Patagonia Nano Puff vs Down Sweater

[Stibb]

I want to buy a new insulating layer (to replace bulky fleece) to mr Stibb and it's between the nano or the down sweater (full zipper!). I understand the down is warmer, but how much warmer? Can anyone give me an indication how warm these are compared to each other and to e.g. fleece (200 or 300).

It will be used in Tassie around camp/sleeping all year around so will the nano be more useful (can handle wet better) or is the DWR good enough on the down for the standard moist cloud enveloped camping and even a light drizzle? How about compressibility and care? Any other comments on why I would get one over the other?

SIZE! According to Patagonias size chart he is a Large (44inches around the chest) but normally gets clothes in XL. Is Patagonia running large? Recommendations please.

[wayno]

i'd doubt a down sweater is that much warmer than a synthetic, your full loft down jackets are warmer mainly because they are just thicker insulation. down is warmer for its weight compared to other materials.. synthetics are a bit heavier for their bulk. plus down sweaters have more compartments that re stitched through, more cold spots to let heat escape. plus the synthetic won't loose performance nearly as much when it gets damp compared to down.
dwr isnt the only issue with water resistance, when its damp conditions its hard to loose moisture from the down and it just builds up moisture from your body especially if you're exercising in it. me and some others on this forum only wear down for campsites and won't wear it while moving because of that issue..
i have a down gillete, built like a sweater, its no warmer than a fleece with a windshell on it, if its going to be cold i prefer to take a down jacket with more fill in it.. i'd only use the gilette in cool conditions

[Moondog55]

While I am normally a Large in US sizes, Patagonias XL underwear and other stuff fits me well enough in their stated sizes; I found when trying on the Nanopuff in New York I needed a XXL to give me any shoulder flex at all [ over a silk weight top and Polartec 100 top] it seems to a slimmer fit than the other insulated jackets. It is THE garment on my personal wish-list. I tried it on in the Torquay store and thought the same thing.
A lot of the fit size will depend on the layering system used, over a stretch silk weight on its own I could have [maybe] been comfortable in the next size down, even in Australia I consider it a midlayer but a warm one

The Micropuff jacket offers better warmth for dollar but the Nano is great for wearing multiple layers
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/men ... 3907-1-042
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/men ... 5&pcc=1128

[1iron]

SIZE! According to Patagonias size chart he is a Large (44inches around the chest) but normally gets clothes in XL. Is Patagonia running large? Recommendations please.

I bought an XL nano recently which fits nicely. I am 41ins (105cm) round the chest so you would not want to go smaller.

[Stibb]

wayno, I know about down vs synthetic in general but since the two jackets weigh the same I assumed the down would be warmer. But how warm and how much warmer? That's why I asked here to see if anyone who've actually used them could comment. And as I said, it is not for active use, only around camp.

I found when trying on the Nanopuff in New York I needed a XXL to give me any shoulder flex at all [ over a silk weight top and Polartec 100 top] it seems to a slimmer fit than the other insulated jackets.

Hm, now you got me thinking. I was hoping he could have a 100 fleece under. So XL might not be ideal

I bought an XL nano recently which fits nicely. I am 41ins (105cm) round the chest so you would not want to go smaller.

He did try one on a while ago but forgot what size it was. I'm pretty sure it was XL and it fitted perfectly but Moondog55 got me worried...
Can you comfortably fit a thin fleece under your XL 1iron?

[Moondog55]

I'm 107 relaxed and can expand my chest the required amount when I need to which adds lots, remember to take a REALLY deep breath when trying gear on

[Stibb]

hmmm *sigh* not really sure what to do now. You definitely have a point. But I don't want it too loose either..it wont fit under his shell then (which could be a size larger to layer comfortably).

From my searches it seems the nano is more popular though which says something. I'm leaning towards the nano but would really like to hear from someone who have the down as well (or tried) as I haven't found the answers to my questions...

[Moondog55]

I also tried on [Torquay] the Ultralight down sweater, I actually thought it was a lot warmer but the same fit as the Nanopuff, I never thought about buying the down tho so didn't think too much about it, that down sweater in XL will not layer under the XXL Nano puff tho. I tried it and it felt too tight whereas the XL Nano puff just felt as if it needed more room. These are garments that really need to be tried on I think, where are you in relation to the closest store>?? Return mail is such a pain in the wallet

[Stibb]

I'm close to Hobart. Passion8 had them and that's where he tried one on but it's a long time ago and they're gone now anyway . I don't know anyone else around here that stocks Patagonia. Probably ordering from AmazonFrance (if we go the nano way) so yeah, not too happy about sending back and forth.

[wayno]

are you able to get hold of something else like the arcteryx atom? another 130 grams highly rated in reviews..

[Stibb]

Haven't seen arc'teryx around here. Plus, he wants a Patagonia and I have to keep him happy to get him out bushwalking without too much of a struggle

Oh well. I just pulled the trigger. Baby blue Nano Puff XL. AUD 153 incl shipping. I hope it fits!

