You may notice we don’t review a ton of gear on here, but when we stumble across certain products we feel we absolutely must talk about them. The Nano-Air jacket from Patagonia is one of those pieces. Part standalone jacket, part mid-layer, this has become one of the go-to jackets for my explorations of the wet Vancouver Island autumn wilderness. Under a thin shell, it’s the perfect hiking system. On its own it functions as a great active layer in frosty weather. The claims about staying warm while wet are true. On one particular hike/trail run in Strathcona Park the Nano-Air got wet early on (bad planning on my part) and I finished the 3.5 hour trip without freezing. I have the jacket version but they make a hoody version too (photo below). I can’t wait to see how it performs under a ski shell. It’s super flexible and stretchy and fits perfect, so my guess is it’s going to be good.

Patagonia’s details are listed at the bottom of the post if you want all the nerdy details but the summary of my experience using this jacket over the past three months is this: you should be comfortable ponying up for this piece knowing it will become your standard jacket and mid-layer for years to come. It’s so versatile while still being performance-minded, and that means the value stretches further. – Mike Berard, associate editor, Kootenay Mountain Culture 

 

 

Patagonia Nano Air

From the Patagonia site:

“Zip the tent shut, flick-on the headlamp, swing the tools, tag the summit and return–for every moment of an alpine mission, the Nano-Air™ Jacket delivers a breakthrough in active insulation. Through high-output, stop-and-go alpine missions its exclusive fabric package integrates the qualities of fleece, soft shell and puffy by combining a plain-weave liner, warm-when-wet FullRange insulation, and a lightweight-yet-durable, weather-shedding shell with DWR (durable water repellent) finish. The jacket’s incredibly soft, supple feel and full mechanical stretch allows for a close, athletic fit over baselayers and an uninhibited range of motion. At brew stops or in frigid conditions, pull on a lightweight shell and the Nano-Air Jacket’s thermal properties skyrocket. The left-chest pocket and two above-harness handwarmer pockets all close with trim, low-bulk zippers. The center-front zipper has a storm flap and zipper garage, while stretch binding at the cuffs and a dual-adjustable drawcord hem seal in warmth.”

  • Light-yet-durable 100% nylon ripstop shell and plain-weave liner offer generous mechanical stretch and exceptional breathability, with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish
  • Revolutionary 60-g FullRange™ Insulation warms and stretches; combined with the shell and liner, this creates a jacket with generous mechanical stretch and unprecedented air permeability (40CFM)
  • Iconic Nano Puff® brick quilting in the side panels, articulated patterning and other quilting details improve shape and durability
  • Center-front zipper has wicking interior storm flap and zipper garage at chin for next-to-skin comfort
  • Two handwarmer pockets and a left chest pocket are zippered, welted and low-bulk to wear comfortably with a harness or pack
  • Stretch binding at the cuffs and a dual-adjustable drawcord hem seal in warmth
  • Shell: 1.3-oz 20-denier 100% nylon ripstop with mechanical stretch and a DWR (durable water repellent) finish. Lining: 2.0-oz 50-denier %100 nylon plain weave with mechanical stretch and a DWR (durable water repellent) finish.
  • Insulation: 60-g FullRange™ 100% polyester stretch insulation
  • 354 g (12.5 oz)
  • Made in Vietnam.