OutdoorCrunch

Home / Gear / Jackets / Insulated Jackets / Synthetic Insulated Jackets

Patagonia Nano Puff vs Micro Puff

Last updated: November 18, 2022 by

The Micro Puff is updated for FW23. The main highlight is in the number of internal drop-in pockets, which has been increased from 1 to 2. 

Nano Puff and Micro Puff are more alike than different. Micro Puff is a bit lighter, more packable, offers one more internal pocket and is just a little bit warmer (nothing noticeable though). Nano Puff, on the other hand, comes with a burlier face fabric, and hence is slightly more durable and weather/abrasion resistant than the Micro Puff. 

Raw NamePatagonia Micro PuffPatagonia Nano Puff
NamePatagonia Micro Puff (Men's - Women's)Patagonia Nano Puff (Men's - Women's)
ImagePatagonia Micro PuffPatagonia Nano Puff
Temp (°F / °C)36/237/3
BreathabilityTestingTesting
Weather ResistanceTestingTesting
DurabilityTestingTesting
PackabilityTestingTesting
Best pick for
ReviewReviewReview
Pit venting?NoNo
Stuffs into itself?YesYes
Two way zipper?NoNo
Size Chart[Men's / Women's][Men's / Women's]
TypeSyntheticSynthetic
Fill PowerN/AN/A
Fill Weight (grams)N/AN/A
FP x FWN/AN/A
Synthetic Insulator (SI)PlumaFillPrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco
SI Amount65 g60 g
Face FabricPertex Quantum22D Polyester
ActivityAll RoundAll Round
FitTrimRegular
Weight298 g / 10.5 oz363 g / 12.8 oz
Length (CB)75 cm / 29.5 in71.5 cm / 28 in
arc-mens-url
arc-womens-url
pat-mens-urlhttps://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-micro-puff-hoody/84031.htmlhttps://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-nano-puff-hoody/84222.html
pat-womens-urlhttps://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-micro-puff-hoody/84041.htmlhttps://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-nano-puff-hoody/84227.html
rei-mens-urlhttps://www.rei.com/product/125266https://www.rei.com/product/102404
rei-womens-urlhttps://www.rei.com/product/125993https://www.rei.com/product/102353
backcountry-mens-urlhttps://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-micro-puff-jacket-menshttps://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-nano-puff-insulated-jacket-mens
backcountry-womens-urlhttps://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-micro-puff-jacket-womenshttps://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-nano-puff-insulated-jacket-womens
amazon-mens-urlhttps://www.amazon.com/Patagonia-Micro-Puff-Insulated-Jacket/dp/B002IPHAA8
amazon-womens-urlhttps://www.amazon.com/Womens-Micro-Puff-Hooded-Jacket/dp/B0059SOLRQ
image-urlhttps://www.patagonia.com/dw/image/v2/BDJB_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-patagonia-master/default/dwa481ffc6/images/hi-res/84031_SMDB.jpg?sw=1914&sh=1914&sfrm=png&q=95&bgcolor=f5f5f5https://www.patagonia.com/dw/image/v2/BDJB_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-patagonia-master/default/dwdbb99842/images/hi-res/84222_BSNG.jpg?sw=1436&sh=1436&sfrm=png&q=95&bgcolor=f5f5f5
 

Do take the information given in this article into consideration when deciding between them. But in the end I'd probably go after the one that I like the looks of the most. That's how similar these two are.

. 

Links: 

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 (Men's - Women's - read how it compares to Nano Puff - read how it compares to Micro Puff). 

  • 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 (bouldering, climbing, etc), get the Nano Puff. If packability and weight is more important, get the Micro Puff - but keep in mind that the face fabric of Micro Puff is extremely fragile (hence the superior packability). 

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. 

