Patagonia Houdini Review

The Patagonia Houdini is a timeless piece that has been around for decades, and for good reason. Featuring 100% recycled Nylon material, this eco-friendly piece is the perfect buy for those looking for moderate wind protection, breathability, and durability. All of these features are welcomed at a great price, making this one of our team's favorite running jackets. The Houdini packs and deploys quickly, ready to have your back whenever your runs take you.

Breathability

When it comes to running hard, it's essential to stay warm without overheating in your outer layer. The Patagonia Houdini is moderately breathable. However, all of the jackets we reviewed prioritize protection over breathability, so the Houdini still scored above average here. There are no venting options, but during high-output runs, we dropped the front zip partway down to dump some heat and regulate our temperature.

The jacket worked well for us while running in a variety of locations and conditions. We appreciated it most on days when the weather looked good, but we knew we were heading into areas with unpredictable conditions. When the wind starts blowing strong on a high alpine ridge or you need a boost of warmth before the sun comes up during a sunrise trail run, the Houdini is there to keep you comfortable and moving fast towards your next objective.

We did some fun high-intensity intervals up and down a stretch of trail, and the jacket still had a great body feeling. It got a bit clammy when we were really warm, at which point it's better just to take the jacket off.

Weather Resistance

The Patagonia Houdini has a light DWR coating that provides light water resistance without adding weight or heft to the fabric. This makes it perfect for wind and light precipitation. It's not fully waterproof, and it will wet out pretty quickly if you don't take cover from heavier storms. However, it outperforms for its weight, and it has a drop hem that adds extra coverage for your behind if you get caught in bad weather. And if you're questioning the forecast, the Houdini is lightweight enough that it doesn't feel like a huge sacrifice to throw it in your pack.

We actually did get caught off guard once by an afternoon rainstorm while out with the Patagonia Houdini. Instead of turning back, we stayed on course to see how the jacket would handle the unexpected precipitation. The DWR did its job for a while, but it eventually started soaking up the rain instead of repelling it. It's a classic windbreaker that does the job, but wouldn't be the top pick for a true angry storm.

Comfort and Mobility

Despite being made out of plastic, the Patagonia Houdini has a wonderful skin feel. This jacket manages to make a technical nylon ripstop fabric feel somewhat homey. Whether heading out for rugged adventures in the mountains or chilly morning runs in the city, the Houdini is practical for any mission.

The fabric has no stretch, but we felt decent freedom of movement on our downhill runs. The Houdini has a relaxed fit that we wouldn't call tailored, but it doesn't feel excessively baggy either. To be honest, it was so lightweight that oftentimes we forgot we were wearing it.

drop hem

Portability

The Patagonia Houdini weighs in at 3.5oz, making it one of the lighter options we tested. At this weight, it's an easy decision to toss this in your running vest or belt. With a fast and quick stow pocket on the chest, the Houdini packs inside itself and features a daisy chain loop to clip to a harness or running vest.

The Patagonia Houdini packs small, similar to the size of an avocado. Throw it in a pack, and it nearly disappears. While out testing, when conditions became too warm to keep the jacket on, it was easy to stow the jacket into its chest pocket and continue our run.

Features and Visibility

Offered in a variety of bright colors, the Patagonia Houndini is basically a walking (or running) traffic cone. The color alone makes you easily visible in many running conditions, but it doesn't have much reflective material, so isn't the best option for night runs unless you plan to add your own.

It has elastic cuffs and an adjustable hood, which help keep the weather out and dial in the fit. However, one of our favorite features of this jacket is how minimal and simple the design is. There are no extra bells or whistles to weigh you down, just the protection from a classic and quality piece.

Should You Buy the Patagonia Houdini?

The Patagonia Houdini is a classic fan favorite running jacket. If you are looking for a lightweight, durable, and packable jacket for mountain and trail running adventures, this is the one for you. This is a low-stakes layer that provides an extra blanket of security when you expect the weather to be mostly good. Pack it for early spring or late fall mid-day road runs, or summertime alpine trail runs. If you want a waterproof or storm-worthy layer, best look for something with taped seams and waterproof fabrics.

What Other Running Jackets Should You Consider?

If you're willing to throw down some cash for a fully waterproof layer, the Patagonia Storm Racer is a bulletproof jacket. The Baleaf Waterproof is a super affordable, weather-resistant jacket, but it is heavy and not very breathable. The Inov8 Raceshell HZ falls somewhere in the middle, offering a good balance of weatherproofing and breathability without being super expensive. If you want a jacket that does it all, and don't mind the added weight, the Nnormal Trail Run is a thoughtfully featured jacket designed specifically for trail running.