Patagonia flipped the gear world on its head when they introduced the Nano Air line of jackets. Nano-Air was a new, proprietary Patagonia offering that has been receiving rave reviews from every gear review organization (including us). People love the Nano Air line in part due to its absolute comfort – it feels like wearing a sleeping bag that stretches. That’s right, it stretches. No more restrictive jackets that limit the range of motion.

But, the real reason the Patagonia Nano-Air did so well was in Patagonia’s FullRange insulation coupled with the inner and face fabrics. This synergistic combo led to the industry-leading 40 CFM breathability rating. Off the charts for any insulation. So incredible in fact that it breathes better than any soft-shell jacket on the market. So you can see why the Nano-Air is so revered.  So, how to top that? Well, the creative minds at Patagonia found a way to make it 75% MORE BREATHABLE!

The Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hoody does all this while reducing the insulation by 33% (from 60 grams to 40 grams). The result is an incredible breathability rating of 70CFM. We have been testing the Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hoody for the last few weeks in the Rocky Mountains. This hoody is the kind of garment that you put on and just leave on. It’s so comfy and light (11oz for XL) that you kind of forget you’re wearing it.

We took it on some light-to-moderate hikes at elevation and found it was the ideal layer for the entire day. The hood fits your head the way a hood should. It could stretch over a hat (that is usually how we do it) or just around your noggin. The fit is athletic and trim. This is nice as it keeps the insulation closer to your body, allowing it to regulate temps more effectively. Also, it keeps things streamlined and refined. Fewer things to catch on trees and rocks. The hoody only has one pocket – a Napoleon-style on the left side. It is rather sizable but is not intended to store the jacket. No problem, as we don’t find our selves taking the jacket it off very often.

The Nano-Air Light Hoody comes in 3 colors and retails for $249. This is the kind of kit that you buy and wind up wearing more often than you might realize. Heck, we were it inside all the time, it’s just that comfy. If you’re looking for a lightweight insulation piece that is super comfy and can play many roles, then this is the hoody for you.  Patagonia also makes a Nano-Air Light mid-layer pant $199.

See also –

Patagonia Storm Racer – The Best Ultralight Rain Shell for Most People