Micro vs macro puff vs other?

I just use a fleece pullover as my mid layer although the idea of a puffer sounds nice. Have you considered using a synthetic insulation instead of down since down doesn't perform well if it gets wet? Also just make sure your shell isn't too compressing on the puffer since it needs loft to adequately insulate.

I don't like using the "puff" type jackets as a mid layer as in my experience they don't breathe well under a shell making things super sweaty causing me to constantly have to open both jackets to vent then close them up when my sweat makes me cold

I've had a ghost whisperer hoodie, north face thermoball jacket, patagonia nano air jacket, and a faction down puffer hoodie.

my recommendation would be go for a patagonia nano-air or arcteryx proton LT since they are more geared to high intensity activity and breathe really well and stretch nicely with you as you move.

puffs are nice for after you get to the parking lot at the end of the day and you wanna stand around and talk to friends

got any experience with the atom lt vs the proton? They advertise near identical specs

SavageBiffgot any experience with the atom lt vs the proton? They advertise near identical specs

The atom has a less breathable outer fabric than the proton

i have the micro puff hoody. it actually breaths surprisingly well, i’ve done a few little tours with it just as my only jacket on colder days. i just wish i didn’t have the hoody version but i didn’t have a choice as i bought it off my friend.
it is really warm considering how light it is. packs super well too.

Macro Puff is a bit bulky to throw under a shell. I like it most as an outer layer to throw on during transitions and skiing down in cold, dry snow.

Micro Puff fits well under just about any shell I've used. Anything with Patagonia's PlumaFill insulation is incredibly warm for the weight (I think it's on-par with 700-800 fp down) while still insulating pretty well when wet, which is why they're my go-to emergency / just-in-case layers for touring. Don't have to worry about throwing them at the bottom of the pack, even when it gets filled with snow, and they pack down super small.

Nano Puff isn't quite as packable or as warm but the fit is fairly similar to the Micro Puff and I'd say the Nano Puff is a bit more durable (Micro & Macro puff use a really thin fabric; new DAS Light Hoody is similar to Micro Puff but a bit more weather resistant and abrasion resistant).

But I consider all of those to be just for the descent; I sweat a ton if I wear them while doing anything particularly active, just as is the case for me with any traditional puffy. Some people do just fine in traditional puffies on the uptrack, but they don't work for me.

Nano-Air is my favorite inbounds midlayer since it's plenty warm for almost any day (would use a Micro if it was less than 0°F), but the Nano-Air breathes much better so I find its usable temp range is much broader than traditional puffies. For touring, I'd go even more breathable / less warm with something like the Nano-Air Hybrid (or typically just skin in a baselayer and throw a Micro / Macro / DAS Light on for transitions and the descent).

Yeah I use a nano air just about always when Im skiing. Far and away my favourite midlayer ive ever had.

Only rarely do I bust out anything heavier... and it has to be perty darn cold for that.