Patagonia Nano Puff vs Micro Puff: How to decide

Last updated: June 22, 2025

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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 FabricFitWeightLength (CB)
Arc'teryx Alpha Parka (Men's - Women's)-18/-28ReviewNoYesYesDown8502968,875Coreloft90 g/m²N30r 2L GoreTex InfiniumRegular805 g / 1 lb 12.4 oz86 cm / 34 inNo
Arc'teryx Alpha Lightweight (Men's - Women's)5/-15NoYesYesDown8501173,508Coreloft Compact40 g/m²Hadron 2L Gore-Tex InfiniumRegular540 g / 1 lb 3 oz79.5 cm / 31.25 inNo
Arc'teryx Atom (aka LT) ( Men's - Women's)43/6ReviewYes, meshNoNoSyntheticN/AN/AN/ACoreloft Continuous60 g/m²20D TyonoTrim375 g / 13.2 oz74 cm / 29.1 inNo
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 TyonoRegular475 g / 1 lb 74 cm / 29.1 inNo
Arc'teryx Atom Lightweight (aka SL) (Men's - Women's)52/11ReviewYes, meshNoNoSyntheticN/AN/AN/ACoreloft Compact40 g/m²20D TyonoTrim270 g / 9.5 oz72 cm / 28.3 inNo
Arc'teryx Beta Down Insulated (Men's)0/-18YesYesNoParka8501263,778Coreloft80 g/m²2L 40D Gore-TexRegular760 g / 1 lb 10.8 oz79 cm / 31 inNo
Arc'teryx Beta Insulated (Men's)21/-6ReviewYes, zipsYesNoParkaN/AN/AN/ACoreloft Continuous80 g/m²2L 40D Gore-TexRegular680 g / 1 lb 8 oz78.5 cm / 31 inNo
Arc'teryx Beta Insulated Coat (Women's)16/-9ReviewNoYesNoParkaN/AN/AN/ACoreloft 80 g/m² + 120 g/m²2L 40D Gore-TexRegular600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz86 cm / 34 inNo
Arc'teryx Cerium (aka LT) (Men's - Women's)26/-3ReviewNoNoYesDown8501133,388Coreloft80 + 100 g/m²Arato 15Trim335 g / 11.8 oz72 cm / 28.3 inNo
Arc'teryx Cerium Hybrid (Women's)44/7NoNoYesDown850441,319Coreloft40 + 100 g/m²Arato 15 + Fortius Air 50Trim260 g / 9.2 oz70 cm / 27.5 inNo
Arc'teryx Coelle (Women's)14/-10NoYesNoParkaN/AN/AN/ACoreloft98 g/m²40D 2L Gore-TexRegular435g / 15.3 oz70 cm / 27.5 inNo
Arc'teryx Liatris (Women's)5/-15NoNoNoParka850932,788Climashield80 g/m2 + 60 g/m270D 3L Gore-TexRegular890 g / 1 lb 15.4 oz75 cm / 29.5 inNo
Arc'teryx Liatris Parka (Women's)2/-17NoNoNoParka8501364,078Climashield80 g/m2 + 60 g/m270D 3L Gore-TexRegular1.093 kg / 2 lb 6.6 oz109 cm / 43 inNo
Arc'teryx Nuclei (aka FL) ( Men's - Women's)32/0ReviewNoNoYesSyntheticN/AN/AN/ACoreloft Continuous65 g/m²Arato 10rRegular325 g / 11.5 oz75 cm / 29.5 inNo
Arc'teryx Nuclei SV (Women's)5/-15ReviewNoYesYesSyntheticN/AN/AN/ACoreloft Continuous190 g/m2 + 90 g/m2Arato 15Regular600 g / 1 lb 5.2 oz81 cm / 31.8 inNo
Arc'teryx Patera (Women's)21/-6ReviewNoYesNoParka750671,773Coreloft60 + 80 g/m²2L Gore-TexTrim867 g / 1 lb 14.6 oz99 cm / 39 inNo
Arc'teryx Patera Long (Women's)0/-18NoYesNoParka7502045,397Coreloft60 + 80 g/m²2L Gore-TexRegular1.1 kg / 2 lb 6.8 oz117.5 cm / 46.25 inNo
