Patagonia Micro Puff Pullover

Awesome Layering Piece!

I heard a lot about Patagonia's Puff series and was hesitant to buy this pullover because of the steep price tag compared to other similar jackets by other brands. I got the Puff Pants for a winter camping trip and was pleased with that enough to pick this item up.

This pullover is about as light as a wet T-shirt and almost as warm as my MAMMUT Stratus Belay Parka. The warmth and weather resistant technology seems to be magical at first, but its secret lies in the way the pullover sits snug against your body and seals a layer of warm air between your skin and the inner liner of the puff.

My only problems is the sizing that Patagonia assigns for the Puff series. Their intention is that these layers are sized one size up (roomy) so that they go over other layers. I find that the pullover works better as a 2nd layer because the outer surface of the pullover is smooth enough to easily slide under outer layers without bunching up. Another reason is the fabric on the outer surface of the puff series is also silky-soft and easily subject to abrasion and snags if worn as an outer layer (especially if you are an occasional bushwacker).

I got the Mens Small size and found that it actually fits like a Men's Medium. These are sold out in all the New York City Patagonia stores and many online retailers, so I ended up getting a new one from the 2005 line on eBay for $70.

A first-rate layering piece for insulation. Very light; packs down very small.

Because it is not so puffy, I was a little concerned at first about how well it would insulate. However, I had an opportunity to try it while lift skiing in the Adirondacks on a day when the temp was about 0 degrees F and the wind was high -- it worked great as an insulation layer beneath a shell and above two light base layers (please note, though: I tend to run warm).

If I were going to be on a winter camping/mountaineering trip with no quick retreat to a heated lodge, I'd want to bring something more for high-loft insulation. But for a cold winter day trip on which you'll need just a little loft during lunch or on the summit, for fall camping, or for winter camping for which you are bringing higher lofting back-up, it's an ideal piece