Patagonia Nano Air Ultralight jacket

[mtwarden]

Kind of a mouthful, but pretty excited about this jacket. I have a Patagonia Nano Air Light hoody (actually two) that has been discontinued for some time, but close to a cult classic for an active insulating layer for cold to cold weather.

The" Ultralight" differs from the "Light" in that it has half the insulation— 20g/m2 vs 40 g/m2. Both I would consider very lightly insulated, 20 g/m2 is very (or ultra ) light. It is also full-zip where the Light was a pullover.

The insulation is "Full Range" which is Patagonia's labeling of Toray 3deFX insulation. If that sounds familiar, it should as I've reviewed three different jackets that utilize it—two from Outdoor Vitals and one from Kuiu.

I've found it to be the most efficient insulation in regards to weight to warmth and thus far the Ultralight has lived up to that.

 

[Ratamahatta]

I know this is ultralight, but how would you compare the insulation to the black diamond alpine start insulated?

 

[skipper907]

I have one that's an old pull over. It is a great piece for layering, I don't know how it is so warm when layered under a puffy maybe it helps with wind blocking but its great.

 

[mtwarden]

I know this is ultralight, but how would you compare the insulation to the black diamond alpine start insulated?

Different insulations and different weights, the UL uses lighter insulation.

The biggest difference really is the outer fabric; the Alpine Start uses a pretty wind resistant fabric, the UL is very breathable.

 

[justinspicher]

I’m a huge fan of Patagonia, I love the blaze orange pullover I got from you.

 

[LostArra]

I'm assuming the zipper is one of the tiny teeth versions since it's ultralight.

I have a Patagonia fleece/shell vest with a very robust full size zipper that will last forever but my light (or ultralight) Patagonia vest has the tiny zipper which has essentially died. I still love the vest and have considered adding velcro tabs for closure which causes my wife to pull her hair out. "Just buy another one, you cheapskate! You've worn it for 15 years!"

 

[justinspicher]

Is this jacket on their website?

 

[mtwarden]

Is this jacket on their website?

Even have an orange

https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-nano-air-ultralight-full-zip-insulated-hoody/85365.html

 

[mtwarden]

BTW the older pullover version really saved my bacon several winters ago. We were on a week long snowshoe trip across the Bob Marshall Wilderness and I get swept at creek crossing.

Wet up to my neck. I wrung out my base layer, put it back on, grabbed the pullover out of my pack and started hiking my ass off. I warmed up in about 20 minutes and after an hour or so, by base layer was almost totally dry.

Great warmth for the weight, and the breathability allowed the moisture in the base layer to “cook off” with my body heat.

 

[Grady.J]

Curious your thoughts on it for a mid layer vs the ambient and other evolve/alpha direct fleece layers? Particularly for wearing while active. Warmth, durability, breathability, etc. Does this fit in the same spot? Cheers!

 

[Dust Rider]

I'm assuming the zipper is one of the tiny teeth versions since it's ultralight.

I have a Patagonia fleece/shell vest with a very robust full size zipper that will last forever but my light (or ultralight) Patagonia vest has the tiny zipper which has essentially died. I still love the vest and have considered adding velcro tabs for closure which causes my wife to pull her hair out. "Just buy another one, you cheapskate! You've worn it for 15 years!"

I have a Patagonia shell jacket that I brought to a seamstress who installed a YKK zipper after factory broke. Patagonia warranty will replace your zipper with the exact same one. I wanted beefier and stronger and they said they would not do that, but would with a OEM. Call them and they will fix it

 

[mtwarden]

The zipper on the UL is small, but not as small as what they use on the Houdini. I've got a couple of Houdinis that are 10+ years old and (knock on wood) haven't has a zipper issue.

Curious your thoughts on it for a mid layer vs the ambient and other evolve/alpha direct fleece layers? Particularly for wearing while active. Warmth, durability, breathability, etc. Does this fit in the same spot? Cheers!

For the same weight the 3deFx insulation is going to be warmer. I think the Alpha/Evolve fabrics do a better job moving moisture. Durability wise I can't say for sure, but would guess the Alpha/Evolve would last longer—it's basically a fleece. That's with a Alpha/Evolve garment that has a face fabric; "naked" Alpha is very snag prone and might not last very long if you were off trail much.

I think the advantage of the 3deFx garments is they can fulfill the role of a light puffy AND an active mid-layer better.