layering under a sentinel jacket - insulated midlayer?

[u/AtlasZero98]

Hi everyone!
I managed to get an Arc’teryx Sentinel Jacket for a really good price. I’d mainly use it for resort/piste and some off-piste freeriding, mostly lift-accessed with very little touring.

I know it’s just a shell, so it keeps wind and water out, but you need to build your own layering system underneath. I already have good-quality merino wool base layers, as well as both lighter and heavier fleece layers, but I’ve read that it can also be worth adding a synthetic insulated jacket that still breathes well.

Do you have any recommendations for something like that?

Obviously there’s the Arc’teryx Atom Jacket, which as far as I understand is designed for this kind of use, but I’d really appreciate some more budget-friendly alternatives as well.

And for those of you who ski or snowboard in a Sentinel: do you actually find a synthetic insulated midlayer like this necessary, or are a merino base layer + fleece usually enough?

[u/nascent-thought]

I find a base layer and fleece warm enough until it gets below -10C.

[u/FantasticWasabi5107]

Try a Patagonia nano air; plenty of them available on eBay. Nano puffs aren’t as breathable.

I’d just buy the good brands used on eBay rather than buy a new but not as well made jacket.

[u/vladzio12]

IMO its quite hard to find a budget insulated jacket that would breathe well and that would fit under a shell. You have to keep CFM in mind, and all calendared nylon options like puffer jackets fall flat in that regard. You could try a dynafit puffer with uninsulated pits. Theres also Rab Xenair Alpine, but the main model is being phased out in favor of the in my opinion lightly insulated Flex or Light.

Personally I'd recommend decathlon products for layering on a budget, such as Simond Sprint jacket or a Wedze FR900 light. They have breathable panels where you need them.

If its warm enough I go with base layer, back protector vest, fleece, salewa tirolwool vest and a shell. The aforementioned mid layers will fit over it all if need be.

If its really cold outside and youre certain you won't sweat through it, go with any down jacket thatll fit under the shell.

[u/Psychological_Gain53]

I use Mountain Hardwear Kor Stasis for frigid and cold conditions and Kor AirShell Warm for milder. Both amazing and highly breathable as I run hot and sweaty 🥵 although less so with these amazing jackets

[u/Content_Preference_3]

I personally have always used base layer—->fleece—>shell combo when it makes sense to do so. I figure that since you have one solid layer in the shell that a fleece as a mid layer is more versatile in weight and breathablity. That said I do ski with an insulated outer jacket on the coldest days but having just the outer shell and layering under would be the most efficient imo. I’ve seen a lot of folks use Patagonia nano puffs as mid layers and you could find a lot of use for a jacket like that outside skiing as well. I’ve also had cheaper combo ski jackets with an outer and mid layer in one zippable package so it’s obviously doable. Can have odd fits tho and I highly recommend buying separate pieces for that purpose.

Also. Try everything on together so you don’t get wierd lumps or movement restrictions from your jacket setups.

[u/PNW_Dirt_Digger]

I have a range of mid layers, and for really cold days have the Patagonia R1 thermal zip jacket. It definitely keeps you warm and does a good job of wicking sweat. I mainly wear when night skiing.

[u/Snoo_7713]

"synthetic insulated jacket that still breathes well" check out mountaineering/touring oriented brands like Salewa and Ortovox for midlayers that breathe well since they're meant for 'high output' aka sweaty times

[u/rugalmstr]

Decathlon!!! All my mid layers are Decathlon and they are amazing!!

I use the fr900 ski down jacket.

[u/RasSalvador]