2013 patagonia Houdini or Pertex Shield+ jacket( i.e. OR helium II)

I was also thinking about this, this morning. Wondering what the 2013 (? Brown with green zipper) breathability of the Houdini is…I have seen CFM tests, but wonder how to convert this to MVTR…or at least figure out the MVTR. I know the 2013 doesn't have the best breathabiliy (3CFM), but if it's damn near the MVTR of Pertex Shield+….then I sure wouldn't mind simply ditching my wind jacket all together.

KJ

the helium is not breathable enough IMO to be used as an active windshirt unless it V COLD and you wearing very little underneath … even then its not the best

it excels as a "just in case" rain and wind layer, or when you need wind protection when stopped or moving slowly

it aint the "best" UL rain jacket out there, but for the price, weight, and proven OR warranty … and not to mention you can always find it on sale … its probably the best value

;)

I left the Houdini at home last year to try out the Helium 2 for both wind and rain protection. Ultimately it worked out fine, though the feel of the Helium against the skin felt like a rain jacket against my skin. I guess I was hoping that it's advertised breathability would equate to it being more comfortable as a wind layer. I found myself not breaking it out very often unless winds were super bad, or if I was cold. Well and for rain too. I went on a recent hike and brought along the extra weight of my Houdini (grueling) and felt like I was reunited with my childhood blanky when wearing it. It was awesome. Miles more comfortable, didn't get humid in it like I would with the Helium, and hence I wore it for the majority of my hike where I otherwise would have teetered on my comfort level and left the Helium in my pack had I left the Houdini at home.

So yes, it can be substituted for a wind jacket. I did so last year and was fine. It's not optimal though, and some additional small comforts can go a long way mentally.

Another thought is body oils and dirt working it's way in to a rain jackets fabric, which can greatly hinder it's primary function.

I now reserve the Helium for alpine climbs and hikes that I expect a lot of rain. For the rest of my trips where rain is not likely I use the Houdini and a poncho tarp for my rain/wind/shelter needs. Perfecto.

Euh, you can't convert CFM to MVTR and vice versa. Totally different thinks.

Like Matt I left my 2012 Houdini behind last Sept in favor of a brand new Helium 2 for a 17 day trip in the Sierras.

I wore the Helium as a wind layer over a long sleeve Rab Meco on three occasions when crossing 12k passes and summiting Whitney. It was perfectly adequate to the task when the air temp was cold and it was very windy.

I used the Helium 2 as a rain shell on the one evening we got rain. I did not have to hike in the rain with it. Only to set up a tent and hang out by a fire. I found it to wet out very quickly and eventually either condensation or something got my shoulders wet. When I returned I contacted OR and described the problem and they replaced the jacket promptly.

Questionable as a rainshell with the limited experience I've had. Adequate wind shell even at high exertion when cold. Excellent customer service and warranty.

I have the original helium and it's worked really well for me in the rain. I sweat like a monster from my back and I am a very warm bodied person. After hiking a few hours and 3k+ elevation gain in constant heavy rain with winds at 25-40mph at times in the low 40°F's, I was completely dry and never felt uncomfortable. There was a dark, wet spot on the back of the jacket where my pack was covering it, from my sweat being trapped by the pack, but my back was fairly dry.

I was originally worried about the lack of pit zips and less rated breathability than the eVent jacket that it replaced, but it worked really well in real life.

The hood of the original is a bit less than optimal though, but this wasn't really AN issue for me as I also had on the OR convertible Pertex rain cap under the hood to keep the rain out of my eyes/glasses.