- REI is on a rare sale. Don't miss. Patagonia's are like up to 70% off...
I've got latest revisions of all three items. Scroll to the bottom to view the highlights of the update took place for Fall 2022 - Winter 2023 season.
Summary
All 3 items are stunning and won't disappoint - as long as you know what you're expecting.
It's mostly a down vs synthetic preference.
Down Sweater is warmer than the Nano/Micro Puffs (see temperature ratings below). But only consider it for dry areas. Down handles water contact terribly. This is why hoods are generally not recommended for down jackets.
Nano/Micro Puffs, on the other hand, are more weather resistant, longer and lighter than the Down Sweater.
Packed sizes are about the same.
BTW, I conducted a survey on the looks of Micro & Nano Puff. 100+ people participated.
Micro won by a nose. I personally find it to be much better looking. Would have guessed a bigger difference.
Which one do you think looks better?
- If you're not planning to perform high output activities with these jackets...
Then I'd absolutely get the Down Sweater for dry areas. A stunning jacket. For damp areas, see this Nano Puff vs Micro Puff guide.
- If you're planning to perform high output activities less than, say, once every two weeks with these jackets...
Then I'd get the Nano Puff for climbing & heavy backpack use (because it's a bit more durable), and Micro Puff for other activities (because it's a bit more breathable). Forget about getting a Down Sweater for this purpose.
- If you're planning to perform high output activities more than, say, once every two weeks with these jackets...
Then forget about these jackets because none of them would cut it. Consider getting a DAS Light Hoody (Men's - Women's) or a Nano Air (Men's - Women's) instead.
- Poll results: Giant Arc'teryx & Patagoina survey (Gore-Tex, pockets, hoods, fit, & more) [1000+ participated]
- Pics from outrageous discounts I ran into at Arc'teryx Parndorf Outlet
- I bought Gamma Lightweight (aka SL), Gamma (aka LT) and Gamma MX
- Patera Parka (one year update): Ain't worth the price...
- Alpha vs Beta: I bought all 4 Beta's and both Alpha's. Settling this for good
- I visited Iceland again, this time with a Nuclei (aka FL)
- Proton Hybrid: A "hidden" way to stuff it in itself!?
- Best Insulated Jackets: A hands-on Arc'teryx & Patagonia face-off
- 2024 Nano Air is in! Bought it immediately...
- I bought all 7 of Winter '24 Atom and Proton jackets
- Best Arc'teryx Ski Jackets: Rush is ideal, Sabre SV is overkill
- Arc’teryx colors: Most and least liked (poll results)
- Took my Nuclei SV to the Alps near Pfander, Austria
- Arc'teryx Alpha Parka Review: The most impressive jacket of all time
- Arc'teryx ReGEAR: OutdoorCrunch exclusive promo code!
- Beta Insulated Jacket is in: Pit zips AND two way zipper
- DropHood vs StormHood: Pros/cons and best uses
- 7 things all Arc'teryx newbies should know
Like hauntingly dark yet brilliantly brilliant electronic music? Check out my Hidden Electronic Gems playlist at Spotify.
- Macai Shell: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/macai-shell-jacket
- Nita: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/nita-down-jacket
- Epsilon: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/epsilon-insulated-hoody
- Cerium Pants (yes, seriously): https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/cerium-pant
- Liatris: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/liatris-down-jacket
- Thorium SV: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/thorium-sv-hoody
- Proton Heavyweight: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/proton-heavyweight-hoody
- Atom Shacket: https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/womens/atom-shacket
- New Nano Air: https://patagonia.com/product/mens-nano-air-insulated-hoody/84367.html
Links:
- Nano Puff:
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-nano-puff-hoody/84222.html
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-nano-puff-hoody/84227.html
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-nano-puff-jacket/84212.html
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-nano-puff-jacket/84217.html
- https://www.rei.com/product/102403/patagonia-nano-puff-insulated-hoodie-mens
- https://www.rei.com/product/102352/patagonia-nano-puff-insulated-hoodie-womens
- https://www.rei.com/product/102404/patagonia-nano-puff-jacket-mens
- https://www.rei.com/product/102353/patagonia-nano-puff-jacket-womens
- Micro Puff:
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-micro-puff-hoody/84031.html
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-micro-puff-jacket/84066.html
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-micro-puff-hoody/84041.html
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-micro-puff-jacket/84071.html
- https://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-micro-puff-hooded-jacket-mens
- https://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-micro-puff-jacket-mens
- https://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-micro-puff-hooded-insulated-jacket-womens
- Down Sweater:
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-down-sweater-hoody/84702.html
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-down-sweater/84675.html
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-down-sweater-hoody/84712.html
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-down-sweater/84684.html
- https://www.rei.com/product/208593/patagonia-down-sweater-hoodie-mens
- https://www.rei.com/product/208409/patagonia-down-sweater-hoodie-womens
- https://www.rei.com/product/208592/patagonia-down-sweater-mens
- https://www.rei.com/product/208408/patagonia-down-sweater-womens
Warmth
Check out the chart below for more information.
