To be fair, windbreakers aren’t waterproof by nature, and the main goal is blocking wind.
In terms of water and snow protection, the Houdini’s durable water repellent (DWR) coating can shed light moisture, but its face fabric starts absorbing water fairly quickly. All in all, the amount of versatility you get for the weight is truly remarkable. Finally, the slight drop hem at the back is a nice touch for a little extra coverage. You can cinch the hem to block out wind at the waist, the half-elastic cuffs seal nicely around the wrists, and a single adjustment at the hood allows you to tighten it down effectively. It cut the wind nicely when we stopped for lunch while backpacking, and I hiked in it if the weather was cool or the wind was particularly rough.Ĭonsidering its weight, Patagonia nailed all the right features. And on our trip to Patagonia, I found myself keeping the Houdini close and wearing it daily. In practice, it’s been a perfect match on everything from cold and clear days with temperatures in the high 30s Fahrenheit to blustery rides along ridgelines with temps hovering in the mid 40s. But the second I stop, I throw it on and wear it for the entire descent. I do run warm and the Houdini isn’t particularly breathable (more on this below), so I store it in my pack for the climb. In fact, it offers ideal wind protection for late winter and early spring mountain bike rides. The moment I zip up, the shell immediately shuts out wind and provides a noticeable boost in warmth.
Weighing seemingly nothing, the Patagonia Houdini impresses me each and every time I pull it out of my pack. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best windbreaker jackets. Below we break down the Houdini’s overall performance. The verdict: despite newer and more breathable designs being available, the Houdini still offers a standout combination of weight, wind resistance, and price. We tested this long-time favorite in high winds while backpacking and hiking in Patagonia and during late winter/early spring hikes and mountain bike rides in central Washington State. Patagonia’s Houdini jacket is a standard bearer and in many ways defines the ultralight windbreaker category.
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