"What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying:""I have been reaching for the Stavel Jacket as my default mid-layer all season and it layers more cleanly under a shell than any fleece I have tested at this weight. The set-in sleeve construction gives surprisingly good arm lift for technical terrain, and the stretch bindings at the hem and cuffs seal out cold air on exposed ridges better than I expected from a fleece at this price point.""Cold mornings at the trailhead and long afternoons above treeline both call for a reliable fleece mid-layer, and the Rab Stavel Jacket is the piece that answers every time. Soft enough to wear against the skin on high-output days and warm enough to anchor a layering system when the temperature drops, it is the kind of versatile fleece that earns a permanent spot in the pack regardless of the season. Rab built the Stavel around Thermic™ Soft Textured Fleece with a brushed backer at 200gsm, a midweight construction that balances warmth and breathability for the full range of mountain activity from steep scrambles to leisurely ridge walks. Set-in sleeve construction allows impressive arm lift for a fleece, making it a capable choice under a shell on technical terrain where reach and mobility matter. Stretch bindings at the hem and cuffs seal out cold air at the extremities without restricting movement, a full-length front zip makes layering transitions fast and effortless, and two zippered hand warmer pockets keep fingers and small essentials warm and secure on the coldest approaches."