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Outdoor Research Helium UL Jacket (men's) vs Patagonia Houdini Air Jacket

Weight and specs compared for 2026 — and which one to choose.

Patagonia Houdini Air Jacket is the lighter option — 45 g lighter than the Outdoor Research Helium UL Jacket (men's) (28% less weight). If grams matter to you, that is the one to beat.
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Spec Outdoor Research Helium UL Jacket (men's) Patagonia Houdini Air Jacket
Weight 161 g · 0.161 kg · 0.35 lb 116 g · 0.116 kg · 0.26 lb
Brand Outdoor Research Patagonia
Category Clothing - Outer Layer Clothing - Outer Layer
Outdoor Research Helium UL Jacket (men's)
161 g

Minimalist rain jacket in 2.75-layer 15D Toray Dermizax fabric. Packs into its own pocket for easy stowing. 5.7 oz.

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Patagonia Houdini Air Jacket
116 g

Featherweight breathable wind jacket in recycled ripstop nylon with DWR finish that packs into its own chest pocket.

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Outdoor Research Helium UL Jacket (men's) vs Patagonia Houdini Air Jacket: which should you buy?

If saving weight is your priority, the Patagonia Houdini Air Jacket wins — at 116 g it is 45 g (28%) lighter than the Outdoor Research Helium UL Jacket (men's) (161 g). That said, the heavier option may justify the extra grams with more capacity, durability or comfort, so weigh the trade-off against how you'll use it.

See where both rank against everything else in this category on the lightest clothing - outer layer page, or browse the full gear weight database.

More clothing - outer layer comparisons