#PATAGONIA HOUDINI JACKET REVIEWS FULL SIZE#

Layering is all about keeping the layers as close to your body as possible to retain heat and venting (when applicable). Of course, you could always size up if that’s what you’re looking for, but then you’ll sacrifice it’s performance when you’re only wearing a t-shirt and then put this on.

#PATAGONIA HOUDINI JACKET REVIEWS FULL SIZE#

It’s not meant to go over a full size jacket or multiple layers. And by that, I mean the jacket is meant to fit over you while wearing a shirt or a thin base layer. But the Houdini, for all the things it lacks, makes up tenfold for its size and packability that no other dedicated jacket can match. And lastly, it’s meant to withstand the light drizzle, small rain storms that you might encounter, not a full on down-pour when in the Pacific North West.

Similarly, its wind resistance is great, and will help keep you from getting surprised by warm or cold wind up on a mountain top, but should not replace a dedicated technical shell for a long day in the mountains when wind and weather are unpredictable. You really need to be moving to generate enough heat for this jacket to work. It will not retain heat like a puffy jacket, keeping you warm at all times. This jacket, as described by Patagonia, is meant for high-output endeavors, which isn’t just marketing for “extreme stuff.” Instead, what they mean by that, is the Houdini will trap heat inside the jacket when your output is very high. The Houdini, rather, is sort of the jack of all trades, master of none. I don’t want to mislead you, the reader, into thinking that this jacket would replace a puffy jacket for warmth, a technical shell for unforgiving terrain, or a dedicated rain jacket for torrential downpours. Houdini vs Puffy Jackets, Technical Shells & Rain Jackets Because of it’s size and weight, it’s a no-brainer, that I don’t even have to question whether or not I’m bringing it along. Similarly on any hike or trail run, when I know I’ll be out for a long time or up in the alpine, the Houdini always comes along. The Houdini will come with me on nearly every mountain bike ride, fitting easily into my hip pack or hydration pack, just in case the weather changes, the temps drop, or if the wind picks up. It packs down to roughly the size of a Pear, making it perfect to fit, really, anywhere.

Having the integrated stuff-sack, like most jackets these days, is crucial to it coming on every adventure. But light weight isn’t everything, it’s ability to pack down into it’s own chest-zip pocket is everything. Weighing in at 105g or 3.7oz, which is equivalent to 20 Nickels or 4 AA batteries, it’s essentially negligible. The reason I’m in love with this jacket is the size and it’s ability to come on any adventure! Especially when there are way better wind shells and much better rain jacket.

With that underwhelming of a summary, you’d be hard pressed to think this jacket is my favorite piece of gear. Fair Trade Certified™ sewn.” And what that really means is, it’s a wind breaker and a slight-rain jacket. The Houdini Jacket labeled as, “The 100% recycled nylon, take-it-anywhere jacket with weather-resistant protection for high-output endeavors. Sure, there are a few sport specific items like skis and climbing harnesses that I physically can’t take part in the sport without, but when it comes to all-around utility and effectiveness, the Patagonia Houdini Jacket takes the top prize. When looking in our gear room or in our closet, I can truly say, the Patagonia Houdini Jacket is one of the most important piece of gear I own.

Patagonia houdini jacket reviews