Eco-Conscious Mid Layer

[PeachesNCream]

Looking for a Christmas present for the SO. She's pretty environmentally conscious and could use a good resort mid layer. I'm thinking of brands like patagonia, rei, and cotopaxi. Her shell is lightly insulated but she runs cold so I was thinking of a lightweight puffy. Cotopaxi offerings seem to be too thick. Patagonia Nano air or Nano Puff seems really interesting but more than I was hoping to pay but maybe worth it. Located in northern Idaho. Am on the right track here thinking of a light puffy? Other brands I should be looking into? Other thoughts?

Edit: I've read the recent layering threads but looking for the eco-friendly input.

[Marshal Olson]

Have a look at Corbeaux. Great people (a husband and wife team of ripping skiers) making really nice gear domestically from bluesign certified materials.

their powergrid mid layer is rad. I love mine.

[SKIP IN7RO]

How eco-conscious would a roadtrip to Melanzana be?

[Sashko]

If she wears S - you are lucky one - https://www.evo.com/outlet/synthetic...-jacket-womens

[cravenmorhead]

Nano air fits the bill. It's my most-used piece. Patagonia is eco-friendly. If you want to be doubly eco-friendly, buy it used from their worn wear collection. Cheaper too. But on the whole, it's your standard "pick two" of cheap, eco-friendly, and high performance.

https://wornwear.patagonia.com/shop/...tegory=Jackets

[Hood26]

How about wool?

Icebreaker has some good options. Sweaters and puffies.

Is a Pendleton wool shirt a mid layer? There is a lot of great vintage wool.

[54-46]

Nano air fits the bill. It's my most-used piece. Patagonia is eco-friendly. If you want to be doubly eco-friendly, buy it used from their worn wear collection. Cheaper too. But on the whole, it's your standard "pick two" of cheap, eco-friendly, and high performance.

https://wornwear.patagonia.com/shop/...tegory=Jackets

This^^^^

Or vintage cashmere...

[PeachesNCream]

Thanks for all the replies, taking a look at all of those.

Anyone have experience with the REI Swiftland? Looks like REI's take on the Nano Air (for less than half the price). https://www.rei.com/product/178307/r...-jacket-womens

Edit: or REI Heliovale? https://www.rei.com/product/174287/r...cket-20-womens

[PNWcement]

REI Swiftland - yes as a breathable layer, but it's running focused with a softshell material across the back panel and only insulated on the front....
Heliovale not so much - it's a waterproof breathable which if you put under a shell won't be a good option.

Smartwool makes some decent puffy type layers of different styles and someone mentioned Icebreaker.

Or if you are looking just at REI - this is a decent breathable insulation type coat
https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/produ...-jacket-womens

OR option - https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/produ...LESTIAL%20BLUE

A brand that is very eco oriented but harder to find is Houdini. I have one of their layer pieces using the more breathable oriented synthetic insulations which uses alpha and I really like it.

REI has this one on a great deal, I have one at home for men's it's warm but I'm returning it - https://www.rei.com/product/164879/h...-jacket-womens
material is too shiny for my taste.... But has a hood which may not work under a shell very well.

over at Steepandcheap.com Salewa is all blue-sign,etc. and this one is wool/recycled poly fill - hooded though - https://www.steepandcheap.com/salewa...F0MjExMDA0MA==

Thanks for all the replies, taking a look at all of those.

Anyone have experience with the REI Swiftland? Looks like REI's take on the Nano Air (for less than half the price). https://www.rei.com/product/178307/r...-jacket-womens

Edit: or REI Heliovale? https://www.rei.com/product/174287/r...cket-20-womens

[tang]

Triple to worn wear Nano air... I use that jacket all the time. Got one for everyone in the family. Most of em off the WW site - their “great condition” is like brand new in my experience. And not much more enviro than a used jacket made from recycled material and some percent goes back to enviro causes

[PNWcement]

@brundo

REI Swiftland - yes as a breathable layer, but it's running focused with a softshell material across the back panel and only insulated on the front....
Heliovale not so much - it's a waterproof breathable which if you put under a shell won't be a good option.

Smartwool makes some decent puffy type layers of different styles and someone mentioned Icebreaker.

Or if you are looking just at REI - this is a decent breathable insulation type coat
https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/produ...-jacket-womens

OR option - https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/produ...LESTIAL%20BLUE

A brand that is very eco oriented but harder to find is Houdini. I have one of their layer pieces using the more breathable oriented synthetic insulations which uses alpha and I really like it.

