GEAR REVIEW – Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket

I get cold. Whether it’s winter, summer or somewhere in between seasons, I always have some form of insulation with me. For years I had a Patagonia Nano Puff pull over and it served me well. A super compressible, windproof primaloft sweater that weighed next to nothing and could fit in even the smallest of packs, I loved the Nano. But my beef was always with the fact that it did not have a full length zipper. When the Nano Puff Jacket came out a few years ago, my old pull over was still going strong but finally, this past summer, that old rag became just that – an old rag. So I ordered myself a full zip Nano Puff Jacket form EVO.

Still super light, super compressible and unbelievable warm for it’s weight, the full length zipper has been a staple in just about everything I do over the last six months. I’ve even started bringing it ski touring with me cause it’ll fit in just about anything and isn’t as bulky as my down jacket. And while it’s no something I’ll use to really keep me warm on those arctic days, for fast and light missions, it’s perfect. My favourite application for this jacket, however, has been in the realm of riding bikes.

I’m a big fan of long rides. Here on the coast, riding is embedded in the very fabric of our being. Whether it’s a Whistler technical epic, consecutive 8 hour days in the South Chilcotin or just linking all the great single track Squamish has on offer, anytime I head out on a long ride, I always find it tough to choose the right layers. The Nano Puff, especially now that it can go on like a jacket, is fully windproof and can even deal with the odd rain showers is the perfect warm up layer for those long, hard earned descents. The best part? It fits in a hydration pack with ease and takes up little to no room and weighs a scant 334g.

 

Super compressible.
Evo.com

In terms of quality, the Nano lives up to Patagonia’s usual bomber contruction. I’ve done some big climbing routes with the jacket on and scraped my way across granite and it’s help up fine. The fit is a bit off, in that the waist, in large, is a bit wide. But this isn’t designed to be form fitting. It is a puffy, after all. Good, solid pockets on either side (nothing is more annoying than a hoody, jacket or puffy without side pockets) and the option of getting the hooded version make the Nano Puff a great all around insulating piece that shines in all but the wettest or coldest conditions.

Be safe, ski hard. 

Recycled Polyester – Patagonia recycles used soda bottles, unusable second quality fabrics and

worn out garments into polyester fibers to produce many of their clothes.

Shell – 1-oz 15-denier 100% recycled polyester. Shell and lining have a Deluge® DWR (durable

water repellent) finish

Lining – 1.4-oz 22-denier 100% Recycled polyester.

Insulation – 60-g PrimaLoft® ONE 100% Polyester.

PrimaLoft® One – The ultimate insulation made for extreme warmth, maximum compressibility and

water resistance for sustained performance in wet or dry conditions.

PrimaLoft® Synthetic Insulation – PrimaLoft® synthetic insulation stays warm when wet and dries

remarkably fast in cold climates. PrimaLoft® fibers compress 42% smaller than competitive

insulations, and absorb less than 1% of their water, versus 6-8% in regular polyester.

Fit – Regular fit

Pockets – Zippered pockets – Two handwarmers, one internal chest pocket (doubles as stuffsack)

with a reinforced carabiner clip-in loop

Unique quilt pattern holds insulation in place for durability

Dual-adjust drawcord hem seals out wind