Midlayers are required to fit an outrageously demanding job description. Unlike the super-puffy parkas and belay jackets that we wear to stay warm while hunkering down, midlayers provide insulation for activity–a role that calls for a true multi-tasker. Its duties include keeping us warm–but not so warm that we overheat during exertion–while also whisking away sweat and shielding us from the elements (should we decide to wear our midlayer as an outer layer, which these toppers must be versatile enough to handle when weather permits). It’s a tall order.
Yet our testing team found six of the best insulated midlayer jackets that check all the boxes. These breathable insulators successfully regulated testers’ temperatures while they skied, hiked, biked, and ran in winter weather conditions. Testers typically sandwiched these jackets over a base layer and beneath a waterproof shell. On climbs or in dry weather when they ditched the shell, testers evaluated these toppers for their ability to shed precipitation and buffer gusts. After testing close to 50 women’s insulated midlayers, we recommend these six standouts.
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