Winter Layering for the Outdoors – Our Layer-by-Layer Guide

Aussies love a puffer jacket, but there’s more to the layering puzzle than a single big coat. Here are our must-have layers to keep you as warm as lasagne this season.

Every winter, Australians remember that they’re no good at building insulated houses. Friends and colleagues from frostier corners of the globe complain that it’s colder here than in their grey, wet homelands. And they’re not wrong.

I work from home, and the puffer jacket hasn’t come off since June.

Office attire for the Aussie winter

Indoors, the layering game is simple, but outdoors, it turns into a four or five-piece puzzle. When it’s 1 degree at 7am and 15 degrees by midday (like it was for me in the Blue Mountains last weekend), you need to be able to adapt by adding or subtracting layers quickly, as needed.

Your layers should complement each other and work together to not only keep you warm, but also to regulate your temperature, stay breathable, and wick sweat during higher-intensity activities. Let’s build your layering system, step-by-step.

Psst, mate, you got enough layers?

Base Layers – Building The ‘Next-To-Skin’ Foundation 

Our soft-like-béchamel first layer in the human lasagne is a base layer.

The base layer is often made up of skin-hugging garments called ‘thermals’. They’re designed to keep your core warm and will typically come in a range of weights – from ultralight and lightweight 120-200 g/m² to midweight and heavyweight base layers at 200-260 g/m².

Some base layers, like The North Face’s Summit Series Pro 120 Crew, will even have micro holes in the fabric to help manage moisture and vapour when exerting yourself during activities like skiing or hiking.

This particular layer is made from a mix of recycled and virgin polyester, but you’ll also commonly see merino wool and other synthetic blends available. The main material you want to avoid here is cotton. The saying goes, ‘cotton kills’ as it absorbs moisture (read: sweat) and stays wet, sucking out heat.

Synthetic layers are often lighter, dry quickly, and are cost effective, while merino is loved for its warmth (even when wet) and ability to resist getting smelly.

If there’s snow on the ground you almost certainly need to commit to a base layer

Mid Layers — The Meat or Veg in Our Lasagne

These are the layers that punch above their weight in the warmth department and are what everyone will naturally reach for in winter.

Mid layer pack way more punch with base layers underneath

1. Fleece

Fleece is the layer you often see in old film photos of campsites from the 1980s and 90s. The gold standard for fleece is ‘Polartec’, invented as a lightweight alternative to wool in 1979, and it’s been a must-have layer ever since.

Fleece is also incredibly durable, so some of those fleeces from yesteryear are probably still going strong, making it a very worthwhile investment in your winter adventure wardrobe.

Fleece has a soft hand feel (unlike most insulated jackets), so it’s comfortable to wear on top of bare skin while wearing a t-shirt in milder weather. 

Fleece works well without base layers as it feels comfy on the skin

Similar to base layers, fleece comes in a range of weights, from 100 – 300 g/m². The North Face 100 Glacier ¼ Zip Fleece is the lightest option at a 100-weight and my go-to for higher output activities. The lighter weight is also more packable than the bulkier alternatives, but it’s worth noting fleece doesn’t pack as well as other insulated mid layers.

The fleece plus puffer combo is toasty as

On its own, fleece is not particularly windproof, so it’s best paired with an outer shell layer. Alternatively, there are fleece variants out there called ‘hard-faced’ fleece or ‘softshells’, which have a windproof exterior.

Wind not pictured

2. Insulated Jackets

Now for the layer that everyone pictures when they hear ‘winter layering’ – a puffy jacket with baffles that make you look like the Michelin Man.

As Rachel pointed out in our article comparing down versus synthetic filling, ‘“down jacket” has become the catch-all word for any kind of puffer jacket these days.”’ 

The North Face are almost synonymous with ‘down jackets’, ever since their iconic Nuptse jacket was introduced in 1992 and taken to Himalayan peaks.

Nowadays, you’re just as likely to see a Nuptse jacket in the CBD, and there are as many insulated jacket styles available as there are 8,000m peaks.

They’re fast becoming an urban staple, but a good puffer still dominates outdoors too

There are two main options for this layer – down insulation or synthetic insulation?

Down insulation is best for cold, dry conditions. It’s typically made with goose or duck down, and all The North Face down products are certified by the Responsible Down Standard (RDS).

Synthetic insulation is best for cold conditions when you might get wet. This is because synthetic insulation dries more quickly and retains its warmth and fluffiness when wet. It’s also a bit easier to wash.

