Good midlayer for under hardshell?

[gramboh]

I'm getting a Westcomb Mirage eVent hardshell and am trying to figure out a good midlayer to use underneath on colder days. I have a Helly Hansen light base layer. This is for day trips, probably down to -25c or so, won't be going out when much colder than that. Want something that will not be too bulky since I'm wide for a large (5'10" 200#). What I've been considering:

Marmot Driclime Original: http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorge.../MAR0657M.html

Really good reviews, 312g/11oz (sounds light?), sounds decently breathable, downside is I can't try on and returning shit to BC from Canada is expensive and slow

MEC Physique: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1257402767056
Look bulkier at 520g, not sure on performance, free shipping though and easier to return

MEC Watchtower http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1257402767061
297g so lightest, not sure how warm though? Emailed asking more about it

MEC Jetstreak http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1257402767057
447g, not sure how well this would breath though

Thanks for any advice

[Kit Cassidy]

Patagucci Nano Puff

Super light, warm, keeps you warm even if its wet and you get Patagonia's awesome warranty.

[haydukelives]

personally i would not buy anything from a catalog without knowing the fit and feel of it.

and i find that wool from smartwool,ibex,etc is warmer,breathes better,and stinks much less than any synthetic

[Viva]

Ice Breaker merino wool is what I use. Many of their styles come in multiple fabric weights, too.

http://www.icebreaker.com/site/catal...ops&gender=Man

[JayPowHound]

[arewolfe]

I use Patagonia R1 under my jacket, over my Capilene 3.

Mtn Hardware Monkey Man if it gets really cold.

[hutash]

Another vote for Patagucci. R1 to R4 depending on how warm you want to be. You want something that breaths really well to past water vapor between you base layer and the membrane in your jacket without holding moisture.

On really cold days I wear my down sweater; it is not the perfect mid-layer, but I really like my down sweater so I wear it anyway.

[rasi]

R1 or any Polartec Powerstretch will be perfect.

Merino is all nice but only if you don't sweat a lot. It still keeps warm when wet but dries very slowly.

[LightRanger]

I've owned or tried everything mentioned above except the MEC stuff. R1 is a great baselayer or 2nd layer. I have a ton of Icebreak stuff as well, but primarily use it as baselayers.

The latest piece that's caught my eye is this: http://arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?Men...ket#Mid_Weight They have the MX version as well, which is a bit lighter and doesn't have the insulation at the bottom hem so it layers better when you tuck it into your pants.

Thin enough to fit under a shell, and more form fitting than the Nano Puff (felt roughly the same weight as the Nano). I'd try before you buy, but it's probably the coolest "layering" (i.e. not an over the softshell belay-jacket type) lofty synthetic jacket I've seen. More compressible than fleece and the jacket just feels sweet when it's on.

[hoarhey]

Very toasty, I only use on colder days (below -10C or 18F).

http://arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?Men...Zip#Mid_Weight
High loft fleece

As a down sweater, puffy dealio... (more like a belay jacket - keep in pack).
http://www.prolitegear.com/montbell_...own_parka.html
14.2 oz in Medium (400 g)

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

The Marmot Driclime is not very warm, so to speak, but would work very well as far as a breathability combo with the eVent (with the driclime pushing sweat out to the eVent).

I will largely be rocking the following combo inbounds this year (although I am in Tahoe, so much warmer weather):

Westcomb Mirage
Marmot Catalyst Jacket (a little heavier driclime than the original windshirt)
Patagonia Cap 3 zip-neck

[LightRanger]

Note:

Although I've yet to get my eVent jacket, I've heard anecdotally that because it breathes so well it tends not to trap warm air as much as a Gore jacket, so many people find that layering more heavily (for lift-served) is appropriate.

[shasti]

^^ I've heard the same. I think you should definately check Patagucci R1 hoody half zip I run hot and the puff shit, even if its nano, really only works for me if I do not hike at all, which is a rarity (groomer days) I usually rock the above piece over a base layer and stash the micro puff in the pack incase.

