Patagonia Micro Puff Jacket Review
The perfect combination of lightweight, warm-when-wet, packability, and style
September 30th, 2023
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Our Verdict
The men's and women's Patagonia Micro Puff hits that perfect goldilocks combination of weight, warmth, versatility, functionality, packability, and style. It's the top overall winner in our best synthetic insulated jackets story for good reasons:
It's one of the lightest synthetic jackets we've tested but also one of the warmest.
It's more versatile than a down jacket because it retains its insulating properties when wet.
It's stylish enough for everyday use but technical enough for hiking, backpacking, climbing, snowshoeing, bikepacking, and more.
It has 4 functional pockets.
It packs into its own pocket and is not much larger than a Nalgene bottle.
I use it as part of my layering system for thru-hiking—including a merino or synthetic base layer, a vapor barrier (Patagonia Houdini), and the Micro Puff as an insulating layer. The vapor barrier provides a surprising amount of warmth, and I shed layers as the day warms up.
I also use the Patagonia Micro Puff as part of my sleep system. On the Appalachian Trail, I used a Katabatic Palisade 30 F quilt when it was 11℉ outside. Combined with my insulating layer, I was a little uncomfortable but made it through the night.
I used the Micro Puff on my second thru-hike of the Great Divide Trail (GDT). The first time I hiked the GDT, I took a down jacket as my insulating layer and regretted it. On that hike, we had only 3 days without precipitation, and my down jacket got wet several times. For my second thru-hike, I carried the Micro Puff, which was perfect.
The Micro Puff is also the perfect length to wear with a backpack hip belt. There’s no bunching, and the zippers aren’t too bulky.
For me, it passes the ultimate gear test — if my Micro Puff was suddenly lost or stolen, what would I replace it with? Another Micro Puff!
COMPARE PRICES OF THE PATAGONIA MICRO PUFF
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
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Specs
Price: $279 (jacket), $329 (hoody)
Shell and lining fabric: Pertex® Quantum 0.8-oz 10-denier NetPlus® 100% post consumer recycled nylon ripstop made from recycled fishing nets
Insulation: 65-g PlumaFill 100% recycled
DWR: Yes (PFC-free)
Hand warmer pockets: 2
Internal pockets: 2
Hood: Hooded and jacket versions are available
Available sizes: XXS-XXL (women's) and XS-3XL (men's)
Best for: cold and wet conditions, backpacking, hiking, climbing, mountain biking, mountaineering
What We Liked
Incredible warmth-to-weight-ratio
Retains warmth when wet
PlumaFill insulation mimics the structure of down, with the warmth and packability of down
4 functional pockets
Packs into its own pocket
Highly durable
Features
Shell Fabric
The Patagonia Micro Puff shell and the liner are Pertex Quantum, made from recycled ocean nets. But don't let the fact that it's recycled scare you—Pertex Quantum is explicitly made for insulating garments. The tightly woven structure allows insulation to fully loft and actually improves the efficiency of insulation.
The shell fabric feels thin, but I have yet to get a puncture or tear. Neither has our male tester, who is notoriously hard on gear. It's also soft to the touch, not clammy, and not scratchy.
Insulation
The Patagonia Micro Puff uses what Patagonia calls its revolutionary lightweight Plumafill insulation. It has some similarities to Primaloft Gold Insulation Eco. It's a continuous synthetic insulation material designed to mimic down but with exceptional warmth when wet. You can read more about different types of synthetic insulation in our Best Synthetic Insulation guide.
It's paired with an innovative quilting construction to keep the insulation in place--which can sometimes be a problem with some synthetic jackets. It utilizes minimal stitching, which keeps weight down (and also costs).
Zippers
The center front zipper is not too heavy or light, with a storm flap and zipper garage. The handwarmer pockets are zippered, and all zippers have zipper pulls for ease of use.
Interior drop-in pockets of the women’s medium (left) and men’s large (right) Micro Puff jackets. The pockets are large enough for your phone, and then some. Elastic at the top keeps contents inside. Photo courtesy Naomi Hudetz.
