1. CLOUDVEIL WISTER
You can ski-tour or bar-tour in this sleekly understated jacket. The midweight Wister is warm enough for dawn patrol, its four-way stretch fabric never binds, and breathable Polartec Power Stretch vents under the armpits help regulate body temperature. The armorlike Hardface Wind Pro shrugs off tree-skiing snags and takes the sting out of icy breezes. It's a bit toasty for pounding uphill in mild conditions, but you'll be glad to have that tall collar if you opt for the chairlift. $195; www.cloudveil.com

2. ARC'TERYX TAU AR PULLOVER
The Tau represents the best of new-fleece versatility. With its stretchy athletic cut, warm interior nap, and solid weather protection, it works equally well as a mid- or outer layer. On a crisp autumn day, during a long climb on the North Cascades' Le Petit Cheval, I never had to swap layers. During a light rain, it took 30 minutes for moisture to penetrate the Hardface Wind Pro fleece, and it dried soon after. At just 14 ounces, this one-pocket pullover is the choice if you want minimalist construction and maximum function. $175; www.arcteryx.com

3. PATAGONIA R1 GRANULAR
Like the other five pieces here made with Polartec's Hardface fleece, the Granular blurs the line between soft shell and midlayer. The category-bending jacket didn't let in a drop in rain-hammered Portland, Oregon, even after I walked for several sopping blocks. Later, it kept me warm on chill evenings in Washington's Methow Valley. And the deceptively casual style belies the technical details: Hand pockets and hem drawcords are strategically placed—high and in front—so as not to interfere with a pack hipbelt or climbing harness. Close-fitting wrists and contoured shoulders make for a snug fit. $189; www.patagonia.com