View Full Version : Down vs. Primaloft?
I'm sure the title question has been asked a hundred times here, so I'm asking more specifically about:
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/womens-nano-puff-pullover?p=84026-0&pcc=1128
vs
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/womens-ultralight-down-hoody?p=84771-1
I'm just not convinced I would need the hood on the Ultralight, but I'm sure I could take it off if I ever got too tired of it. Do any of you have experience with these jackets? Is one noticeably warmer / more durable / more comfortable than the other?
(Thanks to Just Bill for bringing the sweet sale on the ultralight to my attention.)
I should add that I don't have a good primary winter hiking jacket -- only big, weighty, bulky ski jackets. I know I really won't be wearing it WHILE hiking often anyway, but add that to your opinion? I do have other layering pieces.
mainebob
08-16-2014, 13:16
I'm sure the title question has been asked a hundred times here, so I'm asking more specifically about:
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/womens-nano-puff-pullover?p=84026-0&pcc=1128
vs
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/womens-ultralight-down-hoody?p=84771-1
I'm just not convinced I would need the hood on the Ultralight, but I'm sure I could take it off if I ever got too tired of it. Do any of you have experience with these jackets? Is one noticeably warmer / more durable / more comfortable than the other?
(Thanks to Just Bill for bringing the sweet sale on the ultralight to my attention.)
I started at springer 3/21/13 and used a nano puff pullover until pearisburg va. We has some very cold night (at least down to 20 deg f if not lower, several times). I only had to hike with it 2-3 times, but i felt more comfortable w/ the primaloft than if I has down. FYI my sleeping bag was down.
I will not get into Patagonia's pricing comparisons but if you don't want a hood umm don't get a Hoody. Simple as that. Pat's Hoodless version of the UL Down Hoody is the UL Down Jacket. This http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/womens-ultralight-down-hoody?p=84771-1 verse this http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/womens-ultralight-down-jacket?p=84761-0&pcc=1128 Unless I'm mistaken I don't believe Pat makes a pullover down insulation piece.
The hoodless Nano Puff Pullover over is offered in other versions using Primaloft 60 G synthetic insulation as well - as a hoody(basically a jacket with a hood), a hoodless jacket, and as hoodless pullover, which you linked to.
To make things easier for you in a comparison test of specs start out by comparing the specs of the synthetic insulation Primaloft jacket verse the UL Down jacket - both hoodless, full frontal zips. Likewise compare the specs of the Nano Puff Hoody with the UL Down Hoody. From there you might ask yourself if you want a Pull over.
aaronthebugbuffet
08-16-2014, 20:49
Hoods add so much more insulation with little weight penalty.
I would never buy another winter down without a hood.
The reason I was considering the hooded version is because it's on sale for $209 versus $299 for the hoodless version.
Meriadoc
08-17-2014, 08:25
Hood vs no hood: compare weight, cost, and whether you want a hood :P.
I can speak about the primaloft Nanopuff. It is my primary insulation layer year round. In summer it's my only insulation layer, in winter it's my first. I find it handy for drying out in camp while still staying warm. It has stood up to some abuse too. I have worn it as a hiking jacket and it does this just fine. It is rather flashy, just be aware of that!
I have the pullover to save weight and because it is cheap. Mine was $109 a few years ago. Have you done a google search? Often places like backcountry.com will have last year's Patagonia gear for cheaper than even a Patagonia sale.
bigcranky
08-17-2014, 08:28
I'm thinking that down hoody is going to be significantly warmer than the Nanopuff. I had a Patagonia down hoody (the old pullover style) and it was a great jacket, plenty warm for Southern AT hiking in early spring and late fall. So it depends on whether you need that.
I always hated hoods, but both of my last two down jackets had hoods and now I wouldn't buy a cold weather puffy without one.