Patagonia Men's Nano Puff Vest-Forge Grey

The Patagonia Nano Puff Gilet is an excellent addition to my outdoor wardrobe. The lightweight material offers impressive warmth without the bulk, making it perfect for layering on cooler days. The fit is generally comfortable, although it can be a bit snug around the shoulders for some. The vest is well-made and durable, standing up to regular use and the elements. While it doesn’t provide the best wind protection, it’s still a versatile piece for a variety of outdoor activities. Overall, a great purchase that balances comfort and functionality.

Essential All-Season Staple

I simply love the look and year-round versatility of this jacket! The thin profile and slim fit functions well as an insulated mid layer for winter conditions under a ski parka or as a shoulder season jacket by itself. Also a great weight for taking the edge off crisp summer alpine mornings. Wind-proof and repels light rain. Primaloft insulation handles getting wet better than down without losing thermal properties. Athletic cut looks good on the trail or back in town at the end of the day. Even looks good for the office commute. Ultra light weight and built-in stuff pocket make it a no-brainer to bring along for changing conditions on every outing. It's not the only jacket to own, but it's the most-used piece in my layering system all year. An essential outdoor ... MoreI simply love the look and year-round versatility of this jacket! The thin profile and slim fit functions well as an insulated mid layer for winter conditions under a ski parka or as a shoulder season jacket by itself. Also a great weight for taking the edge off crisp summer alpine mornings. Wind-proof and repels light rain. Primaloft insulation handles getting wet better than down without losing thermal properties. Athletic cut looks good on the trail or back in town at the end of the day. Even looks good for the office commute. Ultra light weight and built-in stuff pocket make it a no-brainer to bring along for changing conditions on every outing. It's not the only jacket to own, but it's the most-used piece in my layering system all year. An essential outdoor wardrobe staple!

Love it but….

My husband loved the vest. Always has. However, the shipping package was not good at all. I messaged Patagonia and told them and received a response. My perception of the tone from the response was defensive and I didn’t appreciate it. The package was a brown thick envelope style with no indication of a zip opening at all. So naturally I slit the top with scissors. To my surprise, the vest was at the very top 🔝 f the envelope!! No plastic protection, nothing to protect it. I could have easily damaged the $200 plus vest! The response I received said all packages that small are in a bag like this WITH A ZIP OPENING. No! It does not have any indication to open. Very dissatisfied with the defensive attitude. But love the vest!

NOT a Regular Fit

Contrary to Patagonia's web site description, this is NOT a regular fit. It is a slim fit. As with so many Patagonia products these days, Patagonia is marketing its clothing to the under 30 crowd, and/or the ultra-thin crown. For the vast majority of us who do not fit into that category, expect this vest to be super tight, to the point of being uncomfortable to even put on, let alone wear. Patagonia's continuing move to design clothing that will not fit the majority of the consumers is the major reason a closet that was once full of Patagonia Products now has very, very few. I also encourage Patagonia to correct its web site description. Or maybe someone at Patagonia who doesn't weigh 110 pounds should just try it on before claiming it is a regular fit?

Nice lightweight, warm insulation layer

I am short, thin torso with big shoulders. I had a patagonia down sweater in xs that was too tight for me. I chose xs in the vest since I would be layering over it and it does not have shoulders. I like the shorter length so it doesn't stick out under jackets for casual wear. It is relatively tight to my body, as I wanted, but is a little bit over tight at the armpit and at the hip. I think a small would fit better but be too much excess fabric for my use case, so the xs is a better result. I would like it if they made vests with more expectation to use a layering than as outerwear.

Perfect for the transitional autumn weather

I trust both REI and Patagonia, so I felt comfortable buying this online without first seeing it. I have a Patagonia nano puff jacket for winter wear, but the vest is better suited for the transitional autumn months. Very light, zippered pockets. I do wish that it would have an internal pocket like the nano puff jacket does. That's my only complaint, and it's not a real complaint, to be honest. This is a great product to enhance an outdoor wardrobe.

