Patagonia Nano Puff vs Micro Puff: How to decide

Last updated: June 22, 2025

Image showing the fabric of the Patagonia Nano Puff vs Micro Puff

The more matte 20d fabric of the blue Patagonia Nano Puff vs the Micro Puff and its 10-denier face fabric in green

The Patagonia Nano Puff and Micro Puff jackets, hooded jackets and vests have been staples in Patagonia's insulated apparel line for years. And because of their similarities, debating the relative merits of the Nano Puff vs Micro Puff is a common struggle when deciding which is best for you and your needs.  

Both are lightweight, windproof, and easily packable layers that offer surprisingly good warmth for their minimalist feel. Plus, their synthetic insulation means they don't lose their insulating properties when wet (unlike down insulation). 

So yes, the Nano Puff and Micro Puff have a lot in common. But it's their differences that will determine which is the better purchase for your needs. 

We own the recent hooded versions of both jackets as well as the vest versions, and we've worn all of them extensively year-round. 

Here's how Patagonia compares the two, and we've included the Nano-Air as well, which is absolutely worth considering for high-output activities. For an in-depth look at the newer Patagonia Nano-Air Ultralight, check out our article here.

Overview: Patagonia Nano Puff vs Micro Puff

Profile image of a man wearing a Patagonia Nano Puff jacket

We like the closer fit of the Patagonia Nano Puff

profile image of a man wearing a Patagonia Micro Puff

The Patagonia Micro Puff has a looser and puffier fit.

  • The warmth of the Nano Puff and Micro Puff are very comparable. The Micro Puff is slightly warmer, as measured by Patagonia. 
  • The 20-denier face fabric of the Nano Puff is burlier, which makes it more durable and abrasion resistant. It's also more matted. The 10-denier face fabric of the Micro Puff is smoother, shinier and slightly less durable.
  • Because of its lighter nylon face fabric and Plumafill insulation, the Micro Puff is a bit more breathable than the Nano Puff. 
  • Both are regular fit and true to size for Patagonia jackets. However, we have found the Micro Puff to fit slightly looser and run about a half-inch longer than the Nano Puff. 
  • Both jackets have two zippered handwarmer pockets. The Micro Puff also has two internal drop-in pockets; the Nano Puff has a single internal zippered chest pocket. 
  • Packed sizes are nearly the same. 

RELATED: Read our comparison of the Nano Puff vs. Nano Air.

Our bottom line

We like the versatility of the Patagonia Nano Puff. For most people, we recommend saving $40 and going with the Nano Puff over the Micro Puff. For those looking for the lightest technical midlayer, then the Micro Puff is an excellent choice. Ultimately, both offer incredible performance. The matte look, closer fit, and rubberized zipper pulls sway us to the Nano Puff.

Why you should get the Nano Puff

  • You want a technical midlayer that also looks great around town.
  • You like the additional abrasion resistance and matte look offered by the 20d face fabric of the Nano Puff.
  • A zippered internal chest pocket is more important than internal drop-in pockets
  • You're not counting weight in grams and prefer the hardware details on the Nano Puff, like the rubberized zipper pulls.
  • You like both the Nano Puff and the Micro Puff, but you like the idea of saving $40 even more.

Why you should get the Micro Puff

  • You're looking for the lightest technical midlayer with the warmest insulation per ounce. Saving 1.5 ounces is worth the additional cost to you.
  • You value the extra space to stash gear and accessories provided by the two internal drop-in pockets 

Micro Puff
Nano Puff
MSRP
$279
$239
Insulation
65g PlumaFill recycled synthetic insulation
60g PrimaLoft Gold Eco recycled synthetic insulation
Warmth value (1-100)
29
26
Warm when wet
Yes
Yes
Weight
295g (10.4oz)
337g (11.9oz)
Outer
10-denier recycled nylon ripstop
20-denier recycled polyster ripstop
Waterproof
No
No
Windproof
Yes
Yes
DWR finish
Yes
Yes
Packable
Yes
Yes
Pockets
2 zippered handwarmer pockets (left pocket serves as stuffsack); 2 internal drop-in pockets
2 zippered handwarmer pockets; 1 internal zippered chest pocket (doubles as stuffsack)
Hem adjustment
Yes
Yes
Hooded version
Yes
Yes
Vest version
Yes
Yes
Women's version
Yes
Yes
A

