Patagonia Nano Puff Review

When putting this jacket on for the first time, it’s definitely a weird feeling—especially if you’re not used to other ultralight jackets. It feels like it’s not even on you because it’s so light, weighing 11.1 ounces (315 grams), but you’ll start to feel toasty in a couple minutes if you’re in any weather above 60°F (16°C).

This will depend on each person, their temperature limit, and the specific climate you’re in, but we’ve generally found that the temperature range for this coat is anything from 30 to 50 degrees. Anything hotter and it’ll start to feel quite warm, and anything colder and you may need to incorporate some additional layers. We’ve found this to be perfect for general world travel, as it works well in most climates, so add it to your hostel packing list to be ready for anything.

The main YKK zipper and the zippers on the exterior pockets include a cord with a plastic end woven through the metal pulls, so it’s easier to grasp with gloves on. The internal chest pocket, which doubles as the stuff sack, does not include the extra cord, though you probably won’t need gloves when you pack it away.

There’s also a zipper garage, which is a fancy way of saying your face will be protected from cloth rather than the metal zipper touching your skin.

This is great for packing in your travel backpack because it compresses down to basically nothing. It’s about the size of three soda cans next to each other and one on top when in the compressed state. The chest pocket allows you to stuff the jacket into itself so you can stash it away in your bag when it’s not in use. The dimensions are 6 x 7.5 x 3.5 inches (15.2 x 19 x 8.9 centimeters). BONUS: you can also use this as a pillow, but, maybe don’t fall asleep at your gate and miss your flight. Save it the pillow functionality until you’re at 40,000 feet.

Elastic cuffs help keep the warmth inside instead of letting the wind whistle up your sleeves. And you can cinch the waist tighter to keep out cold air by pulling a cord that automatically locks into place with a hard plastic adjuster.

While the base Nano Puff has no hood, you can also get the Nano Puff Hoody if you prefer to keep your head covered without an extra hat. If you don’t like hat hair, or you’re packing your own beanie, go for the original to save an extra ounce. It’s also worth considering any additional layers you may be wearing. If you prefer wearing hooded sweatshirts under your jacket or plan on bringing a rain shell with a hood, you may not want a hood on your Nano Puff to avoid doubling up.

On the pouch, there’s also a loop for a carabiner clip so you can attach this thing to your travel daypack or hang it on a hook when not in use.

As a note, Patagonia backs products with their Ironclad Guarantee. They’re more than happy to help with returns and repairs, and they’ve got a great brand outlook, discouraging waste, and will happily repair their goods at a reasonable price, no matter how old the product is.