This is my review of Patagonia Nano Air Hoody. Having a good jacket is almost as crucial to a good day of skiing as your skis are. The jacket needs to keep you warm and ensure you are comfortable all day.
While warmth is important, you also want to ensure your jacket is breathable and can allow you to retain a lot of mobility. One jacket that offers the best of both worlds is the Patagonia Nano Air Hoody.
Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of this ski hoody, who it is best for, and other similar alternatives to consider.
Contents
Quick Summary
- Where to Buy: Backcountry
- Best for: Skiers who want a versatile layer that is breathable while still offering decent warmth.
- Pros: Active insulation helps keep hold in body temperature. Hoody is very breathable, flexible and ensures you have all the mobility you need.
- Cons: It is quite expensive, could be more resistant to weather, and may not measure up well compared to other jackets when it comes to warmth.
- Alternatives: Amazon Essentials Men’s Lightweight Jacket, TSLA Men’s Winter Ski Jacket, CAMEL CROWN Men’s Ski Jacket 3 in 1
How does it fit?
According to reviews, the jacket should fit true to size in most cases. It is a little bit of a slim and tight jacket, so if you are between sizes, it is often a better idea to go a size up than a size down. This is especially true if you plan on wearing multiple layers beneath it, as well.
What materials are present in the jacket?
The jacket is made of 100% polyester. The shell and lining use a 1.7 oz plain weave with great flexibility and a DWR finish. The cuffs are snag-resistant and the insulation is 60g FullRange with four-way stretch.
Does it offer decent storage?
Wanting to carry things with you whether you are skiing or hiking is common. Thankfully, this jacket has enough pockets for many different items. In addition to the handwarmer pockets, there is also a chest pocket that is surprisingly roomy.
Why Trust Me
If you live in a cold area, you know the importance of having gear that can keep you warm when you need it, and not when you don’t. I have tried all different types of hoodies, jackets, and other layers that attempt to keep a person warm, while still being flexible and breathable. As for this particular hoody, I have scoured the internet for reviews and comments from those who have worn it.
Detailed Review of Patagonia Nano Air Hoody
Keeps You the Right Temperature
Arguably the biggest selling point of this jacket is that it can always help keep you operating at a comfortable temperature. Many jackets either keep you too warm, or not warm enough. But the active insulation inside this jacket will dump excess heat when you are working up a sweat, but keep you warm when you need it.
This also lets you ski without having to adjust your layers as the day goes on. The jacket also stretches quite well, and is very easy to move in. The fact that this jacket can act as a solid mid-layer in the winter with how light it is, is a testament to its build quality. It is certainly one of the most versatile options on the market.
Breathability
The breathability of this jacket is another thing that people love. It achieves such a high level of breathability with a relatively thin layer of insulation, and the use of porous face fabrics. This will keep you from overheating on those difficult runs, or if you decide to go for a little uphill walk or hike. There are few things worse than sweating under your large and bulky jacket, and this ensures that will never happen.
While this breathability is great on warmer days, you want to be a little careful if this is being used as an outer layer. The heat it provides is decent, but you likely want something warmer on top if you find yourself in negative temperatures or a lot of wind. The breathability is a blessing when you need it, but can be a curse if you want some incredible warmth.
Comfort and Durability
The comfort of a jacket you may be wearing for hours at a time is very important. The good news is that this jacket is incredibly comfortable. The interior liner is incredibly soft against the skin, and is an absolute joy to wear on the ski hills or back in the lodge. It almost feels like a nice cotton or fleece. The hood itself is also very comfortable and flexible, too.
As far as durability goes, the jacket has a DWR (durable water repellent) coating for water-resistance and is billed as being quite durable. While it is built well and with quality materials and will certainly last structurally, it isn’t great for inclement weather.
It doesn’t offer a lot of wind protection and while it is effective against light rain, heavy rain can easily absorb into the fabric.
Value
Value is always something to think about when buying ski gear, as some of the price tags can be alarming. Unfortunately, that is the case with this jacket. It is quite expensive and there are many more affordable options on the market if you prefer. Despite this cost, you get what you pay for.
The jacket is well-made, comes with Patagonia’s great guarantee, and looks and feels incredible. While it is expensive, if you can afford it, it can provide a ton of benefits as a mid-layer or outer layer (if it isn’t too cold out). The company also uses recycled materials and supports fair trade, if that is important in your purchasing decision.
What I Like
One thing that stands out is this jacket’s breathability. Many jackets feel too thick and almost impenetrable. These are warmer, but can often limit your flexibility and be too hot at times. With this jacket, you will never need to worry about overheating as the insulation is meant to dump heat when you need it.
The versatility of the jacket is another great thing about it. It is great for skiing, but also can be beneficial for things like hiking, going for walks, sledding or doing a little fall or winter camping. The comfort of the jacket is another thing that is quite impressive about it.
It feels incredibly soft, and is something you will want to keep wearing well after your ski day is over and done. Not only does the jacket feel good, it also looks quite sleek and stylish, and comes in a few unique color choices.
What I Dislike
Of course, there are also some things to dislike about this jacket. Chief among them is the fact that the jacket may not stack up in less-than-ideal weather. Many jackets can stand up to wind and rain with ease, but this is not one of them. If the weather is going to be frightful, it is best to have another layer on top of this to repel the water/snow and deal with the wind.
The warmth of the jacket could also be better. The fact that it is so breathable is great, but it unfortunately limits how warm it can be. If you are always moving it should be fine, but if you find yourself stopping a lot and not exerting energy, it might not cut it as your outer layer. Also, the price of this jacket could certainly be a turn off for some people.
The Alternatives
While this jacket is a solid choice that offers a lot of benefits, it might not be for everyone. We have decided to put together a list of some other options to help you see what else is out there on the market.
- Amazon Essentials Men’s Lightweight Jacket – This jacket is a little on the lighter side, but still provides a decent amount of warmth for those moderate days on the slopes. It is quite comfortable, but shouldn’t generally be used on days where weather could be an issue, as it isn’t as durable as many other options. The jacket also packs down relatively small, making it very easy to travel and take with you anywhere.
- TSLA Men’s Winter Ski Jacket – Another choice is this offering from TSLA. It is a little more thick, and can offer you a warmer experience. It features many pockets, 3-layer construction and a great hood with face cover. It is also weatherproof and, like the Patagonia Nano Air, aims to help you maintain a stable temperature.
- CAMEL CROWN Men’s Ski Jacket 3 in 1 – If you want versatility out of your ski jacket, this might be the option for you. It is a 3 in 1 jacket that features a windproof shell and a fleece jacket, which can also be worn together. The outer shell is also waterproof, and both the cuffs and hood are adjustable.
Final Verdict
The Patagonia Nano Air Hoody is certainly one of the best and most versatile light ski jackets on the market. It offers unmatched breathability, decent warmth, great comfort and the flexibility to keep you mobile. It is stretchy, and perfect for those who don’t want to constantly be changing up their layers. It can also be used for a wide range of other activities, such as hiking or sledding.
While it might not be a great choice on cold days with a lot of wind, it is a great outer layer on warmer days where you will need to prevent yourself from overheating. If your plan is to wear it as a mid-layer, it offers little drawbacks, as long as you can stomach the price.
