Soft, breathable and ultralight, the Houdini Jacket is a take-it-anywhere jacket, with weather-resistant protection for every high-output endeavor.
Average Customer Rating:
4.7 out of 5
Rating Snapshot
(30 reviews)
5 stars
23
4 stars
5
3 stars
1
2 stars
1
1 star
0
28 of 30 recommend this product.
Customer Reviews for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Review 1 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted byAlexKLocation:
Bozeman, MT
August 20, 2009
:
Excellent
:
Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
Versatile
5
of 5
stars
"I use my Houdini all four seasons for work (climbing guide) and play. The weather changes fast in Montana. If not for the Houdini I'm often tempted to skip the shell for a trail run or a few pitches...but I'm amazed how many times it has saved me from shivering or worse. Also a great breathable shell for windy winter days skinning in the backcountry."
Review 2 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted byORKneeSmearLocation:
Corvallis, OR
July 24, 2009
:
Excellent
:
Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
Layering Perfection
5
of 5
stars
"The Houdini comes with me on every trip, and at about 4 ounces, why not? It is the perfect outer layer for the summer alpine environment. It packs down into a tiny package, deploys quickly when the wind or squalls kick up, and breathes like Lance Armstrong while on the move. The designers at Patagonia absolutely nailed it with this one!"
Review 3 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted byWilliamLocation:
Columbia, SC
July 24, 2009
:
Good
:
Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:No
Houdini
2
of 5
stars
"The jacket will keep off a light drizzle but not more. But, the chest pocket zipper is not waterproof leaving half of your shirt wet in any precipitation, not a good thing."
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Review 4 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted byCarver1Location:
Petaluma, CA
July 17, 2009
:
Excellent
:
Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
A must for bay area wondering
5
of 5
stars
"The Houdini is the nylon shell to lust for. In the Bay area where rain rarely comes during the summer but fog rolls in without a hint of notice the Houdini appears as if from nowhere when you need it and is just the right layer to take the chill off. The fact that it stores in it's own pocket is just magic. Whether you stuff it in your water bottle cage, the bottom of your daily bag or keep it in the glove box of the car this is the jacket that will let your day continue in comfort with just the right mixture of wind and rain shedding fabric. It is so light that you can just loop it on your belt when you go for a hike and you don't even know it is there.
My only wish is that I had bought this many years ago. A simple nylon pullover is an indispensable piece of clothing and this one is as light as it gets."
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Review 5 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted bypaddlejayLocation:
Truckee, CA
June 26, 2009
:
Excellent
:
Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
well rounded
4
of 5
stars
"This jacket goes with me everywhere. Its light, packable and works in all sorts of weather. It drys fast and blocks the wind nicely as well."
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Review 6 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted bysfreezy
June 23, 2009
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
Super versatile
4
of 5
stars
"500 miles in Colorado, 16 days. Would never have made it without this coat. UL backpacker's dream coat. Working hard this coat will get you down to near freezing. Combo this with a puffy and you're set for cold weather camping. Keep the DWR fresh as it's a sponge if you don't, even in subfreezing temps. It's so thin body heat will melt falling snow before it brushes off and you'll get wet, but with a fresh DWR you're good to go. Only complaint is the $125 price. A bit steep even for the Patagonia brand. Almost not worth it, almost."
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Review 7 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted byPaddlerLocation:
Crested Butte, CO.
June 13, 2009
:
Excellent
:
Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
For Everything
5
of 5
stars
"This jacket and the pants that go with it are maybe my favorite piece of outdoor gear. They're certainly the most used. This morning I went skiing. It was warm but I kept this in my pack just in case. I throw it in my vest when I go fishing. It keeps me warm through a Rocky Mountain rain shower and also fights off a swarm of mosquitoes. It always goes in my carry on when I travel and acts as a pair of sweats for cool morning runs. As long as I'm moving, there's no summer mountain weather that leaves me feeling "this jacket is too light.""
Review 8 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted byJLearyLocation:
Bigfork, Mt
June 13, 2009
:
Good
:
Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:No
houdini
3
of 5
stars
"The online photo makes the jacket appear to be more full-boded than it actually is. Though, the Houdini itself is nicely compressible and lightweight, perfect for any excursions involving light rain and wind conditions."
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review 9 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted byflycastLocation:
Ballston Spa, NY
June 12, 2009
:
Excellent
:
Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
5
of 5
stars
"great jacket, just what I was looking for light and packable"
Review 10 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted bytheboneLocation:
Arlington, VA
June 9, 2009
:
Excellent
:
Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
Great Jacket
5
of 5
stars
"This is an excellent lightweight jacket, which I have been running in several times on rainy days. I expect to use it more as a shell in dry conditions when the weather turns colder. Overall, another great Patagonia product :)"
Review 11 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted byskinnysurferLocation:
Encinitas
June 8, 2009
:
Excellent
:
Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
Versatile efficiency
4
of 5
stars
"Awesome jacket for a variety of conditions. Very thin, but amazingly compact as a result. My only complaint would be a lack of pockets. Other than that it's a great windbreaker/shell and is the perfect thing to grab when you're not sure what the weather will bring today."
