Patagonia Houdini Jacket Overview

Backside Line

The Patagonia Houdini Jacket is a timeless piece of substances that has lengthy been one in all our greatest windbreakers. Its minimalist design presents distinctive wind resistance and packability with out weighing you down. Preferrred for hikers, path runners, and outside fans who prioritize weight financial savings, this ultralight shell is a go-to layer for fast-and-light adventures in variable situations.

We’ve worn the Houdini for dozens of outings – from mountain climbing in Utah to path operating and backpacking in Wyoming to backcountry snowboarding in Alaska. All through all these actions, it stays a flexible and high-performing windbreaker. With a measured weight of three.5 ounces, the Houdini is among the many lightest windbreakers in the marketplace. Its potential to compress into its chest pocket and clip to a pack or harness with an built-in carabiner loop makes it a no brainer for anybody seeking to save area and carry much less. 

Designed with a slim, athletic match, the Houdini strikes seamlessly along with your physique throughout high-output actions. Elastic cuffs, an adjustable hem, and an elastic cinch hood make sure the jacket stays placed on gusty days. That stated, its athletic match is greatest suited to layering over lighter clothes—sizing up could also be obligatory for those who plan to put on it over a heavier mid-layer. It’s not probably the most breathable jacket we examined, however the Houdini nonetheless offers sufficient air flow for high-output actions like operating and snowboarding. The Houdini offers wonderful efficiency at a worth that gained’t break the financial institution.

How We Examined

Over three months, we wore the Patagonia Houdini on hikes and runs in addition to backcountry and cross-country ski journeys to discipline check its efficiency in a number of situations. Our assessments consisted of real-world publicity to the wind and components. We additionally used a blow drier to check wind resistance and in addition accomplished a one-hour run whereas deliberately overdressed to check its breathability and moisture administration.

Wind & Climate Resistance

The Houdini is a good layer to throw on when the temperatures drop or the wind picks up. We’ve worn the Houdini on windy summits in the summertime and mid-winter days backcountry snowboarding, and it protected us from quite a few climate situations. It successfully blocks all wind and offers nice safety when the gusts choose up, due to cinches within the hood and a hem that retains the jacket tight and safe. Though handled with a DWR coating that beads mild moisture, the Houdini is decidedly not a rain jacket and can moist by means of shortly. However it dries out shortly, making it nice for publicity to drizzles and light-weight rain showers.

Breathability

The ripstop nylon of the Houdini makes some concessions in breathability. With the one choice for air flow being unzipping the jacket, it isn’t as breathable as others we examined. That being stated, the Houdini continues to be extraordinarily breathable and is nice for climbing, climbing, or different moderate-output actions. When operating and cross-country snowboarding within the Houdini, we did discover some moisture construct up alongside the again and arms. This shortly soaked by means of and evaporated as an alternative of beading up making this an incredible jacket for energetic outings.

Weight & Packability

With a manufacturer-stated weight of three.9 ounces and a measured weight of three.5 ounces (males’s medium), the Houdini is among the lightest jackets in our lineup. It barely feels there when worn on the physique and is a good layer to shove within the backside of a backpack for if you want it later. Its packability is equally spectacular. The jacket stuffs into its personal chest pocket, making a compact bundle a lot smaller than a one-liter bottle. A carabiner loop permits it to hold from a climbing harness, or it may be tucked right into a small area in a pack or operating vest. For its weight and packability, the Houdini is a standout performer.

Consolation & Match

When layering below the Houdini, it’s apparent that the jacket has a trim and athletic match. This makes it nice for summertime adventures. Once we wore this jacket within the winter, we needed extra room beneath to layer. 

The nylon development additionally lacks the mobility and adaptability present in different windbreakers. We regularly felt barely restricted by means of the shoulders and arms when carrying the Houdini. This was particularly noticeable when carrying a heavy pack. It’s nonetheless loads cellular for many actions, however the Houdini maintains among the restrictiveness of older windbreakers earlier than extra elastic materials was extensively used.

Ought to You Purchase the Patagonia Houdini Jacket?

The Houdini is a timeless basic for a number of causes: it’s extraordinarily packable and light-weight, breathable and comfy sufficient for many actions, and blocks the wind successfully. It is a nice choice for those who’re on the lookout for one light-weight windbreaker to function your arsenal of 1. It offers all of the options we anticipate and require of a windbreaker with none additional bells and whistles. Its simplicity and reliability make the Houdini a superb alternative for entry-level fans and seasoned adventurers alike. Its cheap price ticket and excessive efficiency offer you an incredible bang in your buck. The Houdini has lengthy been one in all our favourite windbreakers and is certain to be one in all yours as nicely.

What Different Windbreaker Ought to You Contemplate?

Head to our gear information to see the complete lineup of greatest windbreakers.

Arc’Teryx Squamish Overview: If the Houdini felt just a little tight and restrictive, the Squamish is constructed with a extra elastic material that gives extra mobility and adaptability.

Rab Very important Overview: Barely heavier than the Houdini, the Very important presents extra climate resistance however with a equally trim and athletic match.

Patagonia Airshed Professional Overview: One other nice choice from Patagonia, the Airshed Professional presents much more breathability in a lighter platform extra akin to a shirt than a jacket.