Men's Nordic Terry Wool 400 zip-neck mid-layer set

“In cold weather, I put my Nordic Terry on as soon as I set off. It comes along on every trip, at least in my backpack. A brilliant layer to pull on during breaks too.”

Ossi Salo, fell snowmobiler & Svala team member

Nordic Terry Wool – the mid-layer set you forget you're wearing

The men's Nordic Terry Wool 400 zip-neck mid-layer set is designed for the moment when your body no longer produces enough heat on its own: when you slow down or stop altogether, you need a layer that provides warmth. The 400 g/m² terry knit does this with its two surfaces: the looped inner surface holds warmth and moves moisture away from your skin, while the smooth outer surface makes the set comfortable and hard-wearing. The fabric feels soft and stretchy and doesn't restrict your movement, yet it still regulates your temperature.

The merino wool blend Nordic Terry Wool set is a natural alternative to conventional fleece. Merino wool keeps you warm even when damp, so you won't feel cold even if the set gets damp from sweat. No cold fabric clinging to your back or legs, no shivering when you stop. Just steady warmth that lets you focus on what you're doing.

Merino wool is naturally odour-resistant, so when you take the set off in the evening, you're not greeted by the familiar smell of sweat. It feels as fresh as when you put it on in the morning. You can freshen it up simply by airing it instead of washing it, so it also works for trips lasting several days.

The men's Nordic Terry Wool 400 zip-neck mid-layer set comes with a 100-day satisfaction guarantee. We want to give you time to try it properly: wear it as you normally would for 100 days. If you're not happy with it for any reason, you'll get your money back.

Nordic Terry Wool 400 zip-neck mid-layer set for every outdoor situation

The raglan sleeves of the stretchy men's zip-neck top follow your every movement. Raise your arms, reach or lean forwards, and the top doesn't feel tight in any position. The longer, curved back hem keeps your back covered when you bend over. The high zipped stand collar and windproof front opening protect your neck and keep cold air out. Use the zip to adjust your warmth: open it as your body warms up and close it as the weather cools, without taking the top off.

The stretchy waistband of the mid-layer bottoms, with the Svala logo, keeps them in place as you move, so you don't have to keep pulling them up. Squat, lift your leg or take a long stride, and the bottoms move with you. The crotch gusset gives you a full range of movement, and the close fit never feels uncomfortable or tight. Rib knit at the ankles keeps the legs in place under your other layers. All seams in the set are flatlock seams that lie flat and won't rub your skin, even with repeated wear.

In the Svala AIR System™, this set is the Mid Layer: the insulating layer you wear over a moisture-wicking Zero Layer, such as the Original Airbase 120 set, and a temperature-regulating Base Layer, such as the Merino Extreme base layer set. The set also works on its own, directly against your skin without a layer underneath, when the temperature or activity doesn't call for full layering. Add a weather-protective Shell Layer on top when conditions require it.

Thoughts from the designer

“In the top, what matters is the collar and the zip; in the bottoms, it's the waistband and the cuffs. I wanted a collar high enough to protect without feeling tight, and a zip that lets you regulate your warmth without taking the top off. For the bottoms, I wanted an elastic waistband that holds them firmly in place when you move but doesn't feel tight when you're still. The terry knit provides warmth and breathability, and the merino wool makes the set something you'll want to keep wearing indoors too.”

Ninni Pohto, designer at Svala

A fabric refined over years

The terry structure of the Nordic Terry Wool knit is the result of years of development at Svala and a natural alternative to conventional fleece. The looped inner surface traps air and warmth against your skin and moves moisture away from it. The smooth outer surface keeps the fabric comfortable and hard-wearing. In practice, this means the set keeps you warm even when it's damp, and a cold wind doesn't chill you to the bone when you stop for a break.

Merino wool is naturally excellent at holding warmth and moving moisture. Its natural odour resistance helps prevent unpleasant smells, and you can often freshen the set by airing it instead of washing it. That means you can pack one mid-layer for a trip instead of several. This is a big advantage on longer trips where you may not be able to wash your clothes.

The Nordic Terry Wool set works very well as a mid-layer in the coldest weather or as your outer layer on milder, dry days. In temperatures from −30 °C to +15 °C, the set keeps you warm even when you alternate between activity and rest.

The men's Nordic Terry Wool 400 zip-neck mid-layer set is made from 70% mulesing-free merino wool and 30% polyamide, which makes the garments more durable and helps them keep their shape. The yarn is OEKO-TEX 100 certified, which guarantees it is safe against your skin. The set is designed and made at the Svala factory in Kärsämäki, Finland, with skills honed over decades.

Developed in Finland for Finnish weather

Spending a frosty day shovelling snow and playing outside with the children? Stopping at a lean-to shelter to grill sausages and enjoy the peace of nature? Walking your dog at a pace that varies between brisk walking and sniffing breaks? Nordic Terry Wool is made for moments like these.

Nordic Terry Wool clothing suits almost any outdoor activity from autumn to spring. Your gear no longer decides whether you stay warm.

The Nordic Terry Wool 400 zip-neck mid-layer set is at its best:

• At work
• Hiking and trekking
• Running
• Cycling
• Cross-country skiing
• Canoeing or boating
• Fishing and ice fishing
• Everyday wear

Svala's merino products were developed in Finland and have been tested in professional use for decades. In other words, they have proven themselves on people who show their clothes no mercy: on long shifts, on week-long wilderness trips, and in wet, cold conditions where your gear decides how comfortable your day is. If the set has stood up to them, it'll stand up to you too.