Patagonia Nano-Air Vest – So Comfortable, You Won’t Take it Off

I’ve become a big fan of the Patagonia Nano-Air vest for light aerobic activities outside in the fall and winter. Often, just a bit of warmth on the chest is all I need to stay warm. I’m the kind of person that’s always changing layers – I hate sweating in jackets – so it’s been fun to experiment with a vest that I’m comfortable leaving on for extended activities. A vest allows a lot of heat and perspiration to blow out through my armpits, and I don’t get that uncomfortable stuffy feeling when my engine warms up and I start sweating.

The author wore this vest over a windbreaker while climbing up the shaded north-facing Rainbow Wall in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada on a chilly November day. It was the perfect combination.

This vest from the Nano-Air line has the added benefit of great breathability, so I can wear it while actually breaking a sweat, like running or cycling, and not feel gross. It breathes so well that I barely notice it on. I’ve also found that it’s a great layer to bring on chilly multi-pitch rock climbs.

I just climbed for several days on the shaded walls of Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, and the Nano-Air vest was a perfect layer to bring along. I wore it over a windbreaker during the chilly mornings, and before the more physical pitches, when I knew I would break a hard sweat, I would quickly stuff it into its own pocket and hang it off the back of my harness. At 7.4 oz it’s a really light and effective layer to bring up the wall.

Patagonia Nano-Air Vest Review

In summary, the Patagonia Nano-Air vest is a versatile insulation layer, great for aerobic cold-weather activities like running, cycling, climbing, backcountry skiing. It’s so comfy, I end up wearing it most nights at home too. In fact, I’m wearing it right now as I type this…

Note on sizing: like a lot of Patagonia clothing, this also runs large. I’m 6′ tall, wide shoulders, a bit slender, and I fit a Small better than a Medium.

Drew Thayer