Dynawool Hoodie.
Kuhl Dynawool SKuba Hoodie
Men's
Women's
It has a full-coverage scuba-style hood. When you zip it up, it works like a balaclava. The zipper also runs off to the side near the top, preventing the bulky zipper garage from being right in front of your mouth when you zip it fully. The tight-fitting hood makes layering a thick beanie underneath difficult, but it fits over a thin beanie and is very warm on its own.
The Kuhl Dynawool Skuba Hoodie is warm and cozy.
It also has big, deep, zippered hand pockets. These pockets are tall enough to be accessed while wearing a hip belt. They’re lined with a knit material for extra durability. Overall, this material is very durable. After wearing it often for three months, the outside face looks like it did when it was new.
The Kuhl Dynawool’s pockets are large enough so you can still access them while wearing a hip belt.
While we didn’t find this hoodie to be too small, we did notice it doesn’t fit as big as many Kuhl garments. It has a trimmer alpine fit, whereas the other Kuhl tops we’ve tested fit slightly looser. Several customer reviews online say you should size up—these are probably regular Kuhl customers who are used to how other Kuhl tops fit. We bought a size small, as we usually do with most brands, and while we could wear a size medium, we don’t think the small is too small.
This is an excellent option for an all-around midlayer you can wear anywhere in cold conditions.
Best affordable midlayer: Helly Hansen LIFA Merino Midweight Hoodie
Weight: 16.2 oz
Material: 57% Merino Wool, 43% Polypropylene
Available sizes: S-2X
What we liked: Less expensive, breathable, comfortable, warm
What we didn’t like: Balaclava hood can feel restrictive
The Helly Hansen LIFA Merino Midweight Hoodie is a thick wool layer with a scuba hood. The fabric's interior looks similar to mesh but is thicker for added warmth. The small holes in the fabric make it very breathable. We love this hoodie as a midlayer or as a base layer when it’s very cold. Compared to other wool midlayers and base layers, it’s very affordable, the next most affordable midlayers covered here, The Paka The Hoodie and Ridge Merino Convict Canyon, cost $20-30 more (respectively) than the LIFA. All of our other favorite midlayers cost closer to $200, while the LIFA costs just over $100, which we love.
Helly Hansen LIFA Merino Midweight Hoodie
Men's
Women's
We tested this hoodie during a cold few months in Colorado, running, hiking, and snowshoeing. During a particularly cold week in the low single digits, we wore it over a thin wool base layer and under a windbreaker. It kept us warm without being too hot. And after wearing it regularly on countless sweaty runs, the wool fabric still doesn’t stink.
The Helly Hansen LIFA is lightweight, breathable, and surprisingly warm.
The fabric has two layers: the outer layer is 100% merino wool, and the inner layer uses Helly Hansen’s proprietary LIFA Stay Warm Technology. The LIFA interior, which has mesh-like holes, effectively channels moisture to the outside wool layer of the fabric, where it can evaporate.
The scuba hood keeps your head and neck warm, but if you start overheating, there is no way to move the full neck coverage off you. The LIFA is a very breathable layer, so this isn’t an issue unless you dress too warmly for the conditions. But, even if you remove the hood, there is no way to vent the neck portion. This makes it less versatile than other layers that have a zippered chest and hood, such as the Ridge Merino Convict or Ibex Indie.
The Helly Hansen LIFA’s scuba-style hood is tight fitting to keep your neck warm.
But we think this is a great option for an affordable midlayer that you can also use as a base layer in everything from extremely cold to chilly conditions.
Best lightweight midlayer: Ibex Indie Hoodie
Weight: 6.5 oz
Material: Merino wool
Available sizes: S - XXL
What we liked: Light, simple, warm for the weight, great hood, works as a midlayer or base layer, half-zip makes it versatile
What we didn’t like: Expensive
The Ibex Indie Hoodie is our favorite midlayer when you need something lightweight but still relatively warm. At its core, it’s a wool sun hoodie made from thicker material to keep you warmer. You can use it as a base layer, midlayer, or standalone sun hoody in chilly conditions.
Ibex Indie Hoodie
Men's
Women's
It’s the ideal layer for high elevations because the hood keeps those stronger UV rays off your neck, and the quarter-length zipper lets you vent if it gets too hot. We use the Indie as a base layer, with another midlayer over the top, when it’s really cold. We also combine it with a windbreaker for running in cold weather. We’ve also worn the Indie as a standalone sun hoodie during the summer in the alpine—on the Wind River High Route, high alpine backpacking, and tons of Colorado peak bagging missions.
