Here’s a tip for all my fellow gear-heads searching for the perfect piece of kit: invest in a Patagonia Nano Puff Pullover.When stuffed inside its chest pocket, the 10-ounce Nano easily slips inside a cargo pocket or utility pouch.
I finally bought one last November and have been wearing this little, ultra-light heater almost non-stop ever since.
It really doesn't look like much at first glance, but I was amazed at how quickly the Nano blocks out the cold.
The wind-blocking, moisture-shedding 100% recycled polyester shell also glides effortlessly, whether worn as a mid- or outer layer. Low-bulk, hydrophobic, highly compressible PrimaLoft® One (60 g) traps heat with remarkable efficiency, even when wet. It packs down to practically nothing and stuffs into a single chest pocket that has a carabiner clip-in loop. Elasticized cuffs and hem seal out wind and trap warmth.
Patagonia introduced the Nano puff in 2009 as a minimalist layer designed for climbers.
Now, I’m a big fan of the Army’s Gen III Extended Cold Weather Clothing System. But if you’re like me, and always looking to upgrade your snivel gear, the Nano could be a nice alternative to the ECWCS’s wind jacket, fleece jacket or mid-weight grid fleece layer.
Its wispy, rip-stop shell blocks biting winds and the high collar feels cozy around the neck. Pair it with a mid-layer like the grid fleece and it’s toasty.
The Nano is pretty warm down to the high 30’s as long as you’re not standing completely still. And like the much-loved poncho liner, it could definitely get you through a bad night if that’s all you had.
Your sergeant major may frown on you wearing it as an outer-layer in uniform. But the Nano fits nicely beneath an ACU, Multicam or a Marine desert digital top.
At $149, the Nano seems a little steep, but it’s worth every penny. Patagonia also offers the Nano technology in full-zip jacket for $179 and full-zip hoody for $199.
The only gig I would give it is that most of Patagonia’s colors are a little too ... fancy ... for me. Thank goodness for Narwhal Grey and Black.
