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Current best Houdini alternative?


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  • #1300244
    G Sticks
    Spectator

    @voiceofsticks

    Locale: Mid-Atlantic

    So I tried on the Houdini at REI today – the Medium is too tight on my hips and shoulders and the Large is too long in the sleeves and overall. I am 5'8" with a thick trunk (butt and legs) and broader shoulders apparently (felt very manly trying on the Medium). Normally Patagonia suits me very well and I've worn their stuff for years so I'm disappointed that the flagship windshirt of these forums doesn't fit me.

    That said, what are the best current alternatives to the Houdini? I've read plenty of reviews on here, but some of the threads are a few years old and jackets mentioned aren't sold anymore (like the Golite Ether).

    Requirements: really as close as possible to a Houdini haha, so a hood is essential, I'd like a full zip but I'm not against an anorak, some water resistance if possible but favoring the breathability side of things (I get hot FAST). Affordability is key too, I had found a Houdini for about $65 and was about to buy but I wanted to make sure it fit – glad I did.

    At first glance, perhaps the Montbell Tachyon Anorak is my best bet? What size would I need…large?

    #1963576
    EndoftheTrail
    BPL Member

    @ben2world-2

    Not answering your question… I LOVE my Houdini…

    I'm 5'9', 150lbs and the Houdini Large fits me just fine. Yes, the sleeves are a bit long, but I actually prefer them that way — when using hiking poles and cold winds are howling, it's nice to have the sleeve long enough to cover over my hands — and the elastics minimize the cuffs nicely .

    Even as a relatively skinny guy, the Medium was too tight to wear over anything but a shirt or tee shirt. Bad for layering options.

    #1963587
    Casey Jones
    BPL Member

    @cjsbug

    Edit #2: REI has the Brooks LSD Lite II on clearance for about $52.
    weighs 4.3 oz

    #1963599
    Tom Lyons
    Member

    @towaly

    Locale: Smoky Mtns.

    I like my Stoic Wraith.
    Very light and stows away very small.
    Hood and full zip.
    2.5 oz.
    Under $50 when it's on sale, and it's on sale quite often.

    #1963603
    Alex Romanko
    BPL Member

    @aromanko

    Locale: Rattlesnake

    +1 on the Stoic Wraith. I'm 5'11 175 and a large fits me fine. It has a hood and as someone who also runs hot it breaths quite well.

    #1963610
    Stephen M
    BPL Member

    @stephen-m

    Locale: Way up North

    The Wrath is very nice, not as refined as the Houdini but still a nice piece.

    #1963615
    Dale Wambaugh
    BPL Member

    @dwambaugh

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    One word, "Montane". Go up a size.

    #1963617
    Stephen M
    BPL Member

    @stephen-m

    Locale: Way up North

    Montane are nice also :-)

    #1963621
    Tyler Miller
    BPL Member

    @fightingthetide

    Locale: Southeast

    For a budget wind hoodie, I love my Marmot Ion Wind Hoodie – http://www.sierratradingpost.com/marmot-ion-wind-hoodie-jacket-for-men~p~3969g/

    Wait for a 30% or 35% off coupon.

    I wear this over a running tee or long-sleeve quarter-zip and have been plenty warm trail running into the low 40's. The tee yielded less condensation inside, compared to the long-sleeve, but for such a high-output activity it's what I would expect. It has mesh under the arms and behind the neck. I wear a large and it weighs in at 5.1oz/145g.

    As for how it fits, there is plenty of room for a few layers underneath. I'm 6'3'' and 165lbs. The hood is spacious and my large noggin fits fine. Overall this jacket is not so big that it's too baggy when worn only over a tee.

    EDIT – by condensation, I mean that this jacket yields a very small amount of wetness inside…not a puddle. I would consider this jacket to be pretty breathable. You can get it around $35…can't beat that!

    #1963629
    Piney
    BPL Member

    @drewjh-2

    You might keep an eye open for the North Face Verto on sale, I snagged one last year for $64. It's a great jacket.

    #1963630
    G Sticks
    Spectator

    @voiceofsticks

    Locale: Mid-Atlantic

    Hmph, the Wraith appears to be out of stock right now. Considering it's a Backcountry brand, they're the only ones that would be selling it right now, correct? True sizing (I'm a Medium) or should I go up…assuming I can find one.

    Montane, yes they look nice. It appears that I can get a Lite-Speed for around $80. Promising indeed. Thanks all.

    #1963638
    G Sticks
    Spectator

    @voiceofsticks

    Locale: Mid-Atlantic

    How's the fit on the Verto? I think I saw them at REI today, so I may be able to go check as well…

    #1963639
    Piney
    BPL Member

    @drewjh-2

    My build is totally different so I'm not sure I can help much re. sizing, but it does sound like to me like the Verto will probably fit bigger in the chest/shoulders than the Houdini.

    #1963644
    Stephen M
    BPL Member

    @stephen-m

    Locale: Way up North

    I managed to pickup one of the last batch of Wraiths before they sold out, I plan to test it against the Houdini once the weather gets warmer.

    #1963649
    Link .
    BPL Member

    @annapurna

    Here
    is Stick's blog video of him trying on and talking about the verto and then a video of him trying on and talking about the houdini here ,I know that in some of his videos when he is hiking he talks about his gear that he is using at the time including commentaries on the wind shirt he has on at the time.

    #1963818
    David Chenault
    BPL Member

    @davec

    Locale: Queen City, MT

    The Houdini is on the baggy side of windshirts in that class, you might be best served by just dealing with the long sleeves or having them altered (shortened).

    Montbell also has a roomy torso fit, and might be worth a look. Rab and Montane would not suit you.

    #1963838
    G Sticks
    Spectator

    @voiceofsticks

    Locale: Mid-Atlantic

    Thanks all for the insight. So I thought about it more and I think I might just pick up a large Houdini and deal with the long sleeves and torso. I generally LOVE my Patagonia gear and I can get the Houdini far cheaper than anything else recommended on BPL so it is probably still my best choice. Haha, I'm not trying to win any beauty contests either right, it is just to serve a function in my pack. Long sleeves are unsightly but not the end of the world.

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