- Patagonia and Arc'teryx are like up to 70% off at REI rn...
I grabbed the hooded versions of both of these jackets in Vienna. They're the most recent (Winter '24) revisions currently in the market.
Summary
Their warmth are comparable. There's pretty much no noticeable difference, although Nano Puff is slightly warmer.
The face fabric of Nano Puff is burlier which makes it durable and abrasion resistant.
Whereas the face fabric of Micro Puff is smoother, which makes it more comfortable to wear and offers more mobility by stretching easily.
The difference in this regard is noticeable to me and I pick the Micro Puff over the Nano Puff for casual outgoings.
Micro Puff is also a little bit more breathable than the Nano Puff.
In terms of fit and cut, Micro Puff fits slightly looser compared to Nano Puff. It's also a bit more than an inch longer.
Another difference is that in addition to the two hand warmer pockets, the Micro Puff offers two internal dump pockets whereas the Nano Puff offers an internal zippered chest pocket.
Packed sizes are the same. But tiny zipper pulls of Nano Puff are a bit less convenient for packing and unpacking with the gloves on.
Also the Nano Puff is packed into the internal zippered chest pocket, whereas the Micro Puff is packed into the left hand warmer pocket.
If I were to get only one of them, I'd probably base my ultimate decision 50% on these differences and 50% on the looks.
The making of Micro Puff: https://www.patagonia.com/stories/it-all-adds-up-to-nothing-forging-the-micro-puff/story-71152.html
Speaking of which, I conducted a survey on the looks of both, with 100+ people. 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?
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/
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
Overview
Here's how these differences play out in practice:
- If you're not planning to perform any high output activities whatsoever with these jackets...
Then I'd get the Micro Puff. If you're almost always going to be using the jacket in dry areas, then maybe also consider the Down Sweater, which I also own (Men's - Women's - read how it compares to Nano & Micro Puff).
For reference, I recommend down jackets without hoods. But a recent survey I conducted here revealed that hooded down jackets are preferred a bit more than hoodless ones. Shocking news for me.
Down Jackets: Do you prefer them hoodless or hooded?
- If you're planning to perform high output activities less than, say, once every two weeks with these jackets...
Then you can get either one. If abrasion resistance is more important to you (lots of bouldering, climbing, backpacking, etc), get the Nano Puff. Otherwise consider getting the Micro Puff.
Both of these jackets offer mediocre breathability. But once every two weeks shouldn't be that much of a problem.
- If you're planning to perform high output activities more than, say, once every two weeks with these jackets...
Then forget about them because neither would cut it. Both offer mediocre breathability. 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
Warmth
Take-away: Their warmth are comparable. 65 grams of PlumaFill of Micro Puff and 60 grams of PrimaLoft Gold of Nano Puff roughly add up to same range.
The warmth of the insulators of these jackets (PlumaFill and PrimaLoft Gold) provide is measured by a parameter called CLO. Check out the CLO values of PlumaFill and PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco in this article.
Pound for pound, it's approximately equivalent to 0.85 and 0.92, respectively. Or in other words, 550 FP down and 600 FP down.
Although the Nano Puff comes with a higher CLO value, it's equipped with less insulation (65 vs 60 grams). Which is another primary factor that determines the ultimate warmth of a garment.
As I explained in this Working Principles of Insulated Jackets guide, the warmth the insulation will provide is estimated by multiplying the corresponding FP with the amount.
- Nano Puff: 60 x 600 = 36,000
- Micro Puff: 65 x 550: 35,750
The difference is less than 0.7%. Literally non-existent. This means that besides the insulation itself, other factors that impact the end warmth of a jacket such as center back length, seams and face fabrics are decisive.
In the end, Nano Puff generally feels a bit warmer than Micro Puff because of its burlier face fabric.
Weather & Abrasion Resistance
Nano Puff is slightly superior to Micro Puff in terms of abrasion resistance (e.g durability). They're the same in terms of water and wind resistance.
You can feel the difference even just by touching the surfaces of both jackets. Nano Puff is noticeably burlier.
That might be a double edged sword though, because it's generally less comfortable and fun to wear compared to Micro Puff.
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.
Pocket dimensions
In addition to the two hand warmer pockets (identical dimensions in both jackets: 10.6 in (or 27 cm) x 6.7 in (or 17 cm) for each pocket), the Micro Puff offers two internal dump pockets (11 in (or 28 cm) height x 6.3 in (or 16 cm) width) and the Nano Puff offers an internal zippered chest pocket (9.9 in (or 25 cm) x 7.1 in (or 18 cm)).
If you're like me and don't have anything against dump pockets (e.g you don't necessarily need zippers in your internal pockets), then this is a plus. You get more storage. I love the dump pockets in my Arc'teryx Nuclei SV (read review) and Proton Heavyweight (read review).
One thing I particularly find helpful with dump pockets is that when you have too many things to bring with you, there are no zippers limiting you.
Packability
A quick recap here: If you don't know how or where to pack a Patagonia Puff, look for pockets with zippers on each side (see image). That's the pocket the jacket is stuffed into.
The zipper in the inside (the "hidden" zipper) is the zipper that is pulled when the stuffing is complete.
When packed they both offer a reinforced loop (see packed sizes image).
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
Historical revisions
For Fall 2022 - Winter 2023 season, the Micro Puff was updated.
The main highlight was in the number of internal drop-in pockets, which has been increased from 1 to 2.
Chat screenshots
These kinda got old but can still be helpful.
Karrington E Mohr says
This was an incredibly helpful article that thoroughly answered every single one of my questions. Thank you so much for this!
Canberk Koksal says
Glad to hear it was helpful for you Karrington 🙂
Phil says
Best comparison of two similar clothing products I have seen. Great job! Just found your page and bookmarked it for future use. Thanks for all the work.
Canberk says
Thanks a lot for the kind words, and glad you found it helpful Phil!
I’d really appreciate if you could spread the word when you have the chance 🙂
Peter says
Hi, very good article. I am very interested on the topic of long term insulation durability which I believe you didn’t cover. Do you have any idea/understanding which of the two jackets, basically which of the two insulations, can be compressed and decompressed more times while retaining a given level of warmth? My experience with the Nano puff regarding this aspect has been terrible. Is the Plumafill better on this than Primaloft Gold Insulation Eco? Thanks!
Danny says
I don’t know. Style wise, I kinda like the Micro a little bit more. Looks more rugged or something like that. Just my taste I guess. They’re both good looking.
Steve says
There is one other metric where the Nano outperforms the Micro: breathability or MVTR. From my lab measurements, vapor transmission is 39% better for the Nano. This is a good reason to prefer the Nano over the Micro. I agree with everything else you have written. The clo or thermal resistance of the two is so close one will never notice the difference but the Micro is slightly warmer (10%). Air permeability for the Nano is 1.2 CFM/ft2, compared with 2.7 CFM/Ft2 for the Micro. Again, insignificant.
Nick says
I have a question. I notice you don’t put the Jackson glacier parka only the jacket, which would you recommend the City Storm parka or the Jackson Glacier parka for warmth