HikingPatagoniaInsulated Jacket

Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody review: a stylish, synthetic layer that’s tough enough for just about anything

A lightweight synthetic jacket that’s warm, packable, and pretty much ready for anything.

✓  Top PickPatagonia Nano Puff Hoody Weight360 gInsulationPrimaLoft Gold EcoPrice£220 The good✓  Lightweight and packable (mango-sized)
✓  Warm for its weight
✓  Very easy to wash — machine washable
✓  Works as mid-layer or outer layer
✓  High-quality YKK zips, never snagged
✓  Windproof
✓  Ironclad Guarantee
✓  100% recycled materials throughout
The not-so-good✗  Expensive at £220
✗  Patchy quilted look isn’t for everyone
Check price at Absolute Snow →

At a glance

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Overview

Based out of Ventura, California, Patagonia has long been at the forefront of responsible outdoor kit manufacturing. Founded in 1973 by climber and environmentalist Yvon Chouinard, the company has built its name on a blend of technical excellence and environmental integrity. Patagonia has pioneered recycled fabrics, traceable down and fair labour practices, and continues to lead the charge with initiatives like its Worn Wear programme and Ironclad Guarantee. Beneath the bold activism is a simple truth: Patagonia makes consistently brilliant kit. Their jackets, fleeces and shells are known for being thoughtfully designed, rigorously tested, and built to last.

The Nano Puff Hoody is a lightweight synthetic insulated jacket that aims to provide maximum versatility in a small, packable form. Designed as a warm midlayer or standalone outer in dry, cool conditions, it is ideal for everything from springtime hill walks and summer campsites to chilly evenings on the trail. Weighing in at just 360 g in a men’s medium, it stuffs into its own internal pocket — about the size of a mango — making it easy to chuck in a rucksack, saddlebag or glovebox. It is windproof, water-resistant, and built with 100% recycled polyester inside and out. At £220 RRP, it is certainly not cheap — but it stands as one of the most refined and well-balanced synthetic jackets on the market today.

Compared to the competition, the Nano Puff holds its own well — not because it leads the field in any one category, but because it is so well-rounded. The Helly Hansen Odin Everdown is warmer and lighter on paper (by around 40 g) but costs almost twice as much at close to £400. At the budget end, the Forclaz MT100 down jacket at £59.99 gets surprisingly close on warmth, but lacks the Nano Puff’s synthetic resilience, ease of care, and polish. What sets the Nano Puff apart is that it is light enough for fastpacking, warm enough for chilly spring nights, stylish enough to wear in town, and tough enough to throw in your pack year-round.

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How we tested

We have been wearing the Nano Puff for well over five years now, and it is safe to say it has earned its place in our packs. From windswept ridgelines in the Lake District to mid-winter wild camps in the Cairngorms, this jacket has seen more than its fair share of British weather. It has come with us on bikepacking loops through the Scottish Highlands, coastal hikes in Cornwall, and fast-and-light backpacking trips through Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons. We have used it as a mid-layer in minus double digits on frostbitten Dartmoor camps, and as an outer layer on cool summer evenings. It has been stuffed into saddle bags, hauled up crags, and used as a pillow in bothies. Through it all, it has never once let us down.

Features and performance

Insulation

The Nano Puff Hoody uses PrimaLoft Gold Eco insulation, made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester. It is synthetic, which means it continues to insulate when wet — a big bonus for UK conditions. Despite being synthetic, it is impressively packable: the whole jacket stuffs into an internal chest pocket, packing down to the size of a large mango — genuinely one of the most packable synthetic jackets we have used.

Another standout perk is how low-maintenance it is. With traditional down jackets, there is usually a performance-to-maintenance trade-off — special detergent, careful handling, a couple of hours in the dryer with tennis balls. Miss a step and you risk clumping the down. With the Nano Puff, none of that applies. Chuck it in the machine with your regular laundry. It dries quickly on the line or in a low-heat tumble dry, and always comes back looking and feeling fresh. The PrimaLoft insulation does not lose its loft or shift around after repeated washing. For regular UK use — where jackets get soaked, muddy and roughed up — this ease of care makes a huge difference. It means you are more likely to reach for it day after day without worrying about babying it.

