Rain resistant mid suggestions

Foxster

Section Hiker
I know there are a few winter gear threads kicking about but I'm struggling to find what I'm looking for.

My current mid layer for the winter is a standard down affair, a Mountain Equipment Arete Hooded Jacket with about 120g of 700 fill power down, weighing about 400g.

It's warm and light and has been fine in some pretty cold weather between a waterproof shell and base layer.

The downside though is that it's like a sponge. I often wear it without a shell when walking because its too warm otherwise but as soon as the weather turns misty or slightly drizzly it gets soaked through and then takes ages to dry out.

I suppose I'm looking for a hooded mid layer with the outer at least rain resistant and I'd guess I need to go synthetic.

Suggestions under £200?
 
Last edited:

Baldy

Thru Hiker
I would say the Arete is a stand alone down jacket not a mid layer. You'd better off with a Patty R1 hoody or similar.
 
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Foxster

Section Hiker
I would say the Arete is a stand alone down jacket not a mid layer. You'd better off with a Patty R1 hoody or similar.

My outer shell is an Alpkit Balance which is pretty thin. Would an R1 be toasty enough with that do you think? Don't know much about them but they don't look very substantial.

I have been looking more along the lines of a Fjällräven Keb Padded Hoodie for when its really cold.
 

Shewie

Chief Slackpacker
Staff member
I'll be sad when my Fireball smock gives up, it goes on every trip just about, something to throw on for those cool summer evenings or as part of a layering system under a fleece or shell, or even sleepwear in the cooler months. I don't carry a great deal of down now as I'm finding synthetic is more versatile for UK trips, weights and pack size aren't that different to down if you go with something like Primaloft or Apex
 

Baldy

Thru Hiker
The R1 is very warm worn with a base, under a shell when walking. Keep the Arete for when it is cold and dry to put on over the lot.

For cold walking..
Base
R1
Windproof

If it rains swap the Windproof for a waterproof. Keep the down jacket for stops.
 

Foxster

Section Hiker
Slightly heavier but what about a Paramo Torres Activo? https://www.paramo-clothing.com/en-...tributes=5A01410B-7BF6-46CC-8A97-FFEA0A577F6E

I don’t have one but have thought about getting one for colder months.
Looks interesting and pretty much what I had in mind. Available in Blacks Black Friday sale at £144 (using the 20% off code on their site).

Been looking into the R1 route too but I'm just not sure if I can pull off that skinny fit look it seems to demand :rolleyeses:
 

Taz38

Thru Hiker
I have the paramo torres gilet and would like the jacket as its quite good, I don't mind wearing it in mild rain.
 

Teepee

Thru Hiker
I'm in a R'adys R6 synth jacket, or a Paramo Torres when it's colder. The Torres is a flexible bit of kit, I've used it as a waterproof before and walked all day in it in rain. It'll quite happily go over a wet waterproof too.
 

Charlie83

Thru Hiker
The Patagonia levitation (hooded and non hooded) soft shells have been my most used & favourite mid/outer layer for a few years now, they work really well in chilly, damp and wet conditions, decent relaxed fit, easily fit a fleece underneath if desired.

Recently got a couple of arcteryx midlayers that I'm pleased with, the Atom Sl hoody, not overly fitted, it's fine in damp conditions but not really much use as an outer in any sort of rain.

Also got an Adhay hoody (a much more fitted fit) which I wore with just a LS base layer last winter on a long snow and and wet mountain day, it was roasting, it ended up pretty wet as the rain just got heavier as the day progressed, but I was still to warm to put on an outer and my base layer was fine, it really surprised me as it feels like the thinnest of the lot, the hoods a bit funky, ok if your into the speed skater look
 

benp1

Trail Blazer
I've always considered down to be a very poor midlayer. It doesn't like the wet, unless it's hydrophobic down, and the shells usually aren't breathable enough

For midlayers I've used all sorts, from polartec alpha (good) to primaloft (shell materials often not massively breathable), micro pile (rab VR, excellent) or normal fleece.

It's hard to argue with fleece in this situation - it's warm, it's light, it doesn't mind getting wet, it's breathable, doesn't compress under rucksack straps. it's very robust

I know we've moved away from fleece with more hi tech stuff, but I find on some trips that fleece is just ideal
 
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