The classic three-piece layering system consists of a baselayer to move moisture away from your skin, a shell to keep wind and water out, and an insulating layer to hold in warmth. That middle layer is where the magic is. It’s the one you swap out to match the conditions, and the one you rely on to keep you perfectly ventilated on warm spring days and toasty warm in deepest winter. Your midlayer can be anything from a thick down puffy to a stretchy synthetic piece designed to dump heat through special channels or pores. Some midlayers also do double-duty, sporting protective panels or water-resistant coatings so you can tag them in as outer layers in a pinch.
So, in finding the best insulation on the market for 2025 we looked at a full spectrum, including vests that save weight by targeting the core, and even hybrid pieces that strategically place insulation only where it’s needed. After a long season of testing everywhere from North Idaho to the mountains of New Hampshire, these are the midlayers that came out on top.
At a Glance
If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission….
