Mid layer for walking

Ex-Army wooly pully? If it’s good enough for our boys, etc, etc

something like this?

https://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/shop/outdoor-clothing/military-jumpers-tops/black-jumper-v-neck-acrylic-military-614792.html

Or this one if you prefer a round neck…

https://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/shop/outdoor-clothing/military-jumpers-tops/black-crew-neck-acrylic-military-566519.html

one mans mid-layer is another's base layer...

I've been really impressed with a 7mesh gryphon recently. polartec powergrid seems a great fabric.

and a S/H arcteryx kyanite hoody that I picked up super cheap.

I have thinish synthetic fill "down" jacket that is great for this sort of thing.

Alpkit do a couple that should suit.

Sub Zero; they have some in clearance plus their full price offerings.

I've yet to find an insulated jacket that isn't too warm to wear as a mid-layer unless it's minus 5C or below (and even then...)

Fleece jackets were developed to fulfill exactly this requirement so I'm genuinely interested to know why you are dismissing that option. Having said that, I'd include the likes of Polartec Powergrid in my broad definition of "fleece" 🙂  The best option was always the tighter-knit fleece used by Mountain Equipment - Ultrafleece.

This isn’t a straight answer but…..

I think a heavy weight stretchy base layer is a hood thing to have. The decathlon one is great.

Over this I might where a soft shell or thick outer like a Paramo. I’d add a synthetic gilet in between if I needed more insulation

I got one of these from Patagonia recently, might fit the bill?

https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/product/mens-r1-air-zip-neck-fleece/40245.html?dwvar_40245_color=BSNG

Not sure if you’d count it as fleece, I guess it might be but it’s not thick and fluffy. I really like it but beware it is slim fitting so accentuates the, ahem, curves somewhat.

I have thinish synthetic fill “down” jacket that is great for this sort of thing.

Alpkit do a couple that should suit.

Heiko is one of them.

I have one but rarely where any more over it than a waterproof shell. It's fully windproof on its own.

I've exactly the same view as scotroutes.

Fleeces are perfect for this.

Also, latest patagucci snap T feels like ultrafleece. I'm struggling to not wear mine all the time...

Matt - the Ultrafleece is available again...

I'm still wearing Lowe Alpine grid fleeces from the year dot. They don't want too die.

something with Polartec's Powergrid (or copies). I use this on long road rides when it gets horrible. Needs to be really chilly to wear when hill bashing as I run a bit hot. Faantaastic. 👍

Polartec power grid is very good.

I have a 7mesh long sleeve top and my wife has a Rab one. Both very good.

Ultrafleece is available again…

At a not-so pretty price ☹️

The famous Lowe Alpine waterproof, fleece lined hat is back too. It's like being in the early 90s

😎

FWIW, I find Paramo wind resistant fleece (Enduro) to be very good and loads of zips/vents to dump heat if you're cooking on the ascent. I lived in it on Harris and Uist the last couple of trips

Something/anything long sleeved in merino makes a lovely mid-layer for me 🙂

@scotroutes and matt_oab

Old ME Ultrafleece was made from K2 Karisma fleece fabric. Still available here:

https://hilltrek.co.uk/shop-by-material/technical-fleece/

I still miss mine 😢

I have a Alpkit Heiko and a Montane Prism jacket but I find insulated jackets too warm for walking in, but I always take one out for emergencies, lunch stops etc.

Swanndri ranger bush shirt

This has to be the easiest category to shop for. Pretty much any insulation layer will do as long as it's not cotton. TBH I even don't like wool because it gets damp when you sweat.

But as above, fleece really is perfect for this. Cheap, easy to care for and works superbly.

Has anyone tried the new version of the ME Ultrafleece? Had the Alpine version of one back in the 90's and it was perfect for nearly everything, wore it biking/ hillwalking - soft, comfortable, breathable, just enough protection... Have tried almost every other modern alternative and not found something as perfect as that was...can it really be as good as the old version or is it a pale imitation? Interestingly, this type of compact warp knit fleece seems to be coming back in vogue as it is more environmentally sustainable, as it doesn't shed its fibres so much during its lifespan.

Alpkit button up shirt thing, and similar from other manufacturers. Open the buttons if a bit warm etc

This has to be the easiest category to shop for.

This.
I usually prefer wool for base layers, but synthetic does win out for mid layers, though I'll sometimes just wear a second base layer over the first.

Thin fleece sounds ideal if quilted insulation is too much. I have a thin synthetic jumper (to give it a non-technical name) I bought from Decathlon for 3 quid years ago, and it does something very similar, but doesn't look like a fleece, if that's your issue.

For something slightly less fleecy Montane do a sweatshirt version of their Protium fleece that looks like a regular sweatshirt but is a technical fleece

OMM gilet. Thank me later.

A jumper

I use a polartec alpha gilet in summer, Marmot alpha 60 in spring/Autumn and montane hydrogen direct in winter.

So my answer is polartec alpha!

^This

Ive got a few tops in Polartec Alpha (including the Marmot Alpha 60 gilet above). Also I'm getting good service from this Mountain Equipment Switch midlayer which an Alpha body and grid fleece arms and sides:
https://hillanddaleoutdoors.co.uk/products/mountain-equipment-switch-jacket-anvil-grey-acid?variant=40057793085595&gclid=CjwKCAjwtp2bBhAGEiwAOZZTuDixTDn3eaxrwUB_NGYWwXdX4aQYAhQkmysDIDr-wmnRBqDcTqNsfRoC1WcQAvD_BwE

Also just noticed the Wiggle own brand Fohn Alpha Direct jacket reduced to £60 (probably a bargain!):
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/fohn-polartec-alpha-hybrid-jacket?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&sku=102488811&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=&utm_medium=base&gclid=CjwKCAjwtp2bBhAGEiwAOZZTuERs6rHZFGxYkiROnNH6FoRfQlpZNw-IXQdOiiaHO5BHaIEvzE2RfRoCBokQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Walk most days in my £3.00 charity shop woollen jumpers.Still alive.

Mention of the Montane Protium up above had me looking at them this morning in my local Cotswold Outdoors. They look quite good , so on the basis of a look I ordered one. Heavily discounted from here.

I got an Alpkit Akita jacket cheap a few years back. It's my goto top/mid layer if I need a bit of extra warmth. I know you asked for a non fleece, but this is STW 😀

https://alpkit.com/products/akita-jacket-m

Not sure I'd pay the RRP, but I'm sure lots of other brands have similar. Really getting into Montane stuff ATM, thanks to a couple of PSAs on here.

I got an Alpkit Akita jacket cheap a few years back. It’s my goto top/mid layer if I need a bit of extra warmth

I've been using one of those for about 7 years - it makes a great mid-layer, the smooth outer doesn't drag on what you wear over it like more conventional fleeces or even woolies can.

I like the Fjern Vandring. It is a fleece but with a smooth outer. Unfortunately it's also got a hood which I like but you said you didn't want.

I stand corrected on fleeces. I decided to buy and try a couple of Montane light weight fleeces, both a great fit, comfortable and warm, so I decided to keep them both. 🙂

Cheers for the suggestions and replies. 🙂

Mounty, that's a good decision....

The only slight negative for fleece (for me) is it's quite bulky and heavy (comparatively) though this is offset by being bombproof and warm when wet which lofting stuff can't match.

If I'm ganna wear it, fleece or gridded midlayer, if I'm just ganna carry it, Primaloft or similar 👍

Came here to suggest montane protium or tan nucleus, both polartec grid. I find them perfect over a base layer for most conditions