Still really interested in comparisons between the two, 'cos I might want one too

[wayno]

at the end of the day you should be able to get a microfleece under it if you need to layer

[Moondog55]

The Nanopuff seemed to be the most popular when we were over there, it seemed as if 3 out of 5 climbers were wearing one and not bothering with a shell.
I keep hoping to see a hooded Nano pullover

[ninjapuppet]

Ive got the nano puff, down sweater and atom LT.

Atom LT is my pick, but i tend to use the nano puff more often simply because mine has the hoody and other 2 dont. ie, whichever one you get, i'd recommend the hoody because it doesnt fold down any bigger than the non-hoody and it adds alot of warmth by covering your neck and head (I sold my non-hoody nano puff to another member here).

The down sweater non hoody, is not as warm as a nano puff WITH hoody. That means any additional warmth gained from the down is not THAT much, if thats the answer you're looking for. My rab neutrino endurance on the other hand, is much warmer than both, even without the hoody on.
Another thing to keep in mind, i sometimes dont' wash my down sweater after a small trip if it isnt so dirty while the synthetics always gets washed after a trip.
They all work, but the arc'teryx was noticebly a tighter fit.

[Stibb]

at the end of the day you should be able to get a microfleece under it if you need to layer

Yeah, I'm sure he will be able to squeeze into it with a thin base layer (he better!)

The Nanopuff seemed to be the most popular when we were over there, it seemed as if 3 out of 5 climbers were wearing one and not bothering with a shell.
I keep hoping to see a hooded Nano pullover

I'd want a hoody myself and a pullover hoody would be very nice indeed! Yes, ideal actually

The down sweater non hoody, is not as warm as a nano puff WITH hoody. That means any additional warmth gained from the down is not THAT much, if thats the answer you're looking for.

Thanks ninjapuppet, yes that answers half my question Now, can you compare them (re warmth) with polartec fleece (assume no wind)?

Personally i don't have to have a Patagonia so I will check the other models mentioned here too!

[ULWalkingPhil]

How does the Patagonia R2 fleece Jacket compare to the ones mentioned here?

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

[wayno]

if you have a windproof layer on i'd expect it would perform comparably or better
i've got a mountain designs bonfire , it has 100g primaloft in it, i wouldnt rate it as warmer than a fleece with a windshell on, prob no better than 100 weight fleece

[Nuts]

Maybe the sizing has changed? but the thing was Huge!! : viewtopic.php?f=13&t=6277&p=76496&hilit=nano+puff#p76496

[Moondog55]

Still got the blue Nano puff?

[Nuts]

Nahr, sold sorry (i forgot to lock it). It was a nice jacket, the montbell stuff is not as durable but rain gear fixes that (the montane jacket on that page was Very nice, a lot warmer than either of these)

[Nuts]

(ps. I think there's a couple of pairs of those OR pants left though )

[ULWalkingPhil]

if you have a windproof layer on i'd expect it would perform comparably or better
i've got a mountain designs bonfire , it has 100g primaloft in it, i wouldnt rate it as warmer than a fleece with a windshell on, prob no better than 100 weight fleece

Thanks wayno. I'm off to the Blue Mountains in 5 to 6 weeks time and was wondering if my Patagonia R2 Jacket and wind-shell would be more than sufficient for such conditions.

[wayno]

those synthetic shells are designed for keeping you warm when you're on the go or when stopping periodically when belaying when climbing in cold conditions, they arent super warm for keeping you warm in camp in really cold conditions., i dont think they are much better than windfleeces, just usually lighter.... and they compact down better. problem is using them on the go its possible to overload them with sweat since they arent anywhere near breathable as a fleece. polartec are bringing out the alpha material in the next northern hemisphere autumn. its a lot more breathable than other synthetic insulated jackets.

[Amanda]

Hi Wayno,

Possibly not that relevant, but is your MD bonfire the one that came in the last few years with the windstopper membrane? Or is the old style before that? I have found mine pretty warm and definitely warmer than a 100 weight fleece. I thought it was similar in warmth to a standard 600 loft city type down jacket. I've heard of others using them too instead of down jackets and had previously heard good feedback.

Cheers
Amanda

[wayno]

mines a windstopper without the hood. i'd rate a 600 standard loft jacket a lot warmer wen sitting around, i need warm jackets at work throughout the colder months and i found out through experience

[Amanda]

Is it really old? When I first started in 2007 we did a bonfire with no hood and no windstopper membrane. Then more recently we did one with a hood and a the windstopper membrane. Like I said, not that relevant, just curious.

[wayno]

its a few years old.

[Amanda]

must be before my time

[Amanda]

and yes I agree a 600 loft downie is still warmer when sitting around

[wayno]

must be before my time

i got it after 2007