The Best Midlayers of 2026

Every year, Kari Traa creates a unique collection in partnership with a female artist. This year, the brand has collaborated with Driggs, Idaho-based artist, photographer and adventurer, Katie Cooney. The cutesy design, that’s almost too sweet to sweat in, is an ode to brand founder and Olympic freestyler Kari Traa’s Scandinavian heritage. The Katie collection includes a half-zip baselayer top and bottom, along with a matching beanie and neck tube. All of the pieces are made of a synthetic wool blend that quickly wicks moisture away. The hat fits seamlessly under a helmet, allowing you to wear it all at once or mix and match as you please.

If you’re in the market for a new midlayer but want something more breathable than traditional down, the Women’s Kor Alloy crew is certainly worth your consideration. The shell of this half-zip crewneck blocks harsh wind, while 40 grams of insulation throughout the sleeves and torso keep you toasty warm. Additionally, the strategically mapped mesh lining expels internal heat to help strike the right balance between breathability and warmth during aerobic missions. Sitting perfectly between a windbreaker and an insulating layer, we stand by the Kor Alloy for all your backcountry pursuits.

Designed to be worn as a standalone piece for casual resort skiing, the Explorer Down Shirt from Obermeyer offers a fresh take on the traditional down jacket. It fastens with front snaps in lieu of a zipper so it won’t be your go-to for storm days but is perfect when she’s bluebird. A relaxed, oversized fit allows freedom of movement and zippered external pockets, along with a small internal stash pocket, offer secure storage for your phone, wallet and keys.

Rab has reimagined the classic grid fleece with a larger grid pattern and more relaxed fit on this full-zip hoody. Soft to the touch and roomy enough to layer under or over, this is one of those pieces you’ll pack for every trip, whether you’re skiing or not. A cinchable hood seals out harsh wind and biting cold, while two hand-warmer pockets and an oversized cargo pocket round out the fleece’s technical features. It does run slightly large so you might want to consider sizing down if you want a snug fit.