Patagonia Houdini vs Houdini Air vs Mountain Hardwear Kor Preshell vs Black Diamond Alpine Start
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- čas přidán 11. 06. 2021
- Patagonia Houdini vs Houdini Air vs Mountain Hardwear Kor Preshell vs Black Diamond Alpine Start
You asked for it, so here it is! The comparison of several 4oz windbreaker style jackets from Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear, and Black Diamond. Each one of these is a great light jacket and we have reviews on each separately.
But it is nice to see them side by side to see how they look, fit, and function. I hope this helps you decide which one is best for you!
Patagonia Houdini $99 patagonia.pxf.io/NkqDr7
Review - engearment.com/gear-review/pa...
Patagonia Houdini Air $169 patagonia.pxf.io/NkqDr7
Review - engearment.com/clothing/patag...
Mountain Hardwear Kor Preshell $130 snp.link/e777a037
Review - • Mountain Hardwear Kor ...
Black Diamond Alpine Start $165 snp.link/9d3e51df
#Patagonia #PatagoniaHoudini #BestWindbreaker - Sport
Just got the mountain hardware Kor preshell after watching your video and love it.
Awesome Anthony! Stoked you are loving it too. It is such a versatile jacket. Thank you for sharing your experience. Take care! - Sean
Excellent discussion and review man thank you...I just ordered a grey houdini with zero regrets!
Glad I could help! Thanks for the nice note!
Thanks for the review, I have been looking to add a light weight jacket to keep in my running pack.
Thank you for checking this out glad it helped!
What an awesome comparison! Helped me decide on the MH Kor Preshell Pullover.. and the clearance price of $46 helps too hahah
Nice score!!! 🙌🙌. Thank you for the great note.
Great review of these jackets!
Thank you! 🙌
Ended up getting the bd alpine start. That was a good review! Answered all my questions, thanks!
Wonderful. stoked you grabbed the BD alpine start! And thanks for the kind words!
@@Engearment does the DWR on the alpine start hold up after multiple washes like schoeller claims?
@@derekatwood6236 It has for me. I always use Nikwax tech wash for all my gear. I have not retreated it either. Just the Techwash and back to using it :) Hope that helps!
@@Engearment wow that's pretty impressive for dwr to hold up that long. Thanks for the information!
Well, I was looking at Houdini (both versions) but given that I already have and like the Black Diamond Alpine Start, I might as well stick with it. Thanks for the comprehensive comparison.
Thank you for the nice note! The alpine start is so good. Glad you are enjoying yours. Take care!
Thanks for the great review/comparison. What do you recommend for trail runs in the winter in Ontario Canada? Down to -10C
Thanks for sharing, very interesting. The Kor Preshell doesn't seem to be available as non-hoody anymore if I check their website. But will check out the others.
Oh dang. The hoody is versatile. I wonder if they are switching over to a newer version. We are working on some more MH reviews for upcoming gear. There is a new Kor Warm jacket we just recently reviewed too. Basically the Kor shell with a new active insulation. Good stuff 👌
I have 2 kor. Amazing jacket!!
Thanks 🙏
Heck yes!!
Great review. Testing by Natick Labs and Patagonia shows that optimum breathability is 35 CFM and minimum HH is 500. Unfortunately Patagonia's current range doesn't have a windshirt that meets these specs. Most other companies windshirts also do Not meet optimum specs.
I will have to check they study out! Thanks for the intel. I think the air shed has a similar, if not higher, breathability. But it’s a pullover and not a jacket. I liked it for Splitboarding. Let’s see what they come out with next. Thanks again for the helpful insights!
Great review man. Funny, I own 3 of the 4 jackets you reviewed (all except the MH Kor), and despite their similar weights, they all cover different scenarios very well. The only reason I use the BD Alpine Start slightly more often than the others is the breathability factor. The Houdini Air goes everywhere with me in my car / pack and is an ideal emergency layer. All great pieces in their own right. Maybe a four way tie. 👍🏻
Awesome! Glad you agree on these all being really great jackets. Nice to hear that you have 4 of them as well. Thank you for that helpful input! 🙌
So…out of these which would you choose if it’s probably going to be windy and just in case there is a small chance of rain? I already have a good one for when I know it’s going to rain.
@@ROMEKBNY the regular Houdini.
Nice. Will wait for the Air to show up on worn wear. Was looking for something a bit more breathable than my gamma lt.
Good plan! We might be doing a review on the Gamma MX here in a bit. Hope the Air shows up on worn wear as well for you!
Great reviews; very helpful. I just purchased the BD Alpine Start based on your video, and I love the features and material. However, the zipper bulges out quite noticeably in two places. I purchased a couple more, including the next size up, and they all have the same issue. I found a few other mentions of this in reviews, but nobody mentions if it’s a permanent issue, or if it works itself out over time. Did you notice this with yours, and if so, have the bulges gone away with time? Thanks!
Hello! Thanks for the nice note! Bummer on the zipper issues for you though. I have not had that with mine. Thank goodness. Sorry I can not offer more insight on the experience. I really like the BD jacket for touring and high output activities in the cold. Take care!
Still a great review
Thank you!
I got a Houdini to stash in my chalk bag's pocket so I always have a windbreaker with me while climbing. Inspired by an uncomfortably cold belay on a multi pitch climb, while staring down at my backpack which contained a fleece jacket. Being so thoroughly cold made the pitch hard to follow and detracted from what would have been a stellar climb if warm.