Links: 

  • Related Data Set: Temperature ratings of Patagonia jackets
NameEst. Temp (F/C)ReviewPit venting?Stuffs into itself?Two way zipper?TypeActivityFitWeight
Arc'teryx Alpha (Men's - Women's)-18/-28ReviewNoYesYesDownClimbingRegular805 g / 1 lb 12.4 oz
Feathered Friends Khumbu-17/-27NoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular960 g / 2 lb 2 oz
Arc'teryx Ceres SV (Men's - Women's)-15/-26ReviewNoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular880 g / 1 lb 15 oz
Mountain Equipment K7 (Men's)-13/-25NoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular820 g / 1 lb 13 oz
Rab Positron Pro (Men's)-13/-25NoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular740 g / 1 lb 10 oz
Arc'teryx Therme SV (Men's)-11/-24ReviewNoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular1.072 kg / 2 lb 5.8 oz
Patagonia Grade VII (Men's)-11/-24NoNoYesDownAround TownRegular743 g / 1 lb 10.1 oz
Arc'teryx Firebee AR (Men's - Women's)-10/-23ReviewNoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular680 g / 1 lb 8 oz
Mountain Equipment Exo (Men's)-10/-23NoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular770 g / 1 lb 11.2 oz
Arc'teryx Thorsen (Men's)-7/-22ReviewNoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular1.1 kg / 2 lb 5.4 oz
Patagonia Frozen Range (Men's - Women's)-6/-21ReviewNoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular1.253 kg / 2 lb 12.2 oz
Mountain Equipment Li. Ec. (Men's - Women's)-5/-20NoNoYesDownAll RoundRegular822 g / 1 lb 13 oz
Arc'teryx Patera Long (Women's)-2/-19NoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular1.1 kg / 2 lb 6.8 oz
Rab Neutrino Pro (Men's - Women's)-2/-19NoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular585 g / 1 lb 8.6 oz
Arc'teryx Dually Belay (Men's)0/-18ReviewNoYesYesSyntheticAround TownRegular705 g / 1 lb 9 oz
Arc'teryx Centrale (Women's)0/-18ReviewNoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular885 g / 1 lb 15.2 oz
Arc'teryx Camosun (Men's)0/-18ReviewNoNoNoParkaAround TownTrim960 g / 2 lb 1.9 oz
Arc'teryx Cerium SV (Men's)0/-18ReviewNoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular415 g / 14.6 oz
Arc'teryx Revet (Men's)2/-17NoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular755 g / 1 lb 10.6 oz
Arc'teryx Piedmont (Men's)3/-16NoYesYesParkaAround TownRegular515 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz
Arc'teryx Fission SV (Men's - Women's)3/-16ReviewNoNoYesSyntheticAll RoundRegular890 g / 1 lb 15.4 oz
Arc'teryx Alpha Lightweight (Men's)3/-16NoYesYesDownClimbingRegular540 g / 1 lb 3 oz
Outdoor Research Sup. Alp. (Men's - Women's)3/-16NoNoYesDownAll RoundRegular825 g / 1 lb 13.1 oz
Arc'teryx Alessa Long (Women's)3/-16NoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular1.015 kg / 2 lb 3.8 oz
Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 (Men's - Women's)3/-16ReviewNoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular1.307 kg / 2 lb 14.1 oz
Arc'teryx Radsten Parka (Men's)3/-16NoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular745 g / 1 lb 10.3 oz
