This stretchy Patagonia jacket, almost 50% off, beats the iconic Nano Puff

I first put on a Patagonia jacket over a decade ago. It was the iconic Better Sweater, complete with my employer's logo embroidered on the chest. Very "man in finance." (No, I'm not 6'5", but I do have blue eyes.) I liked it, but at heart, I was still loyal to The North Face. That changed after a trip to Antarctica. Disappointed by my last few North Face jackets, I decided to outfit myself in Patagonia gear. One of those pieces was the Nano-Air — a stretchy, synthetic jacket that kept me warm on the ice.

Once spring rolls around, the Nano-Air usually gets packed away until fall. But sometimes, even in the warmer months, I still find myself a bit chilly on a hike or a bike ride. That's where the Nano-Air Light Hybrid Hoody comes in. With breathable panels on the arms and back and lighter insulation, it dumps heat so I don't get sweaty but still keeps me warm on cooler spring days. Thanks to an extra 25% off select REI Outlet trail gear for members, this jacket is a very rare 48% off.

Why is this a good deal? 💰

Much like most quality outdoor gear, this jacket normally commands a premium. But thanks to this members-only sale, it and the non-hooded version are almost 50% off. If you want to invest in a durable piece without quite as much sticker shock, this is a compelling deal. (Not an REI member yet? You can snag a lifetime membership for just $30 — a fraction of what you'll save on the Nano-Air Hybrid.)

Why do I need this? 🤔

The Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hybrid is a synthetic mid-layer jacket with active insulation. Unlike the brand's iconic Nano Puff, it's incredibly breathable, meaning you won't overheat when moving and won't feel sweaty when you stop to take a rest. The stretchy fabric is soft, making it way more comfortable for activities like hiking, climbing or biking. Don't get me wrong: the Nano Puff is great, but it feels more like a traditional down puffer — great for warmth but, compared with the Nano-Air Light Hybrid, nowhere near as versatile when you're on the move.

What's the difference between this and the regular Nano-Air? The Light Hybrid features lighter insulation (40 grams vs. 60 grams), and breathable panels on the back and arms that allow you to let go of some heat when you're starting to work up a sweat.

If that's not enough, the outer material (made from 100% recycled polyester) features a durable water-repellent finish, so that light drizzle? No problem. Don't expect it to fend off downpours or gusts of wind though — for that, you'll want a shell, which the Nano-Air Light Hybrid will fit comfortably underneath.

What reviewers say 💬

Clearly, I'm a fan, but so are plenty of other outdoorsy souls.

Pros 👍

"I have used it in cooler summer alpine temps above 12k feet which did very well," said a five-star reviewer. "The OG nano air is quite warm and I haven't found a use case for it. The Hybrid is still warm but provides more utility for someone who 'runs hot.'"

"I find myself wearing it around the house all the time," wrote another fan. "When outside, it blocks the wind up front. Not too much insulation to cause overheating and dumps the excess heat out the back. I sit between a large and a medium in Patagonia stuff. Definitely a medium in this piece."

"It works well for mild-output exercise if outside and the temps are in the low 40s, high 30s (walks, playing basketball, slower pace hiking)," said an active buyer. "For higher-output activities, it tends to run too hot for me (trail running, faster pace hikes). I have found it an ideal layer for wearing around the house, and oddly enough it's my favorite piece to wear while traveling on airplanes because the back breathes so well and still provides plenty of warmth to keep you completely comfortable."

Cons 👎

Sizing seemed to be an issue for this four-star reviewer: "Very comfortable and warm, while also being breathable. My only criticism is the sizing, as with all Patagonia. Be aware that most of the products are designed for skinnier people, so even for arm size and such, you may find things to be a bit tight and restrictive, especially with layers. I get all my stuff one size bigger to avoid that and it's worked so far. Otherwise, a great product that does what it's supposed to!"

Another reviewer wished that some of the features of the original Nano-Air Hybrid carried over to this version. "The original version of this jacket is one of my all-time favorite pieces. So much so I bought two of the jackets and one hoody. The new one, the current version, is almost as good except ... there are no thumbholes in the sleeves."

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.