Reader Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5

11oz. in a silsack. (men's small)
2.6 oz Polarguard Delta insulation
Deluge DWR treated, 1 oz, 20 d mini ripstop shell. really light. compressible. very warm option for synthetic insulating layer. no bells, whistles. a decent length zip for venting and a breast pocket w/short zipper. drawstring bottom. runs big. love this thing.

Edited by harry@dodgekahn.com on 08/03/2005 21:13:21 MDT.

Rating: 5 / 5

The micro puff pullover is a very purpose driven garment. It's all about staying warm with everything else stripped out. My only regret is that it is too warm for me to use except during the winter in the sierras, and much of the time too warm to wear when I am active in the winter. I use this jacket for belays, stops, and at night.

Rating: 5 / 5

I've had mine for 6 months or so. I find I use it more than any other piece of insulating clothing. I've used it in the desert, mountains, rain forest - you name it. It stuffs easily into its own pocket. Makes a great pillow, too.

It is warm if you are working hard. But as a core piece of insulation, it is a step forward, completetly focused on warmth/weight. Love it.

Rating: 5 / 5

Lightweight, simple, doubles as a pillow.

This pullover is a wonderful evolution of the original puffball pullover.

Rating: 5 / 5

What more can be said about about an insulating garment. Because it is not bulky I can sleep in it comfortably and greatly extend the temperature range of my sleeping bag.

I prefer the pullover to a full zip because the idea for this garment is to keep you warm. If you need a full zipper for ventaliation then it's too warm to be wearing it.

Rating: 5 / 5

I have used this on several backpack trips into Arctic Alaska. It replaced my down Patagonia jacket for a warm layer and did wonders when we had 6 wet and windy days on an 11 day trip in Alaska!

Rating: 5 / 5

You can get more insulation for less weight with down, but for moist climates or using when it's REALLY cold (and you're wearing it while moving) it's a great package of warmth and light weight.

Rating: 5 / 5

I like the new "light synthetics" like Polarguard Delta and Primaloft because they are much more "washing machine" friendly than down. I know people who put up with a LOT of grime on down jackets rather than deal with washing then unclumping and drying them.

As to the Micropuff Pullover itself, although I suffer from a residual "Patagucci" resentment, I have to admit their design, materials, and workmanship make me drool - and when applied to "ultralight" gear seems to turn out some really remarkable pieces, like this one.

I also have the Micropuff Vest, and that is a 6 ounce or so wonder too - even uses nice lightweight plastic snaps to save on the weight of a zipper. Love to wear it under the Micropuff pullover to bed. Doubles up the insulation over the torso, and gives me layering opportunities, vs. a single heavy parka.

Rating: 4 / 5

Patagonia seems to have cycles of great designs that alternate with periods of mediocrity.

I have both the MP vest and pullover. I chose these over the impressive Montbell products due to their extra loft. The pullover fits well, is light, compresses nicely (don't overdo it though) and seems about as warm as 200 weight fleece when worn under a shell.

It is a keeper. I really like the vest as well. Combined they make for a toasty combination.

Rating: 5 / 5

I have too many jackets. Down. Synthetic. Heavy. Light. But the jacket that winds up in my pack more than any other is the MicroPuff.

I have just returned from a river trip in the Four Corners area with my wife. We had light snow one morning and several other mornings/evenings with temps near freezing. The MicroPuff kept me warm throughout it all. When we returned home, my wife asked for (and got) her own.

Although I have not had any tears or scuffs, I still treat this jacket carefully.

Rating: 4 / 5

We own two of these (one small and one medium) and on most trips these make the cut. They are very warm over 3 season conditions and their compact packing and light weight make them a favorite plus the fact that they don't require much special handling or water avoidance. My wife has lived in hers for 36 hours at solo endurance races with rediculous rain and still been warm.

My only (minor) complaint is that I wish they had handwarmer pockets (non zippered) like the Montbell UL down jackets. The onseam pockets add negligable weight but increase the comfort even more when you are living in the jacket. Both small and medium come in under 11ounces and fit in the included stuff sacks easily. Well recommended, just wait until they are on sale as they often are.