Arc'teryx Proton Lightweight (aka FL) (Men's - Women's)48/9ReviewNoNoNoSyntheticN/AN/AN/AOcta Loft94 g/m²Fortius Air 20Trim343 g / 12.1 oz75 cm / 29.5 inNo
Arc'teryx Therme Parka (Men's)5/-15ReviewNoYesNoParka7501203,175Coreloft60 + 80 g/m²P75d PolyesterRegular991 g / 2 lb 3 oz85 cm / 33.5 inNo
Arc'teryx Therme SV (Men's)-11/-24ReviewNoYesNoParka7502115,582Coreloft60 g/m²2L Gore-TexRegular1.072 kg / 2 lb 5.8 oz96 cm / 37.75 inNo
Arc'teryx Thorium ( Men's - Women's)12/-11ReviewNoYesYesDown7501403,704Coreloft80 + 140 g/m²Arato 30Regular517 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz71.5 cm / 28.1 inNo
Arc'teryx Thorium Parka (Women's)-2/-19ReviewNoYesNoDown7502095,529Coreloft80 + 140 g/m²Arato 20Regular610 g / 1 lb 5.5 oz115.8 cm / 45.6 inNo
Arc'teryx Thorium SV (Men's)3/-16NoYesYesDown7501694,471Coreloft80 + 140 g/m²Arato 30 & 2L Gore-Tex InfiniumRegular645 g / 1 lb 6.8 oz73 cm / 28.75 inNo
Arc'teryx Thorium SV Parka (Men's)0/-18NoYesNoDown7501955,159Coreloft80 + 140 g/m²Arato 30 & 2L Gore-Tex InfiniumRegular685 g / 1 lb 8.2 oz85 cm / 33.5 inNo
Black Diamond Access Down (Men's - Women's)7/-14NoYesYesDown7001553,827N/AN/A30D ripstop nylonRegular442 g / 15.6 oz76 cm / 29.75 inNo
Feathered Friends Eos(Men's - Women's)8/-13NoNoYesDown9001053,333N/AN/APertex QuantumRegular306 g / 10.8 oz?No
Feathered Friends Khumbu (Men's)-17/-27NoNoYesDown90037812,000Primaloft Gold200 gPretex Shield XTRegular960 g / 2 lb 2 oz?No
Mountain Equipment Exo (Men's)-10/-23NoYesYesDown8002657,478N/AN/ANylonRegular770 g / 1 lb 11.2 oz79 cm / 31 inNo
Mountain Equipment K7 (Men's)-13/-25NoYesYesDown8003008,466N/AN/A30D DriliteRegular820 g / 1 lb 13 oz76 cm / 30 inNo
Mountain Hardwear GW/2 (Men's - Women's)28/-2NoNoYesDown800852,399N/AN/A10D Ripstop NylonTrim250 g / 8.8 oz70 cm / 27.5 inNo
Outdoor Research Sup. Alp. (Men's - Women's)3/-16NoYesNoDown8001825,136N/AN/A30D Pertex Quantum ProRegular825 g / 1 lb 13.1 oz85 cm / 33.5 inNo
Patagonia AlpLight (Men's - Women's)36/2NoNoYesDown8001002,822N/AN/A0.8 oz 10D polyesterSlim270 g / 9.5 oz74 cm / 29 inNo
Patagonia AlpLoft (Men's)-10/-23NoYesYesDown8002958,325N/AN/APertex QuantomRegular680 g / 1 lb 8 oz81 cm / 31.8 inNo
Patagonia DAS (Men's - Women's)10/-12ReviewNoYesYesSyntheticN/AN/AN/APrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco133 + 40 gPertex Quantum ProRegular555 g / 1 lb 3.6 oz84 cm / 33 inNo
Patagonia DAS Light(Men's)34/1ReviewNoYesYesSyntheticN/AN/AN/APlumaFill65 g10D Pertex Quantum ProRegular320 g / 11.3 oz77 cm / 30.5 inNo
Patagonia Down Sweater (Men's - Women's)23/-5ReviewNoNoYesDown8001504,233N/AN/A1.4 oz 20x30D polyesterRegular428 g / 15.1 oz67 cm / 26.25 inNo
Patagonia Downdrift (Men's - Women's)18/-8NoNoNoDown6002795,905N/AN/A4.2 oz polyesterRegular1.014 kg / 2 lb 3.8 oz?No
