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Mid-layer/insulation

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
After much pondering, i decided to go with a shell jacket (ME Changabang), and have several mid-weight fleeces to layer under it, but i'm wondering whether to buy a heavier weight fleece or something else for when it's really chilly.

Any suggestions for something toasty?
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I guess it depends where and what you are doing but something like the lightweight down jackets that Patagonia do would keep you toasty.
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andy from embsay, loads and loads of previous threads on here about mid layers. If you don't get on with the snowHeads search, try this.
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Have a hunt around for a fleece made from thermal pro high loft (Rab Boulder and Patagonia R3 high loft spring to mind). Its light and very fluffy... should keep you warm to reasonably low temperatures; its certainly warmer and lighter that most other 'heavyweight fleece' out there. Packs down very well and breathes excellently to boot, if that matters at all Smile

Alternatively any light insulated top would probably do just fine... primaloft, down, whatever you felt your wallet could take.
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if really cold, I go for my normal layers (merino base and powerstretch mid) and add a v.light primaloft booster - a rab Photon in my case. Works a treat. I don't like heavy fleece for active stuff.
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Also got a Rab primaloft jacket for wearing under a shell when it's really cold. Works really well - in fact, it's probably become my most-used piece of clothing all year round!
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
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Thanks Zero-G, Did a search on mid-layers and most were talking about fleece, of which I have lots - my current Rab jacket has primaloft insulation but isn't really suitable for wearing under anythng, so I'll have a look for something lighter.

Thanks all.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Things to consider:

Is this top solely for skiing or will you use it for other outdoor pursuits?
Pertex breathes well, but if you add a down/primaloft layer under a shell, that’ll be 2 layers of pertex and a shell jacket which makes for a very unbreathable system, not ideal if you run hot.
Thermal Pro style fleece is super warm for the weight but the wind goes right through it if you intend ever wearing it without an outer layer

Couldn’t you just wear 2 mid-weight fleeces?
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I'm thinking a primaloft vest, something like the Rab or Haglofs one. I can bung that in a rucsac and hardly notice it, then pop it on if I get really chilly. I've got Rab and Mtn Hardwear thin and midweight fleeces - thinking a base layer and Rab Fleece plus shell should be ok most of the time, but with a primaloft vest to stick on if it gets really cold. The vest would be helpful to carry as a back up for longer days fell running too - at about 250g it'll fit in a bum bag and is there for stops etc.
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galpinos wrote:
Pertex breathes well, but if you add a down/primaloft layer under a shell, that’ll be 2 layers of pertex and a shell jacket which makes for a very unbreathable system, not ideal if you run hot.
Thermal Pro style fleece is super warm for the weight but the wind goes right through it if you intend ever wearing it without an outer layer


If you're wearing a down or synthetic insulation jacket, it'll be windproof and (usually) slightly weatherproof, so it'll do fine as an outer layer until the weather gets properly miserable. Might not want to take a tumble on ultralight fabrics, but the usual stuff should be fine.

I'd never wear fleece on the outside, because of the tendency for snow to stick to it. I go for normal fleece plus a windproof outer of some kind (windshirt, softshell, hardshell, depending) because they're much lighter and warmer than equivalent windproof fleece, much more breathable and dead easy to vent if I get too hot.

galpinos wrote:
Couldn’t you just wear 2 mid-weight fleeces?


Two windproof fleeces are going to limit breathability too. The outer will have to be sized up a bit to fit, which may make it a bit baggy for use on its own.
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I just bought a Rab Boulder fleece to replace my Primaloft jacket which is getting a bit tired. i went for the Boulder because it layers better than my Primaloft and is almost as warm.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
I agree with everything you say, I was coming from the point of view of the OP which was that he wanted something to put under his jazzy new hardshell.
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Two windproof fleeces are going to limit breathability too

Windproof fleeces are the spawn of the devil. Rubbish things. Why have a fleece and a windproof when you can combine them into a sweaty, inflexible less versatile option!
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andy from embsay, I skied in -20 at the base in Jan last year with a shell. I had 2 long sleeve thin merino layers and a thin microfleece on. Top half was fine, needed leggings on my legs though!!
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