Alex Roddie recommends this jacket for its eco-credentials and its performance when layering for winter.
This synthetic insulated midlayer is a versatile choice in a wide range of colder mountain situations, working well under a shell in all-out Winter as well as doing double duty as a standalone insulated piece.
Alex Roddie’s Greener Choice
Overall this is a fantastic layering piece for winter mountaineering or a great synthetic jacket for three-season use.- versatile
- good breathability
- freedom of movement
- comfy, soft fabric
- chest pocket too small
| Quick specs |
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| Price: no US shipping / £210 (available from Haglofs) Weight: 437g (M) Fill: 75% recycled polyester, 25% polyester, 60g/m2, Bluesign approved Hood: helmet-compatible, single rear adjustment Shell: knitted fabric: 80% polyamide, 20% elastane; woven fabric & brushed tricot: 100% recycled polyester, Bluesign approved Pockets: 2 zipped external handwarmer, 1 zipped internal chest Hem: adjustable drawcord Cuffs: elastic Sizes: S–XXXL Men’s version: yes haglofs.com |
This jacket is filled with Haglöfs’ MIMIC Silver, a partially recycled sheet insulation that offers breathable warmth.
I mostly used it over the top of a lightweight fleece pullover and underneath a shell jacket – a bombproof combo for the worst winter conditions in the Cairngorms, when you need layers to be unrestrictive and breathe well but also a good level of active warmth. The outer fabric doesn’t snag beneath a shell and the inner fabric is wonderfully soft and comfy.
It’s cut like a midlayer, slightly snug around the torso and hips but with enough room for a thin layer underneath. Freedom of movement is fine, helped by slightly stretchy fabric. I really like the hood, which is big enough to fit over a woolly hat and has a snug fleece lining inside the face guard.
The hood can’t be totally battened down, but this is not a jacket to be worn without a shell in filthy weather anyway. Weather resistance is average for the class. Light DWR on the face fabric will repel only the slightest shower. It’s only a little wind resistant. However, thanks to the decent hood and good level of warmth, the jacket is versatile enough to be used as an insulated jacket in camp if conditions aren’t too Baltic.
One downside is the chest pocket, which is too small for most modern phones. The fabric is partially recycled, and some components are Bluesign-approved. Overall? A fantastic layering piece for winter mountaineering or a great synthetic jacket for three-season use.
Testing conditions
Alex wears a men’s medium. He tested his midlayers on a variety of Autumn and Winter walks in the Scottish Highlands and Lake District, including routes at low and high levels, day hikes and multi-day hikes in full winter conditions. He also took them on a snowshoe tour of the Stubai Alps. Weights are as measured on Alex’s digital scale.
To compare this midlayer with others we rate, see our guide to the best fleece jackets and midlayers.
