Stretchy! That’s the best and only way to describe the Salomon Discovery Hz Midlayer. I’ll tell you what, midlayers have come a long way in the last decade. Used to be all our only options were flannel shirts and high-pile fleece. So I am thrilled to see ever-more versatile options becoming available, like this performance piece from Salomon.
Features of the Salomon Discovery Hz Midlayer include:
- Actitherm insulation
- Stretch material for excellent range of motion
- Half-front zipper
- Reflective branding
Pulling on the Discovery Hz, it most definitely looks and feels like a high-performance layer for high-octane activity. So I gave it what it desired. For the last few months I’ve taken it on chilly morning runs in the city, on mountain bike rides, and even as a breathable layer on late-season backcountry ski trips. Through it all, this “fleece” was determined to impress me, and impress it did.
First off, breathability is awesome. While the material is insulating, it never felt too hot or cold so long as it was worn during the correct temperature – not too hot, not too cold. I did overheat a few times while skinning in the Uinta Mountains, but this midlayer is not windproof at all, so any breeze felt wonderful as it went through the jacket. And did I mention it’s stretchy yet? Oh yea. Whether I was poling across the flats, booting up a couloir, or post-holing through spring muck, this layer never bound up or got in the way. Paired with a windproof, weather resistant shell, and I found the Discovery Hz to be the perfect companion for backcountry skiing.
For the summer months, I’ve loved to wear the Discovery Hz on chilly pre-dawn mornings, and on bike rides. In fact, the orange color I tested was great for night riding in the city, and I most recently used it to ride my bike home from the Salt Lake City Arts Festival. Since it’s such a thin midlayer, it’s just the thing to have along for when the sun goes down and a stiff wind blows through the canyons. Plus, it looks all snazzy-outdoorsy.
Aside from using the Salomon Discovery Hz during outdoor recreation, I’ve also found it to be superb for just lounging around the house, grilling steak in the back yard, or even hang boarding in the garage at night. It’s just super comfortable and has become one of my favorite technical mid layers.
The Good: Soft, breathable, looks good, comfortable, STRETCHY!
The Bad: I couldn’t find any fault with this piece.
Final Word: The Salomon Discovery Hz Midlayer is the ideal summer jacket. It’s light enough to have along when your mom’s voice rings in your head saying, “don’t forget to bring a jacket.” And it’s technical enough for everything from backcountry skiing, to road biking, to trail running.