REI has this one on a great deal, I have one at home for men's it's warm but I'm returning it - https://www.rei.com/product/164879/h...-jacket-womens
material is too shiny for my taste.... But has a hood which may not work under a shell very well.

over at Steepandcheap.com Salewa is all blue-sign,etc. and this one is wool/recycled poly fill - hooded though - https://www.steepandcheap.com/salewa...F0MjExMDA0MA==

[Dumbest Known Time]

Buying a used anything will always be the eco choice compared to buying new. Arcteryx runs a used gear site and their version of the Nano Air is the Proton, might be another option to check out. REI also has a used site that I've gotten some real steals from.

https://www.usedgear.arcteryx.com/sh...ated%20Jackets
https://www.rei.com/used

[PeachesNCream]

Thanks for the replies. To be clear, I'm looking to support eco-conscious brands (not just shop at the REI store itself). I'm still looking to get something new or in new condition because it is a Christmas present. I'm really looking into the Nano Air and Nano Puff.

[skaredshtles]

Wool sweater. The come in all different weights.

[cravenmorhead]

Thanks for the replies. To be clear, I'm looking to support eco-conscious brands (not just shop at the REI store itself). I'm still looking to get something new or in new condition because it is a Christmas present. I'm really looking into the Nano Air and Nano Puff.

I mean, it's your present, but Worn Wear specifically calls out any aspect of the products they're selling if they fall short of "like new." Their "excellent condition" stuff is indistinguishable from new, aside from the worn wear stamp somewhere in the interior.

[Cruiser]

Wool sweater. The come in all different weights.

A wool sweater is my favorite mid layer. Best moisture transfer, great insulation, stretchy and easy to move in. I dunno what else you could want from a mid.

[PeachesNCream]

I mean, it's your present, but Worn Wear specifically calls out any aspect of the products they're selling if they fall short of "like new." Their "excellent condition" stuff is indistinguishable from new, aside from the worn wear stamp somewhere in the interior.

Yep, and I'm keeping an eye on that stuff. There's a nano air light but I'm worried that wont be warm enough.

[old goat]

For a mid layer a nano puff is fine, no need to pay extra for nano air.
R2 fleece from Patagonia would be a little cheaper yet, not as warm as a puff.
For really cold N Idaho days I suspect she would want a base layer, some weight of fleece, and a puff.

[cravenmorhead]

For a mid layer a nano puff is fine, no need to pay extra for nano air.
R2 fleece from Patagonia would be a little cheaper yet, not as warm as a puff.
For really cold N Idaho days I suspect she would want a base layer, some weight of fleece, and a puff.

I find the nano puff pretty swampy for an active midlayer.

[PeachesNCream]

For a mid layer a nano puff is fine, no need to pay extra for nano air.
R2 fleece from Patagonia would be a little cheaper yet, not as warm as a puff.
For really cold N Idaho days I suspect she would want a base layer, some weight of fleece, and a puff.

Great recommendation on the R2. I like that it also can be worn casually but is still a performance layer. Might end up going this route. How do you think it compares to the Nano or Nano light in terms of warmth? I'm starting to lean away from the Nano puff due to lack of breathability.

[PeachesNCream]

A brand that is very eco oriented but harder to find is Houdini. I have one of their layer pieces using the more breathable oriented synthetic insulations which uses alpha and I really like it.

I read a review saying that they ordered a size up for Houdini. Was this the case for you?

[Core Shot]

Vests

Assuming she has a decent base layer under the shell, vests are best.

Much easier to regulate heat.
I hate puffy arms under a shell unless it’s below zero.

[XtrPickels]

It's a bit harder to find in the US, but Picture does all sustainable apparel.

https://www.picture-organic-clothing.../135-midlayers

[PeachesNCream]

A Nano Air popped up in the Worn Wear section of Patagonia and I grabbed it. Thanks everyone. Might have to end up grabbing one for myself in the near future.

[old goat]

Great recommendation on the R2. I like that it also can be worn casually but is still a performance layer. Might end up going this route. How do you think it compares to the Nano or Nano light in terms of warmth? I'm starting to lean away from the Nano puff due to lack of breathability.

R2 is not as warm as the Nano. I find the Nano to be quite breathable for something that warm. I only wear it as a second midlayer on the coldest days (I've never worn it in CA, only on trips to colder climes. Breathability of non waterproof garments is mostly about wearing the appropriate garment for the weather, not so much about the properties of the garment--using vents, adding and subtracting layers as needed.

I have the regular R2, which is fuzzy on the outside and mainly to be used as a midlayer. I did almost buy the Techface R2, which is more jacket-like, but I'm sure it would be fine as a midlayer.