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Nano Puff - how long have they lasted for you?
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I've always been a heavy fleece guy for skiing and I tried the Atom LT for a while, but I run too hot for being active with insulation (I live in MA, not BC). I'm thinking of picking up a regular Nano Puff, but I've read a few places that I can expect the loft/warmth to halve in the first year or two. That can't be right? I'm hoping to have something that'll provide decent warmth for 4-5 years with layers. Any experiences? Thanks! |
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I’ve had one for a decade, didn’t notice any change in performance. The nanopuff has synthetic insulation so it is nice when it’s wet and doesn’t really lose its loft over time like down does. However, I’m sure someone else will adamantly claim contrary experiences |
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My experience is same as Zach’s. No noticeable change after nearly 10 years. Ive switched to Micro-puffs relatively recently though and absolutely love them. Also comparing side by side a Nano Air and an Atom. Like the fit better on the Atom but am removing the pockets on both as I am very anti pocket, but I digress....my thoughts are you may not notice the difference you may be looking for between the Atom and a NanoPuff. Kinda splitting hairs in my book. YMMV. From owning them all, I’d recommend you go micro-puff, strictly performance and weight-wise. I’m curious myself on the longevity of the Micro-Puff |
Mark Pilate wrote: That's a really interesting suggestion. Yeah, I don't need the breathability of the Atom, which is why I'm looking at the Pata stuff. Like why I wouldn't want the Nano Air. Does the Micro-puff breathe much? I like the Nano Puff w/out hood for an under-my-shell layer for skiing. Appreciate all the feedback here! |
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I've been using mine for at least a decade with no issues. Extremely versatile piece. |
ClimbingOn wrote: Awesome. thanks! I'm sold. They seem a bit burlier than the micro-puff, so don't think I'm going that route. I'm not on K2 so I don't need to sweat the 100 grams either |
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7 years here, same as the other two. I will say, if you ran hot in an atom lt, I think you’ll run even hotter in the nano; it does not breathe nearly as well |
Luke Madrid wrote: I have one with and without hood. I also prefer the non-hooded for skiing. Was just wearing it today for some BC skiing. Pretty aerobic on the climbs, but it breaths much better than Nano or Atom. |
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Depends on what kind of dog you have. Mine only lasted about a year |
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I’ve got the Nano Puff and Nano Air and the puff rarely gets used. The nano air is so much nicer next to the skin even after sweating or getting it wet. The puff feels clammy. I might use the puff if I’m looking for something a bit more wind resistant but usually just throw a shell over the nano air. I also find the nano air works in a broader range of temps. |
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My zipper broke on the second day. |
Mark Pilate wrote: This seems like a very foreign concept to me. Can you explain your anti pocket position? |
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My Nano Puff has lasted about 3 years so far and has been roughed up a fair bit. Still seems just as warm as it used to be. I will say that I do notice the warmth go down now and then, but tossing it in the washer fluffs it right back up. |
Levi X wrote: Haha, yes. IMO, In a nutshell (and with few exceptions) anything other than a zippered chest pocket just adds needless bulk and weight. For a good example, yesterday skiing and climbing, I paired a Micro-puff with a Gamma MX. as I only used 1 chest pocket, and stuffed gloves temporarily in my unzipped jacket when needed, I had at least 5 wasted pockets just in my two outer layers. The weight, zippers, and fabric of these useless pockets were essentially like wearing an extra Micro Puff for no reason. Plus, the lower torso pockets stacked in each layer just add bulk right where you don’t want it -over your harness and gear — especially when layered together (as you need to in -10 weather) I dropped a good chunk of change on a sewing machine and serger so I can correct this heinous flaw inflicted upon us by “big jacket” companies. YMMV, but If I’m gonna repeat Sean’s traverse, I need to be dialed in and streamlined. Lol. |
Mark Pilate wrote: Huh.. I never thought about this before. You're totally right though. I usually use 1 or 2 pockets at most. A lot of my stuff stays in my pack unless I am directly using it. Thanks for the explanation! |
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I have a hooded micro puff from 2011 that I still wear regularly. not so much DWR anymore and I've been through two zippers now, but holding strong after years of beatings. |
Redyns wrote: Thanks! The micro puff has been around that long? I found a good deal -$125 - for a barely used hooded one from 2018. But I thought it was a gen 1 and was worried about that (Pata always improves their products). Is that an ok year, any different from current? Thanks everyone for chiming in here! |
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The big durability issue with Nano Puff and and other synthetic insulations, especially short staple versions, is that they fairly quickly lose insulation value. I suspect that this drop is asymptotic, so once a jacket get’s to “middle aged”, it probably takes a long time to get noticeably worse. I also suspect many users don’t notice this very easily, due to the ’frog in a pot’ syndrome, and due to the fact that many of the jackets we are talking about here are very thin, so a significant amount of their warmth comes from the shell and liner blocking air movement. Stephen Seeger has measured several of the current lightweight synthetic jackets’ warmth: and here he has tested a used Micropuff: https://backpackinglight.com/by-the-numbers-patagonia-micro-puff/ |
Luke Madrid wrote: There have been garments named ‘Micro puff’ in Pata’s line before, I saw several references to a vest and pants from 2007. Completely Different thing. The Current ones are the ones using Plumafill |
Luke Madrid wrote: One factor that matter a lot is how you treat it. Do you cram it in a backpack (this is a climbing forum, so my guess is ‘yes’) and wear it under a backpack? It will lose loft quickly. If you only ever keep it lightly piled in the top of your pack, and Don’t sleep in it, probably lasts a lot longer. If you truly want something to cram into a tiny space in your pack, and last long, down is the only answer. Perhaps going a bit warmer (which could be the same weight as a less warm synthetic) to compensate for lost loft when damp? Or, if you must have synthetic, use a continues filament insulation like Climashield Apex, try and avoid cramming as much as possible, and accept that it won’t be as warm a few years down the road. A jacket like the Enlightened Equiment Torrid Apex jacket might be a better choice than a Nanopuff: the insulation will likely last longer, and even when it get’s thinner, the lack of sewn through seams on the outside, means you still get a lot of warmth from the wind locking shell. It is a lot cheaper at list price, but Nano-Puffs can be found on sale, so not a huge difference there. Made in USA (MInnesota) If that matters to you. https://enlightenedequipment.com/mens-torrid-apex-jacket-custom/ |
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A Nano Puff is even less breathable than an Atom LT. It is even less well suited to being a mid layer than the Atom LT. It is a lightly insulated windbreaker. If your primary concern is durability for active insulation, pile insulation (fleece), like Polartec Classic is the way to go. |
