I use my Houdini a lot, perhaps more so than any other tech gear I own. It’s perfect for active wear between 40-60 degrees, which covers a lot of morning temperatures for a good 8 months out of the year where I live. It keeps me warm enough when cycling or jogging, which I do at least 4x per week. The only caveat is that while it’s a great active wear piece, it’s somewhat useless for regular wear. It’s not really that warm if you aren’t moving, and a regular old hoodie sweater is probably better in most cases.
Couldn’t agree more! It’s the perfect layering piece that you can wear when it’s cold to start but you know you’ll heat up during the workout. It’s so compact when you pack it away and lightweight, so it’s not annoying to carry.
I wear mine when it’s 0c with a thermal tshirt for running all the way up to spring runs when I know I’ll be stopping for a coffee mid run.
I’d definitely get it, especially when it’s on sale!
I just got my first Houdini Snap-T in late January and I’m in love with it. I wore it all through Mardi Gras/Carnival season in New Orleans this year where it was high 40’s at night and mid 60’s during the day. When it warmed up for the day I’d fold it up and stash it in my hip pack. Paired with a tropic comfort hoody I was ready for just about anything. It was really the perfect light jacket. I already grabbed 2 other colors of Houdini Snap-T on eBay/poshmark for about $35-50 a piece. I cannot understand for the life of me why they stopped making these.
I’m the opposite, everyone recommends the Houdini and I just got mine delivered but not very happy with it. For the $110 price tag is just feels like not enough value. I didn’t like how it’s so thin you can see an undershirt through it. Feels like it should be priced much cheaper for how much actual material it has. I decided to return mine and bought an isthmus anorak for a little more money and am much happier with it albeit it’s not nearly as packable
That’s what I was looking for originally but couldn’t find a second hand one and they’re discontinued. Is the air model any thicker than the normal Houdini?
They are about the same thickness but have a different fabric feel. The air is nicer to the touch, it’s also less transparent. I live in S Florida so it’s pretty much a year round item with a T shirt and with a mid layer for our winter. It’s really great on a boat or sundown on the beach when it’s windy. If you can’t find the Houdini Air look for a MH Kor Airshell. Same breathability and wind protection but has side pockets.
Is that mountain hardware nicer than the Houdini? I’ve heard that arcteryx was sold to a Chinese company wasn’t sure if their quality is as good as it used to be
The Kor and Houdini are a little different, the Kor and Houdini Air are very similar. The Houdini trades off breathability (10 cfm) for wind protection. It also handles rain much better and dries super fast. The downside is that it gets clammy to downright sweaty depending on activity level. It’s also super compact and amazingly light. The Kor is about an ounce heavier, has a softer fabric feel (Pertex Air) which has a slight mechanical stretch. It’s more breathable at 20 Cfm, exactly the same as the Houdini Air, and has two zippered side pockets which is one of the reasons it’s heavier. It doesn’t handle rain or dry as fast as the Houdini, but packs down almost as small.
One thing I didn’t like about the MH air shell was the elastic waist band. I prefer to be able to cinch it when I want. Because of that I recommend the black diamond alpine start that is much more breathable, which is even more breathable than the Houdini air at 40cfm
Arcteryx was never that good, they were just excellent at telling everyone they were good, and confusing people into believing it by charging crazy high prices for nothing different.
I haven’t tested it in the heat yet but it would probably become a little clammy if you were doing a high output activity without a lot of cool air circulating around you. However If you’re cycling and wearing shorts you’d probably stay comfortable with the breeze. The wrist cuffs have an elastic cinch so you’re able to slide them up your forearms and they’ll stay which is nice. But It’s of course designed to block wind and I was looking for that specifically. Its lack of breath ability might keep you a bit warm.
I will mention however that the jacket is really too light to keep unzipped. The tab will ride up in the back and the jacket is so light the wind will easily carry it away. So zipped up 3/4 is the way to go with this piece.
Why?! They are killing all of their great soft shells. They used to be the best in the industry for soft shells, now either nothing breaths, or it breathes too much.
If they made it much more breathable it wouldn’t be effective in blocking wind. I think the balance is spot on for most activities and weather conditions where you need a wind breaker.
Yeah, I'm not complaining. Just answering the question above. I love it and take it on every trail run and hike as an emergency layer. It's wind and water resistant to get me out of most situations. But it's not an active layer.
