Patagonia Cap 2 vs. Nano Puff

The cap2 seems better if you plan on wearing it for an extended time while on the move. Will it be warm enough at night though while you're eating dinner and trying to fall asleep? I'm reluctant to put my pack on over the nano too. It sounds like you warm up fast while moving. I'd probably take the nano and tough out the cold morning with the wind shirt and/or shell for 15min until my body warms up. If you stop and it's cold you can always throw on the nano while you're resting.

I recently went through a similar question between Nano and R2 Fleece. Bottom line is Nano is quite warm and more importantly, doesn't breath. Nano to a Cap2 is quite a drop off so not sure your evening/mornings will be as comfortable.

I don't understand your comparison.
are you sure you don't mean R2 v.s. Nano ?

Cap 2 and Nano have two totally different functionalities.

Im comparing the two because they both keep me warm. I'm curious if replacing the Nano with the Cap 2 will suffice or not. I know one is a down jacket and the other is a wool pull over so it seems like an odd comparison. However, the Cap 2 has several uses that the Nano does not.

Cap 2 and Nano are both synthetic (if we are talking about the same items).

I wear Cap 2 quite frequently while hiking. it is both warm and cool. it breathes and helps wick away sweat really well. I don't view it as something to keep me warm while standing around.

I use my Nano for standing around or whenever, to keep me warm.
it is very wind proof. it is not an item you would generally wear while hiking or doing strenuous activity.

Two different purposes for two different items.

There's a pretty big difference in warmth between these two items imo, and heading up into the (high) Sierra without an insulation piece, even for a night, seems a bit risky to me. Most of my Sierra hiking is later in the summer (Sept/Oct) but I wouldn't ever go without a puffy as evening/morning temps often drop down to around freezing. Sure you could hang around camp with your sleeping bag draped around you, but I'd rather have the convenience of the jacket.

If it's cool in the morning, you could hike with your windshirt on, or worst case, wear your Nano Puff for a little until you warm up. A thin beanie could add some warmth too while hiking for very little weight penalty.

One of my hiking partners who runs cold wears his Nano Puff regularly while we hike and it doesn't seem any worse for the wear from pack straps, etc. I have one as well and haven't found it to be particularly fragile although I'd admit I've never tried hiking in it (too warm for me).

So… in short, I'd go for bringing the Nano and leaving the Cap 2 at home.

Cap 2 is less warm than your average cotton t-shirt, which is to say it has almost zero insulation value.

The Nano Puff is pretty durable – similar to that of your wind shirt, which you apparently have no hesitation wearing under pack straps. It is also, as one poster noted, /NOT/ a down piece. If you're concerned about its durability around camp, throw your rain shell over top of it.

Taking the cap 2 would be taking a second base layer. The Nano Puff is a proper insulating layer. The choice, for me, would be clear: puffy!