TESTER INFORMATION

I took up backpacking and bikepacking 5 years ago but I have enjoyed front-country camping and day hiking for many years. My trip length is generally one to three nights and ranges from prairie hikes to mountainous terrain. I am a 4-season hiker and typically a 3-season backpacker. My pack weight varies depending on the trip, but I tend to sacrifice weight savings for comfort.  

INITIAL REPORT

February 13, 2022

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: ODLO International AG (ODLO)
Year of Manufacture: 2022
Manufacturer's Website: https://odlo.com/

MSRP: US$100.00
Manufacturer's Listed Specifications:

• Material: Main Fabric is 93% Polyester, 7% Elastance. Insert I and Insert II are 100% Polyester
• Weight: Not Listed
• Sizes Available: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
• Colors Available: Dark Grey Melange, Grey Melange, Winetasting Melange (Burgundy), Balsam Melange (Blue)

Actual Specifications:

• Material (printed on the inside tag): Main Fabric is 93% Polyester, 7% Elastance. Insert I and Insert II are 100% Polyester
• Weight: 291.3 g (10.3 oz)
  
• Size Tested: Women's Small
• Color Tested: Grey Melange
  

The ODLO FLI Mid Layer Zip (mid layer) arrived in good condition with no loose threads, holes, or any other defects. The only potential flaw is that the zipper is a little sticky at the start of the zipper and I had some trouble zipping it up the first few times. Once it is zipped there is no problem zipping it up and down. The tag indicates the mid layer was made in Vietnam and is intended to have an athletic fit which the website indicates is "slightly tailored". The mid layer is rated as "warm", with the temperature rating ranging from 10 to -25 C (50 to -13 F), depending on the activity. The image below from the ODLO website illustrates the temperature rating best. The website indicates that warm thermal quality is ideal for all winter activities. 

(Source: https://odlo.com/)

The tag also described several features of the mid layer including:

• Keeps You Warm
• Moisture Management
• Freedom of Movement

The company's logo is a propellor which is displayed on the left side of the chest. The propellor represents the company's three core values: responsibility, action and transparency. More information on ODLO's sustainability initiatives can be found on their website. A few initiatives I found impressive were:

• Products marked with an eco-tag are made from recycled or sustainable sources.
• "Take Back Programme" operating in Switzerland, Germany and Austria is a reuse/recycle program for sport clothing of any brand.
• ODLO maintains "Fair Wear Leader Status" given to selected clothing manufacturers for their efforts to continuously improving working conditions in their supply chains.
• Publishing of an annual sustainability report.

Below are photos of the mid layer, zipped and unzipped to reveal the interior features.

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

The care instructions for the mid layer can be found on the inside tag as well as on the website. The instructions indicate to machine wash in cold water, wash with like colours, do not bleach, tumble dry low, iron low heat, do not use fabric softeners and do not dry clean. 

TRYING IT OUT

I am testing size small, which is my usual size. The mid layer fits and is true to the size chart. The athletic fit is not tight on me and sits away from my body, with a slight flare from the waist to the hips. I would personally prefer it to fit closer to my body but otherwise it is a good fit. The sleeves are long enough, extending past my wrists, and the front and back extend past my hips to a comfortable length. The mid layer is lined throughout with the grid fleece which is soft and warm against my skin. The collar has a piece of fabric to fold over the zipper that protects it from rubbing against my skin. The two interior pockets are approximately 9" x 4" (23 cm x 10 cm) and could easily fit a phone, map, or other similar item.    

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

The mid layer looks well-constructed with neat stitching and seams. The sticky zipper may be a flaw but hopefully with some wear it will break in. It fits true to size although I personally would prefer a snugger fit. It is comfortable and warm and I'm looking forward to testing it outside!  

FIELD REPORT

April 10, 2022

During the field testing period I have worn the mid layer for various day activities including fat biking, road cycling, cross country skiing, and running. Conditions are listed below by location.

Regina, Saskatchewan

• Activity: Running, Cross country skiing, road cycling
• Duration: 13 day uses 
• Distance: 206 km (128 mi)
• Elevation: 575 m (1900 ft)
• Temperature: ranged from -14 C, wind chill -26 to 5 C (7 F, wind chill -15 to 41 F)
• Weather: range of conditions from clear to overcast skies, light rain and snow, and often wind.
• Terrain: Primarily flat, trail and pavement

Kimberley, British Columbia

• Activities: Cross country skiing, fat biking, running
• Duration: 6 day uses 
• Distance: 97 km (60 mi)
• Elevation: 1300 m (4300 ft)
• Temperature: ranged from -15 C to 4 C (5 F to 39 F)
• Weather: range of conditions including sunny and clear to rain and wind
• Terrain: Variety of mountain terrain as well as paved and gravel trails

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

• Activities: Running
• Duration: Day use 
• Distance: 16 km (10 mi)
• Elevation: 1000 m (3300 ft)
• Temperature: -13 C, windchill -19 C (9 F, windchill -2 F)
• Weather: Clear and windy
• Terrain: Paved and snow-covered trail 

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

Over the field testing period I've worn the mid layer 20 times for a wide variety of activities and in a range of conditions. The majority of the time I wore the mid layer over the ODLO Natural + Kinship Warm Base Layer with Facemask and on a few ocassions I wore it over another long-sleeve base layer top I own. I layered the ODLO AEGIS 2.5L Waterproof Jacket (ODLO Jacket) over the mid layer when temperatures dipped to around -15 C (5 F) or colder, or when it was raining or snowing. 