Pockets
The Patagonia Micro Puff has 2 zippered hand warmer pockets and 2 internal drop-in pockets. And—they're functional! The handwarmer pockets are big enough for my hands and easily fit a large iPhone.
The men’s (left) and women’s (right) handwarmer pockets of the Patagonia Micro Puff jacket. Photo courtesy Naomi Hudetz.
The internal pockets are enormous—they're each 5" x 10" (women's size medium) and 7" x 12" (men's size large) with a light elastic band on the top. The left pocket doubles as a stuff sack for the jacket. That pocket features a carabiner loop.
The Patagonia Micro Puff jacket (women’s left, men’s right), packed into its own hand warmer pocket. Photo courtesy Naomi Hudetz.
Packability
Patagonia claims that the Micro Puff has the highest compressibility of any of their synthetic jackets. And we agree. The jacket packs into its own pocket and is not much larger than a Nalgene water bottle. If packability and space concern you, the Micro Puff is perfect. The same can be said for the Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody. It's got more material and insulation because of the hood, but it still compresses down to a similar size.
Elasticized Cuffs
The elastic cuffs help seal in warmth, but they aren't too constrictive. I have no problem pulling on the sleeve over my Garmin Instinct 2S hiking watch, and our male tester has no problem pulling the sleeve over his Garmin fenix 7 hiking watch (much bigger than my Instinct 2S). This ability has become a litmus test since I always wear my watch and want to keep it on when putting on long-sleeve garments.
Adjustable Hem
The hem is adjustable with a simple drawcord and cord lock mechanism. It's great for keeping cold air out and provides a more custom fit.
Hood
The Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody is a 1-ounce weight penalty for the women's version and 1.4 ounces for the men's version. I tested the jacket version because I like to have a separate hood as part of my sleep system. As a result, this gear review focuses on the jacket version, but the body is the same. If you like hoods, the weight penalty on the Micro Puff Hoody is minor and worth it.
The hood is close-fitting and under-helmet compatible.
Even without a hood, the high collar of the Micro Puff provides extra warmth. Photo courtesy Mike Unger.
Environmental Impact
We always look for products with a reduced environmental impact, so it's a win-win when our favorite product delivers performance and reduced impact.
RECYCLED FABRIC
The shell is made from recycled fishing nets to help reduce ocean plastic pollution. But the Pertex Quantum shell fabric doesn't compromise on performance—it's specifically made to allow insulation to fully loft.
FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED
The Patagonia Micro Puff is Fair Trade Certified sewn, meaning the extra money paid goes directly back to the factory workers.
DURABLE WATER RESISTANT (DWR) FINISH
The durable water repellent coating is PFC-free. Why is this important? PFCs are persistent in the environment. PFCs have been found in glaciers, bears' livers, and fish. Eliminating them from outdoor gear is a starting point. Patagonia has an extensive guide explaining why they removed PFCs from their outdoor clothing. It will also be a requirement of all outdoor clothing sold in California to be PFC-free by 2025, so we anticipate many brands to be rolling out PFC-free options, soon.
Warmth
Patagonia states that the Micro Puff insulated jacket has the highest warmth-to-weight ratio of any jacket they've ever made (not just synthetic jackets—ANY jacket). And this rings true to my testing; I've used it in spring, summer, and fall, and I've never been cold.
The jacket also has a high collar, which provides additional protection even without a hood.
Wind and Water Protection
The Patagonia Micro Puff is not waterproof but has a durable water-repellent coating that provides water resistance in light rain and snow. Rain will bead up and roll off the jacket initially, but it will eventually wet out. But that's where the advantage of the PlumaFill synthetic insulation comes into play—the jacket still keeps its insulating properties even when wet. We've worn the Micro Puff under our rain jackets on the Arizona Trail in a bigger rain storm and still stayed warm and dry.
PluaFill is quick-drying, ideal for outdoor activities in variable weather conditions. If you plan on wearing it during extended periods of rain, I recommend pairing it with a lightweight rain jacket.
