Patagonia’s Alpine Houdini Rain Jacket: A review

Patagonia’s Alpine Houdini Jacket
Let’s face it—we don’t always need a super-heavy, bomb-proof wading jacket. In fact, a lighter waterproof jacket is often more versatile, offering a defense against the elements while being highly packable. That’s key when hiking into some far off river or lake, most noted when backpacking to the West’s high-mountain trout waters, when ounces make the difference between an overloaded pack and a sore back, or a few good days in the high country.
If you’re the hike-in type, Patagonia’s Alpine Houdini jacket is an excellent option—it’s a featherweight 6.6 ounce emergency defense against rain, sleet and snow. It packs into a single internal chest pocket that can be clipped to your pack for quick access when the thunderheads rise suddenly over a peak. Teamed up with a base layer and an insulating soft-shell (such as Patagonia’s Nano Puff jacket), this DWR coated and fully hooded jacket, with elasticized cuffs and a drawcord hem, is the high-mountain answer. Go get those big, untouched, off-trail goldens and cutthroats knowing you can survive whatever the mountains throw at you this coming summer. This is a great choice, too, if you’re fishing in Belize or the Keys, or even the Bahamas and you want some protection when that rain eventually falls. If you’re headed out for coastal steel this winter, or to Alaska this summer for ‘bows and cohos, best to take a heavier-duty option because, eventually, the rain will get through the Alpine Houdini. But, if it’s a short term downpour, you’re looking good with this. Cost: $199 (men’s and women’s) Check it out at www.patagonia.com