Patagonia Nano Air Light Hoody
Finding the magic layering system that is warm yet breathable enough to handle breaking trail and uphill travel is no simple feat. First off, every day is different – sun, wind, temp, precip – they all vary by day and even aspect. Second, everybody is different – some of us run hot, others run cool.
So, how do you find the best mid layer for trail breaking and ski touring? Well, you experiment. And the truth is you need a variety of solutions to meet a variety of conditions. However, there are a few overriding characteristics that are important when layering for uphill travel – the number one being breathability.
Truly breathable gear is essential to regulate your body temperature and balance the heat generation of climbing uphill with the need for some degree of insulation in cold temps. Breathable or active insulation gets lighter and more breathable every year. The latest highly breathable insulation piece to make its way into the Off-Piste Mag test kit is the Patagonia Nano Air Light Hoody.
Nano Air Light Hoody Tech Talk
The Nano Air Light, as the name implies, is a lighter variation of the popular Patagonia Nano Air – (read more about the Nano Air). The Nano Air Light is also more breathable – in fact, according to Patagonia, it’s three-quarters more breathable than other Nano products. Three-quarters more breathable is a stout claim – that’s 75% more airflow. You might ask if it still insulates. Well, the answer is yes, and according to the specs, it’s rated at 70% of the insulative value of the full Nano. It’s comparable to the Arc’teyx Proton Hybrid for breathability, and I’d say it’s a bit warmer. Let’s say 20%, mostly due to that it’s insulated throughout, while the Proton Hybrid only has insulation around the core.
Best Use
How does it work? I wore the Nano Air Light daily for a week of ski touring in reasonably cold December temperatures (5-15 degrees Fahrenheit/ -15 to -10 Celsius). The jacket was more breathable and warmer than I expected. I matched it with a lightweight base layer and a pair of softshell touring pants for the uptrack and found it managed my needs for warmth and ventilation very well. The jacket is light – 10 ounces / 300 grams – and holds virtually no moisture. It wicks and breathes incredibly well for an uninsulated jacket. And it provides surprising warmth for its weight and breathability. The back – under my daypack – was the only spot to hold any noticeable moisture, but it dried quickly once I removed my pack and readied for the descent. Given the cold mid-winter temps, I was able to wear the Nano Air Light all day without layer adjustments beyond adding a jacket for the descent.
The Nano Air Light Hoody is a great match to high output aerobic activity – like ski touring. It ventilates and effectively wicks moisture under high exertion while offering enough insulation to keep you warm under a shell on the descent.
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