Midlayer for MTB: Upper middle layer - 4 warm pieces between vest & jacket in the test

The Onion (in Austria, Bavaria and Swabia also the): Onion (Allium cepa), also Onion also, Bolle, Zipolle or onion is a plant species of the genus leek (Allium). It also symbolises the use of several layers of clothing to insulate the body against the cold: the "onion principle". We tested 4 not only warm, but also visually appealing onion layers worn under the jacket (hardshell). We had the following midlayers at our disposal:

• Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody
• Norrøna lofoten Thermal Pro Hood
• Norrøna tamok Alpha 90 Crewneck
• Norrøna warm3 Jacket

What makes these four warm layers different? While Patagonia R1 and Norrøna lofoten Thermal Pro Hood provide comparable insulation performance, the other two midlayers from Norrøna keep you even warmer - the warm3 Jacket actually does an outstanding job. But more on this in the test summary below.

Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody - lightweight fleece hoody with zigzag structure

In addition to its often 90s-inspired, bold colours, Patagonia also advertises with sustainable materials. One reason why we like the Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody invited us to test it. According to the manufacturer, it is made from 100% recycled polyester and was produced in a Fair Trade Certified factory in Sri Lanka. But the mid-layer hoody also has to work.

Patagonia sells the R1 Air as a "lightweight, breathable and quick-drying technical fleece for strenuous cold-weather activities." At 366 grams, it weighs almost 100 grams less than the thick, shaggy Norrøna warm3 jacket, which weighs almost a pound (449 grams to be precise).

We were also able to confirm the breathability of the Patagonia hoody on the bike laps we did for test or leisure purposes. This is probably due to the zigzag structure of the jacket. Up close, the fabric consists of a thicker row of fleece and a row of much thinner fabric. This allows moisture to escape easily through the thin fabric, but the warmth is retained in the thicker fleece and between the rows. This also works during sweaty bike sessions, so that the jacket proves to be good insulation, but neither feels too warm nor clings damply to the body.

The two zipped hand pockets are practical. The chest pocket, on the other hand, is more of a visual element than a useful place to store something. It is quite small and as the fleece fabric is quite stretchy, the pocket sags when you put a bunch of keys in it.

The fit of the Patagonia R1 Air in size M is not too tight and is also quite long. The hood encloses the head very snugly and fits well under the MTB helmet. Also good: even after long rides, the fabric does not tend to smell of sweat.

Details of the Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody

• Offset shoulder seams: no pressure under the backpack straps
• Three zip pockets
• Overall thin fabric that is minimally bulky when layered (onion look)
• Soft material on the cuffs and hem
• Full-length front zip for ventilation
• Slim-fitting hood that fits under a helmet or other hood
• 100 % recycled polyester
• Weight: 356 g (M)
• Colours: Lagom Blue, Vessel Blue, Back
• Sizes: XS to XXL
• Price (RRP): 150 euros >> e.g. at Bergzeit available

Norrøna lofoten Thermal Pro Hood - long, warm and well thought out

As mentioned at the beginning, the Norrøna lofoten Thermal Pro Hood the thinnest of the three midlayers tested by the Norwegians. It consists of two different fabrics: a thicker cord-like fleece (dark green in the picture, Polartec Thermal Pro) and a fabric (light green, Polartec Power Grid) that is smooth on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The hood is also constructed in the same way: a warming collar and a slightly more permeable bonnet, which also fits very well under the helmet.

The aim of the two Polartec materials is to provide warmth where it is needed and to wick away moisture. This works well, the lofoten Thermal Pro is comfortable to wear, nominally just 10 grams lighter than the Patagonia midlayer, but it feels much lighter on the body.

For biking, however, it should be said that the hoody is cut very long and, together with the pocket insert on the stomach, pinches too much material in front of the body in a sporty position in the saddle. The insulation is comparable - but the thinner fabric on the back quickly feels cool, especially in windy or sweaty conditions, which happens less quickly with the Patagonia R1 Air.

The zip on the chest, on the other hand, is well thought out. On the one hand, it is slightly offset, and on the other, it can also be opened from below for ventilation. The sleeves are also long and can be easily fastened with thumb loops. However, this is only of limited use on the handlebars because the fabric can pinch the palm. But even so, the sleeves are tight enough and don't ride up under the jacket due to their sufficient length. The chest pocket is huge and doesn't bulge out, especially as a sewn-in insert keeps small but heavy luggage in place or simply keeps it organised.

