I talked to the Patagonia Customer Service for like 20 mins and also did some external research about this comparison. In this post I've put together everything I've found including my chat screenshots with the Reps.
In summary, Houdini is designed for high output activities (and Houdini Air is even more so) whereas the Torrentshell mainly for casual use (and Torrentshell Insulated is even more so). Note that you CAN use Houdini's casually but wouldn't really prefer using Torrentshell's during high output activities except maybe hiking.
First of all, there are FOUR different models out there. Let's order 3 of them first by increasing warmth, weather resistance, durability & weight and decreasing breathability & comfort:
- Houdini (CFM: 2): If you'll be performing a wide variety of outdoor activities with the jacket and would like to have a light, breathable piece that helps with wind and moisture, then this one can be a really good choice for you. It's A LOT lighter compared to the Torrentshell (12.5 oz vs 3.9 oz!) and is packed very small into it's own stuff sack. If you'll almost never use the jacket out in town casually, then this Air model can be a superior alternative to the Houdini (more on this later).
- Torrentshell (CFM: 0): Unlike the Houdini, Torrentshell is intended more for casual use. It's a lot thicker, heavier, less breathable, more durable and much more water & wind resistant than the Houdini. If you'll be using your jacket when it's could out in town, then you should probably go for Torrentshell and NOT the Houdini.
- Torrentshell Insulated (CFM: 0): This single insulated model in this review will ALSO provide warmth in addition to Torrentshell's durability and weather protection - actually even more so than the very popular Nano Puff!
CFM Rating represents the breathability of the jacket's fabric {cubic feet of air passing through a square foot of fabric per minute in ft3/ft2/min (or liters/m2/sec)}.
The higher the CFM, the more breathable the jacket will be.
The missing 4th model is Houdini Air (CFM: 17) here. It's the most technical piece of all and hence kind of stands out of the other 3 models & deserves its own bullet.
It's twice as much breathable than the Houdini AND ALSO more durable, more water & wind resistant but is heavier than the Houdini. If you'll be using the jacket almost always for high output activities, than this can be a superior alternative to Houdini.
Warmth
Comparing these jackets in terms of warmth doesn't make a lot of sense as they're mostly 3-season jackets except the Torrentshell Insulated (the only jacket that will provide any TRUE warmth).
Still, due to the variety in their fabric thicknesses, Torrentshell is going to come slightly warmer than Houdini and the Houdini will come slightly warmer than the Houdini Air:
Torrentshell Insulated, on the other hand, will come much warmer than the Torrentshell (and hence also the others).
Weather Resistance
Torrentshell's are much more water resistant than the Houdini's, although all jackets are DWR coated.
DWR is a coating. It's basically sprayed on to the surface of these jackets as a finish. It stands for Durable Water Repellent - which means that water will be repelled under wet conditions instead of soaking into the fabric. DWR also decreases dry time.
It's a good thing these jackets are coated in DWR, but pay attention to the fact that DWR is a coating - meaning that it will wear off over time.
Which is why you might want to invest in a DWR spray such as Grangers (as Patagonia recommends) for after treatment.
Patagonia lists Houdini as a wind jacket and Torrentshell as a rain jacket. As I expressed earlier, Houdini is also highly breathable.
When you're thinking about it on top of your mind, this can be confusing: How can a jacket be breathable AND wind resistant at the same time?
Wouldn't a highly breathable fabric also inevitably let more air in?
Well, the answer is no.
Breathability and wind resistance can be (and is) achieved simultaneously by adding two layers. As a result air permeability is allowed in one direction only, that is, from inside to outside.
Which brings me to my next point...
Breathability
Houdini Air is around 8 times as much breathable AND around 20% more weather resistant & durable than the Houdini. So it's also more expensive.
Patagonia Rep Dana revealed the CFM ratings via e-mail after talking to the product experts. Not sure why she can't leave blanks between words... 🤔
In return, though, it's slightly heavier than the Houdini {4.1 ounces (116 grams) vs 3.7 ounces (105 grams)} although still very light compared to the Torrentshell's.
CFM Ratings:
- Houdini Air: 17 CFM
- Houdini: 2 CFM
- Torrentshell: 0 CFM (Because it's waterproof)
- Torrentshell Insulated: 0 CFM (Because it's waterproof)
But there's an important caveat here.
Torrentshell's may not be equipped with genuinely breathable fabrics, but they do provide mechanical venting via arm pit zips unlike the Houdini models.
Yes, overall, Houdini's still provide more breathability but arm pit zips are less of a nice-to-have and more a must-have for me when it comes to high output activities. So you might wish having them.
If you want to check out a jacket that has both advanced breathable fabrics and mechanical venting, check out Nano Air or Arc'teryx's Proton LT or Atom LT.
Packed Size
Houdini's pack quite a bit smaller compared to the Torrentshell's.
Torrentshell Insulated, on the other hand, does come with a stuff sack.
Comfort
Houdini and Houdini Air offers a much softer inner surface touch to your skin compared to the Torrentshell.
Think about it: Houdini is a 3-season product. You'll most likely be wearing nothing but a t-shirt under in many cases, so if you'll be using the jacket during 3-seasons mostly, then this becomes a significant advantage compared to Torrentshell which offers a more stiff inner surface.
Conclusion
In summary, Houdini is designed for high output activities (and Houdini Air is even more so) and Torrentshell for casual use (and Torrentshell Insulated is even more so). Note that you CAN use Houdini's casually but wouldn't really prefer using Torrentshell's during high output activities.
Patagonia Houdini:
Patagonia Houdini Men's:
Patagonia Houdini Women's:
Patagonia Houdini Air:
Patagonia Houdini Air Men's:
Patagonia Houdini Air Women's:
Patagonia Torrentshell:
Patagonia Torrentshell Men's:
Patagonia Torrentshell Women's:
Patagonia Torrentshell Insulated:
Patagonia Torrentshell Insulated Men's:
Patagonia Torrentshell Insulated Women's:
I hope this review was helpful for you to understand which one of these Patagonia Houdini's or Torrentshell's would be the best choice for your needs. Feel free to ask me any questions or provide feedback and I'll be happy to respond in the comment section below if it's within my knowledge.
List of my all jacket reviews:
Best Down Jackets of 2019-2020
Best Hard Shells of 2019-2020
Best Soft Shells of 2019-2020
Best Wind Jackets of 2019-2020
- Arc'teryx Solano
- Patagonia Houdini
- Patagonia Houdini Air
- Arc'teryx Squamish
- Arc'teryx Incendo
Best Rain Jackets of 2019-2020
Thanks a lot for reading!
References & Further Reading
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/arcteryx-alpha-vs-beta/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/arcteryx-zeta-vs-beta/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/beta-lt-vs-beta-ar/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/arcteryx-solano-jacket-review/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/beta-ar-vs-beta-sv/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/nemo-riff-vs-disco/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/nano-puff-vs-micro-puff/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/nano-air-vs-nano-puff/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/atom-ar-vs-atom-lt/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/synthetic-insulated-jackets/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/nano-air-2019-update/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/nano-air-vs-atom-lt/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/cerium-lt-vs-atom-lt/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/cerium-lt-vs-sl-vs-sv/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/proton-lt-vs-atom-lt/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/thorsen-therme-camosun/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/cerium-lt-vs-thorium-ar/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/gamma-mx-vs-gamma-lt/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/nano-puff-vs-atom-lt/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/goretex/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/arcteryx-sabre-vs-rush/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/arcteryx-sabre-lt-vs-sabre-ar/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/arcteryx-atom-lt-vs-sl/
- https://outdoorcrunch.com/patagonia-r1-vs-r2/
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