Overall I found the mid layer to be an excellent layering tool. It is very versatile and kept me warm while active outdoors in a wide range of temperatures. Comparing the comfort of the mid layer at different temperatures to the provided chart, I think the chart is accurate. Exercising outdoors at the cold end of the range, around -20 C (-4 F), was definitely the limit for this mid layer. At that temperature I was also layering the ODLO Jacket over top and was at the extent of my comfort range after about 45 minutes of activity. At the warm end of the temperature range, I found the mid layer to be comfortable over a base layer for temperatures as warm as 0 C (32 F) while actively exercising, which is actually a wider range than the chart indicates. 

The base layer I wore under the mid layer primarily wicked the sweat away from the mid layer so the mid layer was usually dry after my outdoor activity. The only time this was not the case was when I layered a jacket over top which prevented full breathability. On those occasions the mid layer was damp but dried out within a few hours after use. The mid layer flares away a bit from my torso and the arms are more fitted. The bit of flare in the torso helps with breathability in that area. I think an elastic adjustment at the bottom of the mid layer would increase the versatility by preventing drafts of cold air from entering the jacket on colder days. I also prefer a more fitted look usually but the non-fitted torso did not take away anything in terms of functionality.  

The mid layer has two hand pockets which I have utilized to hold lighter items such as doggy bags and light snacks. I do not like putting heaver items like my cellphone in the hand pockets as the pockets are quite large which causes the phone to bounce around. I have not tried storing anything in the inner pockets yet as they are not very accessible, having to unzip the jacket for access. 

I washed the mid layer after every one or two uses following the care instructions: washing in cold water and hanging to dry or tumble drying on low. I have used the mid layer a few times in a row without washing it and I have not noticed any body odour. I noted in my initial review I was having some trouble with the zipper and I still have a bit of trouble with zipping up the mid layer. Besides that issue, I have not found any other quality issues with the mid layer, such as snags, pilling or holes. I have washed the mid layer likely around 15 times and it has not shrunk, stretched out, or pilled with washing. 

LONG TERM REPORT

May 22, 2022

During the long term testing period I have worn the mid layer on one overnight camping trip and for numerous day activities including hiking, road biking, and running. Conditions are listed below by location.

Regina, Saskatchewan

• Activity: Running and road biking
• Duration: 10 day uses 
• Distance: 136 km (85 mi)
• Elevation: 575 m (1900 ft)
• Temperature: ranged from -10 C to +10 C (14 F to 50 F)
• Weather: range of conditions including snowy and windy to sunny and relatively calm
• Terrain: Primarily flat, trail and pavement

Zion National Park, Utah

• Activities: Hiking and road biking
• Duration: 2 day uses and 1 overnight camping trip
• Distance: 22 km (14 mi)
• Elevation: 1220 m (4000 ft)
• Temperature: -1 C to 20 C (30 F to 68 F)
• Weather: Sunny and windy to overcast and calm
• Terrain: Desert. Rocky, sandy trail and a river hike

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

Over the long term testing period I've worn the mid layer 13 times under a range of conditions. When temperatures were low enough (approximately lower than 5 C/41 F) I continued to pair the mid layer with the ODLO Base Layers, the ODLO Jacket, and the ODLO ski socks. Outside of this range, I mixed and matched items according to the temperatures and conditions. As the temperatures were warmer through the long term test period, I wore the mid layer several times over a different, lighter base layer or active top. 

The long term test period solidified my opinions on this mid layer: it is an excellent and versatile layering piece. I wore it paired with the other ODLO items on a cold day (-10 C/14 F) under high winds and sleet conditions while running outdoors and I was comfortable. On the other end of the spectrum, I wore it over an active top while hiking on a warm (20 C/68 F) but windy day and I was still perfectly comfortable. Comparing again to the provided temperature chart, I think the warm end of the temperature range is even wider than depicted. In my experience, the mid layer was comfortable up to 10 to 20 C (50 to 68 F), at low to moderate levels of activity.  

My experiences with the mid layer in terms of wicking and breathability were similar to the field testing period. The top I wore under the mid layer primarily acted as the wicking layer so the mid layer was usually dry after my activity. Only when wearing the ODLO jacket did I have condensation that resulted in a damp mid layer. The mid layer usually dried out quickly after use, within an hour or two depending on how damp it was. Also as mentioned previously, the mid layer flares away a bit from my torso which was actually a plus in the warmer temperatures as it increased breathability.  

Through the long term testing period I seemed to have less trouble with the zipper so that issue may be working itself out with use. Similarly to the field testing period, I did not smell any body odour on the mid layer after multiple uses. I washed the mid layer approximately ten additional times following the care instructions: washing in cold water and hanging to dry or tumble drying on low. Besides the sticky zipper, there have been no quality concerns such as loose threads, snags, pilling, holes, etc. The mid layer seems to be of sound construction and high quality. It is a very comfortable and versatile piece and has become one of my favorite active wear items.

SUMMARY

PROS

1. Fits true to size 
2. Comfortable and warm
3. Broad range of temperature applicability
4. Flare at the waist allows for more breathability, a positive in warmer temperatures
   

This concludes my Test Report. Thank you to BackpackGearTest.org and ODLO for the opportunity to test the FLI Mid Layer Zip.