Patagonia Nano Puff vs Micro Puff: Warmth

Patagonia uses an insulation warmth scale that rates their jackets relative to each other for the same conditions. This measurement is not a temperature rating but rather a way to compare the warmth between models. Based on this rating, the Micro Puff is slightly warmer than the Nano Puff. While we find this to be true in testing, the difference is so slight that it doesn't change the use of these pieces.

We're including the Patagonia Down Sweater and Patagonia Nano Air in this table for comparing warmth ratings.

Patagonia Nano Puff vs Micro Puff: Weather Resistance & Durability

The Patagonia Nano Puff has a 1.4-ounce, 20-denier, 100% recycled polyester ripstop shell.

The Patagonia Micro Puff has a Pertex® Quantum 0.8-ounce, 10-denier, NetPlus® 100% postconsumer recycled nylon ripstop shell made from recycled fishing nets.

Net Plus is very cool. Here is a really interesting page from Patagonia talking about how fishing nets become clothing: https://www.patagonia.com/netplus/

While there is no doubt that the Pertex® Quantum shell on the Patagonia Micro Puff is gorgeous, the Nano Puff has an edge in terms of abrasion resistance (e.g. durability) because of its 20-denier polyester ripstop face fabric.

The jackets are the same in terms of water and wind resistance. Neither is waterproof; both have a PFC-free DWR (durable water repellent) finish to help shed light amounts of moisture. Both the Nano Puff and Micro Puff are considered windproof. 

You can feel the difference in the face fabrics just by touching the surfaces of both jackets. The Nano Puff is noticeably burlier. 

Patagonia Nano Puff vs Micro Puff: Pockets

Closeup image of the Patagonia Nano Puff jacket handwarmer pocket zipped closed.

The Nano Puff handwarmer pocket has a traditional zipper construction.

Closeup image of the Patagonia Micro Puff jacket handwarmer pocket zipped closed.

The Patagonia Micro Puff features hidden zippers on the handwarmer pockets.

External Pockets

Both jackets have external handwarmer pockets. As you can see in the pictures above, the Patagonia Nano Puff has a traditional zipper while the Micro Puff uses hidden zips. The hidden zippers give the Micro Puff a clean look, but we find the zippers on the Nano Puff easier to use, especially with gloves on. The pockets have identical dimensions in both jackets: 10.6 in (27 cm) x 6.7 in (or 17 cm).

Internal Pockets

image of the check pocket on a Patagonia Nano Puff jacket

The Nano Puff has an internal zippered chest pocket.

Image of the internal dump pocket on a Patagonia Micro Puff

The Patagonia Micro Puff has two internal drop-in pockets.

The Micro Puff offers two internal dump pockets (referred to as "drop-in" pockets by Patagonia) that measure 11 in (28 cm) x 6.3 in (16 cm). The Nano Puff offers an internal zippered chest pocket that measures 10 in (25 cm) x 7 in (18 cm). 

The benefit of the dump pockets is you get more storage. We love the dump pockets on the Arc'teryx Nuclei SV (read review) and Proton Heavyweight (read review). That said, we find that we use a zippered chest pocket more frequently, primarily to carry wallets and phones.

Patagonia Nano Puff vs Micro Puff: Packability 

Image showing the Patagonia Nano Puff Vs Micro Puff when stuffed in their pockets.

The Nano Puff on the left is ever-so-slightly bulkier when packed, but the difference is negligible.

