Gear & Packing Lists

The Best Insulated Midlayer Jackets of 2023: A Comparison Guide

An insulated midlayer jacket, or “puffy jacket”, is an essential piece of clothing for keeping warm while hiking in cold weather. Versatile and lightweight, insulated midlayer jackets are perfect for crossing over between outdoor activities like hiking, rock climbing, skiing, camping, or exploring around town on a chilly day.

Our guide below reviews the best insulated midlayer jackets of 2023 for men and women.

8 Best Insulated Midlayer Jackets of 2023

1. Arc’teryx Atom Hoody

Best All Around Jacket

Women's Arc'teryx Atom Hoody (Amazon | REI)
Men's Arc'teryx Atom LT Hoody (Amazon | REI)
  • Insulation: Synthetic (Coreloft Compact 60)
  • Weight: Women’s 10.9 oz | Men’s 13.05 oz
  • Fit: Trim – Room for a light layer underneath
  • Outer Fabric Features: 20 denier fabric (typical durability), DWR (durable water repellent) finish, Wind resistant, Breathable fleece on sides
  • Packability: Compressible and packable (no built-in stuff sack)
  • Best Use: All Around, Climbing, Hiking, Backcountry Skiing, Around Town
  • Sustainability & Responsibility: bluesign® certified materials

The Arc’teryx Atom Hoody (Women’s | Men’s) is a versatile synthetic insulated jacket with a great balance of warmth, breathability, lightness, and stretchiness. This multi-purpose jacket has been on the market for many years and continues to be a top seller in the performance midlayer category.

The main outer fabric of the Atom is durable and weather resistant, while the fleece sides provide breathability and extra stretch. This combination of weather resistant outer fabric with breathable fleece sides makes this jacket well suited for many activities including hiking, rock climbing, skiing, and exploring around town.

The trim fit of the Atom is attractive and functional. A jacket won’t insulate properly if it is too baggy or too tight, and the Atom fit is just right. Additionally, the fit and stretch side panel fabric allow for excellent mobility, even for those with wider, athletic shoulders.

The Atom includes several adjustable drawcord features as well. The hood adjustable, and the lower hem of the jacket has two drawcord cinches for sealing out drafts.

2. Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody

Best Jacket for Trail to Town Style

Women's Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody (REI | Patagonia)
Men's Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody (REI | Patagonia)
  • Insulation: Synthetic (60-g Primaloft Gold Insulation Eco)
  • Weight: Women’s 10.8 oz | Men’s 12.8 oz
  • Fit: Regular – Room for a heavy layer underneath
  • Outer Fabric Features: 20 denier fabric (typical durability), DWR (durable water repellent) finish, Windproof
  • Packability: Zippered chest pocket serves as a stuff sack
  • Best Use: Around Town, Hiking, Around Camp, Downhill Skiing
  • Sustainability & Responsibility: Shell, lining, and insulation made from recycled material, bluesign® certified materials, Fair Trade Certified™ sewn

The Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody (Women’s | Men’s), and the non-hooded version (Women’s | Men’s), is an iconic synthetic insulated jacket suitable for the mountains and around town. With an excellent balance of features and versatility, the Nano Puff has been one of the most popular insulated jackets over the past several years. While down insulation typically provides the best warmth-to-weight ratio, this synthetic fill jacket is reasonably lightweight and warm.

The Nano Puff is not as breathable as other jackets on this list and is best suited for lower output activities like moderate hiking and downhill skiing or walking around town. Durable thread is used for the stitching, however, the threading may be susceptible to pulls in abrasive situations like rock climbing.

The fit of the Nano Puff is on the boxy side compared to the athletic fit of some of the other jackets on this list, however, the fit allows for sufficient mobility in the shoulders and is roomy enough to fit a heavy layer underneath.

The Nano Puff hood has no drawcord adjustability, but fits well regardless. One feature I would have liked to see is two cinches for the lower hem instead of only one. The lower hem drawcord can be tightened to seal out drafts from coming in the bottom of the jacket, though with only one cinch, the jacket can look a bit askew when tightened.

3. Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody

Best Jacket for Compressible Warmth

Women's Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody (REI | Patagonia)
Men's Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody (REI | Patagonia)
  • Insulation: Down (800-fill-power)
  • Weight: Women’s 12.1 oz | Men’s 14.8 oz
  • Fit: Regular – Room for a heavy layer underneath
  • Outer Fabric Features: 20-denier fabric (typical durability), DWR (durable water repellent) finish, Windproof
  • Packability: Zippered chest pocket serves as a stuff sack
  • Best Use: Casual Wear, Backcountry, Hiking, Downhill Skiing, Around Town
  • Sustainability & Responsibility: Shell made from recycled material, Global Traceable Down Standard (TDS), bluesign® certified materials

The Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody (Women’s | Men’s) is a classic puffy down jacket that has been around for years. Insulated with down, this jacket has an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio and is highly compressible. It’s a bit on the heavy side for backcountry use, though the outer shell fabric is more durable than other ultra-lightweight down jacket options. The warmth and lower breathability of the Down Sweater makes it most suitable for low output outdoor activities.

Unlike synthetic insulation, down does not maintain it’s insulation properties when wet so it is best to use this down jacket in dry conditions or layered under a waterproof shell in wet conditions.

The fit of the Down Sweater is on the boxier side. This jacket can look a bit overwhelming on a small, petite frame, though the puffy down loft will certainly keep with wearer warm.

The jacket includes dual lower hem cinch adjusters to seal out draft and a single hood pull for adjustability.

4. Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody

Best Lightweight Jacket for Non-stop Activity

Women's Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody (REI | Patagonia)
Men's Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody (REI | Patagonia)
  • Insulation: Synthetic (60-g Fullrange Insulation)
  • Weight: Women’s 12.3 oz | Men’s 14.14 oz
  • Fit: Slim – Room for a light layer underneath
  • Outer Fabric Features: DWR (durable water repellent) finish, Breathable
  • Packability: Zippered chest pocket serves as a stuff sack
  • Best Use: Hiking, Rock Climbing, Skiing
  • Sustainability & Responsibility: Shell, lining, and insulation made from recycled material, bluesign® certified materials, Fair Trade Certified™ sewn

The Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody (Women’s | Men’s) is a breathable, soft, and stretchy synthetic jacket that’s very comfortable to wear. This lightweight jacket is easy to bring along for any adventure.

The Nano-Air has synthetic insulation so the jacket will maintain its insulation properties when wet. Although not as warm as the Nano Puff, the Nano-Air is highly breathable, making it great for high output outdoor activities like strenuous hiking, climbing, and backcountry skiing.

The slim fit of the Nano-Air is flattering and helps with insulation by minimizing large air gaps. Additionally, the stretchiness of the fabric allows for full range of mobility and incredible comfort.

The Nano-Air does not have lower hem drawcords, however, the elasticized hem helps to seal out drafts. The low-profile hood is also elasticized and is designed to fit under a helmet.

5. Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody

Best Jacket for Lightweight Backcountry Warmth

Women's Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoody (Amazon | REI)
Men's Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoody (Amazon | REI)
  • Insulation: Down (850 fill-power)
  • Weight: Women’s 10.2 oz | Men’s 11.9 oz
  • Fit: Trim – Room for a light layer underneath
  • Outer Fabric Features: 15-denier (lower durability but improved from previous versions), DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish, Wind resistant
  • Packability: Includes stuff sack
  • Best Use: Backcountry, Hiking, Skiing, Around Town
  • Sustainability & Responsibility: Responsible Down Standard (RDS) goose down

The Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody (Women’s | Men’s) provides excellent warmth and is incredibly lightweight. When wet, down will lose it’s insulation capabilities, however, Arc’teryx has ingeniously designed this down jacket with synthetic fill in areas that are prone to moisture to help prevent excess heat loss.

The trim fit of the Cerium LT is performance-oriented and flattering, even on petite frames. The dual hem cinches can be used to seal out drafts, and a single hood cinch provides hood adjustability.

One feature I would have like to have seen is more durable outer fabric, especially given the premium price, though the durability has improved in newer versions of the jacket. The jacket is an excellent performer and is designed to be minimalistic and lightweight for backcountry use, but the thought of accidentally tearing the outer fabric after an expensive investment is nerve-wracking. The Cerium LT should be layered under a durable shell to prevent rips and snags.

6. Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody

Best Jacket for Durability and Warmth in Alpine Conditions

Women's Arc'teryx Thorium AR Hoody (Amazon | REI)
Men's Arc'teryx Thorium AR Hoody (Amazon | REI)
  • Insulation: Down (750 fill-power)
  • Weight: Women’s 1 lb | Men’s 1 lb 2.2 oz
  • Fit: Regular – Room for a heavy layer underneath
  • Outer Fabric Features: 30-denier (above average durability), DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish, Wind resistant
  • Packability: Includes stuff sack
  • Best Use: Alpine Conditions, All Around
  • Sustainability & Responsibility: Responsible Down Standard (RDS) goose down

The Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody (Women’s | Men’s) is a very warm, durable, and compressible down jacket. With the warmth and durability comes some weight, though that’s the tradeoff for great alpine performance. This down jacket is best suited for activities in cold mountain weather.

Down insulation has a better warmth-to-weight ratio than synthetic insulation, however, it loses it’s insulation properties when wet. Arc’teryx’s ingenious design helps resolve this issue by using synthetic insulation in select areas that are prone to moisture like under the arms.

The fit of the Thorium AR is roomier than the other Arc’teryx jackets on this list. This jacket can look a bit overwhelming on a small, petite frame, though the puffy down loft will surely keep with wearer warm. The jacket can be worn comfortably with a heavy layer underneath and a hard shell on top for added weather resistance.

Dual lower hem cinches and a single hood cinch provide adjustability as needed.

7. The North Face ThermoBall Eco Hoodie

Best Jacket for Casual Wear and Color Choices

Women’s North Face ThermoBall Eco Hoodie (Amazon | The North Face)
Men’s North Face ThermoBall Eco Hoodie (Amazon | The North Face)
  • Insulation: Synthetic (11 g/ft2 Thermoball Eco)
  • Weight: Women’s – Not specified | Men’s – Not specified
  • Fit: Slim – Room for a light layer underneath
  • Outer Fabric Features: 20-denier (typical durability), DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish, Wind resistant
  • Packability: Zippered hand pocket serves as a stuff sack
  • Best Use: Casual Wear, Hiking, Around Town
  • Sustainability & Responsibility: Shell and insulation made from recycled material

The North Face ThermoBall Eco Hoodie (Women’s | Men’s) is a popular synthetic fill jacket that comes in a variety of colors and has been around for many seasons. This synthetic fill jacket has the appearance of a lightweight down jacket with the benefit of not losing as insulation performance when wet. The downside is that the warmth-to-weight ratio does not match that of down, and this jacket is the heaviest synthetic jacket on this list. If weight is not a concern, the jacket is a good synthetic jacket option that mimics down.

With a wind resistant shell and limited breathability, the ThermoBall Eco is best suited for lower output activities like moderate hiking and casual use.

The slim fit of the ThermoBall Eco has room for a light layer underneath and is flattering through the torso. Those with wider, athletic shoulders may find that the fit restricts arm mobility and may need to size up.

The ThermoBall Eco has no hood adjustability, though the hood fits well as is. There is drawcord hem that can be tightened to seal out drafts, but the cinch is only on one side instead of both sides so the jacket can look a bit askew when cinched.

8. Eddie Bauer MicroTherm 2.0 Down Hooded Jacket

Best Budget Pick Jacket

Women’s Eddie Bauer MicroTherm Down Hooded Jacket (Eddie Bauer)
Men’s Eddie Bauer MicroTherm Down Hooded Jacket (Eddie Bauer)
  • Insulation: Down (800-fill-power)
  • Weight: Women’s 11.7 oz | Men’s 13.4 oz
  • Fit: Active, athletic fit – Room for a light layer underneath
  • Outer Fabric Features: 20-denier (typical durability), DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish, Windproof, Stretch panels in the underarm area for breathability
  • Packability: Zippered chest pocket serves as a stuff sack
  • Best Use: Hiking, Downhill Skiing, Around Town
  • Sustainability & Responsibility: Responsible Down Standard (RDS) goose down

The Eddie Bauer MicroTherm 2.0 Down Hooded Jacket (Women’s | Men’s) is a budget-friendly down jacket with a great combination of features. The jacket is lightweight, warm, compressible, and has stretch panels in the underarm area for some added breathability and mobility. With it’s warm down fill, windproof outer shell, and relatively low breathability, this jacket is best suited for lower output activities like moderate hiking and downhill skiing or exploring around town.

The MicroTherm has a flattering athletic fit, however, those with broad shoulders may find the jacket to be too snug.

The MicroTherm hood does not have drawcords for adjustability, but it fits well as is. There is a lower hem drawcord though the cinch is only on one side of the jacket so the jacket can look a bit askew if you need to use the cinch.

The Eddie Bauer MicroTherm is often on sale and if the fit is right on you, it would be a good buy.

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