Lightest Mid-layer Fleece

The Outdoor Research Transition Hoody is phenomenal and comes in at a paltry 9.5 oz with a hood. Very warm for the weight as well.

Also the Arc’teryx Delta LT 1/2 Zip clocks in at 8.1 oz.

It’s been years since I have used a mid-weight fleece on trips.  For several years I now carry a Patagonia Expedition Weight Capilene Hoodie (now called Thermal Weight) which I sometimes use as a base and sometimes mid-layer.  Incredibly versatile. Combined with a wind shirt I am comfortable down to 25F when highly active, 35-45F while doing chores / walking,  and good at 50F sitting around. No wind shirt, hood down, zipper open, I am find at 65F when sitting,  On most of my trips I am not spending time sitting around camp. I typically will stop to cook/eat… but I make a point to push my pace a bit need the meal which helps keep me feeling comfortable while prepping food. When I hit camp I tend to clean up, cool down and get under my quilt so I don’t need “around camp” insulation.

Summer trips I wear a featherweight shirt and bring the thermal weight as mid-layer insulation, and/or sleep shirt unless it’s really hot.  In cooler conditions I basically live in the hoody. When I can’t up my activity level to make the Capilene comfortable I typically slow down enough so a puffy works. For me this is an ultralight down vest or jacket because it’s what I have. The new Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody or Vest using PlumaFill would be my choice if purchasing something today.

With lightweight fleece, you could also look for a TNF TKA 80.  Discontinued now :( but might be perfect for you if you can find one used. Mine doesn’t go on the trail, but is used around town a lot.

–mark

I recommend the Eddie Bauer First Ascent down vest B/C it has Dri-Down (a down DWR treatment). This vest packs very small and is also nice it you need to extend the R rating of your sleeping bag a bit.

LL Bean may also have a DWR treated down vest as they use Down Tech in most of their better down garments meant for backpacking.

The Outdoor Research Transition Hoody is phenomenal and comes in at a paltry 9.5 oz with a hood. Very warm for the weight as well.

Also a full zip, but looks like they’ve stopped producing it, unfortunately. My Haglofs LIM fleece was similar but the material is pretty fragile.

The Kuiu Mountain Fit Hoodie is a 5oz fleece that might be worth a look here.

I use my patagonia thermal weight hoody a lot, but almost exclusively as a base layer in cold conditions

for a mid-layer I prefer either the patagonia micro d or arcteryx delta lt fleece pullovers, both in the 8 oz range