Perfect layer for core warmth

I’m already a fan of Nano Puff jackets so I wasn’t surprised to love the vest. It’s my go-to layer for active winter days. Keeps my arms from heating up while insulating my core. Love it for running in the mild Atlantic coast winter weather (25°-40°F) over a baselayer Capilene midweight. Stuff sack chest pocket makes packing it in my gym bag super simple so it’s always ready. My only complaint about the Nano Puff line is my dogs easily snag the threading when they greet me enthusiastically. But that’s only cosmetic and easily preventable.

Perfect weight and fit

Fantastic for spring and fall, as well as active winter with a base or layering in winter under a shell. Contrary to some reviews, it DOES having a zipping chest pocket. Also, there is nothing off with the fit and I would not characterize it as “slim fit.” It fits like a vest should - it’s not baggy but not tight. It’s not supposed to fit like a sweatshirt or a jacket. Also, as for “shoulders sticking out like wings,” nope. The arm holes are generous for movement, but the shoulders are the correct width and lay flat. The other reviews that complain about sizing and shoulder fit - those are related to some user denial about the tum-tum, or they sized up for their belly and now it’s too large for their shoulders. I’m no bean pole - 6’1”, 205 lbs - still need to lose ... MoreFantastic for spring and fall, as well as active winter with a base or layering in winter under a shell. Contrary to some reviews, it DOES having a zipping chest pocket. Also, there is nothing off with the fit and I would not characterize it as “slim fit.” It fits like a vest should - it’s not baggy but not tight. It’s not supposed to fit like a sweatshirt or a jacket. Also, as for “shoulders sticking out like wings,” nope. The arm holes are generous for movement, but the shoulders are the correct width and lay flat. The other reviews that complain about sizing and shoulder fit - those are related to some user denial about the tum-tum, or they sized up for their belly and now it’s too large for their shoulders. I’m no bean pole - 6’1”, 205 lbs - still need to lose 15, but the Large fits great, which means the fit actually has a little give in it. I think Patagonia has done this with all of their sizing - just a little more generous than 20 years ago. If that’s not enough, a brand like Duluth Trading or Orvis might be a better option for those customers.

QUESTIONABLE SIZING!!!

Love the light-weight, bulk free warmth---BUT...the sizing is an embarrassment!!!I have an XL micro jacket-perfect size; a little loose so I can layer.I ordered an XL nano and couldn't even squeeze into it.So I ordered a 2XL vest to wear around a cold house and layer if necessary. IT'S AS SMALL AS THE XL JACKET.Something's wrong. PATAGONIA was long known as "the standard of excellence". Sadly that is no longer the case.QUALITY CONTROL has disappeared completely.That is a failure of the current leadership.

The best in wet

Living in a wet climate, I'm all about the synthetic, and Patagonia does this better than anything else I've tried. I was so impressed with my Nano Puff jacket trekking in Nepal, I've now come back for the vest. I've been using this for cycling in the winter here in Vancouver (rainy, just above freezing), where I generate too much heat for a jacket - and this is so great. It works perfectly between a base layer and a shell jacket when it's colder or really raining. I also recently used it as an outer layer on a ride, just this over a long sleeve base layer, where I got rained on a bit, but I didn't feel any noticeable change in the warmth it provided in the light rain at about 8 degrees, so just kept riding without even bothering to pull out my rain shell. Knowing ... MoreLiving in a wet climate, I'm all about the synthetic, and Patagonia does this better than anything else I've tried. I was so impressed with my Nano Puff jacket trekking in Nepal, I've now come back for the vest. I've been using this for cycling in the winter here in Vancouver (rainy, just above freezing), where I generate too much heat for a jacket - and this is so great. It works perfectly between a base layer and a shell jacket when it's colder or really raining. I also recently used it as an outer layer on a ride, just this over a long sleeve base layer, where I got rained on a bit, but I didn't feel any noticeable change in the warmth it provided in the light rain at about 8 degrees, so just kept riding without even bothering to pull out my rain shell. Knowing how well the Nano Puff continues to provide warmth in the wet makes me feel safe having it with me.