The Nano Puff stuffs into its interior chest pocket. The Micro Puff stuffs into its left handwarmer pocket. The Micro Puff is slightly harder to stuff due to the hidden zipper construction of the handwarmer pocket. Unfortunately, the zipper is prone to snagging when using it as a stuff sack.

Patagonia Nano Puff vs Micro Puff: Hardware

Image showing the different zippers of the Patagonia Nano Puff vs Micro Puff

The Patagonia Nano Puff has rubberized zipper pulls on all external zips, while the Micro Puff uses just shock cord.

The Patagonia Nano Puff features slightly larger (and thus easier to use) hardware. The Nano Puff uses a YKK #5 main zipper and has rubberized pulls on all exterior pockets. We're not sure why they chose not to use anything on the internal chest pocket, but that's a miss. The Patagonia Micro Puff uses a YKK #4.5 main zipper with narrow-gauge shock cord on all zipper pulls.

The other hardware difference is the waist adjustment barrel. The barrel and elastic cord are slightly larger on the Patagonia Nano Puff vs Micro Puff. There is hardly a functional difference, but you may find yourself searching for the adjuster on the Micro Puff with gloves on. Just like the hidden zippers, however, the end result is a cleaner look for the Micro Puff.

Image showing the different waist adjustment barrels on the Patagonia Nano Puff vs Micro Puff

The Patagonia Nano Puff (left) uses a slightly larger barrel and elastic cord for the waist adjustment. The Micro Puff has a cleaner execution with by hiding most of the thinner cord and adjuster.

