2nd layer advice requested..

I am a newbie, but I have been wearing my new houdini often for a few weeks now, so I can comment on it. It WILL wet out after a while, so it certainly can't be called "weatherproof" but it will keep you dry for a few minutes and overall drier than without it. In the summer, this is fine, but if it's cold you could be miserably and dangerously wet. Remember, hypothermia is MUCH more common in 40-50 degree rainy weather. I picked up a driducks set and a poncho tarp which i'll use when it really starts coming down.

overall though, I think the houdini is a great WIND shirt and an OK rain RESISTANT jacket. It does add a LOT of warmth to a good T shirt (mine's smartwool) to make 60F in shorts and the above pretty comfy. There's NO insulation on parts where the wind pushes the jacket against the skin, so it feels cold (and wet if it's raining) there. A long sleeved wool shirt would fix this.

Just this week I had occasion to call Patagonia with a similar question, as I'm looking for a suitable outer shell for my newly-acquired Micro Puff jacket. The well-informed CSR I spoke with was clear that the Houdini was not suitable because it is not sufficiently waterproof. She said their Rain Shadow jacket, however, should do the trick.

Depends on what you mean by weatherproof. If you are looking for something that shrugs off sprinkles, cuts down windchill, etc then the houdini is great. If you are looking for something that will keep you dry in a real rainstorm you will need to supplement with an umbrella or switch to something that is actually waterproof, or wear something that dries quick and enjoy the rain shower :-). If you want to go the waterproof route then I would recommend a jacket made from eVENT (most breathable material sold today) or Propore (best breathability / cost though somewhat fragile). For more info see my recommended rain shells page.

Mark: yes, weatherproof was a bit of an overstatement, looking for something very pack light that's primarily wind protection. A traditional second layer, not a true weatherproof fourth layer.

Does the Houdini dry quickly?

Thanks for all replies. Lots of good advice.

The Houdini dries as quickly a any other windshirt I've tried. It sounds like the ideal item for the conditions you describe. I practically live in mine on the trail for most conditions. You'll want to carry a poncho or waterproof jacket for heavy downpours or sustained rain in temps under 60 degrees. I use a micropore jacket (Dropstoppers, now DriDucks).

I think the reason the Houdini is a real winner is that it fills a niche need at a negligible weight. I'll grab one when I find it at a good price, because I've always been a rain poncho wearer on the trail, so don't really need a windbreak layer to be totally waterproof. Tradeoff; I've said before I'm an opportunistic buyer. Another sense in which the choice is a tradeoff is the multi-purpose aspect of my poncho, which makes the weight worth it. Have waited out sudden thunderstorm microbursts crouched under my poncho with a hiking partner, emerging unscathed when the typical northeast downpour is past and the rainbow is in the sky.

Mandy,

As for waiting for the Houdini to come down in price…I don't think I've ever seen it on sale. I did snag one for my wife off of eBay for $55 but that seems to be the exception not the rule. Good luck.

I got one with the 20% discount on BackCountry.com. Alas, the coupon expired May 1.

I have the Marmot Essence jacket. For a windproof, waterproof jacket, this thing is the lightest I can find. Granted it is a little bit heavier than some microlight plastic that is fashioned into the shape of a jacket but it is close and that makes it worth its cost.

I agree with others that that Houdini does dry fairly quickly. I think it's the nicest unlined windshirt on the market today.

As to finding one on sale… look at the web specials on patagonia web site the thursday before memorial day and labor day. Those are their bi-annual sales. Better yet, stop by one of their factory outlets. You might be able to score a Houdini for ~$40. That's about what I paid for my wife's houdini.

–Mark

If you need an XL sierra trading post has one for ~$69 (orig $135). Though if you can get one for $40 as Mark did I’d wait! Link: Houdini

"As to finding one on sale… look at the web specials on patagonia web site the thursday before memorial day and labor day. Those are their bi-annual sales. Better yet, stop by one of their factory outlets. You might be able to score a Houdini for ~$40. That's about what I paid for my wife's houdini.