[bern43]

Check Gear Swap, there's a black Patagucci R2 for $40.00 that should work. I just bought the grey one as a midlayer for under my eVent jacket.

[adrenalated]

Contrary to what others seem to be saying, I don't find the Driclime jacket to be breathable enough to wear under a shell. It works best for me as a summer/spring/fall windshirt.

I definitely agree with the Patagucchi rec. R1, R2, or R3 are all awesome, just pick whichever weight you want. I find the R2 works well for me on cold days. Or if you really want something warm, get a Nano Puff, Micro Puff or Down Sweater (jacket or vest).

[kbuzz]

^^ I've heard the same. I think you should definately check Patagucci R1 hoody half zip I run hot and the puff shit, even if its nano, really only works for me if I do not hike at all, which is a rarity (groomer days) I usually rock the above piece over a base layer and stash the micro puff in the pack incase.

Good call, works well over a merino crew baselayer. Im partial to ibex as icebreaker is made in china, but i own both. The patagucci wool baselayers are not to be denied either.

The other good thing about the R1 is that it can act as a neck warmer and balaclava in one piece. Less stuff to lose. Ibex also makes a similar piece this year called the indie hoodie. Dont know much about it put looks awesome. If you want a hooded base layer you may also want to check out the backpacking light merino hoody. Havent seen it in person but looks super functionable

[altasnowbirdripper]

Ice Breaker merino wool is what I use. Many of their styles come in multiple fabric weights, too.

http://www.icebreaker.com/site/catal...ops&gender=Man

Second - I have a Spyder Big Sky Softshell Jacket I use with a middle weight Ice Breaker merino wool t-neck under and I stay warm & dry in the coldest/wet conditions - and a light weight wool in early/late season

[webboy]

I have 4 Marmot Driclime windshirts. I'm not the only one to have said this: The single best piece of outdoor clothing I have ever owned, hands down. The thing is so versatile it's almost stupid. I wear them year round, but they rock as a mid layer for skiing. Read the reviews on backcountry.com. Also, and I swear, these work really well as a base layer next to your skin when it's a bit warmer- totally comfortable and they wick sweat away really well. You can even comfortably wear these as a single layer when it's really warm, no shit.

[Hugh Conway]

^^ I've heard the same. I think you should definately check Patagucci R1 hoody half zip I run hot and the puff shit, even if its nano, really only works for me if I do not hike at all, which is a rarity (groomer days) I usually rock the above piece over a base layer and stash the micro puff in the pack incase.

The Regular R1 Half Zip (not the "Special" version) is a nicer piece for layering because it uses R.5 fleece at the waist and wrist for less bulk.

Lightweight wool + R1 or R2 = nice layering system. Micropuff is a nice jacket but doesn't layer well underneath things.

[Dickie Law]

I use Patagonia R1 under my jacket, over my Capilene 3.

Mtn Hardware Monkey Man if it gets really cold.

The R1 is dope. I like this under a shell as well. As others have said, I would try it on in a store before buying cause obviously the tighter fit for baselayers can be tricky.

edit: Meant to say the R1 half zip.... sick that they have it with a hood now.

[oftpiste]

Mirage is not a warm shell, but performs quite well at what it claims to do. I find I have to layer differently when I wear mine that when I don't. That said, I really only use it in wetter conditions which, here in the great PNW usually means warmer temps.

[whyturn]

I have the IBEX shak and also a 300 weight fleece. cant go wrong with merino and fleece loft, my 2 cents

[ljs102]

Patagonia R2 works well for me. Also have the down sweater that I use if its real cold, but obviously doesn't breathe well at all.

[sidewall]

Got a patagonia R4 on SAC, works great.

[jesski]

Yet another vote for patagonia.

For midlayers i have their R1 halfzip (good for breathable/warm/hiking), down sweater (good for standing still, warm), and the R2 (good for around town, just my basic fleece, really).


The warranty is also awesome...recently replaced my first R1 & R2 (purchased in 2003?) with more of the same.