  • Temperature ratings of Patagonia jackets

NameEst. Temp (F/C)ReviewPit venting?Two way zipper?Stuffs into itself?TypeFill Power (in3/oz)Fill Weight (g)Fill Volume (in3)Synthetic FillSynth. Fill WeightFace FabricActivityFitWeightLength (CB)
Arc'teryx Alpha Parka (Men's - Women's)-18/-28ReviewNoYesYesDown8502968,875Coreloft90 g/m²N30r 2L GoreTex InfiniumClimbingRegular805 g / 1 lb 12.4 oz86 cm / 34 in
Arc'teryx Alpha Lightweight (Men's - Women's)5/-15NoYesYesDown8501173,508Coreloft Compact40 g/m²Hadron 2L Gore-Tex InfiniumClimbingRegular540 g / 1 lb 3 oz79.5 cm / 31.25 in
Arc'teryx Atom (aka LT) ( Men's - Women's)43/6ReviewYes, meshNoNoSyntheticN/AN/AN/ACoreloft Continuous60 g/m²20D TyonoAll RoundTrim375 g / 13.2 oz74 cm / 29.1 in
Arc'teryx Atom Heavyweight (aka AR) (Men's - Women's)18/-8ReviewYes, meshNoNoSyntheticN/AN/AN/ACoreloft Continuous120 g/m2 + 80 g/m2 + 60 g/m230D TyonoAll RoundRegular475 g / 1 lb 74 cm / 29.1 in
Arc'teryx Atom Lightweight (aka SL) (Men's - Women's)52/11ReviewYes, meshNoNoSyntheticN/AN/AN/ACoreloft Compact40 g/m²20D TyonoAll RoundTrim270 g / 9.5 oz72 cm / 28.3 in
Arc'teryx Beta Down Insulated (Men's)0/-18YesYesNoParka8501263,778Coreloft80 g/m²2L 40D Gore-TexAll RoundRegular760 g / 1 lb 10.8 oz79 cm / 31 in
Arc'teryx Beta Insulated (Men's)21/-6ReviewYes, zipsYesNoParkaN/AN/AN/ACoreloft Continuous80 g/m²2L 40D Gore-TexAll RoundRegular680 g / 1 lb 8 oz78.5 cm / 31 in
Arc'teryx Beta Insulated Coat (Women's)16/-9ReviewNoYesNoParkaN/AN/AN/ACoreloft 80 g/m² + 120 g/m²2L 40D Gore-TexAround TownRegular600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz86 cm / 34 in
Arc'teryx Cerium (aka LT) (Men's - Women's)26/-3ReviewNoNoYesDown8501133,388Coreloft80 + 100 g/m²Arato 15All RoundTrim335 g / 11.8 oz72 cm / 28.3 in
Arc'teryx Cerium Hybrid (Women's)44/7NoNoYesDown850441,319Coreloft40 + 100 g/m²Arato 15 + Fortius Air 50All RoundTrim260 g / 9.2 oz70 cm / 27.5 in
Arc'teryx Coelle (Women's)14/-10NoYesNoParkaN/AN/AN/ACoreloft98 g/m²40D 2L Gore-TexAround TownRegular435g / 15.3 oz70 cm / 27.5 in
Arc'teryx Liatris (Women's)5/-15NoNoNoParka850932,788Climashield80 g/m2 + 60 g/m270D 3L Gore-TexAround TownRegular890 g / 1 lb 15.4 oz75 cm / 29.5 in
Arc'teryx Liatris Parka (Women's)2/-17NoNoNoParka8501364,078Climashield80 g/m2 + 60 g/m270D 3L Gore-TexAround TownRegular1.093 kg / 2 lb 6.6 oz109 cm / 43 in
Arc'teryx Nuclei (aka FL) ( Men's - Women's)32/0ReviewNoNoYesSyntheticN/AN/AN/ACoreloft Continuous65 g/m²Arato 10rAll RoundRegular325 g / 11.5 oz75 cm / 29.5 in
Arc'teryx Nuclei SV (Women's)5/-15ReviewNoYesYesSyntheticN/AN/AN/ACoreloft Continuous190 g/m2 + 90 g/m2Arato 15All RoundRegular600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz81 cm / 31.8 in
Arc'teryx Patera (Women's)21/-6ReviewNoYesNoParka750671,773Coreloft60 + 80 g/m²2L Gore-TexAround TownTrim867 g / 1 lb 14.6 oz99 cm / 39 in
Arc'teryx Patera Long (Women's)0/-18NoYesNoParka7502045,397Coreloft60 + 80 g/m²2L Gore-TexAround TownRegular1.1 kg / 2 lb 6.8 oz117.5 cm / 46.25 in
Arc'teryx Proton Lightweight (aka FL) (Men's - Women's)48/9ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticN/AN/AN/AOcta Loft94 g/m²Fortius Air 20ClimbingTrim343 g / 12.1 oz75 cm / 29.5 in
