Patagonia Houdini Full-Zip Softshell Jacket - Women's

The bottom line: lightweight, durable, versatile, the PERFECT layer to stash in your backpack (or even your purse) as an emergency layer for rain, wind, snow, hail…you name it.

The story: Jackets of this style have long been a source of contagious laughter in my adventurous family of five. My dad purchased tragically unfashionable forest green "windbreakers" from Mountain Hardwear for all five of us almost ten years. Whenever the wind swept up or a minor chill crept into the air, whether on Washington's Wonderland Trail or on the Baldface Mountains on the Maine/New Hampshire border, my dad would don his green jacket. While the rest of remained hesitant (or probably stubborn, to be more precise), my dad extolled the jacket for its lightweight comfort and protective powers. The jacket thus became the "versatile green layer" and the laughing stock of our goofy family. During the summer of 2009, as we battled wintry elements on the Dolomites' Alta Via 1, my dad took the "plunge" and purchased a new lightweight wind-breaking layer…this one baby blue. But the jokes have continued, and my dad's stylish, Italian-made windbreaker is affectionately referred to as his "versatile green layer."

In preparation for my 1,000-mile-long thru-hike across the Alps this summer, I decided to indulge myself by replacing my versatile green layer…well-aware that the replacement would likely fall outside the realm of green. While I initially ordered the women's Norrona Bitihorn (a comparable layer), I stumbled upon the Houdini en route to check-out. (Thanks, Backcountry). In addition to its windbreaking capacities, this jacket boasts the Patagonia Deluge DWR treatment--certainly not a replacement for a water-resistant rain shell with sealed zippers, but adequate for braving a light sprinkle or a quick jaunt in the rain. I was enjoying some May turns at Snowbird a few weeks ago when spring skiing turned precipitously to rain skiing. While I certainly would have preferred a full-fledged rain shell, my Houdini kept me adequately dry and comfortable for my remaining runs. The jacket features a fantastic hood, which isn't a guarantee on lightweight windbreakers. Note: the jacket can be folded up and placed inside its own side pocket, rendering it extremely compact and a no-brainer for any sort of outdoor adventure.

This jacket is an essential part of my wardrobe. I bought one about 5 years ago thinking I might use it occasionally. I was sure wrong. I wear it all the time. I take this jacket with me everywhere, and I wear it more than any other jacket in my wardrobe. It stuffs so small that there is no reason not to take it. I use it for running, cycling, hiking, camping, and any time it gets a bit chilly or windy. My older one is probably from 2004 or so and is an XS. I just ordered a new one from Backcountry in another color, and in the new 2009 model I wear a small, so it seems they changed their sizing in the past few years. My normal size is a small, so go with the size you normally wear. I highly recommend this jacket. It's worth every penny!