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Best Hunting Mid-Layers of 2024
First Lite Klamath Hoodie
The Klamath Quarter Zip Hoodie is another First Lite piece that I absolutely love. In fact, over the last two years, I have hardly left home on a hunt without it. I consistently pair this piece with my Kiln hoody, and, in colder weather, will add my puffy jacket over top.
In general those two layering pieces are my absolute go to for most AZ hunts. Whether I am hunting in the early season or late December/January chasing rutting deer and Javelina, the Klamath is either on my person, or in my pack.
Joe Mannino
Western Hunter Magazine Field Editor
Stone Glacier Cirque Lite
Regarding mid-layers or active insulation, fleece has been king for the last 20-plus years. Before fleece, it was wool. Now, manufacturers and hunters are being introduced to different forms of mid-layers in the way of “hybrid” jackets. These jackets usually have a DWR-coated nylon outer shell, 60-90 grams of synthetic insulation, and a nylon backer. They tend to shed light precipitation much better than traditional fleece because of their DWR-coated outer shell. They also tend to be more durable than traditional fleece and don’t pill after a few runs through heavy brush. The biggest difference to me is their ability to be used in high and low-exertion situations and remain dry and comfortable.
The new Cirque Lite from Stone Glacier is an excellent example of a hybrid-style jacket. It has 60 grams of insulation through the arms, chest, and back, and uses their grid fleece material for the side panels up through the armpits. It has an articulated hood and the classic high zip that every Stone Glacier jacket has.
Brody Layher
Western Hunter Magazine Field Editor
Sitka Gear Ambient Hoody
“Yikes!” was my gut reaction just a few days ago, stepping out of my pickup in the parking lot at work. It was raining hard, and some wise coworkers had gotten the spots closest to the door of our office. The next few minutes made me love my favorite piece of gear even more than I already did. I walked in the door, my Ambient hoody fairly well soaked, planning to hang it up to dry.
I got distracted by a conversation with an unnamed party (whose review is also on this page) for about 10 minutes. When I made it up to my office, I sat down only to realize that my jacket was already bone dry. I had forgotten that I was wearing one of the few truly innovative pieces of outdoor clothing ever created by man.
Sitka’s Ambient mid-layer line is, admittedly, not as cheap or nostalgic as a wool sweater or waffle-weave top. That’s because it’s filled with Primaloft Active Evolve® insulation – a remarkably efficient new material from the most qualified minds on the subject.
Levi Sopeland
Western Hunter Television Videographer
Sitka Heavyweight Hoody
There is almost nothing worse than being underdressed on a late-season hunt. I experienced this on the Arizona Strip while helping on a Mule Deer hunt one November. I was cold to the bone almost the entire week, and I fell ill because of it. I chalked this out to the fact that I did not have an adequate insulation system. I immediately upgraded my clothing systems and landed on the Sitka Heavyweight Hoody for an active insulation mid-layer. Since then, It's been one of my favorite pieces of gear.
Bryce Cramer
Western Hunter Field Editor
Stone Glacier Helio Hoodie
The Stone Glacier Helio Hoodie is a piece that gets thrown into my bag on every hunt - hot spring hunts, frigid late season hunts and everything in between. As you know, layering your clothing properly makes a huge difference with “all-day comfort”. I’ve found the Helio Hoody to be light and breathable enough to wear next to skin for a spring hunt and need almost nothing else except a jacket in the morning, and low profile enough to be added as a true mid layer in late season hunts without restricting mobility.
Kevin Guillen
Western Hunter Magazine Field Editor
Eberlestock Payette Down Vest
I’ve always been a big fan of insulated vests, and think they’re one of the most underrated mid-layer pieces that a hunter can own. My body temperature runs pretty cold, and although I’m an active hunter I typically get cold very quickly… yes, even in Arizona. However, once I get moving my core also heats up very quickly, so I personally like to have mid-layer pieces that can help keep my core warm yet that I can quickly dissipate heat in. By removing my outer layer and unzipping my Payette Down Vest, my core and arms are able to cool down within seconds. By using a vest instead of a full length sleeve I’m also able to retain ease of movement in my arms, because as we all know the more long sleeve layers we have on the more we start to feel like the Michelin man.
Pedram Parvin
Western Hunter Magazine Field Editor
First Lite Furnace Henley
I have always been a big fan of the First Lite Merino Wool products, I have two pieces that make it in my pack on every hunting trip. One of those pieces is the Furnace Henley, a 350gm mostly merino blend mid-layer. If I had to describe it I would call it a thick “sweatshirt” like feel with a tough Merino outer face and a brushed fleece-like finish on the inside. I wear a Large and the fit is just right to have a thinner long sleeve underneath. What I like most is the longer fit in the torso to keep my lower back from being exposed while glassing.
Read the Full Review
First Lite Quarter Zip Hunting Shirt $160 Buy now on Amazon
Ben Britton
Western Hunter Magazine Field Editor
