At a glance

Plusses: Lightweight, warm, windproof, great fit
Minuses: Expensive

Features: The Micro Puff is a technical ultralight jacket boasting 65g of Patagonia’s own Plumafill synthetic insulation. The jacket offers unbeatable warmth for weight – for a synthetic – along with being windproof, water-resistant and highly compressible.

To make a jacket that weighs as little as a cup of water (264g -m; 227g -w), Patagonia went back to the basics. The features include a fitted hood, a lightweight zipper, two zippered hand pockets that double as stuff sacks, and two internal stash pockets.

The 10D ripstop Pertex Quantum DWR shell is so thin that you can see the insulation inside, but it’s enough to break the wind and repel light rain. 

Fit: The slim fit trims more precious grams, but not to the point of it being restrictive. An elastic hem, cuff and hood provide a tight seal that keeps warmth in while avoiding the need for cinch cords. The hood is snug enough to track head movements without the aid of a cinch cord. 

Comfort: The jacket feels pretty thin on first wearing, but is surprisingly warm. The slim fit and under-helmet hood make it feel very hugging. The elastic hems are generally snug but in strong winds I would prefer drawcord closure around the hem. 

In use: This is a technical jacket designed for activities where every gram counts. It works well as a substitute for a fleece and softshell combination, providing the benefit of both layers for much less weight and bulk. It works well as an active layer on winter alpine trips, or as a lightweight camp layer on summer trips. 

Value: Unsurprisingly for such a technical garment, the Micro Puff comes with a hefty price tag – what you’d normally expect to pay for a good down jacket. However, for those wanting a super lightweight layer that performs across the gamut of weather conditions, this is hard to beat. 

Verdict: The Micro Puff is a lightweight, technical synthetic jacket that offers exceptional warmth for its weight and performs well in all conditions.