Read more at:
- Working principles of insulated jackets: https://outdoorcrunch.com/jackets/
- CLO Values: https://outdoorcrunch.com/clo-values/
- Best Patagonia jackets: https://outdoorcrunch.com/best-patagonia-jackets/
The down inside the Down Sweater provides warmth by heating the air it had trapped among its vacant spots. When the down gets soaked, these spots are no longer as large (or even exist - depending on the liquid intensity).
This causes the Down Sweater to lose its insulating power.
The Nano/Micro Puff, on the other hand, provide warmth via synthetic insulators instead of down.
They successfully mimic the heating capability of down. On top of that, they don't lose insulating power when they get wet either.
Impact of packing & unpacking repeatedly
Let's assume 5 years of use and occasional packing & unpacking.
This does have an impact on warmth of every single jacket out there. Although it does have its downsides too, down handles this better compared to synthetics.
Over the years of repeated packing and unpacking, down is more prone to clumping and/or shifting inside the jacket, compared to synthetic insulators (Nano/Micro Puff).
This can especially happen if the jacket gets soaked AND is not dried properly, again and again.
I'm 5'11", 165 lbs, athletic build. Size M fits me perfectly.
My size is always the same. Arc'teryx, Patagonia, TNF, Salomon, Columbia, Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Zara... Doesn't matter.
Gently patting and redistributing the down inside the jacket can certainly restore its initial distribution.
But the downside of Nano/Micro Puff in this regard is more permanent.
Synthetic fibers break down with repeated compression and decompression. This can mostly cause a reduction in loft and insulating capabilities.
Packability
Some sites may claim that the Down Sweater doesn't pack into its own pocket - but it does.
Nano Puff and Down Sweater pack into the internal zippered chest pocket. Whereas the Micro Puff packs into the left hand warmer.
Bigger zipper pulls of Micro Puff make it easier to pack with the gloves on.
Pockets
Let's take a look at the dimensions.
- Down Sweater:
- Two internal dump pockets: 11 in (or 28 cm) height x 7.1 in (or 18 cm) width
- Micro Puff:
- Two internal dump pockets: 11 in (or 28 cm) height x 6.3 in (or 16 cm) width
- Nano Puff:
- One internal zippered chest pocket: 9.9 in (or 25 cm) x 7.1 in (or 18 cm)
Hand warmers are identical in all. They measure 10.6 in (or 27 cm) x 6.7 in (or 17 cm) for each pocket.
One thing to consider here can be that the internal dump pockets of Nano Puff and Down Sweater overlap with hand warmers that take place on the other side of the garment.
This might make the jacket less comfortable when you fill all of them up.
But still, more storage is more storage. I don't necessarily need full comfort all the time. I personally always prefer dump pockets over internal zippered chest pockets. Filling those up close to their limit is mostly even more uncomfortable.
Weather & Abrasion resistances
In terms of water resistance, wind resistance, and abrasion resistance; this isn't even close. Winners are Nano Puff and Micro Puff by a fair margin.
Breathability
None of these jackets offer substantial breathability. Although Nano & Micro Puff are better.
Historical revisions
Below are the highlights of Winter 2023 updates of these jackets.
Down Sweater:
- Fill weight is increased from 104 grams to 150 grams (main update),
- Number of internal drop-in pockets has been increased from 1 to 2,
- Outer fabric is now NetPlus (recycled waste) shell.
Micro Puff:
- Number of internal drop-in pockets has been increased from 1 to 2,
- Outer fabric is now NetPlus (recycled waste) shell.
There has also been small changes made in the colors, fit and hood sizes.
Chats with customer service reps
These are old but might help some of you.
Links:
- Nano Puff:
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-nano-puff-hoody/84222.html
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-nano-puff-hoody/84227.html
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-nano-puff-jacket/84212.html
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-nano-puff-jacket/84217.html
- https://www.rei.com/product/102403/patagonia-nano-puff-insulated-hoodie-mens
- https://www.rei.com/product/102352/patagonia-nano-puff-insulated-hoodie-womens
- https://www.rei.com/product/102404/patagonia-nano-puff-jacket-mens
- https://www.rei.com/product/102353/patagonia-nano-puff-jacket-womens
- Micro Puff:
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-micro-puff-hoody/84031.html
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-micro-puff-jacket/84066.html
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-micro-puff-hoody/84041.html
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-micro-puff-jacket/84071.html
- https://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-micro-puff-hooded-jacket-mens
- https://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-micro-puff-jacket-mens
- https://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-micro-puff-hooded-insulated-jacket-womens
- Down Sweater:
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-down-sweater-hoody/84702.html
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-down-sweater/84675.html
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-down-sweater-hoody/84712.html
- https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-down-sweater/84684.html
- https://www.rei.com/product/208593/patagonia-down-sweater-hoodie-mens
- https://www.rei.com/product/208409/patagonia-down-sweater-hoodie-womens
- https://www.rei.com/product/208592/patagonia-down-sweater-mens
- https://www.rei.com/product/208408/patagonia-down-sweater-womens