Rab Electron Pro (Men's - Women's)5/-15NoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular525 g / 1 lb 2.5 oz
Arc'teryx Therme Parka (Men's)5/-15ReviewNoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular991 g / 2 lb 3 oz
Arc'teryx Macai (Men's)5/-15ReviewYes, zipsNoNoDownSki/SnowboardRegular1 kg / 2 lb 4 oz
Arc'teryx Nuclei SV (Men's)5/-15ReviewNoYesYesSyntheticClimbingRegular600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz
Patagonia DAS Parka (Men's)5/-15NoYesYesParkaAround TownRegular555 g / 1lb 3.6 oz
Arc'teryx Patera (Women's)5/-15ReviewNoNoYesParkaAround TownTrim867 g / 1 lb 14.6 oz
Black Diamond Access Down (Men's - Women's)7/-14NoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular442 g / 15.6 oz
Arc'teryx Kappa (Men's)7/-14ReviewNoNoYesSyntheticAll RoundRegular755 g / 1 lb 10.6 oz
Arc'teryx Prema Down Coat (Women's)7/-14NoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular794 g / 1 lb 12 oz
Arc'teryx Radsten Insulated (Men's)7/-14NoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular715 g / 1 lb 9.2 oz
Rab Microlight Alpine (Men's - Women's)7/-14NoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular466 g / 1 lb 0.5 oz
Arc'teryx Thorium (Men's - Women's)7/-14ReviewNoYesYesDownAll RoundRegular517 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz
Feathered Friends Eos8/-13NoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular306 g / 10.8 oz
Arc'teryx Thorium AR (Men's - Women's)8/-13ReviewNoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular490 g / 1 lb 1.3 oz
Patagonia Macro Puff (Men's - Women's)8/-13ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticAll RoundRegular435 g / 15.3 oz
Arc'teryx Macai LT (Men's)8/-13Yes, zipsNoNoDownSki/SnowboardRegular855 g / 1 lb 14.2 oz
Arc'teryx Seyla (Women's)8/-13NoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular507 g / 1 lb. 1.9 oz.
Patagonia Fitz Roy (Men's - Women's)8/-13NoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular632 g / 1lb 6.3 oz
Arc'teryx Koda (Men's)8/-13NoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular720 g / 1 lb 9.4 oz
Patagonia Vosque 3-in-1 (Women's)10/-12ReviewNoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular1.360 kg / 3 lb
Patagonia City Storm Down (Men's - Women's)12/-11NoYesNoParkaAll RoundRegular468 g / 16.5 oz
Patagonia Jackson Glacier (Men's - Women's)12/-11ReviewNoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular880 g / 1 lb 15 oz
Arc'teryx Sensa (Women's)14/-10NoNoYesParkaAround TownRelaxed785 g / 1 lb 11.7 oz
Patagonia Hi Loft Down (Men's - Women's)14/-10ReviewNoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular540 g / 1 lb 3 oz
REI Magma 850 Hoodie 2.0 (Men's - Women's)14/-10NoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular340 g / 13.75 oz
Arc'teryx Beta Insulated Coat (Women's)16/-9ReviewNoNoYesSyntheticAround TownRegular600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz
Arc'teryx Atom AR (Men's - Women's)18/-8ReviewYes, meshNoNoSyntheticAll RoundRegular475 g / 1 lb
