The houdini is an iconic windbreaker jacket and sets the standard for all other jackets in this category.
Good wind rain jackets.
The entire jacket stuffs into its chest pocket resulting in a tiny package that is all in all about the size of a small banana.
A hard shell has the greatest protection from rain and wind but features little.
Just like the mountain warehouse one it features a packable hood that comes in handy more often than not.
Hiking jackets are built to be light and packable to bring along on a backcountry trip and their performance in heavy rain and wind is admirable particularly the more substantial gore tex paclite models including the marmot minimalist arc teryx zeta sl and outdoor research foray.
Of course as all good rain jackets should it does have ventilation from the gore tex and pit zips but not enough to make it a summer jacket.
Technical rain jacket manufacturers tend to shy away from polyurethane because it feels well rubbery.
Still it is one of the best jackets available for comfortable waterproofing and durability in chilly weather.
Arc teryx jackets are meant to last a lifetime so if you re looking for a longterm rain jacket let it be this one.
It uses gore tex protection arguably the best waterproof material on the market.