The Patagonia Nano Air Light Hybrid Hoody is an insulated softshell jacket with highly breathable R1 Air Fleece panels on the side of the torso, the back, under the arms, and behind the neck. It’s a great active insulation garment when you’re working hard and generating a lot of heat, but you want more insulation on the front of your torso and head. For example, when you’re hiking, running, or skinning up a mountain and you know you’ll overheat and perspire too much if you put on a hard shell over a mid-layer.
- Gender: Men’s (women’s available)
- Hood: Yes, non-adjustable
- Pockets: Two zippered handwarmer
- Insulation: 40g synthetic
- DWR: PFCs/PFAS-free
- Weight: 12.9 oz (men’s large)
- Fit: Athletic
The Patagonia Nano Air Light Hyybrid Hoody is a mid-layer garment that can be worn over a baselayer by itself but is thin enough to use under a hard shell. The outer fabric on the chest and the tops of the hood and arms is wind-resistant but breathable ripstop nylon lightly insulated with 40g synthetic insulation.
But the show’s star is the R1 Air Fleece, a grid-style fleece variant that is warm and highly breathable. It covers all of the prime perspiration zones on the hoodie, including the back, the sides of the torso, under the arms, and on the back of the neck. It works surprisingly well, even when partially covered by a backpack. I own a couple of regular R1 Air Fleece hoodies and pullovers, and they are my mid-layer of choice on cold days above treeline when worn under a hard shell because they are so wicking and breathable.
While it’s a great layering piece, the Nano-Air Light Hybrid Hoody is pretty light on features. The hood is not adjustable, there are no thumb loops, no drop pockets, and, unfortunately, no chest pocket for a smartphone. While the hoodie does have zippered handwarmer pockets that are harness-compatible, the zippers tend to snag unless you’re careful. On the flip side, the stretch cuffs can be pulled up your arms to vent heat from your wrists, the hood can be lowered, and the front zip can be undone to dump more excess warmth.
How warm is the Nano-Air Light Hybrid Hoody? It comes into its own below-freezing when there’s snow on the ground. The softshell outer fabric is surprisingly wind-resistant, which I benefitted from on a recent hike up a peak in winter conditions with 30+ mph wind. Patagonia rates the fit as slim, but I haven’t found that to be the case and think it’s closer to true to-size with the expected shoulder width, sleeve length, and torso girth.
Recommendation
The Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hybrid Hoody is a softshell mid-layer hoody with an insulated and wind-resistant “front” and a R1 Air grid-style fleece on the back and sides of the torso. It’s purpose-built for hard-driving activities where you’ll encounter cold on the front of your torso, but still want to avoid getting a sweaty back or sides. I think the Nano-Air Light is great for winter hiking and peakbagging, but I can also see using it for cross-country skiing later this winter.
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