Even though Ibex advertises it as a midlayer, The Indie fits tighter than some midlayers, more like a base layer. If we were to get another Indie, which we eventually will whenever we wear this one out, we’ll get a larger size so we can layer it over other clothing more easily. Even if you get your typical size, it’s not too tight to wear on top of a base layer. But it could be a little looser.
The Ibex Indie is our favorite lightweight layer for high elevations.
It’s made of 100% merino wool, which is incredibly soft and not at all itchy. The seams are flat-locked to prevent chafing. And this, combined with the soft merino material, makes it comfortable to wear all day or for many days in a row. While chafing isn’t as important with a midlayer since it is, by definition, not next to your skin, one of the things we really like about the Indie is that you can use it as a thicker base layer or a midlayer. It also has thumb holes to keep your hands warmer, protected from the sun, or both.
The Ibex Indie’s hood and quarter zip make it extremely versatile.
The Indie is pretty expensive for a relatively simple layer. But, for a high-quality 100% merino wool garment, this is about the price you should expect to pay. There are less expensive merino-polyester blended midlayers, but this hoodie isn’t that. We think it’s worth the price considering how much we use it, but it does cost quite a bit.
If you’re looking for a 100% merino wool layer you can wear all year that’s lightweight and versatile, this is a great choice.
Best midlayer for skiing and snowboarding: Ortovox Westalpen Swisswool Hybrid Jacket
Weight: Hybrid
Material: 66% polyester, 21% merino wool, 7% polyamide, 6% elastane
Available sizes: S-XXL
What we liked: Lightweight, breathable, wind-blocking, comfortable
What we didn’t like: Expensive
The Ortovox Westalpen Swisswool Hybrid Jacket is a stellar midlayer for ski and splitboard touring as well as any other winter pursuits when you’re working hard. This midlayer combines a wool-polyester blend grid fleece with a polyester layer that covers the chest area. This polyester shell blocks wind and light precipitation, while the grid fleece material insulates and provides excellent breathability.
Ortovox Westalpen Swisswool Hybrid Jacket
Men's
Women's
When going uphill, the grid fleece is super breathable, and the full-length zipper makes it easy to vent when you’re working hard. After you’ve reached the top of the climb, the windblocking layer keeps you warmer on the downhill sections. When the zipper is fully closed, it covers your neck to stay warm as well. We think this wind-blocking layer is just enough to keep the chill away, and it works much better than putting on an extra layer at the top of the climb only to take it off when you get to the bottom again.
The grid fleece material and the polyester shell are both very stretchy. This midlayer fits close to your body, but the stretchiness of the material makes it so you can move in any way without feeling restricted. It also has extra elastic sewn into the wrist cuffs and waist hem. This all makes the Westalpen incredibly comfortable.
The Ortovox Westalpen Swisswool Hybrid Jacket has good neck protection but no hood.
It has a massive zippered chest pocket, big enough for the largest smartphone or a large trail map. Because it’s so big, it’s also accessible while wearing a backpack with the sternum strap buckled.
While this is a stellar midlayer, it is very expensive. We love it for ski touring and splitboarding, and it’s also great for other high-alpine activities like climbing, mountaineering, and mountain running. But it is so expensive we’re not convinced it’s worth it for every person.
If you can afford this, go for it. But you can combine another midlayer with a thin shell for the same effect. A standalone midlayer with a wind shell would probably cost about as much as the Westalpen. Two layers would be slightly more versatile, albeit less convenient.
However, for an incredibly warm, wind-blocking, and breathable midlayer that is good for going up and downhill on mountains, the Westalpen is hard to beat if you can afford it.
Best midlayer for everyday use: Paka The Hoodie
Weight: Not listed
Material: Royal alpaca wool, nylon
Available sizes: XXS - XXL
What we liked: Super soft alpaca fabric, cozy, looks great
What we didn’t like: Not very packable, some pilling on the material after extended use
The Hoodie made by Paka is a wildly soft and comfortable alpaca wool sweater with a hood. It’s not the most technical layer—it looks like a casual sweater with a hood—but it is super cozy, and you’ll want to wear it every day, and many of the folks at Treeline do! It’s very breathable, so it works well for hiking, biking, and casual outdoor activities like camping. This is our go-to midlayer for traveling as well. It comes in unisex sizing XXS-XXL.
