Patagonia Houdini-More Durable Alternative?

“up to 50” includes zero :)

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

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

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.

“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!

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

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

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