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So, the future MiL very generously surprised me with a Patagonia Torrentshell for Xmas to replace my fairly warm out Paramo Velez
Even though it was the "Lite" version of the Paramo...it was still fairly hefty....a few years ago it did Snowndon in full winter conditions....-10 on the summit....according to MWIS it was -17 with wind hill. I was in a summer base layer and the Paramo!!! Thus, my hiking gear is based around a thin base layer, then a wind proof, the Paramo or a down jacket depending on conditions.
I wore the Torrentshell in the rain today for the first time and was freezing (I'm fairly warm blooded too) So what mid layer to go with it? I get 25% off at John Lewis so Arcteyrx is pretty affordable....open to suggestions though. Still got 150 Wainwrights to tick so that'll be where it gets used most, year round usually. Also ski and snowboard a lot so potential crossover use there.
Atom LT.
Under a waterproof?
Two thin fleeces. I tend to have one thinner and one thicker.
https://alpkit.com/collections/mens-midlayers
Something made from Polartec Alpha - amazing warmth and wick-ability for something so thin and light
Me and a few mates all ended up with Rab Nexus' cos one of us got one and we all liked it so much.
Similarly, the Alpkit Griffon works well for me. ""Grid fleece"; warm for the weight, quick drying, breathes very well, but not in the slightest bit windproof! There's always another thin fleece or something thicker in the bag, depending on the conditions.
I'm still trying to wear out my years old Lowe Aleutian fleeces. If it's proper cold I wear a Rab soft-shell over that, then wind/waterproof shell as required.
^ eldest has one of those Rab Nexus. It's nice.
Madison Zenith Hoodie. I've got 2 and wear them on the bike, round the house, gardening, hiking...
Aye, fleece.
Love my ME kore;
https://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/products/kore-jacket
I like a full length zip and find the ME fit better for my ‘rounded’ shape than Rab stuff.
ATOM LT from the outlet.
I wouldn’t get an atom, it has insulation sandwiched in two shells, so won’t be that breathable
Something in polartec alpha direct, its massively breathable. There’s a new OMM core series too
Failing that, something with a lightweight fleece, gridded or normal
I like my Fjern Vandring stretch fleece from Sportpursuit so much I've got two. On Saturday I wore it under my Fjern down gilet for a dawn walk in the Pentlands. I reckon it was about -10°C with the wind chill, maybe colder and I was very comfortable. Works well in a variety of situations as a midlayer or outer layer.
Cheers folks, some excellent advice...
I'd had my eye on the Atom LT...even with 25% it's probably a bit expensive for me (and I only really buy fairly expensive stuff!)
Haglofs stuff that is suitable is out of stock.
Rab Nexus looks very nice.
The ME Kore looks really good too.
The Alpkit stuff looks really interesting, at £40 seems like a bargain too. Only own three bits of Alpkit stuff, none of which are that good imo, but none are clothing.
I think that it's between the Rab Nexus and the Alpkit Griffon. I can get 15% off at Cotswolds so they come in at a similar price.
Hmmm, decisions!
Rab paradox brilliant
I have a full zip hoody in polartec powerstretch. It's the one mid layer I'd choose over everything else.
For those who've seen, or have, both the Alpkit Griffon and the Rab Nexus: are they made from the same material?
I've a Rab base layer and my wife got the Alpkit Laika base layer recently and they are the same material so just wondering if this extended to other in the respective ranges.
Only thing that put me off the ME Kore was no hood, I like a hood on my mid layer. Went for an Eclipse instead -
I’ve got the Alpkit Griffon sport-cardigan and more or less live in mine, excellent bit if kit
Fjern Vandring
this. It is very good.
and if very cold have one of these underneath. Surprisingly warm for something so thin
I've ordered a Griffon.
Agree with Slowoldman, I have Lowe Alpine Aleutian that must be decades old. It's made of some sort of wizardry, no mater what I'm using it for it's always the right temperature.
Mine is so old, and so worn, its borderline more hole than material, and will have to retire it at some point. Never found a micro fleece that comes close.
Not much help to the OP as (much as I've searched) its not been available for years 🙁
Got my Alpkit Griffon in the post today, not had chance to test it outdoors with my waterproof etc, but on first glance I'm very impressed.
Nice fit, good quality and a great price. Hand written note inside and apparently the packaging is recyclable too. 👍