User Review: Patagonia Men's Nano Puff Pullover

Summary

The Nano Puff Pullover is a lightweight, windproof, water-resistant three-season jacket. It is made with 60 grams of highly compressible Primaloft ONE synthetic insulation. The shell is 15 denier polyester and the lining is 22 denier polyester.

The Patagonia Nano Puff Pullover is a staple of my backcountry gear. I wear it during most of my backpacking trips. I bought this one in 2009, after seeing the first one that was made in the Patagonia catalog. I had to have it. I am so glad that I did get it, because it sure has kept me warm the last few years.

This pullover is very minimalist. It does not have hand warmer pockets, adjustable cuffs or hem, or a hood, and the zipper is 1/2 length. I do really like the length of the zipper though. It is very nice for venting. However, while it may be lacking in features, it only weighs 10.2 oz. It is very warm for that weight. Yes, there are a lot of down jackets that weigh a few ounces less, but the fact that this one is pretty weather resistant is a huge difference. I'll take that anyday for a few extra ounces.

* The Nano Puff Pullover was so popular that Patagonia has made several variations of the original pullover: Nano Puff Jacket, Nano Puff Hoody, Nano Puff Vest, Nano Puff Hybrid, and Nano Storm.

Fit:

The fit is true to size. I wear a medium in the Nano Puff as I do in most other jackets. As you can see in the photo, I still have plenty of room. The length is perfect for me. No tightess or gapping here. Pretty much just a perfect fit.

Adjustability:

The Nano Puff Pullover is not adjustable, but it does have elastic cuffs and an elastic hem that stretch sufficiently. I see no real need for adjustable cords here.

Water Resistance:

The Nano Puff definitely sheds light snow and rain because it is treated with DWR. It will get wet in a full shower, but it does still keep you warm and it does dry very quickly.

Moisture:

No wicking properties here. If your body thermostat runs hot like mine, you will not be wearing this during any serious activity. It traps heat very well, but does not vent any, except through the deep zipper. You definitely would want to wear a wicking shirt under this. This being said, it is not very breathable.

Warmth:

The Nano Puff is a very warm if you produce a lot of body heat. As I mentioned earlier, it can get down right hot if you are active. If you don't produce a lot of body heat and you are sitting around, it is not very warm.  I do wish that it had hand warmer pockets. This would increase the warmth. Wearing it underneath a shell also increases warmth. It is also very wind resistant. This is another contributing factor to the warmth of this pullover.

Abrasion:

The Nano Puff is pretty resistant to abrasion. I have worn it in the backcountry and have used it day to day since 2009 and it is still in perfect condition. However, I know 100% for a fact that if it ever did tear that Patagonia would repair it or send me a brand new one, no questions asked. That alone is worth the price tag.

Features:

This is a minimalist pullover, but it does have one feature that I haven't mentioned yet. It stuffs into its own chest pocket. This actually can double as an excellent pillow! The pocket zipper also has a caribiner loop so that you can attatch it just about anywhere.

Another note-worthy feature is that it comes in a variety of very bright colors. If you were to ever get lost in the backcountry, having on bright color would certainly be helpful if a search party was looking for you. It does come in some normal, neutral colors as well.

Overall:

I rated this a 4.5 stars because it is a very functional and warm jacket. I have put it to the test and it has passed with flying colors. I definitely recommend it if you don't have one already. You should always have a jacket that is dependable in the backcountry with you because the weather is so unpredictable.