

#Houdini air skin
The waistline never lifted up, even with full overhead arm movement.Īnd the polyester fabric is much softer and more accommodating against the skin than the rather crinkly fabric on the original Houdini, yet it’s just as water-repellant.

This completely eliminates mobility restrictions I experienced with its counterpart, the Houdini. The fit has been updated with a gusseted design and slight stretch to the fabric, giving the Houdini Air a much more refined and comfortable fit. And again, for someone who heats up rather quickly, it was much better than the original Houdini. While I never got to really compare the Houdini Air’s protection in environments with high wind exposure, I did get a few outings in the Sierras to test breathability. These barely noticeable ribs allow the jacket to sit slightly off the skin or layer, helping circulate body heat and allowing for better internal airflow. To further enhance the jacket’s breathability, the interior is lined with raised micro-ribs. In a simple side-by-side air permeability test where I blew air directly on the jacket, I could clearly tell the Houdini Air allowed better airflow than the Houdini. The lower the CFM, the less breathable the fabric. Weighing just under 5 ounces, the Houdini Air carries an air permeability rating of 20 CFM, compared to roughly 10 CFM for the Houdini and between 50 and 60 CFM for the Airshed. And the all-new Houdini Air falls somewhere in the middle. The Patagonia Airshed sits on the breathability side, offering the best breathability while sacrificing wind protection. On a wind protection versus breathability continuum, the original Houdini sits on the wind protection end at the expense of breathability. Instead, it fills a gap in the ultra-lightweight jacket lineup.
#Houdini air pro
The trail running line includes 4- and 8-liter hydration packs, the Short Sleeve Aircasher tee, and the Strider Pro shorts.Īnd don’t worry, diehard Houdini fans. The new Houdini Air is part of Patagonia’s all-new Long Haul Trail Running Kit, releasing in spring 2019. Patagonia Houdini Air Review: Trail Running Focus Still, despite these drawbacks, it’s been hard to find better ounce-for-ounce protection from wind and light rain than the Houdini.Īt least, until I got to test the all-new Houdini Air. I also find mobility to be somewhat restricted by the jacket. For starters, it shelters from windy gusts well but doesn’t quite breathe enough during higher-effort bouts of exercise, causing me to overheat. However, as much as I love the Houdini, there are few downsides. If you ever find me in the mountains, odds are you’ll find the Patagonia Houdini stuffed in my pack or clipped to my harness. I reviewed this trail running model that hits the market in 2019. Patagonia’s ultra-lightweight jacket, the Houdini, receives a more breathable, softer, and better-fitting sibling.
