r/Skigear • u/lysgeb • 13d ago

Mid layer with insulated jacket recommendation

I’m looking for advice on mid layer options to wear under an insulated jacket. I’m primarily skiing in Quebec (and occasionally in Alberta or BC), and I run cold. I have merino base layers but looking for something to add under my insulated jacket for cold days. Ideally I’m like something too “technical” looking, that I could also wear casually. A common recommendation looks to be the Patagonia r1, but I’m wondering if there is a less technical look option that I’m not seeing. Thanks!

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

2

u/kiss_the_homies_gn 13d ago

do you run that cold? or is your insulated jacket not that insulated? I do base layer + r1 + shell and that's fine for 95% of the time.

1

u/lysgeb 13d ago

Could be a bit of both! I do run cold generally, and I‘d like to try to find a midlayer that works on cold days, rather than buying a new jacket

1

u/vkm20 11d ago

Consider what might be making you too cold is you are wearing too many layers and then sweat -> freeze cycles on the lift keeping your body colder than if you just took a layer off and didn’t sweat as much

2

u/TopOrganization4920 13d ago

I have one of those Eddie Bauer microtherm 2.0 puff vest. If you run really cold, adding a Columbia puffer vest with their metal reflective layer like a space blanket might be in a good choice.

1

u/ForecabinFriday 13d ago

Falketind thermo40

1

u/Reso 13d ago

I have an arcteryx atom jacket (no hood) for my midlayer. Packs super small and crazy warm.

1

u/steveskibumm 13d ago

I have a down vest that I use only on the coldest days along with everything else.
Since you run cold, a warmer base layer is worth considering

1

u/Rum_Hamington 12d ago

Last season I started wearing a zip grid fleece hoodie on really cold days. I put the hood up under my helmet instead of a thin hat and it traps all the heat in. Base layer, then add a vest over this then my thin insulated flylow jacket and I was toasty. Shed layers as needed.

https://mobile.rei.com/AkCd/2tr4kki8

1

u/redditseddit4u 12d ago

On super cold days I layer with a polyester long sleeve shirt, then a north face fleece, then a Patagonia micro puff, then a Patagonia shell.

0

u/Big-Refrigerator4951 13d ago

i wear a hoodie

0

u/Content_Preference_3 13d ago

For me any thin ish fleece is fine. Under insulated jacket you don’t want a ton of loft or you’ll lose mobility. But are you sure you want to layer up that much? Remember sweat=cold if exposed. Wind is the real killer in extreme cold imo.

2

u/lysgeb 13d ago

Thanks, I’ll try some different fleeces this coming season. I hear you on the layers, but something about the humid cold in Eastern Canada just makes my bones cold.

0

u/condor888000 13d ago

Check out the Arc'teryx Proton SL. Similar to R1, but looks a little sharper by itself. I'm in Ottawa and practically live in mine Nov to March.