Paka The Hoodie
This is our favorite sweater to wear whenever it’s cold. Since we got our hands on one last winter it’s become a part of our daily winter uniform. Now that the sun has gone down, we’re going to put it on right now.
The fabric is 65% alpaca wool blended with 35% recycled nylon. The Hoodie is entirely made with traditional Peruvian practices. The yarn is dyed in Peru, and the sweater is woven in Peru. Each Hoodie is handmade and signed by the artisan woman who made it.
The Paka Hoodie is a favorite for everyday wear.
We’ve been wearing The Hoodie for about a year and have only washed it a handful of times. It is incredibly odor-resistant and doesn’t stink even though we rarely wash it. The alpaca wool is excellent at temperature regulation, and if paired with a wool t-shirt, as we often do, you won’t overheat while staying warm when it’s chilly.
After about a year of wearing the hoodie, it’s starting to pill in the back. We often wear this sweater with a backpack, and the pilling is almost certainly caused by the backpack rubbing on the fabric. Alpaca is also not very compressible, so while the Hoodie seems like it would make a good backpacking layer, it’s not the best for backpacking unless you plan to wear it most of the time.
The Paka Hoodie is also available as a crew neck, and is great for hikes, camping, and casual hangouts at the brewery.
For a super cozy sweater that you can wear everyday for everything from chilly hikes to around the house, camping, and the brewery with friends, you’ll love the Paka Hoodie.
Other midlayers we tested
Minus33 Kobuk 1/4 Zip
Weight: 14.1 oz
Material: Merino wool
Available sizes: XS - XXXL
What we liked: Quarter zip, 100% merino wool, soft material, has thumb holes
What we didn’t like: Found the hooded Ibex Indie to be more versatile
The Minus33 Kobuk ¼ Zip is a thick 100% merino wool midlayer with a quarter zip for ventilation. This is a great hoodless alternative to the Ibex Indie. It’s made of slightly thicker merino wool, making it ever so slightly warmer. We ultimately picked the Indie as a winner because we prefer the versatility of a hood, but some people don’t want a hooded midlayer. If you’re one of those people, then the Kobuk ¼ Zip is for you.
Minus33 Kobuk 1/4 Zip
Men's
Women's
The Minus33 Kobuk 1/4 zip is a great hoodless alternative to the Ibex Indie.
It has flatlock seams, a printed tag, and thumb holes. The quarter zip makes it versatile for higher-output activities, and the merino wool is super breathable. This is a great merino wool midlayer, and if you’re looking for something simple that does the job, this one is a great option.
Minus33 Expedition Crew neck
Weight: 14.1 oz
Material: Merino wool
Available sizes: XS-4XL, Regular and Tall length
What we liked: Simple, 100% merino wool, comes in lots of sizes
What we didn’t like: Expensive for a basic midlayer
The Minus33 Expedition Crew neck is a thick merino wool base layer that you can wear as a midlayer. It has a crew neck, flatlocked seams, and a printed tag. The 100% merino wool material is soft and not itchy.
Minus33 Expedition Crew neck
Men's
Women's
The Minus33 Expedition Crew Neck is a heavyweight 100% merino wool layer.
It also comes in sizes XS-4XL in both regular and tall lengths, so it’s potentially a good option for plus-sized folks. So far, we’ve only had Sam test this midlayer in a men’s size small, though, but we hope to get our hands on a 4XL for our plus-size testers soon.
Minus33 Woolverino Midweight Full zip hoodie
Weight: 8.3 oz
Material: Merino wool, nylon, spandex
Available sizes: S - XXL
What we liked: Full-zip 100% merino wool hoodie, good pockets, breathable
What we didn’t like: Fit is tighter than some would want a zip-up hoodie midlayer
The Minus33 Woolverino Full Zip Hoodie is a super comfortable, thick, 100% merino wool full-zip hoodie. This layer comes in different thicknesses, and the thinner version is our favorite affordable base layer from our best base layers guide.
Minus33 Woolverino Midweight Full zip hoodie
Men's
Women's
The Minus33 Woolverino has a hood for warmth, though we found it doesn’t provide as much coverage as the Kuhl Dynawool.
