Altura grid parka

In days gone by, winter riding was a stern test, as much because of the kit we had to wear as the weather we wore it in. Bibtights were akin to the wearing the lower half of a wetsuit with some fleece

Mountaineering Instructor Kirsty Pallas and outdoor author Alex Roddie layer up with the most adaptable and temperature-regulating mids for the cooler seasons

THE BIG TEST

Good mid layers all have one thing in common: they function as a protective outer layer in fine weather and provide warmth as an insulating layer on cooler days. Here are five of our current favourites.

BUYER’S GUIDE

SIX OF THE BEST