Stay warm and sweat-free with these 7 synthetic insulation items recommended for active wear
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
The difficult thing about climbing mountains in winter is that you get hot while walking due to the heat generated by your body, but if you stop even for a moment you suddenly get cold due to the cold air and the sweat you just broke. In the past, it was necessary to frequently take off and put on winter clothing, even though it was a hassle
Active insulation wear using high-tech synthetic fiber padding, which has become all the rage in recent years, has made such hassles a thing of the distant past. Unlike down jackets, which are simply warm, and fleece, which only provides so-so warmth and moisture absorption, these new mid-layers are versatile enough to handle a variety of autumn and winter conditions. Thanks to the arrival of this incredibly convenient insulation, we've been freed from the hassle of taking off and putting on our gear, which has been a long-standing problem, and can now enjoy autumn and winter mountain climbing in comfort, even if we wear it from the start of the climb to the descent
The characteristics of such active insulation wear can be roughly summarized as follows. I have written about the details a previous article , so if you are interested, I would be happy to read it again.
- Better warmth than fleece
- Moderate breathability despite the use of padding
- Stretch material for excellent flexibility and ease of movement
- Heat retention that won't fall off even when wet and quick drying
- Lightweight and compact
Compared to last year, even more brands have released new active insulation wear with a diverse lineup that offers warmth, ease of movement, breathability, and weight, and this time we will introduce our editors' picks for 2016
table of contents
table of contents
Editor's Recommendations for Active Insulation Wear
Patagonia Nano Air Light Hoody
Heat retention ★★★ Mobility ★★★ Breathability ★★★ Weather resistance ★★☆ Weight ★★☆
This season's debut model is an evolution of Patagonia's new standard jacket, the NanoAir Hoody, which has now become a staple in winter insulation. It has been further evolved to be worn on the move. The NanoAir Hoody's major appeal has always been its incredibly smooth feel and moderate stretch for exceptional comfort, as well as its high breathability for comfort while moving. This model is a slightly thinner pullover type, making it lighter and more compact, and dramatically improving comfort during intense aerobic exercise in the mountains by reducing heat retention by 33% while improving breathability by 75%, further refining its functionality as a "mid-layer that allows for movement." Try it out and you'll see how much easier it is to use in the mountains. *Image taken from the manufacturer's website
Millet Toi Light Comp Jacket
Heat retention ★★☆ Mobility ★★★ Breathability ★★★ Weather resistance ★★☆ Weight ★★★
This mid-layer, which debuted last year and has become a personal staple for fall and winter activities due to its exceptional comfort, has already been upgraded. Its proprietary "3DeFX+" insulation is an innovative material that provides ample warmth while also being breathable and stretchy. While it was already a fully functional active insulation, the latest model now features padding only in the body, shoulders, and arms, while the neck, armpits, and forearms are now made of a thin, four-way stretch softshell material, further enhancing its active qualities. What's more, the sleeves can be removed to use it as a vest, dramatically improving comfort while moving, at the expense of warmth. In that sense, it's perfect not only for active winter activities, but also for hiking in low mountains from fall through winter, even when snow remains
finetrack Draught® Polygon 3 Ascent Jacket
Heat retention ★★★ Mobility ★★★ Breathability ★★★ Weather resistance ★☆☆ Weight ★☆☆
This is the latest model in the high-performance mid-layer series, which debuted last year. The company's proprietary thermal insulation material, "Fine Polygon," uses a unique mechanism that creates bulk by using a special, ultra-lightweight sheet fabric in a three-dimensional structure, rather than the typical thread-like fibers. In addition to its excellent heat retention, it's moisture-resistant, boasts exceptional breathability and sweat-management capabilities, allowing moisture to escape even while on the move. This season's first model is designed for more active use, including alpine climbing, and features highly stretchable, sweat-management fabric in the sleeves, underarms, and waist, areas where movement is most prevalent. This further improves the balance between warmth and comfort during activity. The result is a highly versatile model suited to a wide range of cold weather and activities in the fall and winter