Patagonia Downdrift (Men's - Women's)18/-8NoNoNoDownAround TownRegular1.014 kg / 2 lb 3.8 oz
Arc'teryx Magnus (Men's)19/-7NoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular690 g / 1 lb 8.3 oz
Arc'teryx Agrium (Men's - Women's)21/-6NoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular365 g / 12.9 oz
Patagonia AlpLight Down (Men's - Women's)21/-6NoYesNoDownAll RoundSlim270 g / 9.5 oz
Arc'teryx Beta Insulated (Men's - Women's)21/-6ReviewYes, zipsNoYesSyntheticAll RoundRegular680 g / 1 lb 8 oz
Patagonia Topley (Men's)23/-5NoNoYesDownAll RoundRegular1.133 kg / 2 lb 8 oz
Arc'teryx Alpha IS (Men's)23/-5NoYesYesSyntheticClimbingRegular610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz
Rab Xenon 2.0 (Men's - Women's)23/-5NoYesYesSyntheticAll RoundRegular385 g / 13.6 oz
Patagonia Down Sweater (Men's - Women's)23/-5ReviewNoYesNoDownAll RoundRegular428 g / 15.1 oz
Arc'teryx Ralle Parka (Men's)25/-4NoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular735 g / 1 lb 9.9 oz
Patagonia Silent Down (Men's - Women's)26/-3ReviewNoNoNoDownAround TownRegular585 g / 1 lb 4.7 oz
Arc'teryx Therme Insulated (Men's)26/-3ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticAround TownRegular960 g / 2 lb 1.9 oz
Arc'teryx Cerium (Men's - Women's)26/-3NoYesNoDownAll RoundTrim335 g / 11.8 oz
Mountain Hardwear GW/2 (Men's - Women's)28/-2NoYesNoDownAll RoundTrim250 g / 8.8 oz
Arc'teryx Cerium LT (Men's - Women's)28/-2ReviewNoYesNoDownAll RoundTrim305 g / 10.8 oz
Arc'teryx Nuclei FL (Men's - Women's)32/0ReviewNoYesNoSyntheticClimbingTrim325 g / 11.5 oz
Patagonia DAS Light (Men's - Women's)34/1NoYesYesSyntheticClimbingRegular320 g / 11.3 oz
Patagonia Micro Puff (Men's - Women's)36/2ReviewNoYesNoSyntheticAll RoundTrim298 g / 10.5 oz
Patagonia Isthmus (Men's)36/2NoNoNoParkaAround TownRegular895 g / 1 lb 15.6 oz
Arc'teryx Proton LT (Men's - Women's)37/3ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticClimbingTrim375 g / 13.2 oz
Patagonia Nano Puff (Men's - Women's)37/3ReviewNoYesNoSyntheticAll RoundRegular363 g / 12.8 oz
Arc'teryx Norvan SL Ins. (Men's - Women's)39/4NoYesNoSyntheticRunningTrim270 g / 9.5 oz
Patagonia Nano Air (Men's - Women's)41/5ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticAll RoundTrim318 g / 11.2 oz
Arc'teryx Atom LT (Men's - Women's)43/6ReviewYes, meshNoNoSyntheticAll RoundTrim375 g / 13.2 oz
Arc'teryx Cerium SL (Men's - Women's)43/6ReviewNoYesNoDownAll RoundTrim215 g / 7.6 oz
Arc'teryx Proton Hybrid (Men's - Women's)46/8ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticAll RoundTrim365 g / 12.9 oz
Arc'teryx Proton FL (Men's)48/9ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticClimbingTrim323 g / 11.4 oz
Arc'teryx Atom SL (Men's - Women's)52/11ReviewYes, meshNoNoSyntheticAll RoundTrim245 g / 8.6 oz
REI Stormhenge Hybrid (Men's - Women's)TestingYes, zipsNoNoDownAll RoundRegular900 g / 1 lb 15.75 oz
Arc'teryx Monitor Insulated (Women's)TestingNoNoYesParkaAround TownOversized645 g / 1 lb 6.8 oz
Arc'teryx Coelle (Women's)TestingNoNoYesParkaAround TownRegular460 g / 1 lb 0.2 oz


