The Patagonia Nano Puff and Micro Puff jackets, hooded jackets and vests have been staples in Patagonia's insulated apparel line for years and comparing the Patagonia Nano Puff vs Micro Puff is common because of their similarities. Both are lightweight, windproof, and easily packable layers that offer surprisingly good warmth for their minimalist feel. And because they use synthetic insulation, they don't lose their insulating properties when wet (unlike down insulation).
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: https://www.patagonia.com/compare/micro-puff/nano-puff/nano-air
Patagonia Nano Puff vs Micro Puff
- 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 with a matte finish, which makes it more durable and abrasion resistant. The 10-denier face fabric of the Micro Puff is smoother and shinier.
- 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.
If you're interested in a comparison of the Nano Puff vs. Nano Air, our review is here: https://outdoorcrunch.com/nano-air-vs-nano-puff/
Our bottom line
We like the versatility of the Patagonia Nano Puff. For most people we recommend saving $40 and going with the Nano over the Micro. 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 Patagonia 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 1.5oz is worth the additional cost.
- You value the extra space to stash gear and accessories provided by the two internal drop-in pockets
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 |
Compare costs and availability |
Patagonia Nano Puff vs Micro Puff
Warmth
Patagonia uses a 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.
Product Name | Insulated Warmth Rating (1 -100) |
---|---|
43 | |
31 | |
28 | |
27 |
Patagonia Nano Puff vs Micro Puff Fabric
Weather & Abrasion Resistance
The Patagonia Nano Puff has a 1.4-oz 20-denier 100% recycled polyester ripstop shell.
The Patagonia Micro Puff has a Pertex® Quantum 0.8-oz 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
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 (or 27 cm) x 6.7 in (or 17 cm).
Internal 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
The Nano Puff stuffs into its interior chest pocket. The Micro Puff stuff into its left hand warmer pocket. The Micro is slightly harder to stuff due to the hidden zip construction of the handwarmer. We find the zipper often snags when using as a stuff sack.
Patagonia Nano Puff vs Micro Puff
Hardware
The Patagonia Nano Puff features slightly larger (and thus easier to use) hardware. The Nano Puff uses 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 though, the Micro Puff hardware looks cleaner.
Links:
- Nano Puff:
- Men's Hoody on patagonia.com
- Men's Hoody on rei.com
- Women's Hoody on patagonia.com
- Women's Hoody on rei.com
- Men's Jacket on patagonia.com
- Men's Jacket on rei.com
- Women's Jacket on patagonia.com
- Women's Jacket on rei.com
- Micro Puff:
- Men's Hoody on patagonia.com
- Men's Hoody on backcountry.com
- Men's Jacket on patagonia.com
- Men's Jacket on backcountry.com
- Women's Hoody on patagonia.com
- Women's Jacket on patagonia.com
- Women's Jacket on backcountry.com
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/
- 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
- 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
Check out our other content on jackets:
Guide: Insulated & Shell Jackets
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