Mid layer recommendations

Nano puffs are great. Patagonia micro puffs are a little more expensive if you're really tryna maximize warmth to weight ratio. Maybe check out the blister buyers guide for some other options too

I think Eddie Bauer makes some more affordable things like that

My gf has a nano-puff and it seems pretty rad. Have heard good things about the nano-air (super breathable and thin).
I go with either an Arcteryx microfleece on warmer days (Delta LT) or an Arcteryx Proton LT (basically arc's version of the nano-air but a bit warmer) when it's colder out.
And sometimes I'll wear my Trew Snap Jack if style takes a priority over breathability.

If you're touring at all it seems that the nano air and proton consistently win out for balancing warmth and breathability, from the reviews and comparisons I've read.

Carhartt hoodie

Any jacket with alot of puff will keep you very warm. I have a jacket that i wear a tshirt underneath on 5 degree F days and i literally feel like im inside a jacuzzi.

I like primaloft gold. The one from LL Bean is pretty bomber. I got the vest and jacket and both have held up great for years now

Eddie Bauer probably will hook you up with a better deal for something similar though. I got on their flow years ago and they are pretty much always sending me EB cash that I can spend on top of all the discount codes

I'm diggin' the Flylow Foster jacket. Thin enough to not bulk up your shell and has pit zippers to dump extra heat.

Just whatever you do, don't get anything with down if you ever want to tour with it. Down is great for insulating but almost useless as an active layer since it doesn't breathe.

.nastyJust whatever you do, don't get anything with down if you ever want to tour with it. Down is great for insulating but almost useless as an active layer since it doesn't breathe.

Second this. Not to mention it doesn't keep you warm when it's wet. Pretty sketchy if you're touring some deep backcountry zone and your down is wet and can't keep you warm if you need it.
I often bring a down layer when I tour but I only take it out when I need that boost at lunch or for if something bad were to happen and I'm stuck out there.

KevskiSecond this. Not to mention it doesn't keep you warm when it's wet. Pretty sketchy if you're touring some deep backcountry zone and your down is wet and can't keep you warm if you need it.
I often bring a down layer when I tour but I only take it out when I need that boost at lunch or for if something bad were to happen and I'm stuck out there.

YESSIR thirded. Never use down when skiing. It will NOT keep you warm because if it gets wet it loses all of it's warmth, and it' doesn't breathe well so you will sweat, then the sweat will get it wet and make it lose warmth.

My suggestion is get a Proton LT from Arcteryx. If you want something REALLY warm that's still pretty thin, I'd get the Atom AR from Arcteryx (I'm partial to them but they make some of the best shit you can get, especially for midlayers). Proton is gonna be some of the best performance you can get in a thin midlayer that's still warm. Extremely breathable yet still very warm, so you can unzip your shell and vent really easily if that matters to you.

If you want to go MAX warmth, get the Atom AR. It's still "thin" but it's not gonna be very thin like the Nano Puff or Proton LT. However, it's still plenty thin (I wear it over a fleece and under my shell) and it's very very light for it's warmth.

I'd personally recommend one of those two based on whether you care more about breath ability and thinness (Proton) or maximum warmth in a thin midlayer (Atom).

I own both and they are both amazing.

whatsamonadYESSIR thirded. Never use down when skiing. It will NOT keep you warm because if it gets wet it loses all of it's warmth, and it' doesn't breathe well so you will sweat, then the sweat will get it wet and make it lose warmth.

My suggestion is get a Proton LT from Arcteryx. If you want something REALLY warm that's still pretty thin, I'd get the Atom AR from Arcteryx (I'm partial to them but they make some of the best shit you can get, especially for midlayers). Proton is gonna be some of the best performance you can get in a thin midlayer that's still warm. Extremely breathable yet still very warm, so you can unzip your shell and vent really easily if that matters to you.

If you want to go MAX warmth, get the Atom AR. It's still "thin" but it's not gonna be very thin like the Nano Puff or Proton LT. However, it's still plenty thin (I wear it over a fleece and under my shell) and it's very very light for it's warmth.

I'd personally recommend one of those two based on whether you care more about breath ability and thinness (Proton) or maximum warmth in a thin midlayer (Atom).

I own both and they are both amazing.

Will definitely check these out, thanks for the recommendations brother