These are the approximate lowest temperatures you can wear each jacket without feeling uncomfortably cold, assuming: 

  • you only have a shirt under and no shell over,
  • during daily use (strolls, power walks etc at most - no high output activities), 
  • with just a little bit wind, 
  • and in dry weather. 

Read more about this chart here in my Insulated Outerwear Temperature Ratings Guide. Also my Best Patagonia Jackets post. 

If you think you run warmer or colder than the average person, then shift temperature ranges accordingly. 

Lastly - make sure to check out Patagonia.com Web Specials before you buy. 

 

I also talked to the Patagonia Customer Service myself, made additional research and laid out what I found about the differences between Patagonia Nano Puff and Micro Puff Jackets.

Click on image to enlarge. Click here for full [PDF] conversation if it's still too small for you to read.

When it comes to warmth to weight ratio, it's difficult to beat the Micro Puff. 

Warmth

Don't worry, I'm not going to make this post a scientific article, but let me mention one thing. 

Generally speaking, in order to score the warmth ratings of insulated products, Fill Power (FP) term is being used in today's market.

It's the measured loft of down. In other words, it's the end size of the down when it's at rest, e.g. "fully expanded volume". 

The higher the FP rating of an insulator, the warmer it is (assuming everything else is equal).

That said...

These jackets are insulated via synthetic materials instead of down.

So instead of FP, they use language such as "PlumaFill" or "PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco".

I did some research to figure their equivalent down qualities, and found this:

Warmth of PlumaFill is equivalent to around 650 fill. PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco, on the other hand, is equivalent to .62 dry CLO value and roughly corresponds to 500 fill. 

  • Jun 2023 Patagonia Deals:
REI.com Patagonia DealsUp to 50% OFF!

 

So...

PlumaFill insulation of Micro Puff does not only offer better insulation compared to Nano Puff's PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco - but its quantity is ALSO more than Nano Puff (65 grams vs 60 grams).

That said, fill power isn't the end-all be-all, although it's the most important. Things like fabric thickness also affect warmth and actually help the Nano close the gap with the Micro Puff in terms of warmth to some degree. 

Read more on this: 

This means that Micro Puff will offer more warmth, that's certain. But... how warmer it will feel when you're wearing it?

  • What's the ULTIMATE result?

Well, according to this chart by Patagonia Micro Puff is just over Nano when it comes to warmth.

And the rep said: 

Compressibility

This is mostly determined by the thicknesses of shell and lining fabrics of jackets. Obviously, the thinner the fabrics, the more compressible the product will become.

In our case, Nano Puff vs Micro Puff, the difference is that Nano Puff uses 1.4-oz 20-denier for shell and 1.3-oz 22-denier for lining fabrics (both w/ DWR); whereas Micro Puff uses 0.7-oz 10-denier Quantum Perfex w/ DWR for both shell and lining.

The one that Micro Puff uses (Quantum Perfex) is the LIGHTEST that Patagonia uses! 

  • What is DWR by the way?

DWR is a coating. 

It's basically sprayed on to the surface of these jackets as a finish. It stands for Durable Water Repellent - which means that water will be repelled under wet conditions instead of soaking into the fabric. 

DWR also decreases dry time. 

It's a good thing these jackets are coated in DWR, but pay attention to the fact that DWR is a coating - meaning that it will wear off over time. 

Which is why you might want to invest in a DWR spray such as this one for after treatment. 

As you see, there's a strong correlation between FP x FW and temperature ratings, but not more than, say, 80%. I explained why this happens here in this post of mine. 

Yes, thinner fabrics are used for Micro Puff - but fabrics of Nano Puff are also quite thin. Also, Micro Puff is filled with a higher FP down and with MORE of it, which roughly balances out the sack sizes. 

Here's the result.

Weather & Abrasion Resistance

Nano Puff is superior to Micro Puff in terms of weather and abrasion resistances. The difference is much more apparent for the latter, though. This can be something to consider if you're planning to do climbing with this jacket on. 

However, these jackets aren't THAT different in any of these departments, so obviously Nano Puff isn't quite robust either. 

Pockets

Both of these jackets offer two external hand warmer pockets. In addition to that, Nano Puff offers one internal zippered chest pocket and Micro Puff offers two internal drop in pockets. 

Looks. 

Conclusion

Nano Puff and Micro Puff are more alike than different. Micro Puff is quite a bit lighter and more packable, and just a little bit warmer (nothing noticeable though). Nano Puff, on the other hand, comes with a burlier face fabric, and hence slightly more weather and abrasion resistant than the Micro Puff. 

  • Jun 2023 Patagonia Deals:
REI.com Patagonia DealsUp to 50% OFF!

 

Links: 

I hope this post was helpful for you to learn more about the jacket(s) in your mind.


Feel free to ask me any questions or provide feedback and I'll be happy to respond in the comment section below.


Guide: Insulated & Shell Jackets

Start here:

Complete list:

Synthetic Insulated Jackets

Down Jackets

Parkas

Shell Jackets

Ski Jackets

Fleece Jackets

Wind Jackets

Rain Jackets

Also see:

Thank you for reading!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. 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!

  2. 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 🙂

  3. 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!

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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