Windshirts – Patagonia Houdini vs. Marmot Ion

Houdini hands down. They're nice and slimmer than the "new" Ion IMO.

Plus Pataguchi's customer service is second to none. My buddy had the zipper fail on his Houdini and they replaced it no questions asked.

Don't fear, the Houdini isn't gone, it's just not in the winter line up. Check out the web specials/sale page, they probably have one. If not I might be able to check the Boulder store. They were $75 I think last time I was in and they had almost all the sizes, some in black and some in yellow. The yellow is sharp! When my "old" marmot ion dies, I'll probably buy a houdini.

I sort of like the green, but I would settle for a black. Hopefully the Seattle store will have one tomorrow, but the mediums tend to go fast :(

How do you like the Ion in terms of breathability, wind resistance, and water resistance?

The old "ion" I have is poor, great and good in the catagories you mentioned. Compared to the Houdini which I would rate, good, great, good and a Golite Wisp which I would rate okay, great, okay. For short races/day trips, I will often bring the Ion instead of any truly waterproof gear as it's very light (3.3oz full zip and hood), pretty warm with the hood and water resistant enough. For day runs/rides I just throw the 2.6oz Wisp in my pocket.

But like I said, when the Ion dies someday, I'll pick up a Houdini on sale. Or maybe before if I find a deal on one I can't refuse.

Thanks for all your input. I'll wait for the Houdini then.
I can make do with my eVent rain jacket until then, despite the weight of it.

Jeff,

Try calling the Patagonia outlet in Dillon, MT (406)683-2580. Patagonia sends all their out of season items there and may have what you're looking for.

Edit: Spelling correction

Hey Roy,

You wouldn't know if the have an e-mail address for the outlet would you? I'm trying to chase up a pair of medium Simple Guides and a medium green Houdini. Neither of these showed up in the sale, although there was stock showing on the web-site a week before the sale started.

Thanks, Rod

Backcountry shows 1 M black in stock but it’s 125.

http://www.backcountry.com/store/PAT0472/Patagonia-Houdini-Full-Zip-Jacket-Mens.html

You might also consider the Montbell UL Wind Parka

Jeff, if Seattle don't have any mediums, and you want the black, PM me for a deal at backcountry. It won't be $75, but it will be close.

Rod

Hey Jeff,

Set yourself up for PM's man! I was gonna write asking if you could snag a medium in green for me if you see one and then I could paypal you the funds for the jacket and shipping. You think you might be able to do that if they have a medium in Green?

I don't want the black cause I think it would make the jacket a bit hotter then necessary. So everyone, is this sound thinking for a jacket like this?

Andrew,

I'm not sure if it's sound or not, but it;'s the same way I'm thinking. Black is just not quite as versatile.

So Jeff, if they've got three medium greens, grab one for me too :>)

Rod

Alright, I'll grab every medium green I can get my hands on!
Actually, I am a montbell medium. I could be a small in Patagonia. Depends on how baggy it is.

Hmm…I don't know what size I am for Montbell, but I think I've tried on the houdini and if I remember correctly, if fit in both a small and a medium, but the small was a bit too short…Or was that some other windshirt…darn!

I'm 5'8 and 155 and everything I've ever bought from Patagonia has been a size medium. Now with your comment though, I'm starting to wonder..

Well, none to be had in Seattle in a small or medium. Looks like I'll be waiting until 2009.

Hey Rod,

Looks like the phone number is the only way to get a hold of the outlet store.

I'll try calling tomorrow.

Jeff, the Backcountry.com black medium will run $82 with free shipping. PM me for a code if you're interested.

Rod

I hate to bump an old thread or add more confusion, but how does the GoLite Ether rank with the Houdini and Ion?

The price, weight, and fit look right. Golite calls it extremely breathable, wind resistant, and water resistant. I guess it's hard to measure that though. Anyone have personal experience? I know their old Wisp jackets didn't breath at all.

http://www.golite.com/Product/proddetail.aspx?p=AM1121&s=1

Same as the wisp rated above. The Wisp I have breaths okay but the water resistance isn't great and goes away fast. That being said it still gets regular use on my bicycle and I lent it to a buddy tonight because he didn't bring a jacket.

They're always changing around materials but my wisp isn't too old. I got it at the sale last year I think.