ANOTHER wind shirt thread

I like the fit better on the arcteryx, but the fabric on the Houdini is pretty awesome.

I can't speak for the other two models, but I own the Houdini and it's solid. The fabric is really great, it's light as a feather, and the hood is nice to have. My only gripe, and it's a very small one overall, if the hood could have been fit better. Seems to be a little floppy when worn, and can hinder peripheral vision once in a while. But, not enough to not wear it. I'll be taking on the PCT this year, and at 3.7 ounces won't feel it.

Dug
http://thf2.wordpress.com

Another vote for the Houdini. Great breathability — significantly better than the Marmot Ion (which I guesstimate to be at a par with the Golite Helios). I have fondled the Montane Lite Speed (i.e. no real practical experience) — but in the end chose the Houdini because I liked the feel of the fabric more. It's also lighter and crunches up smaller.

Dug,
I hacked my Houdini to remove all but the zipper portion of the urban collar. I then sewed the sides of the hood to the remaining collar and re-routed the shock cord. It greatly improved the fit and control of the hood.

I also chopped out the bottom half of the zipper. I prefer pullovers.

This is a GotToTake piece for me. Great breathability. When worn over a long-sleeved-zip-T, the combination is good for 20°F to 60°F. Take a puffy for camp, and you are done.

I have a Lite-Speed and like it pretty well. The hood can be stowed which is kind of nice. Never have used it in the rain yet but understand it does not do well with anything other than very light precipitation. I find it breaths very well and hike comfortably with it and a wool T-shirt from 30*F and up.

Question: Where are you guys getting the dark green/brown Houdini? I would consider swapping out the Lite-speed for a Houdini if I found a size M in that color…

Nice review of the lite-speed : http://thunderinthenight.blogspot.com/2009/11/montane-lite-speed-jacket-review.html?m=1

I have been using a Montbell windshirt for a couple years, and everytime I put it on, I remind myself how much I hate it. I finally bought a Houdini and after one trip it is absolutely great.

I really like my Lite-Speed, but wish it was a bit lighter. I am considering getting the new Montane slipstream and making my own hood for it somehow.

http://www.montane.co.uk/products/men/windproof/slipstream-jacket/199

Here's a nice one that I got for my brother a while ago:

Salomon Fast Wing Hoody II

(170g)

http://www.salomon.com/us/product/fast-wing-hoody-ii-jacket-m.html

@ Greg: I'd love to see more of how you pulled that mod off, I prefer pullovers way more as well. That looks slick!

@Ryan: I bought mine on the Patagonia site this last year for $90…

Dug
http://thf2.wordpress.com

That color and cut of Houdini were apparently made by Patagonia for military use as part of MARS and were offered on Web Specials in late 2008. The hood conceals in the collar with 3 snaps which does not seem to be found on any of the standard versions. I really like this feature and will replace the Houdini with a Montane Lite-Speed if it ever wears out since that also allow the hood to be tucked away.

Of all the windshirts I've used, I too like Patagucci the best.

North Face has a promising new entry called the VERTO – made from Pertex Quantum.

http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/mens-jackets-vests/men-39-s-verto-jacket.html

blocks wind, breathes well and has a very good DWR- oh and it's pretty light AND includes a hood

yeah I like mine very much :)

Nick,
I saw your comment and was wondering what you found bad about your Montbell windshirt.
I have one and it seems to work okay in blocking wind, a bit of rain, and breathes okay.
But I've not had any other windshirts with which to compare it.
So, tell me what you think?
Thanks,
Marty Cooperman

Marty,
I've got and have used both extensively. The Montbell has a more robust DWR, but as a consequence does not breath nearly as well as the Houdini. The Montbell is also a tighter fit, and has a very short zipper, further restricting air flow. (I'm 5'9", 175#, in a Large.)

Houdini, baby.

I own a Wild Things hooded windshirt made from Epic. I used it all winter long and really enjoyed it. I have a couple trips coming up this Spring and this will definitely be in the pack.

Martin:

The Montbell windshirt is not breathable (or barely breathable if you will) — although to be fair, Montbell has never marketed it as breathable. I used to own something similar — the very early Golite Helios jacket. The advantage to non-breathable shells is that they can really keep out the cold. When at rest at the end of a hike, with cold winds blowing about, I was pretty amazed how something so thin and light could make such a difference in retaining body warmth! But the bad thing is that it is almost impossible to keep the shell on when actually hiking.

In contrast, my old Marmot Ion is much more breathable — meaning I can keep the jacket on a bit longer while hiking. But it doesn't keep out the cold quite like the above.

In further contrast, my current Houdini is significantly more breathable than the Marmot Ion. Not a miracle fabric (remember that we can sweat hiking with just a tee or even hiking naked if it's warm enough or if we hike fast and hard enough) — but in cool temps with winds blowing, there's less need for putting on / taking off as I hike between sun and shade. The Houdini will also block out a lot of winds, but it's high breathability means you will feel cooler with the winds blowing while you are at rest.

dead bird celeris is the most breathable ive seen, ive got the vest .. can put my mouth to it and not sound like darth vader

unfortunately the jacket doesnt come with a hood … havent tried the squamish yet

Random thoughts…

Not used the Squamish, though I was most interested in it before coming across a great deal on the Houdini. I have that Houdini as well as a Montane Lite-Speed from a few years ago. My older Lite-Speed (XXL) weighs 6.4 oz in and my new Houdini (XL) weighs 4.3 oz. The Houdini seems to run pretty small for an American product, while the Lite-Speed seems big for a European. Chest size is pretty accurate on both, but I have a lot of room for layering with the Lite-Speed; a little too much, in fact. I'll need to loose a few more pounds before I feel comfortable walking around in public wearing the Houdini, though. :)

I've tried three wind jackets- the Houdini, Lite-Speed and the Norrona Bitihorn Aero 60. I'm comfortable hiking with any of them wearing a long sleeve 150-200 g/m^2 merino top down to 10-15 F. They keep enough of the wind off and breath well enough that sweat doesn't accumulate.

Both wind jackets seem to be different in their current versions than some of the past incarnations. A lot of the photos I've seen of the older Houdini seems to show that there is a separate collar, which would allow you to protect your neck even with the hood down. My 2011 Houdini does not have this- with the hood down, wind goes straight down my neck. The 2011 Lite-Speed appears to have a collar *with* that stands on its own, even with the hood down.

The fabric on the Houdini is very nice. A little stiffer, sits well, and feels more like a lightweight shell than a wind shirt with the garbage bag shine. Looks nice too- colorful and quite matte. The Pertex used for the Lite-Speed has performed well for me. Not quite as matte, but works for for me.

I have to admit- the colors of the current Lite-Speed are enough to have me considering an upgrade! Moroccan blue / tangerine = drool.

I like certain aspects of the fit a bit more with the Lite-Speed- specifically, the cut and elastic around the wrist and waist seems to seal off better than the Houdini.

I think Ben did a good job reviewing it. A couple things to add…

The Montbell is very athletically cut. I am a 'medium' size, but like shirts and jackets in large. A large MB fits very tight, and not conducive to layering. An XL would probably be too long in the sleeves. The Houdini covers something like an R1 Hoodie very well.

The material in the MB immediately feels clammy when first put on if you have a short shirt on under it.

The material in the Houdini has a nicer feel against the skin.