Patagonia "Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody" Review: This classic insulation adds exceptional insulation. It's a perfect winter jacket for hard use, offering down-like warmth and toughness

When it comes to enjoying winter outdoors, the most important thing is to protect yourself from the cold and stay warm. I came across a piece of clothing that could be said to be the solution to that problem

Winter is a perfect season for photography and stargazing, as the air is clear and you can see far into the distance on clear days. Another attraction of winter is the majestic snow-covered scenery you can encounter if you head out to the mountains. If you go skiing, you can glide through the magnificent scenery. Camping in winter is a season where you can feel the warmth of a campfire more than any other season. For someone like me who enjoys the outdoors year-round, discovering the tough, windproof, and above all, warm Patagonia Men's Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody was perhaps the greatest find of this season.

This time, the Patagonia Men's Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody . I'll share my experience using it in detail, based on my experiences of relying on it for warmth in harsh environments, such as hiking to see the sunrise at Hakuba Yari-ga-take and a blizzard at Tateyama BC in late autumn.

Key Features of the Patagonia Men's Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody

The Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody the latest addition to the Nano Puff series, perfect for a wide range of outdoor activities, including climbing, hiking, trail running, skiing, snowboarding, and fly fishing .

The Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody is windproof, water-resistant, and features synthetic insulation for superior warmth. The 170-g and 200-g PrimaLoft Silver Insulation Eco insulation provides superior warmth compared to its Nano Puff cousins. It's constructed from 20-denier 100% recycled polyester ripstop, with 2.2-oz 50-denier 100% recycled polyester ripstop on the yoke, shoulders, and outer sleeves, where durability is required, providing a durable garment built to withstand heavy use.

The adjustable hood fits over a helmet or cap, and the double zipper allows for quick temperature regulation. The storm flap and zipper garage on the inside prevent pressure on the chin for comfort. The chest pocket, zippered handwarmer pockets on both sides, and large drop-in pockets on both sides of the interior provide excellent storage capacity

Favorite points

• Because it uses synthetic fiber for the padding, it can be used more roughly than down jackets
• Comfortable fit for a variety of outdoor activities
• Heat retention as high as down
• Water and wind resistant for use in tough environments such as snowstorms
• Five pockets for storage capacity

Interesting points

• High thermal insulation, but heavy

Men's Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody: Key Specifications and Reviews

Detailed Review of the Men's Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody

Made with synthetic insulation, it can be used more roughly than down, but has the same heat retention as down!

The Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody is a cousin of Patagonia's classic Nano Puff series, nicknamed the "magic jacket." The Nano Puff series, which can be used as both a thermal layer or a midlayer, features 60-gram Primaloft Gold Insulation Eco for moderate warmth while still being able to be worn on the move. The Hi -Loft Nano Puff Hoody, on the other hand, prioritizes warmth, featuring 170-gram and 200-gram Primaloft Silver Insulation Eco. The unique brick-like pattern of the Nano Puff series is a hallmark of the quilted side panels, and the 10cm-extended brick-like quilting pattern holds the internal insulation in place while maintaining loft, providing excellent warmth.

High loft for extra warmth

The place we visited for the field test was a place where the temperature dropped to -7°C at dawn, but the Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody . With this level of heat retention, I'm sure it will work well in even more extreme cold environments.

In late November, the morning temperatures dropped to minus 7°C in Mt. Tateyama, but thanks to the Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody, I was able to stay warm throughout the day

Not suitable for wearing during active activities

the Hi-Loft Nano Puff excellent heat retention , I felt it wasn't suitable for active wear (except in extremely cold environments or polar regions). Even in sub-zero temperatures, the Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody. Therefore, it's not the kind of clothing I'd wear for activities that require continuous movement, like mountain climbing or hiking, but rather something I'd rely on for keeping warm in a tent, like mine, or for activities that require less movement, like fishing, stargazing, or photography.