Arc'teryx Therme Parka (Men's)5/-15ReviewNoYesNoParka7501203,175Coreloft60 + 80 g/m²P75d PolyesterAround TownRegular991 g / 2 lb 3 oz85 cm / 33.5 in
Arc'teryx Therme SV (Men's)-11/-24ReviewNoYesNoParka7502115,582Coreloft60 g/m²2L Gore-TexAround TownRegular1.072 kg / 2 lb 5.8 oz96 cm / 37.75 in
Arc'teryx Thorium ( Men's - Women's)12/-11ReviewNoYesYesDown7501403,704Coreloft80 + 140 g/m²Arato 30All RoundRegular517 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz71.5 cm / 28.1 in
Arc'teryx Thorium Parka (Women's)-2/-19ReviewNoYesNoDown7502095,529Coreloft80 + 140 g/m²Arato 20Around TownRegular610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz115.8 cm / 45.6 in
Arc'teryx Thorium SV (Men's)3/-16NoYesYesDown7501694,471Coreloft80 + 140 g/m²Arato 30 & 2L Gore-Tex InfiniumAround TownRegular645 g / 1 lb 6.8 oz73 cm / 28.75 in
Arc'teryx Thorium SV Parka (Men's)0/-18NoYesNoDown7501955,159Coreloft80 + 140 g/m²Arato 30 & 2L Gore-Tex InfiniumAround TownRegular685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz85 cm / 33.5 in
Black Diamond Access Down (Men's - Women's)7/-14NoYesYesDown7001553,827N/AN/A30D ripstop nylonAll RoundRegular442 g / 15.6 oz76 cm / 29.75 in
Feathered Friends Eos(Men's - Women's)8/-13NoNoYesDown9001053,333N/AN/APertex QuantumAll RoundRegular306 g / 10.8 oz?
Feathered Friends Khumbu (Men's)-17/-27NoNoYesDown90037812,000Primaloft Gold200 gPretex Shield XTAll RoundRegular960 g / 2 lb 2 oz?
Mountain Equipment Exo (Men's)-10/-23NoYesYesDown8002657,478N/AN/ANylonAll RoundRegular770 g / 1 lb 11.2 oz79 cm / 31 in
Mountain Equipment K7 (Men's)-13/-25NoYesYesDown8003008,466N/AN/A30D DriliteAll RoundRegular820 g / 1 lb 13 oz76 cm / 30 in
Mountain Hardwear GW/2 (Men's - Women's)28/-2NoNoYesDown800852,399N/AN/A10D Ripstop NylonAll RoundTrim250 g / 8.8 oz70 cm / 27.5 in
Outdoor Research Sup. Alp. (Men's - Women's)3/-16NoYesNoDown8001825,136N/AN/A30D Pertex Quantum ProAll RoundRegular825 g / 1 lb 13.1 oz85 cm / 33.5 in
Patagonia AlpLight (Men's - Women's)36/2NoNoYesDown8001002,822N/AN/A0.8 oz 10D polyesterAll RoundSlim270 g / 9.5 oz74 cm / 29 in
Patagonia AlpLoft (Men's)-10/-23NoYesYesDown8002958,325N/AN/APertex QuantomAll RoundRegular680 g / 1 lb 8 oz81 cm / 31.8 in
Patagonia DAS (Men's - Women's)10/-12ReviewNoYesYesSyntheticN/AN/AN/APrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco133 + 40 gPertex Quantum ProAll RoundRegular555 g / 1 lb 3.6 oz84 cm / 33 in
Patagonia DAS Light(Men's)34/1ReviewNoYesYesSyntheticN/AN/AN/APlumaFill65 g10D Pertex Quantum ProAll RoundRegular320 g / 11.3 oz77 cm / 30.5 in
Patagonia Down Sweater (Men's - Women's)23/-5ReviewNoNoYesDown8001504,233N/AN/A1.4 oz 20x30D polyesterAll RoundRegular428 g / 15.1 oz67 cm / 26.25 in
Patagonia Downdrift (Men's - Women's)18/-8NoNoNoDown6002795,905N/AN/A4.2 oz polyesterAround TownRegular1.014 kg / 2 lb 3.8 oz?
Patagonia Fitz Roy (Men's - Women's)14/-10NoNoYesDown8001283,612N/AN/A20D NylonAll RoundRegular632 g / 1lb 6.3 oz74 cm / 29 in
Patagonia Isthmus (Men's)36/2NoNoNoParkaN/AN/AN/AThermoGreen60 g4.2 oz polyesterAround TownRegular895 g / 1 lb 15.6 oz70 cm / 27.5 in
Patagonia Jackson Glacier (Men's - Women's)12/-11ReviewNoYesNoDown7001413,482N/AN/A3.6 oz 50D polyesterAround TownRegular880 g / 1 lb 15 oz79 cm / 31 in
