6 October 2023
One improvement I would make is to make the chest pocket slightly larger. I feel that the extra space would be useful for stowing gloves or a bit of food. It did hold my iPhone SE with a case but anything larger + case would be tricky. I usually have my phone stashed in a pack pocket so it wasn’t so much an issue but I could only stash a thin pair of gloves (which was useful when I’m running with a waist belt) or a couple of food bars. That said I can work around that, but as I said it would be very useful with not too much weight addition. Maybe some venting at the back would also help to help shed heat when working hard.
The Patagonia Houdini jacket is a lightweight, packable, water-resistant, and breathable jacket that is perfect for a variety of outdoor activities. It is made from a 100% recycled nylon ripstop with a PFC-free DWR finish, and it weighs in at just 100g.
The Patagonia Houdini jacket is a lightweight, packable, water-resistant, and breathable jacket that is perfect for a variety of outdoor activities. It is made from a 100% recycled nylon ripstop with a PFC-free DWR finish, and it weighs in at just 100g. The jacket packs down to the size of a grapefruit, making it easy to stow in a backpack or pocket. It is important to note that the Houdini jacket is water-resistant and not waterproof, it is not going to be a substitute for your Gore-Tex hardshell. It is not designed for that, it is designed as a compact, emergency shell that can be deployed when the breeze gets up or showers appear on the horizon. It will get you back down into the valley in relative comfort, but not dry!
The best climbing gear from our veteran testers, hand selected just for you
Welcome to the Holy Grail of climbing gear lists! Here you will find our top picks: the gear our climber-testers would recommend to their best friends. We buy every item at the store, just like you, then we test it…for months. Below we recommend the top two items in each category. We start off with the best climbing shoes, arguably the most important item in your pack. Next up are the (best climbing harnesses for men and the best for women), then top-rated climbing helmets, followed by the best climbing ropes. But there’s more. The assortment is wide but the selection is narrow. Only the best here.
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