Patagonia Houdini-More Durable Alternative?

Arcteryx Squamish hoody

The military surplus PCU L4 (or ECWCS L4) is exactly that — a more rugged Houdini.

A better overall jacket, and still more rugged than a Houdini, is the Outdoor Research Ferrosi.

Thanks Bill. Those look nice.

I was wrong about the insert pin being the issue, the zipper box fell off as described in this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLbk8C42HHI&ab_channel=Arc%27teryx

Present on my Houdini.

I have a hoodless Houdini with no zipper except on the stash pocket. Just a few snaps at the neck.

@ MJ H I thought about that but the hood is used quite often. Just don’t like the delicate zippers.

Good point. The Houdini I take hiking most often is my other one, which has a hood. I mostly keep the hoodless one in my messenger bag for commuting and such.

Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody is a few ounces more, but more durable, breathable, and stretchy.

@Chris thanks I will look into that one.

Great sale prices on the Hooded Alpine Start at Black Diamond. I switched from the Houdini years ago for the same reasons that you give. Be sure to check the ‘Fit Chart’ at B.D. and if you are close to the top range go up a size.

I’ve had similar zipper failures

That’s a great way to replace the bottom box without having to replace the whole zipper

I don’t think I’ve ever had the bottom box come off, but now i know what to look for

Well after closer inspection, the part of the zipper that holds the box-broke off with the box. Even if I could source a new box, there isn’t anything for it to bite on to. I know they are made to be light, but how much would a brass box/pin increase the weight? 1-5g? It would be infinitely more durable.

I think I see what you mean about the part holding the box breaking.

all the zipper parts are molded from plastic.  To introduce a brass part would add a whole new stream of parts coming into  the factory so it would add expense

I don’t know if it’s more durable but these are so cheap (18 dollars) you can replace them?  I’ve had mine for over a year so far.

the Amazon Houdini

If the link doesn’t work search for Dooy windbreaker.

I use and like both the Dooy and the Houdini but for different needs as they’re pretty different.  The Dooy has great breathability for on the move but is pretty fragile, both the zippers and the material.  Its price is low so it can be replaced if it dies.  Its not rain repellant but soaks up moisture enough in a brief light mist to keep it off your clothes.  I use it often

The Houdini is much less fragile but doesn’t breathe, so I use it when static like in camp or when stopping on route to fish.  It a lot more rain repellant than the Dooy but still wets out in any appreciable rain quickly.  So it gets a lot less use but has a place.

I have a Dooy and don’t really enjoy how poorly it’s made. I mean for the price it’s appropriate, but the zipper is left handed, poor sewing, hood is bad, etc. Have used it in a pinch and might have to go to this while my zippers are awaiting repairs if I don’t find a more suitable replacement.

The Dooy is made pretty poorly (though the hood works OK for me) but in its defense I’ve never found or heard of anything that has it’s unique balance of wind cut and breathability for fast active use.  I’m all ears if this unicorn exists.

Even my soft shells will collect ice inside @ -15F, where the Dooy and proper layering works perfectly for me from ~ -20F up to 40F.    All the better made and more expensive stuff seems to trade off breathability for better water repellency or wind blocking.  The only time I found a Houdini to better the Dooy while on the move was a long day hike @ ~ -30F, but then that was pretty extreme.

Caveat: I’m usually in/out of forest.  The alpinists are probably rolling their eyes and need much better wind blocking than the Dooy offers

I’ve never found or heard of anything that has it’s unique balance of wind cut and breathability for fast active use.

Part of the reason why the Dooy is so exceptional at its price point is because it is a SUN jacket. Using it as a super-breathable windshirt is “off-label”.

Thinking along similar lines, other woven (not knit) sun shirts perform similarly. A Columbia Silver Ridge Lite is similar in wind resistance and comfort to a Dooy. The Dooy is lighter and packs smaller, while the Columbia feels a little nicer and is more durable.

Many woven shirts are in the same ballpark, including dress shirts.

I get a lot of use from both and the SRL does block some wind but its best use case differs quite a bit from the Dooy so its not a very good replacement IME

The SRL absorbs and holds a lot more perspiration instead of passing it through like the Dooy, probably because its heavier but possibly also because of its weave.

So the Dooy excels as a top shell on the move in colder weather.  The SRL shirt excels as a hiking shirt (for me ~32F to 70F) and its pretty good as a wind block when static in camp thrown over a fleece, but only after its dry

Being so thin and transparent, do you think the Dooy actually has much UV protection?

They claim UPF “up to 50” but I dunno.  Holding it up to light, its (blue Dooy) more transparent than my pebble OR Echo @ UPF 15 but I don’t know if a naked eye view is useful for comparing UPF.

I was wondering the same thing, it looks transparent

But that’s in visible wavelengths.  I wonder what it looks like in UV wavelengths

Since the company is unknown (?) it doesn’t have a reputation to defend so I have less confidence they actually test it and verify the UV protection

I was curious, so a little Google Fu turns up
“Consumers cannot judge a product’s effectiveness against UV rays by sight or touch”

It sounds like you should get a wind jacket with a YKK VISLON zipper.

I think the Arcteryx Squamish and Rab Borealis utilize them. (The Rab weighs considerably more.) There may be other options too… I’m not current with the wind jacket market.

I do not think the Outdoor Research Ferrosi or Black Diamond Alpine Start have YKK VISLON zippers… unless they have changed.

Looks like the Vision still utilized a plastic box.