Patagonia Houdini-More Durable Alternative?

[Jerry Adams]

“up to 50” includes zero :)

[Brad W]

Lol. Direct under the metal zipper-UPF 1000, all other material UPF 0.0001.

 

 

[Jerry Adams]

under the zipper teeth it’s an infinite UPF :)

[Greg Pehrson]

Years ago Dave Chenault wrote about sending his Houdini back to Patagonia and asking them to replace the #3 plastic zipper with a #5 metal zipper and they did it.

If you love everything else about the jacket it might be worth it; maybe have a local tailor put the metal zipper in if the wait time from Patagonia is too long, or, like you said, use a cheaper alternative until you can get the jacket back from Patagonia. Good luck.

 

[jscott]

“Years ago Dave Chenault wrote about sending his Houdini back to Patagonia and asking them to replace the #3 plastic zipper with a #5 metal zipper and they did it.”

Sure, they did it for David Chenault. For me? Who knows?

I HATE #3 zippers on tent flys. #5 all the way. Moreover, for shells in particular, I tend to prefer anoraks over zip style precisely because the consequences of zipper failure is greatly reduced. And Anorak zips tend to be easier to manipulate with cold fingers.

I only use my ancient Houdini at home on day hikes, and haven’t had a zipper issue at all. the darn things 20 years old at least. Zipping up when my fingers are warm makes a difference, I guess,  because I have major issues with zippers out on the trail. I’d much prefer #5 zips on ALL my jackets etc. I love the easy, smooth feeling of zipping up a #5, as opposed to the fumbling, bumbling around of a #3. And the constant snagging of inner materials in the zipper that keeps it from zipping, usually at the worst possible moment. I’ll take the one or two ounce penalty, gladly!

[George H]

jscott, I turn many of my full zip garments into pullover style by hand sewing with waxed twine around the zipper where I want a positive stop. Because, like you say, pullovers last vastly longer and are easier to put on in wind

[Jerry Adams]

Full front zipper let’s you reduce insulation to avoid sweating, without having to take it off

[Brad W]

I may look into a metal or beefier zipper if Patagonia won’t do it, have a seamstress do it.

[Author]

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