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- The Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody is the brand's best warmth-to-weight jacket ever made.
- It's been my go-to jacket for commuting, traveling, and unexpected weather changes for 3.5 years.
- The lightweight, warm, and packable design makes it a jacket that you can use year-round.
Finding a warm jacket isn't a hard task. No matter what your style preference is, there are dozens of options out there. Finding one that's lightweight is where you'll run into some difficulties.
There's nothing worse than putting on a heavy jacket in the morning, only to have to carry it around for the rest of the day because it's now 80 degrees outside.
While windbreakers and fleeces might seem like good alternatives for the unpredictable weather changes fall is known for, renowned outdoor brand Patagonia has a solution to finding lightweight warmth — the Micro Puff Hoody.
The Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody is the best warmth-to-weight jacket the company has ever created. Instead of using thick materials stuffed with down or other insulation, the Micro Puff uses an ultralight, water-resistant nylon ripstop Pertex Quantum shell and is filled with PlumaFill, a sustainable alternative to down.
What it's like to wear
I got my impression of the Micro Puff Hoody before I could even open the package. The shipping envelope felt empty — I couldn't believe how light the jacket actually was.
Once I tried it on, I knew the jacket was well made. Despite its super lightweight construction, you'll find a decent amount of pockets. There are two interior pockets, which are very deep.
You'll also find two exterior pockets with zippers to keep your belongings secure — a must-have feature for outdoor adventurers and city-goers alike.
One of the exterior pockets can also be used to store the entire jacket in. The design also features a helmet-compatible hood. That means you can comfortably wear it under a helmet if you're rock climbing, but it also works great for staying warm without the obstructed view of most hoods.
Prior to the pandemic, I had a long commute from New Jersey to New York City for work and I faithfully carried the Micro Puff Hoody every single day because of its versatility and how little weight it added to my backpack.
It could be freezing cold on the bus from the AC, super hot in the subway during summer, and raining outside all on the same day. With this jacket, I was prepared for anything. I could wear it when I needed it and pack it away whenever I didn't. On extremely cold winter days, the Micro Puff Hoody was thin enough to layer under my winter parka if I really needed some extra warmth.
Although I haven't commuted into the office in over a year, I still love the Patagonia Micro Puff for its versatility. Whether I'm packing light for a trip where I can't bring multiple jackets or I'm going on a bike ride where it might get a little cold by the end of the evening, the Patagonia Micro Puff has been my go-to for outerwear.
Even when I'm not carrying a backpack, it's easy to tote around. The packed jacket has a loop, so I can attach it to my fanny pack or even a belt loop when I want to be hands-free.
Cons to consider
The only factor that might deter some people from buying this jacket is the price. At $299, it is considerably expensive and will be out of some people's budgets regardless of the quality. But if you can afford to spend that much on a jacket, it's well worth it. I couldn't begin to tell you how many different jackets I've worn (between testing products at work and my own shopping habit), but I'm convinced that the Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody is warmer than any other jacket comparable in weight and is just as warm as many heavier jackets.
I've owned my Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody for almost four years now and I can't think of any apparel around the same price that I've gotten as much use out of. Although I received this jacket as a sample for the sake of a review, I've used it far beyond a period of testing. If I lost it or damaged it beyond repair today, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.
The bottom line
With most other lightweight jackets, you get what you pay for — and that's not much at all. The Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody is the complete opposite; it has everything you'll need in a good jacket you can use year-round.
Whether you're going on an outdoor adventure, traveling, or commuting in a city like New York, this is the jacket you'll want to have on you.
Some people live by Patagonia's fleeces — I love those too — but the Micro Puff Hoody is the one Patagonia piece I can't go without.
Patagonia Men's Micro Puff Hoody Check price at Patagonia Check price at Backcountry 
Patagonia Women's Micro Puff Hoody Check price at Patagonia 
Amir Ismael Editor, Insider Reviews Amir Ismael is an editor for Insider Reviews, Insider's e-commerce branch of the service journalism team. As a collector of sneakers and fashion, Amir is passionate about all things related to style. He's covered everything including the industry's shift to producing more sustainable clothing, the most comfortable loungewear, all of the best places to shop for affordable business casual attire, and more. He's used his expertise in footwear and the footwear industry to review all kinds of shoes from sportswear giants, well-known casual brands, and startups. Amir's coverage also includes eyewear, watches, and grooming products like electric razors and men's skincare. Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Amir has led Insider Reviews' face masks coverage with thoughtful recommendations based on CDC guidelines, expert opinions, and his own testing. During his time at Insider, Amir previously handled deals of the day coverage, and worked as a generalist writing hundreds of reviews ranging from phone cases and headphones to bed sheets and blenders, and has also covered major shopping holidays including Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Before joining the Insider Reviews team in 2017, worked as a freelance writer for Complex Sneakers and Sole Collector where he contributed to daily sneaker news and release dates, feature-length articles, and interviews with artists, designers, and athletes. Amir graduated from William Paterson University in 2015 with a degree in journalism and public relations. Say hello to Amir at aismael@businessinsider.com or on Instagram @amirjismael. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we test style and beauty products. Read more Read lessncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyowcidnKxno6nGrbGOqZitmZeku6qtjKagnKqfYr22ssVmn6inlK56s7HVopyw