The 10 Best Men's Ski & Snowboard Mid Layers of 2022-2023
By: Kevin Katsafanas: Men's Techwear Buyer | November 7, 2022
A key and often overlooked component when choosing what to wear skiing and the layering system is the mid layers. Sure, you really care that your base layer is comfortable against your skin and that your shell layer looks good and keeps the rain out, but what about the middle insulating layers? These are the layers that keep you warm in harsh winter weather, the layers that help wick sweat and keep you comfortable, and the layers that do a ridiculous amount of work. And when it comes to men's mid layers there are so many options. What style do you want? Jacket, hoodie, or vest? And then, what sort of insulation do you desire? Synthetic or down?
New This Year:
Those options are why there’s no one best mid layer of all time. Instead, the best mid layers are the ones that work best for you, and that meet your specific needs. Luckily, this year, the lineup of mid layers is stronger than ever before. Brands have worked to make their mid layers lighter and more packable without compromising their insulation. And they’re using more sustainable materials, so your conscience can rest easy. So no matter what you’re looking for in a mid layer, we’ve got something that will keep you warm and comfy on this list.
This Year's Best Men's Ski & Snowboard Mid Layers:
Patagonia R1® Air Crew Top
If we ever find another frozen mountain climber from 800 years ago, thaw them out, and give them access to the warehouse, we'd bet money on them picking the Patagonia R1® Air Crew Top. It just looks right! The fit, the weave, the durability: this is a serious mountain-roaming layer with timeless style. This is a classic mid layer that just plain works.
| Insulation | Style | Original Price |
| Recycled jacquard fleece | Sweater | $99.00 |
Flylow Pierogi Hoodie
Light enough to breathe and balance your temperature as you trek uphill, and a critical layer of warmth when body and air temperatures start to drop, the Flylow Pierogi Hoodie is a versatile technical mid-layer that will always come in handy when you need it most. It’s got just the right level of insulation to keep you warm while you wait for your buddies, but you won’t overheat when you’re skiing hard.
| Insulation | Style | Original Price |
| Polyester | Hooded Jacket | $139.95 |
686 Waterproof Hoodie
The best of both worlds, the 686 Waterproof Hoodie is made from a 3-layer softshell infiDRY® fabric that's soft and pliable like a sweatshirt but still delivers 10K/10K waterproof breathable protection. Gone are the days of indecisiveness and mid-day jacket changes. The 686 Waterproof Hoodie doesn't miss a beat on those days when it's snowing by morning and bluebird spring-style skiing by afternoon. This hoody combines streetwear style with technical performance in a classy package.
| Insulation | Style | Original Price |
| Softshell with polyester fleece backing | Hoodie | $139.95 |
Arc'teryx Atom LT Hoodie
The Arc'teryx Atom LT Hoodie is super light, breathable, and warm. It's not hard to see why the Atom remains one of the best-selling and highest-rated mid layers year after year, beloved by skiers, hikers, climbers, and townsfolk alike. It's great on its own for a bit of warmth when the weather's not too bad, and the air-permeable Tyono shell and Coreloft insulation really shine when used to add warmth under a shell without putting a stop to airflow or breathability. This is a high-end, high-performance hoodie that will keep you the perfect temperature all day long.
| Insulation | Style | Original Price |
| 60g Coreloft Insulation | Hoodie | $259.00 |
Oyuki Otaru Insulated Jacket
Our idea of a simple and perfect ski morning is described as such: Wake up before the sun, brew coffee, take the dogs out to hop around in the fresh snow blanketing the yard, eat a simple yet hearty breakfast, snag your Oyuki Otaru Insulated Jacket, and make your way to the mountain to meet friends and smash pow till sundown. Made from high-quality, superior Japanese milled fabric, this mechanical stretch jacket with a removable hood delivers unrivaled comfort on and off the mountain. Whether you're purveying the town for the perfect hole-in-the-wall dinner spot or layering up for a chilling day spent pillow jumping, this water-resistant jacket gives you all the warmth without the bulk. It's simple, reliable, and made to last, aka the Oyuki way. This mid layer is perfectly suited to most days in the mountains.
| Insulation | Style | Original Price |
| 60g Primaloft Eco Gold | Hooded Jacket | $239.95 |
Burton AK Baker Down Jacket
Top-shelf insulation and all-day warmth and comfort await in the Burton AK Baker Down Jacket. Engineered to be the most windproof insulator in the entire Burton line, this jacket boasts a lightweight and packable Pertex® 20D nylon ripstop construction which houses the 90/10 RSD down 800 fill for moisture-resistant warmth. Hoodless to minimize bulk under your snowboard jacket, the Burton AK Baker Down Jacket is ready for a season chock full of cold smoke pow! The Baker down jacket delivers high-powered warmth in a compact package.
