Rethinking my winter midlayers

The Marmot Thermo Hoody seems like it might be a good fit? Thin, full zip, thumb loops, Polartec grid fleece. The balaclava doesn't quite come up as high as an R1–probly about to your lower lip. Not very windproof because it's thin fleece, but it might add the warmth you're looking for. Marmot lists it as 16oz but it's around 8oz I think. http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=87575

The Westcomb Tango (Alpha) is my current fav winter midlayer but it heavier than you want. My fleece of choice has been the Patagonia Piton Hybrid jacket and for a dedicated fair weather windlayer I have the BD Alpine Start. A RAB Ventus (a Boreas jacket with thumb loops) has many of the features you want, but is a little heavier than the Alpine Start. I also have found a Mountain Equipment Ultratherm hoody to be a great crossover layer sharing features of a Cap4 EW and a windshell but ME only makes it in a jacket now. ME also has their new Kineses that just won an American Alpine Award that combines body mapped Cap4 and 60g Alpha in a Pertex-like shell. A similar but heavier piece is their Switch jacket.

Patagonia Piton Hybrid Hoody? Full zip fleece hoody with wind proof front panels. Just went back and read the comments again and realized Rick M. already mentioned it.

I use a discount store 100 weight fleece which was about $20. Works great, and it's an essential part of my winter clothing. I'm modeling it in my avatar while xc skiing during a heavy snowfall.

Thanks for the suggestions, yall. I actually had steered clear of that marmot piece because of the posted weight, but maybe I'll reconsider. It appeals for use on multi day trips because I could use it as a base or a mid. That kinesis jacket looks promising, Rick. As for the tango, I have a nano air I'm quite happy with, but I've always wanted to try that one out. i've had my eye on the piton for a while too. That might be the ticket, especially if its that light. Anyone put there's on a scale or have a size L in an inoffensive color?Anyone else use powerstretch? Thanks again for the feedback.

I like the "hybrid" OR Centrifuge for high aerobic stuff in very cold weather, wear it over a thin base layer (usually an Echo long sleeve)- it has a wonderful hood, thumb loops and a few well configured pockets. I still carry a light shell, used if the wind is particularly harsh (ie howling) or particularly frigid (adds a nice boundary layer of warmth, but still breathes) The other combo that works well is a Cap 4 hoody used as a base layer w/ a windshirt as an outer layer- this is my go to cold combo for high aerobic activities- I'll sometimes carry a light fleece vest if I'm going to be out for a long time (I find my core temp starts dropping after a couple of hours of running in the cold) BUT for most of my outings a simple, light 100 wt fleece (Montbell Chameece) gets the nod. A thin base layer, windshirt and lightweight fleece makes for a pretty nice system- add and subtract as needed- just base layer; base layer + fleece; base layer + windshirt; base layer + fleece + windshirt I am having very good luck thus far (mostly elk hunting) w/ Polartec Alpha- using it as my insulating layer on stops and if need be on the move in very (very) frigid conditions

If you are wearing it while active, I think Power Dry/R1 gridded fleece is better. I carry one for cold weather mid layer and warm summer insulation layer. Perfect with wind and rain shell and can still be worn comfortably on the skin if your base layer is wet. There are lots of Power Dry weights available for winter-ish base layers too. REI and Patagonia have mid-weight gridded tops. The Cap4 hoody should be mentioned too— very good for active use. Power Stretch is good stuff, but I see it as a cold weather base layer. Great for sleep too.