Nano Jacket

We tested half a dozen jackets weighing less than 10 ounces, and the Nano rose to the top. “Most ultralight shells can handle some drizzle,” said a North Carolina tester, “but this one rocked three solid days of sideways April rain in the Shining Rock Wilderness.” After weatherproofing, breathability is often the main concern in this category, but the Nano uses Gore-Tex Paclite, which testers said caused little steaminess. Plus, you can enhance airflow by unzipping the vented pockets (no pit zips). The tiny zippers and hardware look handle-with-care dainty, but proved plenty tough. A Nano feature we wish every shell had: a wire stiffener in the hood’s brim that lets you shape the visor for a custom fit. – by Shannon Davis

For this month’s reviews, I decided to hook up with my good friend Madaleine Sorkin and head into Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Mads and I rapped down the south rim to the base of a route called Tague Yer Time, named in honor of a fallen hero, Cameron Tague. No pushover, the 2,000-foot route demands a cool head and serious skills, which is why I brought Madeleine. We also brought all of this month’s gear, which means I was already pretty confident it would perform. Here’s what I found out.

The problem with climbing in the Black is that you descend first and climb out. The cool thing is that you top out virtually at your cooler. The lame thing is, if the sh*! hits the fan and you have to descend, well, hey, there you are wallowing around in the bottom of a 2,000-foot canyon. So while you’d like to bring the kitchen sink in case of a storm, weight and bulk are a major factor. Enter the Nano Jacket from Marmot. This svelte and nimble number applies sealed zippers to a Gore-Tex Paclite shell with a hood. Minimal but versatile, the Nano provides wind and rain protection in a tight package. It took up little room in the pack, but provided fine insurance against those pesky afternoon showers that can pop up so suddenly in Colorado. – Chris Kalous

I think I have found the ultimate backcountry shell. Seriously. The Marmot Nano, released this past spring, weighing in at just under 8 ounces (8!) on my scale, takes lightweight and low-bulk to a different level, while still providing tremendous Gore-protection – GORE-TEX Paclite. This shell uses a specific GORE-TEX membrane with a protective layer made of an oil-hating substance (per Gore) and carbon, so no separate lining is required. This feature makes GORE-TEX Paclite shells lighter and smaller to stash. You will be amazed when you hold this jacket in your fingertips and realize that the entire paradigm just shifted toward a world where lightweight foul weather protection really does exist. Seriously. In the past we relied upon lightweight nylon shells that offered decent wind cover but absolutely no rain or snow protection. Or bulky shells that were bomber but warm and heavy. Or not that waterproof. Now there’s both in a tiny package.

And while this jacket is somewhat minimalist, akin to a featherweight, two-pocket, basic mountaineering jacket, it is really all you need, especially on longer Alpine climbs, cragging, backpacking, hiking, running, ski touring, mt. biking – any sport where you want to be able to pack a shell deep down in the pack yet be ready for drizzle, downpours, snow, and winds. Nothing major mind you, but most of what we spend our time out in. The Nano disappears in your pack, stuffed into a bike shirt rear pocket, a fishing hip pouch, tied around your waist for a trail run … so readily that you REALLY don’t notice you have a full-protection shell with you. That is, until you need it. Now it’s a no brainer to always have such a shell with you.

The Nano excels on trips like the West Ridge of Mt. Conness, which requires a five-hour approach to the base of the climb, and often ripping winds and weather on the four to five hour simul-climb up the ridge. Every ounce does count, especially on the slog back.

The Nano has an attached, adjustable hood with moldable wire brim, high harness- and pack-friendly chest pockets, and water resistant zippers. The Paclite fabric/system works well, suitably shifting moisture from inside to out, especially well when humidity is low. The Paclite fabric and laser drilled pocket backing actually seem to help enhance breathability, as described. We’ll see how the Paclite works when tested in snowing, snaining, etc. in more humid conditions, going up the skintrack an down the deep in a warm area such as Tahoe.

The Nano has become my de facto shell, for now mainly forgotten until needed. And while I haven’t had the Nano out in snow or very cold temps, I am eager to see if I can substitute it for some of my other heavier, bulkier backcountry ski jackets to get the pack lither. While there’s no powder skirt and the fit is fairly tight (“athletic”), I believe in Tahoe, where we have fairly warm, all-around winter temps, the Nano is going to be the go-to touring shell, unless it’s simply nuking/blizzarding or super-deep and actually light. Looking forward to testing it out. If the Nano performs well during most winter conditions, than this could be the ultimate, year-round shell, useable in 90% of situations.

One area of concern – not really concern – but of caution. While the Nano is an amazing piece of gear, it is somewhat delicate. While I haven’t ripped it yet, I find myself being a little extra cautious when it comes to jamming fists and arms into granite cracks, messing about with tying and clipping flies, etc. I am sure the same will happen with ski edges, crampons, pine branches … this is not GoreTex Pro in terms of its ability to shake off abuse. I do anticipate some Gore patches sometime in the future.

Unlike most Marmot jackets, the Nano runs smaller, with a more athletic, tighter fit, so, if you can, be sure to try one on before you buy. I typically wear a medium, and the fit was perfect, but trending toward the tighter side. If you anticipate numerous layers underneath, maybe go a size up.

Price: $250. This isn’t exactly inexpensive, especially for the amount of fabric, but the weight- and bulk-savings makes up for the dent. – by ccrossen