It has flatlocked seams and a printed tag to prevent chafing. It also has thumb holes, a zippered chest pocket, and zippered hand pockets. The hand pockets aren’t as big as the Kuhl Dynawool, and the hood doesn’t provide as much coverage. It’s also not quite as warm as the Dynawool. But if you like the looks of this over the Dynawool and prefer 100% wool, this is a great option
Weight: Not listed
Material: Merino wool
Available sizes: S - XXL
What we liked: 100% merino wool, casual sweater look, unisex sizing, fits well
What we didn’t like: Not quite as soft as the Paka Hoodie
The Royal Robbins Rockcraft Wool Hoodie is another hooded wool sweater similar to the Paka Hoodie. We love everything about both the Paka Hoodie and the Royal Robbins Rockcraft. But since our job is to split hairs, the Paka Hoodie’s alpaca wool is slightly softer than the merino wool used in the Rockcraft. If you want 100% merino wool, you should get the Rockcraft, though. The Paka Hoodie is only 65% Alpaca wool, with 35% recycled nylon. The Rockcraft is all merino; some might want that over a wool-nylon blend. If that’s you, you won’t be disappointed with the Rockcraft Wool Hoodie.
Royal Robbins Rockcraft Wool Hoodie
Weight: 8.1 oz
Material: Merino wool, nylon, spandex
Available sizes: S - XXL
What we liked: Full-zip wool fleece, breathable, comfortable, warm
What we didn’t like: Expensive
The Ridge Merino Baldwin Fleece Jacket is a hoodless merino wool fleece zip-up. It is 47% merino wool, 42% nylon, and 11% spandex for stretch. The outside of the fabric looks like a simple knit material, but the inside is fleeced for extra cozy warmth. This jacket is super comfortable and a great piece that works in casual settings. It’s also quite breathable, and the full-length zipper makes it well-suited for working hard in cold weather.
Ridge Merino Baldwin Fleece Jacket
The Ridge Merino Baldwin is comfortable and breathable for chilly desert backpacking.
If you like the sound of the Kuhl Dynawool but don’t want the hood, you should check this one out. It is more expensive than the Dynawool, but only barely more expensive.
Icebreaker Men's Merino Blend 200 Realfleece Descender Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie
Weight: 12.7 oz
Material: Merino wool blend
Available sizes: S - XXL
What we liked: Breathable, comfortable, integrated mittens, warm for the weight
What we didn’t like: Tighter fit may not be ideal for everyone
The Icebreaker Men’s Merino Blend 200 Realfleece Descender Long Sleeve is a thin hooded wool-lyocell zip-up midlayer. This fabric is super breathable, and the full-length zipper provides ample ventilation so you won’t overheat. We love this layer for high-output activities like trail running, but it’s also thin enough that it’s great for layering on top of, so you can quickly put a shell on top and wear it for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, or winter hiking. It’s very lightweight, so you can carry this as an extra layer, too.
However, the 200-weight fabric used here is pretty thin for a midlayer. Even though it has a fleece interior, this niche layer is almost more of a base layer. The 60% lyocell and 40% merino wool material is among the most breathable and comfortable we’ve worn. The fabric is so thin between the stripes that you can see light coming through. This creates a very breathable layer that is also surprisingly warm.
Icebreaker Men's Merino Blend 200 Realfleece Descender Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie
Men's
Women's
The Icebreaker 200 Realfleece Descender has hand mitts integrated into the wrist cuffs.
The Descender has a unique wrist cuff design that doubles as a mitten. It has thumb holes on the large wrist cuffs, and the outside of the wrist cuff can fold over to cover your hand as well. There is room in the mitten for your thumb as well. This unique design allows you to cover your hands and quickly uncover them without dealing with gloves.
The Icebreaker 200 Realfleece Descender is lightweight and breathable, but not best for extreme cold.
If you’re looking for something for extreme cold, or a hoodie to wear over looser-fitting base layers, this probably isn’t the best option. The Descender is ideal for mildly cold weather or as part of a tighter-fitting alpine layering system. It’s worth considering for a very breathable layer for high-output pursuits in cold weather, but it’s not quite as warm as we’d like for a midlayer in most cases.
What is a midlayer?
As you might have guessed by the name, you wear a midlayer in between or in the middle of your other layers: over a base layer and under a shell or outer jacket.
