can i get some help picking a mid-layer?

[vash]

i have great synthetic base layer stuff..i bought ultralight and medium weight long-john style underwear from bass pro shops. i can mix and match the stuff and handle most cooler temps. i just recently bought a camo jacket from Sitka, maybe the best jacket i have ever purchased. i just need to add a great mid layer. i am torn between wool and some synthetic stuff. i almost fainted when i picked up a merino wool mid layer from patagonia..the price tag was staggering. anyone have any more options? i need it on the form fitting side to go under my jacket, and keep mobile for archery tip activities.

thanks.

[jyl]

I think fleece. Variety of weights and cuts, warm even when wet, dries pretty quickly, cheap. If way cold and yet pretty dry, down vest or down sweater.

[VINMAN]

Depending on the temps, I'd go with a 200-300 weight fleece jacket. I have a Mountain Hardwear jacket I love. Super warm under a shell.

[Tishabet]

Really depends on what kind of conditions you are expecting and what kind of activity you're doing... I'd have very different recommendations for sitting in a tree blind in the Sierras vs backpacking it in in the Wasatch. Does your outer layer have pit zips or similar ventilation?

[Moses]

You're on the right track. I use Capilene long underwear. Over that- FLEECE. Bring a lightweight and a heavy weighr. Finish with a waterproof jacket.

I have a pair of fleece stirrup pants. They are fantastic. They won't ride up your leg while hiking. The new fleece materials perform wonderfully. LL Bean, Orvis, Patagonia and Simms sell the best stuff. Next is Cabelas.

[Tishabet]

Just as a random aside here since we're talking about base layers...
I spent much of my youth doing serious backpacking trips (as much as 400 miles at a time) and eventually got into mountaineering and ended up professionally guiding off and on while I was in college.

When I first started out, polypro was what I wore for long underwear, and it's still what I bring along for chilly nights on summer backpacking trips. Then I went through a phase where my base layer was silk. But what I finally settled on (particularly for cold weather) is wool. You might think that having wool next to your skin would be awful, but the stuff you can buy nowadays is just fantastic and will not pill like polypro does (and doesn't hold a funk like polypro does!). The brand I prefer is called SmartWool... pricey but worth it. The next time you guys are looking at long underwear, take a look at this stuff.

[Moses]

In Alaska I wear SmartWool socks. Fantastic stuff.

[myamoto1]

+1 on the SmartWool socks. To Vash's original question - I prefer fleece. As others have said, which fleece, depends on the conditions you expect to be in. I have micro fleece (100 weight) pull-overs all the way up to 400 weight jackets. However, I've mostly settled in on a light poly-pro base, with a mirco "mid" layer, followed by a 200 weight vest then a waterproof outer shell. This keeps the core warm, but allows your arms to move more freely. If it's going to be super windy, I'll use my windblock vest as part of my mid-layer.

Also, as Grant (Tishabet) mentioned, pit zips are great to have. Essential in my book. You can really regulate a lot of your heating/cooling needs w/ the pit zips.

[crb07]

If you are considering a fleece look at the wind proof variety, I own quite a few fleeces and one "windstopper", it is the only one I use now. Best thing about it is when you do need to take off your water proof shell, by keeping the wind out you will not be instantly cold. Usually you are sweating a little and need to take off our outer shell, the fleece will breath and keep the wind out, then you stay warm.