Anyone used the new Patagonia Houdini?

I have 09 model in blue. The hood does snug around the face. I don't know if it's better or not than the older model, but it does work well enough and the hood does stay on in windy conditions. I wouldn't consider it a slim fit. It's more of a regular fit. I am 185# , 6 ft and a large fits me with enough room for a couple of layers.

Adrian,

I have both an old style and a new style (Alpha Green Special Version). In size XL, my old version weighs 4 oz and my new version weighs 4.5 oz. I much prefer the new style for its improved protection in stormy weather.

The new high collar, that the hood stows in, allows you to use the hood bungees to adjust the neck size with the hood down. It also allows you to cover your face to just below your nose with the hood down or up.

I wore the new version on a week long backpacking trip recently. It was the only outer layer I brought because the long range weather forecast didn't show any precipitation. The trip included a snow storm with 45 mph winds. The Houdini in combination with a Mont-bell XL under it kept me both warm and dry.

Thanks, maybe it's worth a look – my old Houdini put me off hooded windshirts, maybe it's time for another go.

Is the fit/sizing not noticeably different then?

Adrian,

The fit on the Houdini Special appears to be the same as the earlier standard model.

There was another thread recently where posters said that the hood does not stow in the new version.

I also was under the impression the new version was at least 1oz heavier. Is it only .5oz heavier in large?

the hood does not stow in the new Houdini as far as I can tell

I have both an 08 and a 09 Houdini, size medium – color black. The hood does not store in either. The weight is the same with the two of mine. I would call the fit atheltic or trim. The fit allows for light layers to be worn underneath, a cap 1 shirt and a R1 pullover layer well.

I prefer the 09 pocket over the 08 version.

This picture is the Houdini models shown in the current Patagonia '09 Web site catalog:

These pictures are of my '09 Houdini Alpha Green Special neck area.
:

These pictures are of my '08 Houdini neck area:

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It appears as if two types of neck areas were manufactured in '09. The stowable hood is provided only on Patagonia item #19040. This is also known as the Alpha Green Special model.

In field use the fabric appears to breath (~5CFM) the same in both my '08 Houdini and '09 Houdini Special model although the fabric was changed. The denier in the '09 Special model is less and the weave is different. Both fabrics appear to be manufactured using the EPIC coating process for life long fabric DWR. All of these microscope photos are taken at 200x. The bright green fabric is a 2007 standard Houdini version, the yellow green is a 2008 standard Houdini version, and the dull alpha green fabric is a 2009 Special Houdini version.

I suspect the weave was changed to achieve less gloss and consequently more stealth in the Houdini Special version.

Richard-Thanks for the clarification.

I believe all the alpha green "special" stuff was only ever available discounted on the "web special" page and was originally produced for military usage. Any difference in fabric or features shouldn't be applicable to the regular line. My alpha green DAS is also different from the normal model of the past couple years.

Ryan,

What are the differences between the standard DAS and your alpha green DAS other than the color?

Richard,

My copy was purchased back in December and is no longer listed. The "Special" now listed is different from my copy.

I tried on the normal DAS several times in the store. When I received the "Special" I noticed the lining seemed heavier. I checked the tag and it says %100 polyester. The normal ones have a 1 oz 20 denier ripstop nylon lining. My copy also does not have the reinforcements on the shoulders and elbows. The shell is all of the same ripstop polyester. Not sure what the insulation is. Probably Polarguard.

Ryan,

Thanks!