Hoodie as a mid layer when it is below freezing

Short answer: A hoodie works well as a mid layer in freezing weather when it sits loose enough to leave room for a layer underneath and a jacket on top. Choose a soft, breathable layer next to the skin, and keep the layers dry so the warmth stays.

What a mid layer should do

The mid layer holds the warmth your body makes itself by trapping air between the layers. So it is the air that insulates, not the fabric itself. A hoodie is suitable because the fabric is soft and a little thick, but it should not press the other layers together, or the air disappears.

The innermost layer first

Start with a thin, soft T-shirt or long sleeve top next to the skin that does not bunch up under the sleeves. If the innermost layer is damp with sweat, the cold quickly feels worse. So choose something comfortable that can dry fast, and do not dress too warmly for the first kilometre.

Fit and room for layers

The hoodie should sit with a little air around the body, so the jacket does not flatten it. Try it on with the innermost layer and your outer jacket over it to see whether you can lift your arms freely. A hoodie that is too tight gives less warmth, because it cannot hold air.

The hood under the jacket

The hood can be an advantage in freezing weather, because it keeps the neck warm. Under a jacket it can bunch up and press at the nape, so check whether it lies neatly. Many fold it inwards, and others pull it over the jacket. It depends on what feels best to you.

Sleeve, cuff and hands

A firm cuff at the wrist keeps the warmth in and stops cold air from getting under the sleeve. Make sure the jacket sleeve covers the cuff and does not bunch into a lump. Thick sleeves can make it hard to get gloves on, so try the combination before you go out in the cold.

When you get too warm

Freezing weather does not mean you always need more layers. If you walk fast, you can get warm and start to sweat, and then you are wet when you stand still. Open the jacket before you get sweaty, and take off the mid layer if needed. Bodies react differently, so listen to yours.

Choose thickness by the day

A thinner hoodie suits days just below freezing or for activity, while a thicker one is nice on quiet days. You can see the range among bamboo sweat for men and in bamboo sweatwear, where thickness and cut vary, so you can find something that suits your winter.

The innermost layer in winter

Remember that a good innermost layer makes the mid layer more effective. A soft, even T-shirt is a good starting point, and you can see the range of bamboo T-shirts for men. Wash the layers as directed so they keep their shape, and dry them fully before you put them on again.

Frequently asked questions

Does the hoodie need to be big enough to go over other layers?

It should have a little air, so you can wear a thin layer under it and a jacket over it without feeling squeezed. Try it on with the layers and see whether you can move your arms freely.

Can the hood sit under the jacket?

Yes, but it can bunch up at the nape. Check whether it lies neatly and does not press. Otherwise you can fold it inwards or pull it over the jacket when it is cold.

What do I do if I get sweaty under the hoodie?

Open the jacket or take off the mid layer before you get wet. If you have become damp, change into dry clothes as soon as you can, so you do not get cold when you stand still.

See our range of men's bamboo hoodie.