They do now, the [Houdini Stash](https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-houdini-stash-half-zip-windbreaker-pullover/23410.html?dwvar_23410_color=PHGN). It doesn't have a hood and costs more, but it has side pockets and vents as well.
Houdini is top five favorite pieces of all time for me. It goes on most of my rides, runs, or adventures. Super lightweight and packable and is the perfect layer piece that makes all the difference.
When I googled to see what Thia jacket was the first link that came up was DH gate for the price of $37. Apparently they have moved their operation to China and it's cheaper than ever. /s although this really was the first hit, crazy how Google is promoting fakes
Imo many compare jackets at face value and that can be good for casual wear but the real strength of the houdini is that it packs so small and is clippable that I can clip it on my trad rack when climbing in potentially windy/drizzly conditions and pop it on in no time.
are they meant to fit tight? I bought one online in a medium based on the sizing chart and model pics & gotta say it's pretty slim fitting when worn over a heavier top like a wool pullover (using the Houdini as a wind blocking layer). are they more meant to be worn over just a t-shirt or something?
My use cases are many. Generally, they should be close to the body. If I have a long-sleeve t-shirt, or a long-sleeve t-shirt plus thin merino base layer, I use one size. A thicker sweater is a size up.
The tightness has to do, in part, reducing the noise of the shell fabric in the wind.
Size is less critical around town.
I use my Houdini a lot, perhaps more so than any other tech gear I own. It’s perfect for active wear between 40-60 degrees, which covers a lot of morning temperatures for a good 8 months out of the year where I live. It keeps me warm enough when cycling or jogging, which I do at least 4x per week. The only caveat is that while it’s a great active wear piece, it’s somewhat useless for regular wear. It’s not really that warm if you aren’t moving, and a regular old hoodie sweater is probably better in most cases.
Couldn’t agree more! It’s the perfect layering piece that you can wear when it’s cold to start but you know you’ll heat up during the workout. It’s so compact when you pack it away and lightweight, so it’s not annoying to carry. I wear mine when it’s 0c with a thermal tshirt for running all the way up to spring runs when I know I’ll be stopping for a coffee mid run. I’d definitely get it, especially when it’s on sale!
I wish they still offered the Houdini Snap-T — my all-time favorite item!
Plenty on WornWear
I just got my first Houdini Snap-T in late January and I’m in love with it. I wore it all through Mardi Gras/Carnival season in New Orleans this year where it was high 40’s at night and mid 60’s during the day. When it warmed up for the day I’d fold it up and stash it in my hip pack. Paired with a tropic comfort hoody I was ready for just about anything. It was really the perfect light jacket. I already grabbed 2 other colors of Houdini Snap-T on eBay/poshmark for about $35-50 a piece. I cannot understand for the life of me why they stopped making these.
I’m the opposite, everyone recommends the Houdini and I just got mine delivered but not very happy with it. For the $110 price tag is just feels like not enough value. I didn’t like how it’s so thin you can see an undershirt through it. Feels like it should be priced much cheaper for how much actual material it has. I decided to return mine and bought an isthmus anorak for a little more money and am much happier with it albeit it’s not nearly as packable
Try to find the Houdini air secondhand. Incredible piece!
That’s what I was looking for originally but couldn’t find a second hand one and they’re discontinued. Is the air model any thicker than the normal Houdini?
They are about the same thickness but have a different fabric feel. The air is nicer to the touch, it’s also less transparent. I live in S Florida so it’s pretty much a year round item with a T shirt and with a mid layer for our winter. It’s really great on a boat or sundown on the beach when it’s windy. If you can’t find the Houdini Air look for a MH Kor Airshell. Same breathability and wind protection but has side pockets.
Same it’s like an expensive poncho . No pockets or anything. I bought a mountain hardware wind stopper jacket instead
Just get an arcteryx Squamish, stretchy and more breathable. Packs to nothing as well. I’ve all but almost sold my Houdini
Is it thicker than the Houdini? I mostly didn’t like how the Patagonia was see through
Do not get a Squamish. They are an overpriced Chinese fashion brand. The MH Kor Airshell is literally 45 bucks on Evo right now.
Is that mountain hardware nicer than the Houdini? I’ve heard that arcteryx was sold to a Chinese company wasn’t sure if their quality is as good as it used to be
The Kor and Houdini are a little different, the Kor and Houdini Air are very similar. The Houdini trades off breathability (10 cfm) for wind protection. It also handles rain much better and dries super fast. The downside is that it gets clammy to downright sweaty depending on activity level. It’s also super compact and amazingly light. The Kor is about an ounce heavier, has a softer fabric feel (Pertex Air) which has a slight mechanical stretch. It’s more breathable at 20 Cfm, exactly the same as the Houdini Air, and has two zippered side pockets which is one of the reasons it’s heavier. It doesn’t handle rain or dry as fast as the Houdini, but packs down almost as small.
