Patagonia Houdini Jacket Review | Lightweight and Packable Wind Shell for Trail Runners

Trail runners love the word ‘lightweight’ – we’re always looking to pack as much as we can for a day outdoors with as little impact on our bodies.

Despite heading into the summer months, sometimes the weather can be less than what we expect, and its material – once you that jacket in your hot little hands – will attest to that. Known as the brand’s most lightweight and packable wind jacket, the Patagonia Houdini Jacket features one of the best Durable Water Repellant (DWR) coatings we’ve had the pleasure of testing since getting a hold of it at the end of winter.

Keeping me dry enough from the elements, the jacket gave me confidence in my run to keep going and not turn back despite the downpour. With a bit of wind thrown in for good measure, the Patagonia Houdini Jacket kept its promise with a generous amount of wind resistance (thanks to lightweight nylon ripstop) and breathability, never making me feel heavy during trail running. There isn’t any underarm venting, which is probably the downside as trapped air is unable to escape, but really it’s not the be-all or end-all (for instance, take it off when you’re ascending, and then put it back on when descending). You can also cinch the hem at the waist, and on the hoodie. 

This is a slim-fit jacket, sitting on your body tightly enough with movement for your arms and shoulders but allowing ample room for layers. The wrist cuffs are only half elastic, so you’d be hard pressed to push up the sleeves, but they do the job of keeping wind out and you can still check your sports watch when needed. The Patagonia Houdini Jacket doesn’t come with any pockets, but the features of this being a water and wind resistant far outweigh the necessity to carry anything in it – it’s incredibly ideal for packing in your running vest and using it as an emergency shell. 

Packability is another major selling point here. The jacket stuffs itself into its own chest pocket and is small enough to be gripped in one hand, or you can hang it from your running vest with the carabiner loop. If weight and protection are your priorities, then the Patagonia Houdini Jacket is pretty hard to beat. And at this price, it’s a leader in its field. 

VITALS

RRP: $149.95 AUD patagonia.com.au