Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody - Women's Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody - Women's | |||||
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Awards | Best Overall Insulated Jacket for Women | Most Versatile Layer | Best Warmth and Value | Best for Serious Breathability | |
Price | $159.99 at Evo Compare at 2 sellers | $349 List $329.00 at Backcountry | $149.83 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $69.00 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $300 List $270.00 at Backcountry |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | A decent everyday coat that lacks the features and comfort to make it worth its high cost | Warm and comfortable with excellent compression, this continuous shell design is really hard to beat | An exceptionally breathable insulated jacket best for high-output cardio, or pairing with other layers | This non-technical insulated model is offered at a great price for wear in the winter | A unique model with outstanding breathability and mobility that's perfect for on-the-go adventuring |
Rating Categories | Patagonia Nano Puff... | Patagonia DAS Light... | Arc'teryx Atom Hood... | Columbia Heavenly H... | Ortovox Swisswool P... |
Warmth (25%) | |||||
Comfort (25%) | |||||
Weather Resistance (20%) | |||||
Portability (15%) | |||||
Breathability (15%) | |||||
Specs | Patagonia Nano Puff... | Patagonia DAS Light... | Arc'teryx Atom Hood... | Columbia Heavenly H... | Ortovox Swisswool P... |
Measured Weight (Size S) | 11.6 oz | 11.5 oz | 10.5 oz | 22.4 oz | 10.4 oz |
Number of Pockets | 3 (2 zippered hand, 1 internal zippered chest) | 3 (2 zippered hand, 1 exterior zippered chest) | 3 (2 zippered hand, 1 internal zippered chest) | 3 (2 zippered hand, 1 internal zippered chest) | 2 (2 zippered torso) |
Hem Type | Single bungee adjustment | No adjustment | Dual bungee adjustment | No adjustment | Elastic |
Fit | Relaxed slim | Relaxed | Athletic trim | Slim | Athletic trim |
Insulation | 60g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco (100% postconsumer recycled polyester) | 65g PlumaFill (100% recycled polyester) | Resilient Coreloft Compact 60 (100% recycled polyester) | 100% polyester | 88 % virgin wool (Swisswool), 12 % polylactide |
Outer Fabric | 20D 100% recycled polyester ripstop with a durable water repellent | 100% recycled ripstop nylon | Dope Permeair 20D (100% nylon) | Storm-Lite DP II polyester | Pertex Quantum (100% polyamide) |
Lining | 22D 100% recycled polyester ripstop | 100% recycled ripstop nylon | Tyono 20D 100% nylon Stretch fleece side panels: 94% polyester, 6% elastane |
Luscious Pile Fleece Polyester | 100 % polyamide |
Hood Option | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Built-In Stow Pocket | Yes; chest | Yes; hand | No | No | No |
Cuff Construction | Elasticized cuffs | Elasticized cuffs | Stretch-knit | Stretch-knit wrist-warmer cuff with thumbholes | Elasticized cuffs |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody is a lightweight jacket with a relaxed slim fit. Its exterior is made of 100% recycled polyester and it has a single bungee adjustment point in its hem. It has three pockets — two zippered hand pockets and one chest pocket. This chest pocket doubles as its own stuff sack.
Performance Comparison
Warmth
The Nano Puff Hoody is decently warm, considering how thin it is. It has a slightly longer torso that's about average among models we tested and offers some added protection in the back with a moderate drop hem. The hood is fitted and can be worn over a thin beanie but keeps the wearer protected even with a bare head. The cuffs end with an elastic band cover that holds the sleeves above your hands. All in all, this jacket provides just average warmth.
Comfort
The exterior of the Nano Puff has that classic puffy jacket swish feeling and sound. It's a relaxed slim fit with a slightly tapered waist that leaves some space underneath for non-bulky layers. Our testers had some gripes with the lack of space across the shoulders, which becomes particularly noticeable when reaching our arms forward. A single adjustment point to the bungee running through the hem adds some flexibility to the fit, but in our experience, it requires two hands to loosen and readjust when needed.
Weather Resistance
The drop hem and adjustable bungee within make the Nano Puff better able to block the wind than many with less coverage. A full length wind guard helps secure the zipper. Up against precipitation, the Nano Puff performed admirably, beading raindrops and resisting water soaking in. It is covered by an excessive number of baffle seams, though, which are susceptible to becoming weak points for severe weather down the road.
Weight and Compressibility
The size Small Nano Puff we tested weighs 11.6 ounces, which is just slightly above average for our lineup. It packs away into its internal chest pocket, with a carabiner loop for easy clipping when you're done. We had a challenging time getting this jacket to zip into its pocket, requiring excessive effort in stuffing and using our knees to squeeze it smaller while we zip it shut.
Breathability
Here again, the Nano Puff performed about average in our testing. It lacks any features that would aid in breathability and instead is helped along by its general thinness. Loosening the hem bungee cord can be helpful, depending on how tight this coat is on your body. But it's not winning any awards for being a breathable model.
Should You Buy the Patagonia Nano Puff?
If you've found a Nano Puff in a store nearby and you love how it fits and feels, it may be the right jacket for your everyday use. It's not a technical layer and lacks many features of mobility, breathability, and portability that we look for in an adventure jacket. It's also on the expensive side for its overall lackluster performance, and we're just not convinced it's worth the money.
What Other Insulated Jackets Should You Consider?
The Patagonia Nano Puff is a decent everyday jacket with a mediocre performance. If you want a more technical jacket that's ideal for layering, check out the Arc'teryx Atom Hoody. Or for a great coat that's warm and impressively weather resistant, we love the Patagonia DAS Light.