Where does everyone keep finding the Houdini on sale, please let me know.
Looking for size L.

Not a large, but Sierra Trading Post has them in XL for 94 bucks. Not bad.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,43926_.html?cm_mmc=PaidPlacement-_-PriceGrabber-_-WPG7-_-Patagonia_Houdini_Jacket_-_For_Men

I finally broke down and ordered a houdini from moosejaw with code MOOSE for 10% off

This is a bad time to find the houdini on sale since it is the beginning of spring. Most of last year's models have been sold, and demand is starting to heat up for the new model. I haven't see a size large on sale anywhere recently.

In the future you might consider looking in the fall which is typically the best time to find them on sale. Patagonia outlets typically have a labor day sale clearing out the previous spring / summer line. My memory is that the houdini is down to around $40 during these sales.

After buying a few compromise windshells I finally broke down and paid full price for a Houdini; and I'm glad I did. Just took it for a test drive tonight, and had none of the condendation issues I did with the previous two. The others will be sold to help finance the Houdini.

My recommendation is search froogle and rank by price every couple days, and set up an automatic email alert for "Patagonia" plus "Houdini" at ebay. You might find an L on sale. Otherwise, bite the bullet and pay the piper. (Yvon Chouinard, in this case)

As an aside, the same cost/quality calculus applies to other items. I should have bought the smartwool bases, thermawrap insulation, and Houdini/ID eVENT shells in the beginning; had I known! I spent hundreds on a rack of junk. All you newbies, 'go to school' off us!

Good advice, and well taken. I was waffling between two good deals on montane hoodless half zips ($51 aero and $37 featherlite), nearly ordering both to meet the $100 free shipping minimum, but then decided to just bite the bullet and order the more versatile houdini. I'm sure I won't regret it.

The only gear I really skimped on is my bag, but at 2lb 5 oz, 30 degree rating and $35, I couldn't pass it up.

hi there.

i just picked up a Houdini on Sierra Trading Post for $75.60 plus shipping ($10) with no tax. They only have XL in "yellow" (which looks more like green).

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,43926_.html

I used code "53000" at checkout to get 20% off.

Before I buy anything online, I do a search like "Sierra Trading Post Coupon" in Google, and will often get discount codes or free shipping codes:
http://www.fatwallet.com/t/18/243140

Never pay full price! :)

FYI, last week I ordered a Houdini windshirt size L (women's) for $80 at BackCountryOutlet. For wind shirts I like a fairly athletic fit. I just received this yesterday and the shirt fit me perfectly (5' 10.5", 178 lbs). I just checked and they still have it available in size large (W). Other people here have recommended using women's sized garments factoring in the size reduction and it paid off for me in this case.

Bright Lime or Bonfire Orange? Eeeewww! :)

Edited by ben2world on 03/06/2007 11:00:18 MST.

Ah...C'mon, Ben. Bright Lime will bring out the color in your eyes!! I think Franco would look good in the Fiery Orange - it'll make his cheeks look rosier!

Not what I would call "low-impact", stealth colors. However, at least you won't get shot by the shoot first, identify later type of hunters we get out this way. Every year, it seems, someone's dog gets shot.

Edited by pj on 03/06/2007 10:23:16 MST.

> it seems, someone's dog gets shot.

Or a rancher's cow.

Good points, P J. I agree the jacket will look better on Franco...

I guess I lucked out and got one of the last "Radar blue" colored ones they had in inventory. Not quite as neon-bright as the ones they show now. But hey - this sport ain't exactly a fashion show, and these are great shirts for the price.

Andrew:

I am jealous. I would've gotten the blue in a heartbeat; but alas, it wasn't meant to be.

Enjoy your new Houdini!