All About Mid Layers

The global market for adventure tourism could be worth more than a trillion dollars by 2032. Whether you're planning an extreme climb or a hike with the family, the right clothing is a key part of your safety and comfort.

Mid layer clothing deserves special attention for your winter activities. It helps keep you warm and dry no matter the conditions.

LÉ BENT mid layers, in particular, give you top-level performance. Learn more about what makes an excellent mid layer and why your next mid layer should be LÉ BENT.

What Makes a Good Layering Outfit?

Layering is essential for staying warm and comfortable during outdoor pursuits. You can take layers on and off as your activity level or the weather changes.

A good layering outfit includes the base layer, mid layer, and outer layer. These layers work together, but each has a different role in the system.

For instance, the base layer wicks sweat off your skin.On the other hand, the mid layer is the insulating layer. It prevents your body heat from escaping. For the most versatility, you may use more than one mid layer.

Finally, the outer layer protects you from the wind, rain, and snow. Even if you don't start out wearing all three layers, taking them with you is a good idea. That way, you'll be prepared if conditions change.

Features of a Good Mid Layer

Good mid layers have several key features. You want mid layer clothing with the right balance for the activity you plan to do.

Protects from the Cold

The primary role of almost all clothing is to protect from the cold. This is especially important for mid layer clothing.

One of the main ways the body loses heat is convection. When cold air or water moves across your skin, you feel colder. Mid layers should help prevent convective heat loss.

The wind has a significant effect on how fast you lose heat. A good mid layer will provide some protection from the wind. In addition to the fabric itself, design features like elasticated cuffs can help prevent cold from penetrating a mid layer jacket.

Retains Body Heat and Vents Extra Heat

The purpose of a women's or men's mid layer jacket is insulation. The type of mid layer you choose lets you control how much body heat you retain.

Insulating fabrics create small air pockets that trap heat close to your body. They prevent cold air from getting through to your skin.

A mid layer should also let you vent extra heat. You need flexibility for changing conditions and activity levels.

Breathable

Breathability is just as critical as insulation for mid layers. Breathability describes how well a fabric lets moisture vapour get through.

A good mid layer lets sweat moisture out before the moisture affects the fabric. If your clothes get wet on the inside, you can get just as cold as if rain soaked in from the outside. Wet clothes make you lose heat much faster than dry ones.

Highly insulating fabrics and waterproof fabrics are typically not very breathable. Look for mid layer clothing that balances these features to give you the best performance.

Water-Resistant

A mid layer needs to be breathable, but it should also be water-resistant. Protecting you from rain and snow is the leading role of your outer layer. However, some water resistance is essential for the mid layer too.

If your mid layer sticks out from the bottom of your outer layer, you'll notice a lack of water resistance. A water-resistant mid layer allows you to use it as an outer layer in mild conditions.

Lightweight

Mid layers should feel light. You want lightweight clothing that gives you the level of protection you need. A good warmth-to-weight ratio is especially important.

Versatile in Function and Style

A versatile mid layer gives you more options. You may want to wear it as a standalone item for high-intensity activities. A stylish mid layer can be at home in the city as well as on the mountain.

Moves with Your Body

You don't want mid layers to restrict your freedom of movement. LÉ BENT mid layers feature a FlowState Sleeve System that gives you best-in-class freedom of movement, as rated by Outside Magazine.

We believe that a mid layer shouldn't interfere with your performance. Our mid layers help level up an experience where others might obstruct it.

Types of Materials for Mid Layers

Down, polyester fleece, and Merino wool are some of the most common materials for mid layers. They each have pros and cons depending on your needs.

Down

Natural goose or duck down makes a very warm, lightweight, and packable mid layer. It provides some wind resistance but loses its insulating abilities when wet. Down is a relatively expensive option.

Polyester

Polyester fleece is soft and breathable. It dries quickly. On the other hand, a fleece mid layer is economical but durable. However, fleece can pill up over time. It's also less compressible than down.

Merino Wool

A Merino wool mid layer is very durable. It provides excellent temperature regulation and retains warmth when wet, unlike natural down,

Wool has anti-odour properties, meaning, Merino mid layer doesn't require frequent washing. However, wool doesn't have the same warmth-to-weight ratio as down.

What Makes LÉ BENT Mid Layers Unique?

LÉ BENT mid layers combine the best materials and design features. Our unique blend of Merino wool and rayon bamboo gives you exceptional performance and comfort. In addition, it's a powerful insulator that helps regulate your body temperature in all conditions.

The padded chest panels in our mid layer jacket feature a 100-gram blend of 30% wool with recycled polyester. The 10K/10K shell fabric gives you water resistance and breathability. Our Flow State sleeve system provides more freedom of movement than you expect from mid layer clothing.

Choosing Your Mid Layer Clothing

Mid layers are an essential part of your clothing system. From ski mid layer to mid layer hiking clothing, you can guarantee that LÉ BENT has what you're looking for.

Our men's mid layer and women's mid layer collections are specially designed for your needs. We use a unique blend of innovative materials and design to help you reach the next level.

Browse our catalogue to find your perfect mid layer.