Review 12 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted bymstaplesLocation:
Bozeman, MT
June 5, 2009
:
Excellent
:
Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
Keep making this
5
of 5
stars
"Incredibly good jacket. My only suggestion is to make the elastic in the cuffs tighter to block out wind. I take mine climbing "just in case", and I sometimes end up wearing it over just a t-shirt or light capilene top. My wrists fit loosely in the cuffs. Its not a huge deal, just a suggestion for a great jacket. Thanks"
Review 13 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted bydoubleottLocation:
Hood River, OR
June 5, 2009
:
Good
:
Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
Houdini Full Zip Jacket
5
of 5
stars
"This is an essential outdoor performance garment. Exceptionally light and packable, you can store it in a fanny pack or even pocket. It's just perfect for ascending a windy ridge. It cuts the wind while passing sweat and moisture from inside. I also use mine in my cycling pack"
Review 14 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted byFeralsonLocation:
Bozeman, MT
May 31, 2009
:
Excellent
:
Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
A Magical Shell
5
of 5
stars
"I've owned my Houdini Jacket for a couple of years and consider it one of the top-3 Patty-G products I've owned over the past 30 years. Great fabric, perfect fit, no unnecessary features. LOVE the hood on a minimalist piece like this. I primarily use it for mountain biking and backcountry skiing/boarding, but it's also the shell I wear for bike commuting to work on 40 to 60 degree mornings."
Review 15 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted byBCBOBLocation:
Truckee, CA
May 15, 2009
:
Excellent
:
Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
5
of 5
stars
"Meets all my expectations, purchased for climbing on Donner Summit during mariginal weather conditions."
Review 16 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted bystubertLocation:
Black Hawk, CO
May 15, 2009
:
Excellent
:
Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
Awesome safety jacket
5
of 5
stars
"The Houdini is the perfect companion to get you out of what otherwise might be a pretty miserable experience. Super light, I take the Houdini Jacket on all my long runs as it takes up very little space and provides ample protection to get me home if the skies open up. Great purchase. Highly recommended."
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Review 17 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted byChristieLocation:
Wenonah, NJ
April 21, 2009
:
Excellent
:
Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
So Packable
4
of 5
stars
"I used this jacket while traveling in Scotland, it was fantastically packable, and kept me dry on the drizzly coast of the north sea. Runs a little smaller than i expected, but i prefered the green color of the men's jacket to any of the women's colors, so i wasn't quite sure what size to order. I think i will need another one of these though, because by the end of the trip my daughter had confiscated this jacket."
Review 18 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted bymbbcLocation:
San Francisco, CA
April 17, 2009
:
Excellent
:
Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
The Coldest Winter is a Summer in San Francisco
5
of 5
stars
"My body runs hot once it's warmed up but starting my runs, the conditions here leave me cold for at least the first mile. I've been searching for a running jacket that keeps me warm, doesn't leave me feeling clammy, and packs small enough so that I can easily shed it and carry it. The Houdini fits the bill perfectly.
On one of San Francisco's chillier days, I put on the Houdini and started my run. The Houdini offered enough wind protection to keep the chill at bay and kept me very comfortable until I was finally able to warm up at mile 3. It did a very good job of balancing releasing body heat during exertion and retaining enough to keep me warm but not clammy.
I then shed it and packed it into its pocket and carried it for the last 3 miles. Carrying it was no big deal; much like carrying a tennis ball or toy football. My run finished at very windy Ocean Beach - where I quickly unpacked the Houdini and happily put it on. Wind protection at the beach was OK - not windproof but definitely better than not having it on.
If you're looking to buy this as a casual jacket, I wouldn't recommend it because it probably won't keep you warm (except on those rare 80+ degree days here where you don't want to wear a jacket but don't want to be caught without "something" when the sun sets). It's best used while doing some sustained physical activity (hiking, biking, running).
Like all patagonia items, it's very well made. it's light and thin but I don't fear that it will rip or fall apart.
Overall, I'm very happy with the purchase. I think I'll get a lot of use out of it."
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
Review 19 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted byturtle1Location:
Tucson, Az and Jackson Hole, Wy
April 4, 2009
:
Excellent
:
Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
Houdini Jacket
5
of 5
stars
"This is the greatest jacket. I would recommend it to anyone. I was running in Jackson Hole and it was about 25 degrees. I had to unzip it because I got hot. I thought it wouldn't be warm enough. It is so light weight you don't notice you have it on."
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review 20 for M's Houdini® Full-Zip Jacket
Posted byMrMountaintop
March 28, 2009
:
Excellent
:
Yes
Would you recommend this product to a friend?:Yes
All-Time Classic
5
of 5
stars
"The Houdini has been an incredibly versatile, almost magical layer from the beginning. Yet the refinements to this version were well-concieved, and solidified its place as an all-time classic piece. Most noticeably, the garment has a softer, smoother hand, and the zippered chest pocket is a welcome addition. For something so light, it is amazing how well the Houdini cuts the wind and adds warmth on windy days."