I really would like to get a Houdini Air for the additional breathability and stretch that it has over the original Houdini. This would likely mean that I would wear it more often across a larger range of conditions instead of primarily as back up/emergency layer or windbreaker. The Mountain Hardware Kor Preshell are also a strong contender. Especially seeing as how they have hand warmer pockets. The added convenience of storage or keeping my hands warm would be a big plus and make it more likely that I would wear it regularly.
I still remember seeing the Houdini for the first time at the mountain shop I used to work at. It blew me away with its translucent and nearly weightless fabric. The fact that its still around years later shows how great it is.
🙌 good uses for the jackets. Our fellow Engearment writer Drew Thayer just wrote a detailed review on the Houdini Air on our website. He is a climber too. (And runner, father, backcountry skier)
engearment.com/clothing/patagonia-houdini-air/
what are the chances you can do an updated video on lightweight breathable jackets? I am thinking of jackets used for mild weather while hiking...mostly wind protection that breaths. I am thinking the Houdini Air, BD Alpine Start and the Arcteryx Gamma SL (now lightweight).
Hey buddy! That is a great idea 💡 Love it! I will see what we can put together. 🙌
I tried the houdini on this week its awesome
Good to hear!
Which jacket out of all of these would be the best to break wind when walking and offers the best water repellent.. thanks
I think the BD Alpine Start, then MH Kor are the two best for that. Take care!
How much less water resistant and breathable does the Houdini air feel compared to the black diamond alpine start with real world use? Trying to pick out a water resistant rain/wind shell for running. Alpine start sounds better on paper but I think the cut and weight of the Houdini air might be better? The alpine start feels heavier and the arms are a bit long when I tried it on. Thanks!
I think they are both good. The Houdini air might be more comfortable over all. Sounds like it is a better fit for you too! 🙌
@@Engearment I would probably pick the alpine start though if you felt like the water resistance was better. But if they’re both truly comparable I’d go with the Patagonia. Thanks again!
@@brandontom6230 I think they are very close. Though I have used the AS for splitboard tours in the snow and have been impressed. It might edge out the Houdini Air in water resistance. So if you are ok with the way it fits, then that could be your winner. Hope it treats you well!
I'm trying to decide between the kor and Houdini for bike commuting in the bay area CA, fall/winter, hiking, evening walks (when not too cold), and maybe some casual use. I can also see myself chucking this in a backpack for emergencies, day tripping fall/spring to the city.
Which of the two would you advise? I'm not to concerned about rain, here in CA we see it coming and I'm a fair weather biker. I have no problem taking the jacket off if I exert myself too warm, I'm rarely biking more than 50 minutes each way.
Such a good question! It is a tough call. I use both the Houdini Air and Kor a lot. One is always with me. If you want pockets, go with the Kor. More suitable for casual use. Hope that helps!
Can you link your BD Alpine Start review? My search skills are failing me.
here is Drew's review - engearment.com/clothing/black-diamond-alpine-start-hoody/
Have you tried the RAB Vital Windshell Hoody?
Hello Curtis! I have not tried that yet. We started working a lot more with RAB recently, so I will see if we can get one of the writers on that. Thanks for the question.
@@Engearment Cool. I have never had any RAB gear and there's no place around me to check it out so I ordered the Vital hoody in both a large and xl to see which fits better and return the other. I find that a lot of American clothing including a lot of the outdoor stuff is very oversized, especially in the midsection. It makes you look like wearing a trash bag. I prefer a slimmer athletic, but not skin tight fit. I heard that Black Diamond is sized more like that. Has it been your experience with BD? What about the Mountain Hardwear kor Airshell? Is that a trim fit? Most of my stuff is Arcteryx because the fit and quality are great but it would be nice to find some more modestly priced options. Do you guys ever review some of the other European brands like Norrona, Montane or Haglofs? Also there is a Czech brand named Tilak that is supposed to be quality gear.
@@curtisbilgray3615 Hey Curtis! I hear you on the US brands tending to be bigger in the midsection. It can be very frustrating to find a good fit. Black Diamond tends to be more trim. Mountain Hardwear certainly can be as well. The Kor is more trim for sure.
We have worked with Norrona and some European brands (working with EXPED and Houdini this week) but would love to work with more of them. I really appreciate the thought they put into their gear. I will look into Tilak too. Thank you for the suggestion!
Did you ever get the Kor airshell? I was wondering if it was the equivalent of a Houdini air
MH did not wind up sending it over as they said is basically the Pre Shell. Hope that helps!
@@Engearment good to know, guess I can justify ordering both haha. And just a heads up 2 of MH airshells are on sale right now 40% off.
@@AreaCode4hoe8 Score!! Get 'em. Thanks for the heads up on the deals too!
@@Engearment back again haha. Sorry but do the air Houdini and pre she’ll differ a alot in breathability?
I have both and want to return one since they’re both 20CFM but I don’t want to return a used product you know
@@AreaCode4hoe8 I think they are more or less the same for breathability. So, I would go with one that fits you best! Take care
does the houdini jacket keep some warmth?
Yes, I feel like it adds a little warmth.
How much do you weigh ?
205-210lb
@@Engearment thank you.
I weigh 220 and am 5’11 and larges won’t fit my chest and lats so I wasn’t sure if black diamond had more room in chest
I love kettlebells, but that stash seems excessive
I love kettlebells too. Each one is a purpose though!
You should be wearing a large
Um, thanks?