The Pertex Quantum shell fabric is also windproof.
Fit and Sizing
Patagonia says this is their "regular fit." I bought my usual Patagonia size, and it fit as expected. There's enough room for a base layer and light mid-layer underneath, but not much more. Women's sizing runs XXS to XXL; it would also be nice to see some plus-sized offerings. Men's runs from XS to 3XL. If you're looking for more plus-sized outdoor clothing, read our guide to plus-size winter outdoor clothing.
Durability
I've found the Micro Puff to be surprisingly durable. After thousands of backpacking miles, my jacket has no punctures or tears. The zippers are all still fully functional. And I have not babied it.
Our men’s tester is notoriously hard on gear, and he has no rips or punctures either.
Should something happen, check out our guides to gear repair and maintenance, including How to Fix Zippers on Outdoor Gear. Should something be beyond self-repair, Patagonia backs everything up with their Ironclad Guarantee.
Value
At $279, it's the same price as the Patagonia Down Sweater. I don't know why synthetic jackets aren't cheaper than down jackets, but that fact seems consistent across manufacturers. There are cheaper synthetic jacket options out there, but you'll likely pay a weight penalty and a warmth penalty and they'll be a lot bulkier. For example, we tested the $199 L.L.Bean PrimaLoft Packaway Jacket and found it was not nearly as warm as the Micro Puff.
What Could Be Better
The insulation loses its effectiveness over time. However, this is to be expected with all synthetic insulation.
More inclusive sizing options
It's pricey
Updates and Long-Term Testing Notes
We contacted Patagonia and learned that there have been no updates (beyond some new color options) to the Patagonia Micro Puff for the 2023/2024 fall/winter season.
After an additional year of testing, we’ve taken the Micro Puff on camping and backpacking trips in Oregon and Washington, including on the Corvallis to Sea Trail. It continues to be a good option in wet conditions, such as on the Oregon coast in spring, fall, and winter.
Variations
Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody
The Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody is essentially the same as the jacket, just as hooded version. The Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody adds between 1 to 1.4 ounces in weight depending on size and men's or women's version. The hood is close-fitting and under-helmet compatible.
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MEN'S
WOMEN'S
Similar jackets to consider
Patagonia Nano Puff
MSRP: $239 (jacket), $289 (hoodie)
Shell Material: 100% recycled polyester ripstop
Durable Water Repellent (DWR): Yes, PFC-free
Hood? Jacket and hoodie available
Weight: 10.8 oz (women’s), 13.6 oz (men’s)
Insulation: PrimaLoft Gold Eco polyester 100% recycled
Pockets: 3 (1 chest, 2 handwarmer)
Sizes: XS-XXL (women’s), XS-XXXL (men’s)
The Patagonia Nano Puff has many of the same features as the Micro Puff, with a few notable differences. First, the Nano Puff is heavier than the Micro Puff. However, despite the extra weight, the Nano Puff uses 60-g PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Eco, which is not as effective as the Micro Puff's PlumaFill insulation. So the Micro Puff has a much better warmth-to-weight ratio than the Nano Puff, and the Micro Puff is a warmer jacket. The Nano Puff is better suited for milder conditions.
Second, the Nano Puff is more compressible. It packs down smaller than the Micro Puff, so the Nano Puff is a better choice if space is a premium.
Third, the Nano Puff is $50 cheaper than the Micro Puff. If price is a consideration, you'll get much of the same features and build quality of the Micro Puff, but at a lower price.
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Patagonia Nano Air
MSRP: $329 (hoodie only)
Shell Material: 30-denier 100% recycled polyester air-permeable shadow stretch ripstop
Durable Water Repellent (DWR): Yes, PFC-free
Hood? Hoodie only
Weight: 12.35 oz (women’s), 14.14 oz (men’s)
Insulation: 60-gram FullRange® 100% polyester (93% recycled) insulation
Pockets: 4 (2 chest, 2 handwarmer)
Sizes: XS-XXL (women’s), XS-XXXL (men’s)
The Patagonia Nano Air has a slightly different use case than the Micro Puff. Patagonia designed the Nano-Air to be highly breathable, so you don't need to take it off during aerobic activities. It dumps excess heat quickly, and the 60-g FullRange insulation has mechanical stretch for a superior range of motion.
