The perfect mid layer is an absolute necessity for any winter activity. Temperatures fluctuate and it's critical that you have layers to add or take off when you need to. I tested the Helly Hansen Mission Midlayer Jacket. In addition to being warm and extremely comfortable, this jacket looks good. Which is important when your main mountain is the ever-classy Beaver Creek.
Size Tested: Medium
Color Tested: Black
Location Tested: Beaver Creek and Denver, Colorado
Days Tested: 45
The Mission Midlayer is durable. The stretch polyester on the body of the jacket gives it some stretch and flexibility. The shoulders and hood of the jacket are reinforced with a slick face shell fabric. The shoulder material provides extra comfort and durability for carrying your skis or board, protecting from wear and tear. Withstanding some encounters with trees, and branches on a recent hut trip was proof the Mission Midlayer is sturdy.
This jacket is fashionable and après ski ready. The sleek fabric and design of this jacket make it my most flattering jacket in my fleece category. The black is slimming and doesn't show any dirt. Helly Hansen's gear has a fitted Scandinavian style, meaning nothing about this jacket is baggy, which makes it a perfect layer. Wear this over a long-sleeve or under a shell.
This mid layer and my Helly Hansen Stella jacket were (literally) made for eachother. Together this duo can get me through any type of high altitude weather. I've had some cold, windy days where my friends needed to warm up with an Irish coffee, but my Stella jacket and Mission Midlayer kept me toasty warm. I ride with my Mission Midlayer in my backpack on warmer days and stick to the Stella, but I always have this jacket with me incase temperatures drop. I also put it on for the drive home because the fleece lining is so comfortable.
Mission Midlayer SpecificationsPrice: $160Material: Stretch polyester on body and slick face shell fabric on shouldersPockets: Two fleece-lined hand pocketsSizes: XS-XLColors: Black, Ebony, 171 Scarlett, Deep Violet
I pair this mid layer with the Stella Jacket and the Legend Pant. Learn more about Helly Hansen from Snow Squad members Lisa Pogue and Steven DeWitt.
--Kirsten Lindholm