The wet weather can get pretty chilly when descending snowy slopes at high speeds. A quality snow jacket or ski jacket is an absolute must if you want to stay nice and comfortable while enjoying your favorite sport.
Patagonia is a very popular adventure apparel manufacturer amongst ski and snowboarding enthusiasts. They are known for producing high-quality winter wear items ideal for the extreme temperatures you might experience out on the slopes.
The two best wind jacket types for snowy activities are the Nano Puff and Micro Puff jackets. But which of these two items will offer you the most benefits? In this Nano Puff vs Micro Puff guide, we compare these two popular jacket types so you can find out which one is the best.
Table of Contents
The Nano Puff Jacket
Nano Puff jackets are very popular for everyday wear because they are not too bulky yet offer a great level of comfort.
These jackets are very stylish and are available in a huge variety of colors including a couple of vivid hues.
These jackets are windproof and waterproof to protect your body from natural elements. They will also keep you nice and warm because the jacket is designed with quality stuffing and features elastic sleeves and a drawcord at the hem.
With this everyday jacket, you can keep your hands nice and warm since it features two zippered hand pockets that are insulated. The jacket also features a zipped internal pocket that is perfect for storing valuables like car keys.
Specifications
- Jacket exterior – Recycled polyester ripstop shell
- Jacket interior – 60-g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation and 22-denier polyester lining
- Closure type – Zipper closure with storm flap
- Hem design – Draw-cord adjustable drop-tail hem
- Pockets – Two hand warmer pockets with zippers, and an internal zipped chest pocket
- Weight – 11.9 Ounces
Resistance – Water-repelling and windproof
Pros
- Made of more durable fabrics compared to the Micro Puff
- These jackets feature a better design with a sleeker appearance
- A great jacket for general wear
- Internal pockets are zippered to keep belongings from falling out
- High collar design
- A draw-string in the hem blocks out cold drafts
- The exterior offers good water resistance
- The zipper closure includes a storm flap
Cons
- A bit pricier compared to Micro Puff
- Heavier weight and bulkier fold
The Micro Puff Jacket
Although the Micro Puff Jacket is great for everyday wear, many enjoy this jacket for sports because it is lighter and folds into a smaller diameter.
This jacket is very stylish with its puffer design, and you can get it in a variety of beautiful colors. It is very easy to slip in and out of the jacket thanks to its zipper closure.
The jacket will keep you nice and snug because it features quality Pllumafill insulation, and the exterior offers good wind and water resistance. The sleeves and hemline are also elasticated to keep drafts away from your body.
You can also keep lots of valuables close to your person because the jacket features two large internal drop-in pockets in addition to the zipper hand pockets.
Specifications
- Jacket exterior – Ultralight Pertex Quantum nylon ripstop shell
- Jacket interior – PlumaFill insulation
- Closure Type – Zipper closure
- Hem design – Elasticated cuffs and hem seal
- Pockets – Two zippered hand warmer pockets, two internal drop-in pockets, and a left pocket stuff sack
- Weight – 8.3 Ounces
- Resistance – Water-resistant and windproof
Pros
- Warmer than the Nano Puff jacket
- Falls into a more compact size compared to the Nano Puff
- Micro Puff jackets are the lightest
- Micro Puff jackets are more affordable
- A great jacket for sports performance
- Contains an additional pocket for extra things
- Drop-in pockets in the chest are convenient
- The drop-in pockets are nice and big
Cons
- Materials are not as durable
- The jacket design is a bit puffy
Nano Puff vs Micro Puff
Some of the Nano Puff and Micro Puff jackets can look very similar. But the structure and functionality of these jackets are very different. Let’s compare the most notable differences between these two jackets so you can find out which one will serve you best while you are out and about.
The Warmest Jacket
Micro Puff jackets offer a little bit more warmth compared to Nano Puff jackets. But both of these jackets have a pretty goodFP (fill power) rating.
The FP rating is a general term used to rate filler materials in terms of girth. The higher a filler product FP rating is, the more warmth it will provide when stuffed into different products with the same construction.
The PlumaFill insulation of Micro Puff jackets has an FP rating of around 650, while the PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco fill used in Nano Puff jackets has an FP rating of about 500. This means the synthetic insulation materials of Micro Puff jackets offer more warmth.
But the warmth differences between these twosnow jacketsare not too significant since Nano Puff wind jackets tend to be made from materials and liners that also offer a lot of insulation and protection from the strong wind, while a simpler material is used in the lining and exterior of Nano Puff jackets.
The Most Compressible Jacket
One of the most attractive features of Patagonia jackets is their compatibility. These jackets can be folded and compressed into very small sizes, making them easier to transport. 
Micro Puff jackets also win in this category because they compress to a smaller size than Nano Puff jackets. But once again, the difference isn’t significant.
Thinner fabrics and materials are easier to compress than thicker fabric and material types. Micro Puff jackets are made from 87% recycledpolyester materialswith a 0.7-oz. 10-denier rating for the interior and exterior lining. Nano Puff jackets are made from 100% recycled polyester materials with a 1.4-oz. 20-denier outer layer and a 1.3-oz. 22-denier interior lining rating. This means that the recycled materials used in Micro Puff jackets are much thinner and easier to compress.
