The best motorcycle mid-layers to keep the chill off while riding, as tested by the experts at MCN

In a world of base layers, mid-layers are often an overlooked item of motorcycle clothing. They are a great way of keeping warm in winter and can usually be worn with your existing kit to save having to upgrade it, which saves you money, and let’s face it, we are all trying to tighten our purse strings at the moment.

A mid-layer is designed to sit between your base layer and your top jacket; your top jacket providing you protection with it’s armour and CE safety fabrics and you base layer providing temperature control and moisture wicking. The mid-layer provides another layer of flexibility by helping to keep you warmer on those chillier days.

Why do I need a motorcycle mid-layer?

Mid-layers should be taken seriously, as the type you select can significantly affect your comfort and temperature management. Proper thermal mid-layer biking tops, neck warmers and other related items also ensure that the rest of your motorcycle clothing fits properly. This keeps the bulk to a minimum and can maximise your gear’s thermal efficiency.

A mid layer is a great way to make your jacket more versatile, by adding this additional thermal layer, you can wear the same jacket throughout the various seasons. Meaning you don’t need to spend your money on additional protective motorcycle jackets as you can mix it up to make your current jacket work with or without further layers.

Another benefit to a mid-layer, is that you can take your outer jacket off once you arrive, and still remain warm without having to wear all of that protective armour and carry the additional weight.

What to consider when buying a mid-layer

Think about what room you have under your jacket to allow for additional layers, do you need something quite thin or does your jacket have the space to allow for a thicker fleece? Breathability is also important as any one garment within your layering system that isn’t breathable, will make every other layer less effective and less comfortable.

Budget is another consideration, not all of us want to spend a lot on kit, so think about what you can get within the budget that you have set yourself. Some brands will offer a more wallet friendly option than others.

Related: Best heated motorcycle jackets and vests

The best mid-layer motorcycle clothing

Frequently asked questions

Why can’t I just wear any fleece as an added layer?

Strictly speaking, you can. There is no reason why you can’t layer up with any fleece or hoodie for addition comfort, however, kit designed by motorcycle kit specialists will be designed to fit properly under an armoured jacket.

What fit should I be looking for?

You want a mid-layer that fits snuggly under your jacket without being too tight to allow for free movement. Tight layers can in fact make you colder, because they restrict blood flow and don’t allow for an insulating air gap.

Does a mid-layer have to be worn in the middle?

No, you can wear a mid-layer anywhere under your jacket, if you want to wear it without any other layers underneath that’s fine, and if you want to wear it with two or three other layers below, that’s also fine.

How MCN tests mid-layers

Here at MCN, we make it our mission to help you find the right kit for you, at the right price for your budget. We don’t crash test or lab test (on purpose); there’s no substitute for just putting in the miles with them. We test our mid-layers the same way you’d use yours, by riding. And, we make sure to put at least 1000 miles in them before sharing our findings. Our word is backed by hundreds of thousands of miles in the saddle collectively, but our recommendations come from each tester individually.

While testing mid-layers we focus on comfort, build quality, protection, and value. When we write up our full reviews we’ll give each mid-layer a rating out of five stars and offer a final verdict too. This page is only for the best mid-layers we’ve tested, so every one you’ll see has been awarded at least four stars overall – that’s the passing grade – but here’s what each score really means:

• 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A mid-layer with a single star rating has fallen far below the expected standard and should be avoided.
• 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A mid-layer with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level, and there is much room for improvement.
• 3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A mid-layer with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
• 4 stars – A mid-layer with a four-star rating has performed over and above the accepted average in this category or overall. It has surpassed expectations and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
• 5 stars – A mid-layer with a five-star rating has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall, and has impressed the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

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