| Insulation | Style | Original Price |
| RSD 800 Fill Down | Puffy Jacket | $239.95 |
Patagonia Nano Puff® Hoodie
You move from one activity to the next, each requiring new gear and lots of preparation. What's the only piece of gear you'll pack every time? The Patagonia Nano Puff® Hoodie. This incredibly versatile zippered hoodie works on many fronts, whether that's as a toasty thermal microlayer, a belay parka, or as an insulated jacket. Its PrimaLoft® insulation isn't bulky and protects from the wind, while the DWR coating keeps you dry. Do yourself a favor and set yourself up for mountain activity success with the Patagonia Nano Puff® Hoodie. This is one of the most popular puffies in the world for good reason, it just gets the job done.
| Insulation | Style | Original Price |
| Primaloft Gold Eco | Hooded Puffy | $279.00 |
The North Face ThermoBall™ Eco Jacket
We like to describe TNF's ThermoBall™ Eco insulation as "Great Balls of Fire" to customers in the store who aren't familiar with the product, and it's an apt description for the insulating power even when the jacket is wet. The North Face ThermoBall™ Eco Jacket stashed in your pack or kept in your car is the ideal way to guarantee your day doesn't turn into cold misery when the weather goes south. This year's TNF ThermoBall™ Eco Jacket features an improved quilting pattern and an updated fit. It’s a very warm option that keeps insulating no matter what mother nature throws at you.
| Insulation | Style | Original Price |
| 11g/ft ThermoBall Eco | Puffy Jacket | $209.95 |
evo Agility Merino Wool Jacket
A versatile insulating layer with windbreaking Pertex® overlays on the front, the evo Agility Merino Wool Jacket was designed for high-output activities like ski touring and mountain biking. Its lightweight merino wool blend provides warmth and anti-odor qualities while simultaneously breathing so as not to leave you soaked in sweat. Whether we're layering it beneath a shell or donning it as our outer layer, the Agility Merino Wool Jacket has become the go-to staple in many evo employee wardrobes. It’s just so stylish and comfortable, on or off the ski slopes.
| Insulation | Style | Original Price |
| Knit Merino | Zip Sweater | $119.95 |
Patagonia Nano Puff® Vest
Wear it as a mid-layer or wear it on its own; the Patagonia Nano Puff® Vest is a classic for a reason. It's windproof and water resistant, and filled with lightweight, compressible yet super warm PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation. Once you go Nano Puff®, you never go back. This is a comfortable, versatile vest that works well on the commute to the summit or work.
| Insulation | Style | Original Price |
| 60 G Primaloft Gold Eco | Vest | $179.00 |
Learn More With Our Other Outerwear & Layering Guides:
- Waterproof Ratings & Breathability Guide
- Skiing & Snowboarding - What to Wear Skiing & Snowboarding
- Outerwear - How to Choose a Ski & Snowboard Jacket
- Outerwear - How to Choose Ski & Snowboard Pants
- Outerwear - Fit Guide & Jacket Length
- How to Wash Waterproof Jackets & Clothing
- Outerwear - How to Choose by Region
- Outerwear - Construction, Fabric & Features
- Insulated Garments - How to Choose
- Insulated Garments - How to Wash Down & Synthetic Jackets
- Base Layers & Long Underwear - How to Choose
- GORE-TEX® Fabric - How it Works & Product Testing
- GORE-TEX® Fabric - How to Wash & Keep Waterproof
- Backcountry - How to Dress
Learn About Our Favorite Gear
- The Best Men's Ski Jackets
- The Best Women's Ski Jackets
- The Best Men's Snowboard Jackets
- The Best Women's Snowboard Jackets
- The Best Kids' Ski & Snowboard Jackets
- The Best Men's Ski Pants
- The Best Women's Ski Pants
- The Best Men's Snowboard Pants
- The Best Women's Snowboard Pants
- The Best Men's Ski Bibs
- The Best Men's Snowboard Bibs
- The Best Women's Ski Bibs
- The Best Kids' Ski & Snowboard Pants
- The Best Men's Down & Puffy Jackets
- The Best Men's Ski & Snowboard Mid Layers
- The Best Men's Ski & Snowboard Base Layers
- The Best Women's Snowboard Bibs
- The Best Men's Fleece Jackets
- The Best Women's Down & Puffy Jackets
- The Best Women's Fleece Jackets
- The Best Men's Rain Jackets
- The Best Women's Rain Jackets
- The Best Men's Hardshell Jackets
- The Best Women's Hardshell Jackets
- The Best Women's Ski & Snowboard Mid Layers
- The Best Women's Ski & Snowboard Base Layers
- The Best Down Vests
- The Best Fleece Vests
The Selection Process:
Our techwear buyers have an endless amount of knowledge on all things outerwear stemming from years of experience in the outdoor industry in tandem with their countless hours spent outside in all conditions around the world. From hot to cold, snow, rain, wind, and even sunshine, they know what clothing will keep you comfortable. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