I've also tested this jacket and can attest to its stretchiness and next-to-skin comfort. It's not quite as warm as the Micro Puff, which is good when you don't want to stop and remove a layer during high-output activities. The Nano Air is only available as a hoody. For the 2023/2024 season, Patagonia released a new version, the Patagonia Nano Air Light made of 40-g FullRange insulation. The Nano Air Light is available as a vest and in more variations and costs less, but isn’t quite as warm as the Nano Air.
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Arc'teryx Cerium
MSRP: $380 (jacket), $400 (hoodie)
Shell Material: Arato™ 15 - 100% recycled dope dye nylon
Durable Water Repellent (DWR): Yes, Flourocarbon Free
Hood? Jacket and Hoodie
Weight: 10.2 oz (women’s), 10.6 oz (men’s)
Insulation: 850 fill European white goose down - RDS down, Coreloft™ 100 (100 g/m²) and 80 (80 g/m²) - 80% recycled polyester - bluesign Approved Material
Pockets: 3 (1 internal, 2 handwarmer)
Sizes: XS-XXL (women’s), XS-XXL (men’s)
The Arc'teryx Cerium is a popular insulated jacket, but it isn't 100% synthetic, as it has some down in strategic areas. Combining down and synthetic insulation is a novel idea, and we liked the smart use of synthetic insulation. However, we're still skeptical of using down in wet weather. We think the Cerium is better suited for dry and cold conditions.
In addition, the Cerium is considerably more expensive than the Micro Puff. It's also heavier. The fit doesn't work for everyone—it is too slim for some body types.
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Arc'teryx Atom LT
MSRP: $280 (jacket), $260 (hoodie)
Shell Material: 100% Nylon Tyono™ 20 Denier Shell
Durable Water Repellent (DWR): Yes, Flourocarbon Free
Hood? Jacket and Hoodie
Weight: 9.9 oz (women’s), 11.6 oz (men’s)
Insulation: Coreloft™ 60 (60 g/m²) - 100% Recycled Polyester - bluesign Approved Material
Pockets: 3 (1 internal, 2 handwarmer)
Sizes: XS-XXL (women’s), XS-XXXL (men’s)
The Arc'teryx Atom LT is similar in weight and warmth to the Patagonia Nano Puff. It's made of Resilient Coreloft™ Compact 60 recycled synthetic insulation and an air permeable DWR coated Tyono™ 20 shell. The Atom LT is a solid mid-layer meant to fit trimly next to your body for layering with a ski jacket or hardshell.
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How We Tested
I've used the Patagonia Micro Puff over thousands of miles of backpacking in diverse weather conditions, including the Great Divide Trail, the Arizona Trail, the Oregon Desert Trail, and the Blue Mountains Trail.
I wore it as an insulating layer while hiking in the rain, at camp during evenings, and as a part of my sleep system. I've also used it during aerobic winter activities, such as snowshoeing. I've also worn it around town in the fall and winter because it's stylish and easy to throw on.
About the Author / Why You Should Trust Us
Naomi Hudetz has thru-hiked the PCT, CDT, and AT and is a Triple Crowner. She’s a co-founder and online editor at Treeline Review.
She’s thru-hiked numerous other long-distance routes, including the Great Divide Trail along the Canadian Rockies (twice), the John Muir Trail, the Tahoe Rim Trail, Lowest to Highest, the Grand Enchantment Trail, the Pacific Northwest Trail, the Arizona Trail, Oregon Desert Trail, Corvallis to the Sea Trail, sections of the Oregon Coast Trail, (most of) the Idaho Centennial Trail, the Ouachita Trail, and the first known thru-hike of the Blue Mountains Trail.
You can read all her articles on her Treeline Review author page.
