WHETHER YOU NEED TO ADD AN EXTRA LAYER DURING THOSE COOLER STARTS OR ENDS TO THE DAY, OR WHEN YOU ARE HUNTING THROUGHOUT THE SEASONS AND NEED THE VERSATILITY TO ADAPT TO SUIT THE FOREVER CHANGING TEMPERATURES, WEATHERS OR TERRAINS, THE STONEY CREEK MID LAYER RANGE PROVIDES YOU WITH PLENTY OF OPTIONS TO ADAPT YOUR TECHNICAL CLOTHING TO MEET YOUR DEMANDS.

WITH KEY CONSIDERATIONS AROUND WAMRTH, FULL LENGTH CONCEALMENT AND PROTECTION, BREATHABILITY, COMFORT AND WEIGHT, KERRY CRAWFORD WILL HELP ANSWER SOME OF THE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WE GET HERE AT STONEY CREEK AND HELP TO PEEL BACK THE LAYERS OF COMPLEXITY AROUND CHOOSING THE RIGHT MID LAYER FOR YOUR NEXT HUNTING MISSION.

Why are mid-layers so important?

Mid-layers are often the most misunderstood article in your outdoor wardrobe. The mid-layer is the Swiss army knife of apparel. It can be layered for warmth, removed for cooling, added for protection or concealment. Among the many needs this part of your clothing system is asked to be lightweight and packable but still functional, economical and durable. Often worn more not Hunting, as it is in the field.

What is the difference between a mid-layer and an insulation layer?

The strong benefit of a mid-layer garment is the way it works with layers above and below it. Breathability and air permeability are key to providing comfort and keeping the ideal microclimate near your skin. With many insulation layers, the addition of a windblocking membrane creates a barrier that will dramatically affect the way air and moisture can move through layers. Stoney Creek Mid-layer garments do not have membranes or treatments to block the wind. Insulation layers do - because they are often worn as outerlayers when it is not raining and have membranes or manufacturing techniques to limit or eliminate wind from penetrating.

So how do I know what mid-layer to buy?

You should always start with the same questions, what are the worst conditions that I expect to encounter? And how much will the conditions fluctuate? Am I looking for warmth, concealment or protection? How much do I expect to carry if I have to remove a layer? These simple questions will help to guide you to the perfect mid-layer garment.

Stoney creek Mid-layers can be placed in three main categories.

Lightweight - is a thinner material. Garments in this category are often more packable, breathable, and don’t insulate as well as Midweight or heavyweight options. Lightweight is optimal for high-output activities, protection or concealment, or a "just-in-case" take along in the bottom of your pack. Examples: Fast Hunt in Tuatara® Camo for lightweight concealment- Microplus for packable back up.

Midweight is typically the most versatile because they breathe well but still provide a fair amount of warmth. If you need a garment that works for some high-output activities but can still function as a warm layer on cool days, midweight is the one to get. Examples: Microprime for warmth without bulk, Microtough for quick drying protection.

Heavyweight- is when you need warmth and do not mind bulk to get it. Thick and durable, not windproof like an Insulation layer but perfect under a shell layer when you are not moving much, and want to stay warm. Examples: Performance Plus for durability and extra warmth.

Why do we still use fleece?

Fleece over the years has been overtaken by cheaper and cheaper options on a race to the bottom. At Stoney Creek we are not interested in cutting corners to produce the cheapest item we can, even if on the surface it looks the same there is a massive performance, durability and longevity difference between good fleece and cheap fleece.

There are many reasons why at Stoney Creek we still use multi-high filament polyester yarn in our mid-layer garments.

Polyester yarn has many performance benefits that can still not be beaten.

A low denier micro yarn (<75D) can hold less than 1% of its weight in water, staying light and warm while providing dry times that other fabrics simply cannot match.

A high strength polyester filament it can be single or double knitted then brushed on one, or both sides to give a pile that will trap air to keep you warm.

It will not stretch after being worn, or shrink when washed after the dog has slept on it. Hydrophilic by nature blood, and spilt coffee will wash right out and it can be washed in a bucket, or thrown in a top load or front load washing machine for ease of care.

Because fleece is a single layer it is super silent, and will not rustle or give you away when pushing through the bush.

What is new for Mid-layer?

The evolution for the midweight layer category is a new product, the Microprime range. 95% Recycled polyester 75D x100D 144F Micro yarn, 5% Elastane Double knitted and brushed on the inside layer.

The Microprime has a thick plush feel with huge amounts of stretch, perfect midweight layer over your IceDry or Thermal Dry base layer. The smooth face will not bind to other layers allowing less restrictive movement. Available in a crew neck pullover that will slip under your outer layers with lots of extra warmth with very little bulk, and a versatile Quarter Zip top that looks as good on the golf course as it does in the bush.

THERE ARE A LOT OF CONSIDERATIONS TO MAKE WHEN CHOOSING THE MOST APPROPRIATE MID LAYER FOR YOUR NEXT HUNTING TRIP. BUT RATHER THAN JUST CHOOSING THE HIGHEST NUMBER, CHEAPEST, OR THE LIGHTEST WEIGHT, WE RECOMMEND CHOOSING THE RIGHT APPLICATION FIRST AND THEN FINDING THE CORRECT BALANCE OF PERFORMANCE ATTRIBUTES THAT WILL MAXIMISE YOUR EXPERIENCE THROUGHOUT YOUR HUNT. HAVING A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR GEAR, HOW IT PERFORMS, HOW TO LAYER ACCORDINGLY, AND HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR GEAR IS CRUCIAL. TREAT YOUR TECHNICAL APPAREL WITH AS MUCH CARE AND MAINTENANCE AS YOU DO YOUR RIFLE AND IT WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU.

Kerry Crawford. New Product Developer, Stoney Creek.