Patagonia Jackson Glacier Parks ( Women's)7/-14NoNoNoParka7002185,383N/AN/A50D PolyesterAround TownRegular1.142 kg / 2 lb 8.3 oz?
Patagonia Micro Puff (Men's - Women's)37/3ReviewNoNoYesSyntheticN/AN/AN/APlumaFill65 gPertex QuantumAll RoundRegular298 g / 10.5 oz75 cm / 29.5 in
Patagonia Nano Air (Men's - Women's)39/4ReviewNoNoYesSyntheticN/AN/AN/AFullRange60 g33D nylon ripstopAll RoundTrim401 g / 14.14 oz?
Patagonia Nano Air Light Hybrid (Men's - Women's)50/10NoNoNoSyntheticN/AN/AN/AFullRange40 g20D nylon ripstopAll RoundTrim335 g / 11.8 oz?
Patagonia Nano Puff (Men's - Women's)41/5ReviewNoNoYesSyntheticN/AN/AN/APrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco60 g22D PolyesterAll RoundRegular363 g / 12.8 oz71.5 cm / 28 in
Patagonia Silent Down (Men's - Women's)26/-3ReviewNoNoNoDown7001092,691N/AN/A2.2 oz polyesterAround TownRegular585 g / 1 lb 4.7 oz74 cm / 29 in
Patagonia Stormshadow (Men's)0/-18NoNoNoParka7002596,395N/AN/A75D PolyesterAround TownRegular1.182 kg / 2 lb 9.7 oz?
Patagonia Tres 3-in-1Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 (Men's - Women's)8/-13ReviewNoNoNoParka7001182,914N/AN/A5.5 oz polyesterAround TownRegular1.307 kg / 2 lb 14.1 oz85 cm / 33.5 in
Patagonia Vosque 3-in-1 (Women's)10/-12ReviewNoNoNoParkaN/AN/AN/AThermoLite100 g65% nylon, 35% polyesterAround TownRegular1.360 kg / 3 lb90 cm / 35.5 in
Rab Electron Pro (Men's - Women's)5/-15NoYesYesDown8001805,079N/AN/A20D Pertex Quantum ProAll RoundRegular525 g / 1 lb 2.5 oz74 cm / 29 in
Rab Infinity Alpine (Men's)5/-15NoYesYesDown8001754,938N/AN/A30D & 13D Gore-Tex InfiniumAll RoundRegular551 g / 1 lb 3.4 oz76.5 cm / 30.1 in
Rab Infinity Microlight (Men's - Women's)19/-7NoNoYesDown7001463,605N/AN/A13D Gore-Tex InfiniumAll RoundRegular452 g / 15.9 oz74 cm / 29.1 in
Rab Microlight Alpine (Men's - Women's)7/-14NoNoYesDown7001533,778N/AN/A30D Pertex QuantumAll RoundRegular466 g / 1 lb 0.5 oz72 cm / 28.5 in
Rab Neutrino Pro (Men's - Women's)-2/-19NoYesYesDown8002125,982N/AN/A20D Pertex Quantum ProAll RoundRegular585 g / 1 lb 8.6 oz77 cm / 30.3 in
Rab Positron Pro (Men's)-13/-25NoYesYesDown8003008,466N/AN/A40D Pertex Quantum ProAll RoundRegular740 g / 1 lb 10 oz85 cm / 33.5 in
REI Magma 850 Hoodie 2.0 (Men's - Women's)14/-10NoNoYesDown8501203,598N/AN/APertex mini ripstop nylonAll RoundRegular340 g / 13.75 oz74 cm / 29.25 in
 

Assumptions: Worn over a thin shirt, no output, no precipitation, light to no wind. Values are always for size M and for men's, except for women's-only items. 

Primary use of this spectrum is for comparison, rather than figuring out absolute temp ratings. 

Make sure to check this out:

Read more of our articles on Patagonia and insulation: 


Check out our other content on jackets:

Guide: Insulated & Shell Jackets

Start here:

Also see:

About the Author Chris T.


Favorite Activities: All things bike (gravel, mtb, road, triathlon), Running, Telemark Skiing, Snowboarding, Hiking, Camping

Home mountain: Steamboat
Day job: Technology leader

Chris has an undergrad in computer information systems and an M.B.A. to help him in his quest to ski at least 90 days per year. He lives with his family in the mountains of Colorado.