Layer merino as your base, an insulating fleece or down piece as your mid-layer, and a waterproof shell on top. Adjust by activity intensity and outside temperature — not by the calendar.
What are the three layers in a layering system?
- Base layer (next to skin): merino wool, weight chosen for the conditions. Manages moisture and provides initial warmth.
- Mid layer (insulation): fleece, heavier merino, synthetic puffer or down jacket. Traps warm air.
- Outer layer (shell): waterproof and windproof, ideally breathable. Blocks rain, wind and snow.
How should a merino base layer fit under other layers?
Snug enough to make contact with skin all over, loose enough to move freely. A baggy base layer doesn't wick effectively. A too-tight base layer restricts circulation and feels cold against the skin where it stretches.
Can you wear two merino base layers at once?
Yes — and it works well. A lightweight merino layer next to the skin plus a midweight or heavyweight merino on top is warmer than a single thick layer of equivalent total gsm, because the air trapped between layers adds insulation.
What weight base layer should I wear under a ski jacket?
Midweight (190–250 gsm) for most New Zealand ski conditions. Heavyweight only if you're stationary often or skiing in deep winter alpine cold. Lightweight if you're a strong skier who runs hot or skiing in spring.
Should I add or remove the mid-layer first when I get warm?
Open the shell first (unzip vents, undo the front). If still too warm, remove the mid-layer. Always keep the base layer on — it's doing the moisture work, and removing it during exertion soaks your remaining layers in sweat.
How does layering change for high-output vs low-output activity?
- High-output (running, fast hiking, ski touring uphill): lightweight base, minimal or no mid-layer, breathable shell. Vent aggressively.
- Moderate (skiing, hiking, climbing): midweight base, light mid-layer, weatherproof shell. Adjust mid-layer often.
- Low-output (camping, fishing, standing around): midweight or heavyweight base, full insulating mid-layer, durable shell. You'll lose heat fast otherwise.
What's a "puffy" and where does it fit?
A puffy is a synthetic or down insulating jacket — your mid-layer in cold conditions, or a top layer over your shell at rest stops. Down is warmer for the weight but loses insulation when wet; synthetic puffies handle damp conditions better.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a mid-layer in summer?
Usually not. Summer NZ conditions are typically a single merino layer plus a packable rain shell. Carry a light fleece or merino mid-weight if you're heading above the bushline or staying out into the evening.
Is cotton OK as a mid-layer?
Avoid cotton in any active layering system. It absorbs sweat, doesn't release it, and stops insulating once damp. Stick to wool, fleece, synthetic insulation, or down.
Why do I get cold when I stop moving?
Your base layer is wet from sweat and your body has stopped generating heat. The fix: a dry layer to change into, or a puffy to throw on the moment you stop. A merino base layer recovers far faster than a synthetic one because it stays warm even when damp.
Does layering work in light rain?
Yes — that's exactly what the shell is for. Rain on a merino base layer with no shell will eventually soak through and stop insulating; rain on a sealed three-layer system rolls off.
Build your merino layering system
Start with a midweight Brass Monkeys base layer and add weights up or down from there. For a complete merino layering kit, pair with one of our heavier merino tops as a mid-layer.
