There are a lot of big tag products in the Outdoor 100, and rightly so. It’s inevitable that the majority of our favourite bits of outdoor gear for winter 16/17 are the big, flagship products. However, we’ve also included quite a few pieces of kit that are more understated – bits of kit that quietly find their way into your pack or onto your shoulders more than any other. It’s only over time when the versatility of a product really shines. The Nano Air is one such product.
It’s the kind of jacket that we’ve picked up without thinking to go walking, mountain biking, mountaineering and off around the shops. It’s a quiet hero product, one we’ve used everywhere, one that’s taken a hammering, but is still looking great, and more importantly working well.
“Over time it will prove its worth many times over as one of the most versatile pieces of kit in your wardrobe.”
On the surface, Patagonia’s Nano Air Hoody is a simple insulated jacket, but it excels in three main areas. Firstly, it’s warm, surprisingly so. It’s such a light jacket (an amazing 385g) and packable, but blimey it warms you up. We have often slung it in our bag and popped it on when we’re taking a sandwich break. Secondly, it’s got great stretch, perfect for mountain biking or rock climbing. Finally, we’ve found that it’s really breathable – no mean feat with synthetic insulation.