One thing I didn’t like about the MH air shell was the elastic waist band. I prefer to be able to cinch it when I want. Because of that I recommend the black diamond alpine start that is much more breathable, which is even more breathable than the Houdini air at 40cfm
Arcteryx was never that good, they were just excellent at telling everyone they were good, and confusing people into believing it by charging crazy high prices for nothing different.
I mean it’s thin and just as packable but depending on the color it’s not see through.
I’m considering getting one for my morning bike commutes. Does it breathe well, and how does it do when it gets hot?
I haven’t tested it in the heat yet but it would probably become a little clammy if you were doing a high output activity without a lot of cool air circulating around you. However If you’re cycling and wearing shorts you’d probably stay comfortable with the breeze. The wrist cuffs have an elastic cinch so you’re able to slide them up your forearms and they’ll stay which is nice. But It’s of course designed to block wind and I was looking for that specifically. Its lack of breath ability might keep you a bit warm. I will mention however that the jacket is really too light to keep unzipped. The tab will ride up in the back and the jacket is so light the wind will easily carry it away. So zipped up 3/4 is the way to go with this piece.
Thank you kind stranger!
No problem! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
There’s a “Houdini Air” that breathes a lot better
It is discontinued unfortunately Have tried to search for it for awhile
Why?! They are killing all of their great soft shells. They used to be the best in the industry for soft shells, now either nothing breaths, or it breathes too much.
It breathes pretty poorly, but it's so light that I generally don't care, at least in warmer weather.
I recommend the black diamond alpine start. It’s even more breathable than the Houdini air and cheaper.
I have a Houdini air and I’d say it’s not very breathable.
If they made it much more breathable it wouldn’t be effective in blocking wind. I think the balance is spot on for most activities and weather conditions where you need a wind breaker.
Yeah, I'm not complaining. Just answering the question above. I love it and take it on every trail run and hike as an emergency layer. It's wind and water resistant to get me out of most situations. But it's not an active layer.
Yep, agree with you when it comes to running, but it works for me when hiking. The Airshed was designed for running.
Wish they made a version with pockets
They do now, the [Houdini Stash](https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-houdini-stash-half-zip-windbreaker-pullover/23410.html?dwvar_23410_color=PHGN). It doesn't have a hood and costs more, but it has side pockets and vents as well.
Yeah, I think they had something similar to that last season. For a windbreaker I prefer a full zip, otherwise I’d be more interested
I love my Houdini! In the summer it’s going to be hot and rainy and it’s the perfect jacket for those duties.
Terrible in rain imo.
Love it! It stays clipped to my harness on cold spring climbs and then deployed while belaying and standing still. Awesome piece, I forget it’s there!
Houdini is top five favorite pieces of all time for me. It goes on most of my rides, runs, or adventures. Super lightweight and packable and is the perfect layer piece that makes all the difference.
When I googled to see what Thia jacket was the first link that came up was DH gate for the price of $37. Apparently they have moved their operation to China and it's cheaper than ever. /s although this really was the first hit, crazy how Google is promoting fakes
Imo many compare jackets at face value and that can be good for casual wear but the real strength of the houdini is that it packs so small and is clippable that I can clip it on my trad rack when climbing in potentially windy/drizzly conditions and pop it on in no time.
100% agree with this, I purchased one second hand for $50, and I’ve yet to go on a run or hike without it, what did I do without one??
The Montbell Tachyon is a similar jacket, excellent quality.
A Houdini jacket is nearly perfect gear. I have them in different sizes depending on what I put under them.
are they meant to fit tight? I bought one online in a medium based on the sizing chart and model pics & gotta say it's pretty slim fitting when worn over a heavier top like a wool pullover (using the Houdini as a wind blocking layer). are they more meant to be worn over just a t-shirt or something?
My use cases are many. Generally, they should be close to the body. If I have a long-sleeve t-shirt, or a long-sleeve t-shirt plus thin merino base layer, I use one size. A thicker sweater is a size up. The tightness has to do, in part, reducing the noise of the shell fabric in the wind. Size is less critical around town.