It was perfect for keeping warm while waiting for the right time to arrive at the photo spot

In addition to being water-resistant and windproof, I like the fact that it's made of synthetic fiber, so I can wear it without worrying about it getting wet

Although synthetic insulation is slightly heavier than down when trying to achieve the same level of warmth, synthetic insulation has the advantage of not losing its warmth even when wet. On snowy mountains where everything is covered in snow, the temperature is low, so you might think that you won't get wet, but the inside of a tent is warmed by people's body heat and breath, so any condensation or snow that has frozen inside the tent can melt, causing your clothing to get wet. In such situations, you need to be careful with down clothing, which is vulnerable to water, but with synthetic insulation, you don't have to worry about it getting wet

In the snowstorm that hit Mt. Tateyama, our tents would have quickly become buried in snow if we had left them alone, and we had to shovel the snow every few hours. The Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody kept out both the strong winds and the snow, and the fabric is water-resistant and windproof, so we were able to wear it without hesitation even in bad weather. The fabric is also treated with a durable water-repellent coating, and even when it got wet for a long time and stained, its performance was not affected.

During a snowstorm, snow quickly piled up on the tent. I shoveled the snow while wearing the Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody

Reinforced shoulders and cuffs for durability and abrasion resistance

The Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody has been made more durable with extra reinforcement from the shoulders to the cuffs, making it able to withstand even heavier use .

Reinforced from shoulders to cuffs

Although there are thin yet durable and tear-resistant fabrics, what about abrasion? I have experienced holes in the fabric from rubbing against rocks, or pinholes from rubbing against pebbles on the ground, so I believe the durability of the fabric is trustworthy

Although we said that its high thermal insulation makes it unsuitable for active wear, we can certainly imagine situations where you might find yourself skiing in unexpectedly low temperatures the Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody , or on a rugged mountain trail covered in bush, or in a field with a mix of steep rocks and ice. The area from the shoulders to the cuffs is the part most likely to be hit by rocks and tree branches, but these areas are reinforced to make them even sturdier and able to withstand hard use.

Even in situations where clothing made from extremely thin fabrics would be unreliable, the Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody is an all-around garment that you can wear and move around without worrying about anything.

The large hood can accommodate knit hats and helmets, and is adjustable at the back, making it suitable for use in a variety of environments

I was worried about the size. Depending on the purpose, I might have gone up one size

I'm 185cm tall and have a normal build, and size M was just right

I chose the M size, which was just the right size for me, but I had a hard time choosing the size because if I was planning to wear it as an overcoat over layers, the L size would have been a better fit

When climbing snowy mountains or with a base camp, the temperature is always below freezing. Even a short break or preparation before skiing can chill your body. The theory is to wear warm clothing even when stationary for a short time to prevent your body temperature from dropping, but having to take off your shell jacket every time is a hassle, and removing it allows cold air to get in. While it's fine on sunny days, removing your shell is a no-no when it's snowing or windy. This means that warm clothing that can be worn over a shell is essential. When choosing your size, carefully consider the intended use

The pockets have ample storage space, perfect for winter when you need more gear like gloves, caps, and neck warmers

The Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody has five pockets, providing ample storage for all your essentials in the winter. The zippered handwarmer pockets on both sides are lined with soft, comfortable tricot, perfect for storing devices and batteries you don't want to lose heat from.

The now-indispensable smartphone can be stored in the chest pocket, and the smooth zipper allows for easy access without any snagging

Two side hand pockets (left) and a chest pocket (right)

The inner drop-in pocket is large enough to fit gloves snugly. When preparing for a ride, storing your gloves in it prevents them from getting wet or cold from the snow

Internal drop-in pocket

Summary: A tough and reliable jacket for enjoying the outdoors in winter

the Patagonia Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody while enjoying winter outdoor activities like backcountry snowboarding, mountain climbing, and camping, it reminded me of just how important "durability" is for enjoying nature to the fullest. The Hi-Loft Nano Puff Hoody is incredibly warm and can withstand even the slightest bit of rough handling, so it's no problem even if you use it a lot! It looks like it will be a staple piece of winter wear.

Written by: Yosuke.C

People who act with just one backpack with the motto of "as light as possible" so that they don't get inconvenient.

From spring to autumn, I chase after char deep in the mountains and go fishing in the mountain stream. We walked the mountains in search of spectacular views that cannot be seen from the ground. Camping to be healed by the bonfire. Snowboarding is a floating mountain with a mountain of silver.

A freelance writer who has been enjoying the outdoors for over 20 years and enjoying the outdoors in his own way all year round. Based on my experience writing articles for more than dozens of outdoor web media, I will be sharing my own experiences and tools that I have been using.

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