Mont-Bell UL Thermawrap Jacket
Warmth ★★☆ Mobility ★★☆ Breathability ★★★ Weather resistance ★★☆ Weight ★★★
This season, Montbell's classic synthetic insulation has been further improved, featuring a proprietary padding material. It's incredibly light (229g), incredibly durable, dries quickly, retains its warmth even when wet, can be worn as both an outer layer and an inner layer, and can be washed in a home washing machine—all of these features remain as versatile as ever. This season, the jacket features a slimmer silhouette and the incredible stretch of Stretch Exceloft, dramatically improving mobility. The colors have been updated for a more sophisticated look, and there's a wide variety of styles available, including hoodies, jackets, and vests. And best of all, the affordable price is an undeniable benefit. It's a staple insulation that anyone should own and can use year-round
OUTDOOR RESEARCH DEVIATOR HOODY
Heat retention ★☆☆ Mobility ★★★ Breathability ★★★ Weather resistance ★☆☆ Weight ★★☆
This warming jacket, which was selected as an Editor's Choice by Backpacker magazine last season, truly is a garment you never need to take off from the moment you leave home until you return. Unlike synthetic padding, which has traditionally focused on warmth, the body is filled with Polartec Alpha, a cutting-edge padding material that combines moderate warmth with breathability. Polartec Power Dry High Efficiency, a highly breathable and compressible grid fleece, is mapped from the back to the arms, providing the minimum necessary warmth while keeping you cool and dry overall. While its breathability means it's not quite enough as winter wear, we recommend it as an ideal mid-layer for colder seasons
Houdini C9 Houdini
Heat retention ★★☆ Mobility ★★☆ Breathability ★★☆ Weather resistance ★★☆ Weight ★☆☆
Houdini's Polartec Alpha model, which has a secret following thanks to its Scandinavian-inspired design and reliable quality, is back this year with a new colorway, continuing from last year. It's not a tight-fitting garment for climbing, but rather a comfortable winter garment for casual outdoor activities like town wear or ski resorts. However, its ample heat retention, fine texture, and slight stretch are more than enough for hiking, providing unparalleled comfort. It's ideal for quiet winter activities rather than those that involve sweating profusely. A hoodless version is also available for use as an inner layer
Arc'teryx Atom LT Hoody
![Arc'teryx Men's Atom LT Hoody, Black (Size S) [Parallel Import]](https://images-fe.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41ipDM1C4XL._SS300_.jpg)
Heat retention ★★★ Mobility ★★☆ Breathability ★☆☆ Weather resistance ★★★ Weight ★☆☆
This mid-weight model, featuring Arc'teryx's classic synthetic insulation, boasts a lightweight, packable, and warmth comparable to down, while retaining its warmth even when wet. It's a material that's been introduced as a counterweight to down, so it's considered a garment focused on warmth. However, what makes this model so impressive is that it's already optimized for active activities in low temperatures, with features like articulated sleeves, stretchy fleece on the side panels and underarms for breathability and mobility, and a windproof and durable water-repellent outer fabric. This synthetic insulation allows for movement, making it perfect for low-mountain winters when the chill really sets in. (A hoodless model is also available.)
Summary: We are exhibiting the actual items! (2016/10/30~11/13)
These are our top 7 recommendations for the 2016 season. With last year's Polartec Alpha festivities now over, various material manufacturers have developed active synthetic materials with excellent breathability, and this season we can see a trend of fierce competition among manufacturers, but the subtle differences between each product cannot be understood by looking at the numbers alone. Therefore, Outdoor Gearzine is currently holding a real event where the products, so if you're interested, please stop by!
Related reading
[Fall/Winter 2025] We've selected the best synthetic insulation for fall/winter outdoor activities from approximately 200 models, and here are some tips on how to choose the right one.
Patagonia Nano Air Ultralight Review: A versatile and versatile active midlayer with just the right amount of volume for year-round wear
Comparison Review: [Better than fleece?!] We compare the latest synthetic insulations (for winter wear)
Patagonia Nano Air Light Hybrid Review: Stays cool and sweat-free. This is the winter outdoor gear you've been waiting for