What to wear between fleece and down for cold approaches?
I’m looking to improve my layering system for alpine starts and could use some advice.
During mountaineering approaches, especially between 3–7 AM, I consistently struggle with the cold. My current layering system is:
• Base layer: 100% merino wool
• Mid layer: fleece (merino + synthetic blend)
• Insulation: down jacket
• Shell: Gore-Tex
The issue is that with just the base + fleece, I feel quite cold during those early hours. But as soon as I add the down jacket while moving, I start sweating pretty quickly, which obviously becomes a problem later.
I’m trying to find a good “in-between” layer to wear between the fleece and the down — something that adds warmth but is still breathable enough for active movement during the approach.
Any recommendations for mid-layers that balance warmth and breathability well in these conditions?