I hiked Mount Fuji in head-to-toe Patagonia — the classic Houdini jacket is 51% off right now

(Image credit: Patagonia (Future credit "TG Savings Squad" badge)) Patagonia is the only hiking brand I will recommend with my whole chest. I've never had a miss from it: my Patagonia Torrentshell jacket keeps me dry even in the vilest of storms. My R1 fleece kept me warm on the peak of Mount Fuji. And my Patagonia Silent Down parka enrobes me like a mother's embrace even at 1°F.If you're a hiker — especially a hiker in a windy, damp climate, like the PNW — the Houdini jacket would be the ideal outer layer. Just 100g (3.7 ounces) and coated in DWR (water repellent), it can also be stashed away between uses. It truly is one of the best hiking jackets.Right now, the Houdini is discounted by up to 51% at REI. Honestly, I would pay full price for it — boy, have I paid full price for Patagonia in the past. But snagging it at well under $60 is just too good to miss. Here are all the variants REI has on sale — and we're tracking all the best Amazon October Prime Day deals live so you don't have to.What makes the Patagonia Houdini Jacket so good? This is a completely true story. I once met a wise elderly man on top of a freezing hill in the English Lake District. He was on the last day of his east-coast-to-west-coast thru-hike and needed a lift to the local train station — I obliged, of course.Roger and I got chatting, and he told me he believes all outdoor gear belongs to three categories: lightness, functionality, and price. He said that most gear could only manage two. A light and functional jacket, for example, would never be affordable. Or a cheap, waterproof jacket would never be lightweight. Or a light and cheap coat couldn't be waterproof. You see what I mean?The Houdini Jacket, however, is all three (on sale). The jacket is just 100g (3.7 ounces), coated with Patagonia's DWR, blocks wind — and the Stash version stashes away inside its own zip.It's an incredibly thin jacket, so don't buy it expecting it will keep you warm. That's what the Patagonia R1 pullover, or similar, is for. The Houdini also isn't waterproof, but coated with DWR water repellent. It's incredibly fast-drying, but you also might want to look at the Torrentshell 3L or similar for very wet weather.Check out more Amazon Prime Day dealsShop all Amazon dealsJoin Prime to unlock Prime Day dealsShop more REI deals Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. More from Tom's GuideI've been in a serious relationship with my vagus nerve stimulator for 30 days to see if it would decrease my stress — here's why I'm breaking up with it alreadyI ran 40 miles in the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 and it’s worth the upgrade on the Pegasus 42I coach my 72-year-old dad like he's 30: here's the one exercise that moves the needle most for upper-body strength and mobility Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Erin Bashford is a senior writer at Tom's Guide, focusing on reviews. She has a Masters in Broadcast and Digital Journalism from the University of East Anglia. As an ex-barista, she knows her way around a coffee machine, and as a music lover, she's constantly chipping away at her dream of having a multi-room home sound system. In her spare time you can find her reading, practising yoga, writing, or stressing over today’s NYT Games.