User Review: Patagonia Micro Puff Pullover

Patagonia Micro Puff Pullover
Above: The current Micro Puff Pullover, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed January 20, 2007 by Delmarco

Rating:
Fabric: Nylon
Fill: Primaloft
Price Paid: $70

Awesome Layering Piece!

I heard a lot about Patagonia's Puff series and was hesitant to buy this pullover because of the steep price tag compared to other similar jackets by other brands. I got the Puff Pants for a winter camping trip and was pleased with that enough to pick this item up.

This pullover is about as light as a wet T-shirt and almost as warm as my MAMMUT Stratus Belay Parka. The warmth and weather resistant technology seems to be magical at first, but its secret lies in the way the pullover sits snug against your body and seals a layer of warm air between your skin and the inner liner of the puff.

My only problems is the sizing that Patagonia assigns for the Puff series. Their intention is that these layers are sized one size up (roomy) so that they go over other layers. I find that the pullover works better as a 2nd layer because the outer surface of the pullover is smooth enough to easily slide under outer layers without bunching up. Another reason is the fabric on the outer surface of the puff series is also silky-soft and easily subject to abrasion and snags if worn as an outer layer (especially if you are an occasional bushwacker).

I got the Mens Small size and found that it actually fits like a Men's Medium. These are sold out in all the New York City Patagonia stores and many online retailers, so I ended up getting a new one from the 2005 line on eBay for $70.