Patagonia Fitz Roy (Men's - Women's)14/-10NoNoYesDown8001283,612N/AN/A20D NylonRegular632 g / 1lb 6.3 oz74 cm / 29 inNo
Patagonia Isthmus (Men's)36/2NoNoNoParkaN/AN/AN/AThermoGreen60 g4.2 oz polyesterRegular895 g / 1 lb 15.6 oz70 cm / 27.5 inNo
Patagonia Jackson Glacier (Men's - Women's)12/-11ReviewNoYesNoDown7001413,482N/AN/A3.6 oz 50D polyesterRegular880 g / 1 lb 15 oz79 cm / 31 inNo
Patagonia Jackson Glacier Parks ( Women's)7/-14NoNoNoParka7002185,383N/AN/A50D PolyesterRegular1.142 kg / 2 lb 8.3 oz?No
Patagonia Micro Puff (Men's - Women's)37/3ReviewNoNoYesSyntheticN/AN/AN/APlumaFill65 gPertex QuantumRegular298 g / 10.5 oz75 cm / 29.5 inNo
Patagonia Nano Air (Men's - Women's)39/4ReviewNoNoYesSyntheticN/AN/AN/AFullRange60 g33D nylon ripstopTrim401 g / 14.14 oz?No
Patagonia Nano Air Light Hybrid (Men's - Women's)50/10NoNoNoSyntheticN/AN/AN/AFullRange40 g20D nylon ripstopTrim335 g / 11.8 oz?No
Patagonia Nano Puff (Men's - Women's)41/5ReviewNoNoYesSyntheticN/AN/AN/APrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco60 g22D PolyesterRegular363 g / 12.8 oz71.5 cm / 28 inNo
Patagonia Silent Down (Men's - Women's)26/-3ReviewNoNoNoDown7001092,691N/AN/A2.2 oz polyesterRegular585 g / 1 lb 4.7 oz74 cm / 29 inNo
Patagonia Stormshadow (Men's)0/-18NoNoNoParka7002596,395N/AN/A75D PolyesterRegular1.182 kg / 2 lb 9.7 oz?No
Patagonia Tres 3-in-1Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 (Men's - Women's)8/-13ReviewNoNoNoParka7001182,914N/AN/A5.5 oz polyesterRegular1.307 kg / 2 lb 14.1 oz85 cm / 33.5 inNo
Patagonia Vosque 3-in-1 (Women's)10/-12ReviewNoNoNoParkaN/AN/AN/AThermoLite100 g65% nylon, 35% polyesterRegular1.360 kg / 3 lb90 cm / 35.5 inNo
Rab Electron Pro (Men's - Women's)5/-15NoYesYesDown8001805,079N/AN/A20D Pertex Quantum ProRegular525 g / 1 lb 2.5 oz74 cm / 29 inNo
Rab Infinity Alpine (Men's)5/-15NoYesYesDown8001754,938N/AN/A30D & 13D Gore-Tex InfiniumRegular551 g / 1 lb 3.4 oz76.5 cm / 30.1 inNo
Rab Infinity Microlight (Men's - Women's)19/-7NoNoYesDown7001463,605N/AN/A13D Gore-Tex InfiniumRegular452 g / 15.9 oz74 cm / 29.1 inNo
Rab Microlight Alpine (Men's - Women's)7/-14NoNoYesDown7001533,778N/AN/A30D Pertex QuantumRegular466 g / 1 lb 0.5 oz72 cm / 28.5 inNo
Rab Neutrino Pro (Men's - Women's)-2/-19NoYesYesDown8002125,982N/AN/A20D Pertex Quantum ProRegular585 g / 1 lb 8.6 oz77 cm / 30.3 inNo
Rab Positron Pro (Men's)-13/-25NoYesYesDown8003008,466N/AN/A40D Pertex Quantum ProRegular740 g / 1 lb 10 oz85 cm / 33.5 inNo
REI Magma 850 Hoodie 2.0 (Men's - Women's)14/-10NoNoYesDown8501203,598N/AN/APertex mini ripstop nylonRegular340 g / 13.75 oz74 cm / 29.25 inNo
 

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.