A midlayer provides insulation in your layering system that is adaptable to changing environments. If the temperature rises, remove your shell or midlayer and stash them in your pack. When you need extra warmth, put those layers back on. If it’s very cold, add a warmer, thicker midlayer — or even a second.
The Kuhl Dynawool, Icebreaker Descender, Royal Robbins Rockraft, Ibex Indie, Paka Hoodie, and Minus33 Woolverino are all hooded midlayers.
We don’t think layers that combine insulation with a windproof shell material, such as the Arc’teryx Atom, Black Diamond Solution Hoody, or Patagonia Nano Puff, should really count as a midlayer. These synthetic insulated jackets integrate a wind and water-resistant shell material with synthetic insulation. And since you can’t separate the wind and water-resistant shell from the insulation, these jackets are less versatile. You can certainly wear them and other synthetic puffy jackets as a midlayer, but putting a shell over another shell is redundant.
Why you need a midlayer
A midlayer provides warmth, moisture wicking, and breathability for various outdoor activities when it’s very cold.
A midlayer provides most of the insulating warmth in your layering system by trapping heat from your body. But when you work hard and build up heat, a midlayer allows that excess heat to escape so you don’t overheat. This is why breathability (as well as material) is a very important consideration for a midlayer (more on breathability below).
To be honest, we sometimes struggle to decide when to use a midlayer. The TLDR explanation of when a midlayer is best is this: wear a midlayer when it’s really cold or when you aren’t wearing a shell jacket when it’s pretty cold.
Okay, here’s the slightly longer version: We often wear a thicker baselayer plus a windbreaker or running jacket for high-output activities in cold weather — from maybe 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If it’s colder than 20 degrees or during lower-output activities such as casual hiking, we wear a base layer, then a midlayer, with a shell jacket on top. When we get too hot, we can take the shell jacket off and still have a midlayer plus base layer to keep us warm.
As an aside, temperature ranges vary from person to person, and you should experiment to find your ideal temperature ranges when layering.
The Minus33 Woolverino Full Zip Hoodie is great for layering under a puffy in cold weather.
What to look for in a midlayer
This is what you should consider when selecting the right midlayer based on insulation type, activity level, material, and climate.
Material
A good midlayer should be made from insulating materials — like merino wool, alpaca wool, hemp, bamboo, or fleece fabric — that trap warm air while allowing moisture to escape. Other insulating materials will also work as a midlayer, such as the synthetic insulation found in lightweight synthetic puffy jackets mentioned above. However, this type of synthetic insulation is sewn into a lightweight shell material, so the jackets are less versatile. A few midlayers on the market may even use a blend of wools, bamboo or natural materials, and synthetics.
The Minus33 Woolverino Full Zip Hoodie is super breathable, which is ideal for high-output activities like running.
Activity level
Get a midlayer that works for what you intend to use it for. More active pursuits, such as uphill skiing, running, and strenuous hiking or snowshoeing, require more breathability and slightly less warmth. In contrast, lower output activities, such as resort skiing or snowboarding, casual hiking, and winter camping, warrant a warmer, thicker midlayer.
The Ortovox Westalpen Swisswool Hybrid Jacket is awesome for uphill skiing and split boarding.
Fit and layering
A midlayer should fit closely but not be restrictive, with enough room to accommodate a base layer underneath while fitting easily under a shell.
Weight vs. warmth
A warmer layer is going to be heavier, and if it’s too warm, then you’ll be carrying that heavier layer in your pack instead of wearing it. So, choose a midlayer that is warm enough for your intended use but not too warm. That way, you’ll save weight and reduce the likelihood that you overheat.
Durability
Durability varies significantly between materials—wool is less abrasion resistant than synthetic materials like synthetic fleece, which maintains its insulating properties for years. However, wool is more breathable, and synthetic materials tend to stink over extended use. So even though synthetic materials won’t wear out as quickly, they can still become unwearable because of the smell (though sometimes a good sports detergent can revive it).
Many wool garments are made with a blend of wool and synthetic materials. This gets the best of both worlds — the durability of synthetic with the breathability and odor resistance of natural fiber.
Packability
Many midlayers compress to stow them in your backpack. This is useful for situations where you won’t be wearing it all the time, such as backpacking. A thinner midlayer will be more packable, while a thicker one won’t compress to as small of a size.