Extra details

Another thing we have learned to appreciate over the years is the square quilting — which is not just for show. It creates small compartments that trap heat and eliminate cold spots while helping to block wind from cutting through the jacket. This, combined with the snug fit and wind-resistant outer fabric, helps the Nano Puff perform well even in gusty conditions.

The YKK zippers are smooth, reliable, and have never snagged once in all our years of use. The zip pulls are elongated, making them easy to grab when wearing gloves — one of those small details that makes a big difference in bad weather. The fit is slim but accommodating: close enough to trap warmth efficiently, roomy enough to fit over a thick midlayer. And the hood fits snugly around the head, sealing out the chill without being helmet-compatible. Perfect for hiking and everyday use.

“While it’s not the warmest or lightest jacket in our rotation, it’s easily one of the most consistently useful, and it’s often the one we instinctively reach for when heading out the door.”

Performance in the UK

Performance-wise, the Nano Puff has become our go-to synthetic jacket for UK use. It is warm enough for shoulder-season hill walks, light enough for summer backpacking, and compact enough to always have on hand. We have worn it on its own in single-digit temperatures over just a t-shirt and stayed warm, and layered it under waterproof shells in snowstorms. The biggest benefit is its versatility: we have worn it while belaying, cooking, sleeping, walking, cycling and even working from home. It is the kind of jacket you can throw on without thinking — whether you are on the hill or popping out to the shop.

Buy the Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody →

Our verdictNot the warmest or the lightest — but it might just be the most well-rounded synthetic jacket we’ve ever tested.The Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody is not the cheapest synthetic jacket you can buy. At £220, it sits at the premium end of the market. But in our experience, it delivers something most jackets do not: consistent, dependable versatility across just about every kind of UK adventure. The weight, the warmth, the cut, the durability, the simplicity, the ease of care, the fact that it compresses down to next to nothing — all of it comes together. It works as a wind-blocking outer in mild conditions and slots into a winter layering system without ever feeling bulky. It is the kind of jacket you find yourself reaching for year after year.Whether you are walking the dog on a frosty morning, fastpacking in the Lakes, belaying at a sea cliff, or sitting by a campfire, the Nano Puff just works. If you are looking for a single insulated jacket that can slot into almost any part of your outdoor life, this is the one we would recommend without hesitation.Buy the Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody →

FAQs

How warm is the Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody?Surprisingly warm for its weight. While not designed for extreme cold on its own, it performs excellently in UK conditions as part of a layering system. Over a t-shirt, it keeps you warm down to around 5°C, and layered up it will take you much lower.

What activities is the Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody suitable for?Pretty much everything. We have used it for fastpacking, backpacking, bikepacking, wild camping and everyday wear. Light enough for big mileage days, warm enough for chilly camps, smart enough to wear around town. If you want one jacket that can do a bit of everything, this is a great shout.

How waterproof is the Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody?Not waterproof, but it handles damp conditions very well. The synthetic insulation retains warmth when wet, and the shell sheds light rain and mist effectively. For heavy rain, you will still want a proper shell — but this one will not leave you freezing if you get caught in a drizzle.

Is the Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody worth the money?Yes. At £220, it is expensive — but you are getting a jacket that is warm, lightweight, packable, long-lasting and built with excellent sustainability credentials. It also comes with Patagonia’s Ironclad Guarantee. For something you will use all year round, it is a solid investment.

How durable is the Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody?Very. Ours has been used regularly for five years and is still going strong. The stitching, zips, insulation and fabric have all held up brilliantly. And if something does go wrong, Patagonia’s repair-or-replace policy makes this one of the most confidence-inspiring jackets we have ever owned.