Read more: How To Wash Your Down Jacket

The North Face’s proprietary synthetic insulation is Thermoball™, which has been designed to replicate the properties of goose down. It keeps insulating even if soaked through and has a similar warmth-to-weight ratio to 600-fill down (check the FAQs to learn what that means). 

Hooded puffer jackets mean you always have a beanie on call

I’ve been wearing The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket with Thermoball™ insulation all winter long, and when a puppy bit open the sleeve and some precious thermoballies oozed out, I nearly cried. Layers and onions do have a lot in common after all.

Despite fancy materials like Pertex® Quantum, the exteriors of insulated jackets are generally not very durable as they also strive to be as light and packable as possible, so they’re best shielded with an outer shell jacket.

Read more: The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket – Reviewed & Tested

The Outer Shell Layer – The Crispy Exterior

Like crispy melted mozzarella, the outer shell is crunchy and firm. It should fit comfortably over your base and mid layers to lock in the heat, while also keeping out the elements. 

I typically look for a shell-style jacket instead of an insulated outer jacket, as you then have more flexibility to take layers on and off. For example, if it’s raining but the temperature is mild, you may not want the insulated mid layer.

Read more: The Best Waterproof Jackets For Hiking in the Rain 2025

It’s always best to layer up before the weather has turned

The North Face Dryzzle FUTURELIGHT™ 2 Jacket is a breathable yet waterproof option. Where a lot of rain and shell jackets might be stiff, shiny and ‘plasticy’, this particular 3-layer jacket has a soft, stretch-woven face for extra comfort. It also has a non-PFC Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish to keep the rain at bay.

Read more: Your Rain Jacket is Probably Harming The Planet – Here’s How That’s Changing

The gold standard jackets are called ‘three-layer’ jackets, sometimes written as 3L. They bond together the outer protective layer, the waterproof, breathable membrane, and an internal protective layer. Two-layer jackets use a hanging mesh to protect this membrane, while two-point five layer jackets protect it with a sprayed or printed protective layer. While these methods don’t perform as well, they can be much more affordable.

Look for name brand waterproof tech, even on the more affordable jackets!

Now We’re Cooking!

Every layer plays an important part. Not only do these four layers work effortlessly when worn together, but they’re also able to be worn in isolation depending on the weather and activity of the day.

Ready for anything

Now, instead of reaching for one mega insulated shell jacket and sweating away if the weather changes, you have four specialised layers to choose from.

Just four layers can equal 15 different combinations that include wearing:

• Just one layer
• Any two layers
• Any three layers
• Or all four layers

With a good layering system, you’ll be ready for anything! 

Play around with your layers outdoors and you’ll get completely dialled in

Winter Layering FAQs

What is g/m² in base layers and fleece?

G/m² refers to grams per square meter. It’s a number that indicates how thick the fabric is and can be used as a scale to determine the warmth, weight and use case for a category of layers.

Higher g/m² doesn’t mean it’s a better layer, it just means it’s thicker and warmer.

Can I wear a cotton base layer?

No, you shouldn’t wear cotton as a base layer since it absorbs moisture and keeps you wet and cold. In fact, avoid cotton as much as possible when you’re in the outdoors.

What’s better: merino wool or synthetic layers?

Merino: Great for suppressing odour, warm when wet, natural and breathable.

Synthetic: More durable, better for sensitive skin, cheaper, and faster drying.

Verdict: Merino is best for multi-day use while synthetic and synthetic blends are better for high-output activities. 

What’s the difference between a fleece and a mid layer?

Fleece is a type of mid layer, along with insulated down jackets, hoodies and puffers. Mid layers simply refer to the layers you might wear between your base layer and an outer shell layer.

What is fill power in down jackets?

Fill power measures the loft (fluffiness) and insulating efficiency of down.

• 550-fill: Good value, heavier, less compressible (budget-friendly jackets)
• 600-fill: The most common. Good warmth, moderately compressible, used in all-around jackets
• 700-fill & above: Lighter, warmer and more compressible. Found in Summit Series or high-end alpine gear

Can I wear a hoodie or sweater as a mid layer?

You can, but these typically won’t have the same performance and technical attributes as fleece, down or synthetic layers that are built for purpose (they can still have a hood though!). More casual layers like hoodies and sweaters will not breathe as well and won’t have the same warmth-to-weight ratio. 

How do I wash my winter layers?

Check out our guides below for caring for and washing your layers!

• How To Wash Your Down Jacket
• How (and Why) to Wash Your Waterproof Jacket
• How To Wash Your Sleeping Bag