Climate compatibility
The Royal Robbins Rockcraft Wool Hoodie has a tight-fitting hood that doesn’t play very well with a thicker beanie.
Wool and synthetic insulation perform better in wet, variable weather, as they maintain their insulating properties even when damp. If you’re going to be in extremely damp conditions, synthetic fabrics dry faster than wool.
Types of midlayers
Merino wool
Merino wool is a common natural midlayer material derived from merino sheep fur. It is breathable, warm when wet, and odor-resistant.
Alpaca wool
Alpaca wool is another natural material similar to merino wool, but alpaca wool comes from the fur of the alpaca, a South American mammal that looks similar to the llama. Alpaca wool is softer than merino wool and has hollow fibers, so it’s generally considered warmer. Some would say that alpaca wool is slightly less durable than merino wool, but we haven’t noticed any durability issues with our alpaca wool hoodie from Paka Apparel or other alpaca apparel brands.
The Paka Hoodie is made with alpaca wool, which is considered more sustainable than sheep’s wool.
Alpaca wool is also considered more sustainable than sheep’s wool. Alpacas require less water than sheep, and the alpaca fibers require less water to process as well. However, both of these wool materials are still natural, biodegradable fibers that are generally more sustainable than synthetic alternatives.
Bamboo or hemp blends
Bamboo and hemp blend materials also work well in midlayers. Bamboo and hemp, like wool, is a natural fiber that continues to insulate when wet. These materials tend to dry slowly, however.
Silk
Silk is also similar in many ways to wool: it is naturally odor-resistant, insulating yet breathable, lightweight, and incredibly comfortable. The main drawback of silk is that it is quite expensive, not very durable, and requires great care when washing. We didn't test any silk mid layers for this reason and they're less popular in mid layer materials aimed at outdoor activities.
Care and maintenance of midlayers
Here’s some advice on cleaning, storing, and repairing midlayers to extend their lifespan and maintain performance.
Always check the garment's care label for specific instructions. Generally, wool should be washed in cool water on a delicate cycle and then air dried. Hemp, bamboo, and silk require similar wash methods, but again, check the garment’s care label.
Wash stains immediately by spot cleaning with cold water and dish soap. Store clean and completely dry to prevent mildew.
Use cedar blocks/hangers or lavender sachets rather than mothballs to prevent pests from eating your wool (merino or alpaca) clothing when stored away.
We tested the Paka Hoodie, Ibex Indie, Ridge Merino Baldwin, Minus33 Kobuk, Minus33 Woolverino, Royal Robbins Rockcraft, Icebreaker Descender, Helly Hansen Lifa, Kuhl Dynawool, and Minus33 Expedition midlayers.
How we researched and tested
We tested these midlayers by using them while backpacking, running, skiing, cycling, and hiking. We wore them when it was cold and snowy, or just plain cold, through summer and into fall and winter. We carried some of them on a fall southbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. We also wore them on winter trail runs, hikes, and winter hangouts in Colorado and Utah. We wore them while skiing, both in the backcountry and at ski resorts. And we wore these midlayers in more casual settings while we went about our lives.
A comparison of the thumb holes on the Minus33 Woolverino, Minus33 Kobuk, Icebreaker Descender, Ibex Indie, and Ridge Merino Baldwin.
We assessed each midlayer’s comfort compared to the others we tested. We noted which ones were warmest while camping in the winter, which were the most breathable, and which ones stunk the least after days of wear. We used all the pockets, hoods, zippers, and other features, noting what worked and what didn’t.
About the Author / Why you should trust us
Sam Schild is a Triple Crown thru-hiker, bikepacking cyclist, and mountain athlete. He has backpacked all over the United States and ridden a bike many of the places he hasn’t backpacked. When he’s not on a human-powered adventure, you can find him living and working out of a DIY-converted campervan.
Sam started to love midlayers when backpacking the PCT and CDT. Since then has researched and tested tons of different types of midlayers, from fleece to wool and modern synthetic materials. Now, he brings a midlayer along on every shoulder season thru-hike and other cold-weather activities. He regularly gets outside in the wintertime, whether on a trail run, hike, peak bagging mission, or snowy bike ride, and he’s definitely wearing a midlayer underneath a lightweight shell jacket whenever it’s cold.
You can read more about Sam on his author page or on his website.