Rating: 5 / 5

I upgraded to the Micro Puff pullover after several seasons with the old Puffball pullover. Lighter, warmer, stuffs smaller--the Micro Puff is an all-around improvement to what was already a fine garment.

Important are the ability to dry quickly and its qualities as a mid layer. The surprisingly tough shell fabric is holding up fine, at least after one season.

Rating: 5 / 5

I have had the Micro puff for a year now and have been able to test in the fierce conditions here in Chicago! It has kept me warm down to 5 degrees Fahrenheit and I easily get cold! Makes me sometimes wonder why I got the DAS parka ... but hey, the winter is still young! Light, super-warm and well-priced - highly recommended!

Rating: 5 / 5

My micropuff is my go to Pullover and coupled with my possum fur vest has provided me with warmth and comfort into the teens.

Additionally it packs small.

Edited by rogerb on 12/09/2006 19:02:42 MST.

Rating: 4 / 5

A large weighs 338grams versus a large Cocoon that I have at 265 grams. It is possible to get them at 50% off on the Patagonia Web specials site, once in awhile. At that price, it is a good value. I don't take this pullover jacket often. The Cocoon normally takes it's place when I'm backpacking. If I'm dayhiking and the potential for very cold conditions exists, I might use it rather than the Cocoon to keep the use of the Cocoon down.

(My former review was for the Vest and incorrectly posted here.)

Edited by craig_shelley on 07/18/2007 21:24:38 MDT.

Rating: 5 / 5

This was my default insulating layer until I bought the MontBell Down Inner Jacket.

This jacket is very warm, as is the vest. I prefer the older models (05 and later) to the newer ones. I recall the older ones are lighter as well. Check the numbers.

The fit is generous. Mine hangs in the closet now and gets little use, but in it's day it was the jacket to have! Frankly, I think it may still be for many people.

Look for it on sale. Never pay full price for this jacket. They go on sale all the time and people sell them used as well.

Rating: 5 / 5

Buddy of mine recommended this and found one on sale. Purchased it for me and sent it to me with the bill. It is a light weight, warm piece of gear that serves as a great warm insulation pullover (beats the heck out of polartech) and when it is not needed for warm slumber it makes a great pillow. I have worn it on the trail. I have worn it to the office with dress clothes and a tie. It might just be the most versitale piece of clothing I have. Down is nice - but I sweat alot and the synthetic version keeps me warm and I don't worry about sweating out the warm insulation. MicroPuff is a big winner in my book.

Rating: 5 / 5

I have had one of these for about 8 years and it remains a staple in my layering system anytime I will be in wet conditions.

Rating: 5 / 5

I've had the micropuff pullover for about 2 years now and love it. In the summer/fall in the northeastern US I bring it to toss on in the evenings. I wear it for belays while climbing (although a full zip would be better for this). I also have worn it winter ice climbing when the temperature dips well below 0*F. It's very warm and compressible and has stood up to the wear and tear of everyday use (I've even climbed an offwidth crack in it in cold conditions with no ill effect).
I rarely use the included stuff sack, preferring to stuff the pullover loose in my pack.

A few nitpicks: when wearing the jacket the lining material often pokes out from the cuffs. The cuffs (half elastic) could benefit from being full elastic or at least having some more structure for the non-elastic half. The half elastic cuff isn't particularly stretchy. Also if you ever put the pullover on with damp/wet skin the lining material clings to your body so the jacket has to be eased on. I've found this to be the case, however, with other lightweight synthetic pullovers using a similar taffeta lining.

The few nitpicks aside I find the micropuff pullover to be the warmest and lightest synthetic pullover in this weight range.

Rating: 5 / 5

These pullovers are the best I've found, and now for the last 5-9 years I've owned and destroyed about 4 of them...My biggest problem with the current version that Patagonia is selling? The old version had an integrated pocket/storage pocket....it made it easy for it to always be either in my pack or in my suitcase wherever I went...I can't figure out why they now have gone to a stuff sack, which gets lost between wearings....
I always have the pullover or the vest with me wherever I go, I love these things so much I bought a pullover for everyone in my family....