Advnture Verdict
A body warmer with its head and heart in the right place, keeping you warm while impacting the planet as little as possible.
Pros
- +
Eco-friendly materials
- +
Stuffs into its own sack
- +
Lightweight and warm
- +
Lots of sizes
Cons
- -
Pricey
You can trust Advnture Our expert reviewers spend days testing and comparing gear so you know how it will perform out in the real world. Find out more about how we test and compare products.
Patagonia Nano Puff Vest: first impressions
Enjoy the literal warmth of the Patagonia Nano Puff Vest alongside the mental “warmth” of knowing that it’s a product that Patagonia has done everything possible to minimize its environmental impact.
The Nano Puff’s shell and lining are both made from recycled polyester that was itself manufactured in a process designed to reduce emissions and shrink its carbon footprint. Even the production process is Fair Trade Certified, so you know it hasn’t been sewn in a sweatshop by child or exploited labor (see also: The best eco-friendly outdoor brands).
Keeping you warm on your walks or around camp is 60g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco 100%, admittedly not the catchiest of names, but an insulation that is both warm and highly compressible – the Nano Puff stuffs into its own chest pocket for easy stowing in your pack. A drawstring hem helps to trap more heat on days when there’s extra chill in the air. But how did it fare when we put it through its paces for our Best Gilets buying guide? Read on…
• RRP: $149 (US) / £130 (UK)
• Fill: 60g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco 100% (synthetic fill)
• Gender availability: Men’s / Women’s
• Sizes: XS / S / M / L / XL / XXL
• Colors: Metric Orange / Black / Forge Grey / Classic Navy / Kelp Forest
Patagonia Nano Puff Vest: on the trails
In the flesh, the artificial insulation means it’s a more slender gilet than down-filled rivals, so it slips easily under even close-fitting waterproofs, although the large size is certainly generous, so it’s worth trying on before buying.
The collar isn’t as tight or snug as some rivals, which meant I could sense heat escaping when I was wearing the Nano Puff as an outer layer, but this wasn’t an issue as a mid-layer.
Nor did it pose any problems being stuffed into one of its hand pockets for ease of carrying (unlike one of its rivals whose zip I managed to break trying to stuff it into its pocket).
One other thing to point out is the US zip, which has the pull toggle on the right; doing it up in the comfort of a warm room before setting off is not difficult, but for British walkers accustomed to the zip pull on the other side, this could be a nuisance mid-walk with cold fingers on a chilly mountain.