But you should also keep in mind that more synthetic insulation materials (650FP) are used in Micro Puff jackets compared to Nano jackets (500FP). Since more filler materials are used, it balances out the material density, resulting in two jackets that are very different yet fold to almost the same size.
The Lightest Jacket
Micro Puff jackets are about 100 grams lighter than Nano Puff jackets of the same size, and the weight ratio is consistent for different jacket types.
A Micro Puff jacket weighs around 235 grams, while a Nano Puff jacket weighs about 337 grams for the same size jacket.
For casual purposes, 100 grams of extra weight doesn’t make too much of a difference. But if you are a pro athlete who loves trekking and climbing, you might benefit more from a lighter jacket.
The Most Durable Jacket
Micro Puff jackets have the lead in most cases. But Nano Puff jackets take the lead in terms of durability.
Nano Puff jackets are made of three main material types consisting of a thick 1.4-oz. 20-denier polyester exterior shell and a softer or thinner 1.3-oz. 22-denier lining on the inside.
On the other hand, Micro Puff jackets are made from a thinner 0.7-oz. 10-denier Quantum Perfex for the liner and the shell.
Thicker fabrics are much more durable and may offer more water and wind resistance. The durability difference for these bulky jacket types is not significant, but if you are looking for a product that can withstand a lot of wear and tear, then the Nano Puff is the right pick.
The Most Stylish Jacket
We all have a personal preference that can make either one of these jackets more or less desirable. However, many buyers find the Nano Puff jackets more desirable. Nano Puff jackets and vests seem to offer a better fit, and the thicker exterior fabric can give these jackets a more luxurious feel.
On the other hand, Micro Puff offers a bit more diversity since you can choose between smooth exterior storm jackets and traditional puff jackets and hoodies with their quilted design.
However, Nano Puff jackets are available in pullovers, hoodies, jackets, and vest forms, which causes some people to lean more towards Nano Puff in terms of style.
The Jacket With the Best Design
The back design of Micro jackets is meant to conform to the natural shape of your body. However, in general, the fabric has a much rougher quilted design that can make these jackets look a bit puffy.
While the Micro Puff jacket will give you more functionality in terms of performance and agility, most feel that the narrow quilt design and standard jacket pattern are more appealing for casual everyday wear.
The Best Jacket in Terms of Price
There are several synthetic jacket designs available in both Micro and Nano Puff jacket types. You can also get a couple of other accessories like mitts, vests, or scarves in the Nano Puff range. The prices can differ quite a lot for these different types.
Nano Puff products seem to be pricier compared to their Micro Puff counterparts, but some Micro products like storm jackets can be costly in general.
Overall, Micro Puff jackets seem to be more affordable and might be a better investment if you are looking to stock up on a variety of jackets or are not sure if you are ready to commit tosnowboardingor skiing just yet.
The Best in Terms of Versatility
Versatile products are important to individuals or those who love to sample different activities, resorts, or travel to other locations. It is easier to pack light with versatile gear since the same accessory usually offers more than one feature or function.
Micro and Nano Puff jackets are versatile since they can be used in different weather conditions. Synthetic jackets offer enough room for layering and can keep you nice and dry in humid conditions because they are water-resistant and easy to dry.
Nano Puff jackets tend to be more versatile. This is because these jackets have a design that is better suited for casual wear, and the extra chest pocket allows you to keep important belongings close.
You can use the wind jacket for an everyday outing when it gets cold or take it uphill for a bit of snowboarding fun. The Patagonia jackets are also more durable and can handle more wear and tear as you take on different activities.
On the other hand, if you want versatility on the ski resort, you might benefit more from a Micro Puff jacket. They are lighter, more compatible, ease movement, and tend to be warmer, making them ideal for different temperatures and activities that require a lot of agility.
Pro athletes tend to prefer Micro Puff jackets because they are warmer, lighter, more compactable, and their shoulder reinforcements make them more functional and better for high-performance sports and stunts.
The Nano Puff jacket can be a better pick for general and long-term wear. These jackets offer a more durable design, and most find their pattern more appealing. The main differences between these jackets are as follows:
- Nano Puff jackets tend to be more durable and versatile since this action jacket can double for casual wear when you are not out on the slopes.
- Micro Puff jackets are a bit warmer in cold weather, lightweight, and compact to a slightly smaller size. Their design of the lightweight jacket also makes it slightly better in terms of agility.
Final Thoughts
After comparing these two products in this Nano Puff vs. Micro Puff guide, we concluded that these jackets are very close in functionality and quality.
All in all, we have to conclude that the best way to choose between these two jackets is by considering what you are most likely to use the insulated jacket for.
We hope that you enjoyed our comparison of these two elite products. And if you are looking for other advice on the best gear and accessories to get for snowboarding or skiing, you should look at some of our other guides. On Snow Authorities,we strive to help you find the right products to make the most out of your outdoor activities.