–Mark"

Ack…you guys are making my wallet hurt! I paid full price. But then again, I got a Men's large in a non-dayglo color.

By the by, has anyone else had the waistcord snap on their Houdini? I've had the same issue with two different jackets now- drawcord pulls away from its hem attachment point near the zipper, right side. Both happened within a day or two of using the jacket. I don't feel that I over tightened or pulled the cord too hard.

I have a Dragonfly (the Houdini's predecessor?) and no problems with the drawcord, although I don't think I use it much (the drawcord that is). Admittedly, it is very thin fabric but the good news is that Patagonia will repair/replace it readily. And it'll be cheap to mail something so light :-)

I was actually thinking of cutting the waistcord out of mine! One less thing to get caught on stuff, and I don't use them. I just noticed prolitegear.com has women's houdinis on sale for a few pennies under $100.

Sierra Designs has a hoodless but seam-taped very lightweight jacket with nice zippered side pockets called Neutron ($35 down from $70; 4 oz) and there is the Red Ledge Thunderlight ($30 down from $60; 14 oz). I found these very good prices on both recently at Sierra Trading Post, which were made even better by a 20% off orders over $100 offer I received by email. I suspect the Houdini has some mystical quality that other garments will not attain, but for the money these may be worth a try. Just be sure to buy them large enough to go over your insulation layer comfortably.

And here's another, although I haven't actually had this one in my hands: REI has the Sierra Designs Axis jacket ($30, down from $80; 7 oz) in its Outlet Store. It has a hood.

deeplennon asked, "I'm looking to get a nice new light weatherproof second layer for summer hiking this year, at the moment I've only researched the Patagonia Houdini so I'm here to ask the experts; are there any other options I should be considering?"

Rain gear or a windshirt? A really waterproof windshirt is a sweaty mess. Montane is the way to go with a windshirt, and go up a size for US sizes. Most of the better windshirts have a DWR treatment, but those with an internal acrylic or PU coating are just greenhouses. I haven't tried it, but I suspect the Mont Bell wind jacket is another good one– I'm sure other here can verify. If you are looking for an inexpensive wind shirt, check out running gear. I've found several New Balance and Brooks garments that were a few ounces more than hiking-specific gear, but very nicely made, quite breathable and excellent DWR.

Rain gear could be argued and compared for pages and pages here. I use Marmot Precip for the cost/weight/breathability. I hike with an SMD Gatewood Cape, so that poncho-like item and a windshirt takes care of the top and I wear Precip bottoms if it is an all-day slopfest. Many here like Frog Toggs and similar non-layered synthetics. IMHO, whatever rain gear you buy, ventilation is the thing: full zippers, pit zips, venting pockets, cowl vents– whatever it takes to get that hot sweaty air out. The breathability of the fabric comes second. For ponchos, GoLite and Integral Designs are good places to look and both offer use as a shelter even if you are using other shelter options. I like that a lot for a day-hiking survival packup.

Another vote for the Houdini. I just used mine on a three day trip from 15'C to -5C in sunshine, rain, and snow. It is not raingear, but it will shed rain long enough for you to get out your shell.
Great thing about it is its breathability. I just leave it on over a wool-1 baselayer throughout that temperature range. It never gets condensation on the inside, it vents. Dial in the temp you want with the full zip and it does the rest.
If rain seems persistent, I put my shell directly over it.. If I get cold at a stop, I put my thermawrap over it. Really cold? the thermawrap And the shell; forming a soft-hard-soft-hard 4-layer system.

Like many posters in other threads, I consider this the best 100 grams in my pack. I wont leave it at home.

I picked up a Northface HyVent last year and love it. Taped seams, waterproof nylon, stowable hood, pockets double as vents. I assume they make a men's verion.