Details about the Norrøna lofoten Thermal Pro Hood

• Anorak front zip with additional slider on the underside for ventilation
• Chest pocket with zip
• Close-fitting stretch hood
• Elasticated cuffs with thumb holes
• Inside hang loop
• Breast pocket
• Full-length bum bag with zips
• Material: 89 % recycled polyester, 11 % elastane
• Material 2: 100 % recycled polyester
• Weight: 345 g (M)
• Colours: Classic Green/Everglade, Sulphur/Camelflage, Indigo Night, Hawaiian surf/Indigo Night
• Sizes: S to XL
• Price (RRP): 249 Euro >> at Sportscheck available

Norrøna tamok Alpha Crewneck - somewhere between an ultra-light jacket and a warm sweatshirt

This piece - so much in advance - has inspired me the most. The Norrøna tamok Alpha Crewneck sweatshirt is made for really cold days. Even though the inside is only a very light fleece, the outer material - which makes an almost windproof impression - keeps the warmth close to the body.

What is really fascinating, however, is the perceived and measured lightness of this mid-layer. 259 grams - the lightest item of clothing in the test - but subjectively warmer than all those previously shown! Even when sweating through, the tamok jumper feels neither cool nor damp. Norrøna calls it the "most breathable jumper with insulation" - an impression I share.

One small disadvantage is the crew neck - the round neckline which, unlike the other test products, does not enclose the neck and protect it from the cold and wind. This means that cold-sensitive necks (aren't they all?) will need a tube scarf or similar. The sleeves are cut long and the cuffs are tight.

The bum bag is large and can hold a lot of things - theoretically - because anything else would get in the way when cycling. Nevertheless, the zip pocket on the inside of the bum bag is quite practical for a debit card or a €20 note, for example. It is also supposed to serve as a pannier, but this doesn't work very well.

The Norrøna tamok Alpha Crewneck sweatshirt fits - with the same size (M) - quite loosely compared to the others. The tamok shirt is also cut slightly longer at the back than at the front. With a classic bike jacket, which ends at the waistband or higher at the front, it protrudes far below. Visually: a no-go!

But who wears the Norrøna rain suit, for exampleI'm pleased that it doesn't pull in anywhere. With my height (172 cm) and build, I would also try an S model when buying for a more athletic fit. The price of the midlayer is on the upper class level: 220 euros is a pretty high price tag - At Norrøna we also know from previous tests that the products are all very durable and do not wear out quickly. Therefore, the purchase pays off - in theory.

Details about the Norrøna tamok Alpha Crewneck

• Cut longer at the back
• Full-length bum bag with zips
• Permanently water-repellent treated material (PFC-free)
• Insert in the fanny pack with zip ensures organisation and is intended to serve as a pannier
• Material: 55 % recycled nylon, 37 % nylon, 8 % polyurethane
• Material 2: 78 % recycled polyester, 22 % polyester
• Main insulation: 78 % recycled polyester, 22 % polyester
• Sleeve insulation: 100 % recycled polyester
• Weight: 259 g (M)
• Colours: Indigo Night, Rosin
• Sizes: S to XL
• Price (RRP): 219 euros

Norrøna warm3 Jacket - summer in a coat

Very trendy at the moment - or have teddy jackets never been out of fashion? - In any case, the Norrøna warm3 Jacket is extremely fluffy with very dense and long-pile fleece. Not only does it look very warm, this mid-layer is too. As BIKE editors sometimes get on a snowboard, the fleece jacket was also able to prove how well it insulates on the piste at -13° Celsius. Worn with ski underwear and a lightly lined hardshell, it was never cold even in these conditions, and after the descents it was almost too warm under the jacket.

The Norrøna warm3 was definitely the warmest piece of clothing I've ever had with me during the wild chase through the thicket on my bike. The "coat" is almost windproof, so it warms very well even without a hardshell. The high collar, like the breast pocket, is lined with windproof fabric and keeps the neck nice and warm.

If necessary, the two pockets keep your hands warm and the sleeves have thumb loops, which, as you know, we can't really use on the handlebars - but before, after or at home. But: This mid-layer jacket is really so warm that I can't wear it in front of the TV at 20° C because it gets too hot. The sun is included in the coat here.

The cut of the Norrøna warm3 jacket is normal to wider. It bulges a lot under a hardshell, especially in comparison to the previous candidates. Under a bike rain jacket with a close-fitting cut, there is almost no room for it. The warm3 fleece jacket also quickly becomes heavy when damp - but still not cool.

However, at 449 grams, it is the heaviest mid-layer in the test anyway. The price is also quite high. Whether the very soft and high-pile fleece still looks the same after 20 washes remains to be seen. The long fibres seem to felt a little in areas subject to heavy wear (elbows, cuffs). Not so nice, but it doesn't detract from the insulating effect.

Details of the Norrøna warm3 jacket

• Full-length zip
• Hand warmer pockets with zips
• Chest pocket with zip and wind protection
• Sleeves with thumb loops
• High collar with wind protection
• Material: 79 % recycled polyester, 21 % polyester
• Weight: 449 g (M)
• Colours: various for men and women
• Sizes: S to XL
• Price (RRP): 199 Euro >> available at Bergzeit

>> You can find even more warm jackets and trousers for biking in this article

>> Here we have also collected 10 x cycling clothing for the winter

>> And if you're still looking for cycling gloves, you're sure to find what you're looking for in our category