Review: Houdini's Power Houdi Fleece Jacket - A Beloved Classic for 20 Years

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For over two decades, Houdini’s Power Houdi Fleece Jacket has been a top choice for its smooth, warm, and stretchy design. It is crafted with Polartec® Power Stretch® Pro™ fabric for exceptional performance and long-lasting durability. Read on for our gear review.

At A Glance

Pro:

Worn on average 1200 times over 10.2 years.
Made with the exceptional Polartec® Power Stretch Pro™ fleece fabric.
Designed for 4-season use and tested with over 20 years of skiing, hiking, and climbing.

Con: The jacket comes with a hefty price tag at $240.

Rating: 9/10

Power Houdi Fleece Jacket Review

Houdini Sportswear, based in Stockholm, Sweden, is pushing the boundaries of outdoor clothing with a team of scientists, artists, designers, and adventurers. Together with their customers, they are creating a sustainable industry through recycling, renting, repairing, and reusing.

The classic of all Houdini classics. First released in 2003 and barely changed in design since, the Power Houdi fleece jacket (Men’s) (Women’s) ($240) is a dream of stretchy, soft and durable comfort.

The Women’s Power Houdi Fleece Jacket in the More Than Red colorway. Photo: Houdini Sportswear

The Power Houdi is a reliable mid-layer designed to withstand any adventure. With a commitment to sustainability, Houdini aims to promote the importance of long-lasting clothing and gear. Rather than constantly creating new apparel that needs to be replaced every few years, they have created a fleece mid-layer that can be worn for a lifetime and easily repaired if necessary, rather than discarded.

Jesper Danielsson, Houdini’s Head of Design, believes that the world is currently overrun with cheap, low-quality clothing. He notes “Just imagine if all clothing was built and used in this long-lasting, sustainable manner!” According to a survey they conducted in 2019, the Power Houdi will last you for over 10 years.

Stella Plantin, an experienced climber, has owned her green Power Houdi for over 7 years and it has been through tough times. “I never thought you could fall in love with a piece of clothing”, Stella says. The Power Houdi does not quite agree with the way Stella shows her affection, but it’s still hanging in there.

Throughout its lifetime, it has endured being tossed off cliffs, scraped against rough granite surfaces, and even singed by campfire embers on occasion. She also reports that “I’ve had my first Power Houdi for over 7 years and I still use it all the time, it’s pretty much indestructible.”

This Power Houdi belongs to climber Stella Plantin, who has put it through 7 years of rough use. Photo: Houdini Sportswear

The secret to the Power Houdi’s durability and longevity lies in Power Stretch® Pro™ midweight fabric from Polartec® (246 g/sqm). Beyond its softness against the skin, this fleece is known for its sturdiness and ability to stand the test of time. The inner micro fleece is incredibly gentle on the skin, while the outer smooth finish adds versatility to the garment. It allows for easy layering over the Power Houdi, a much-needed feature on any mountain expedition. Additionally, the moisture-wicking capabilities of the inner micro fleece prevent sweat build-up and discomfort during physical activity.

The Power Houdi has a snug fit, but not overly tight or restrictive. Plus, the flexible Power Stretch material ensures that you won’t feel restricted when making technical moves or playing catch with your kids. The high collar and tight hood are designed to keep you warm and protected from the elements while retaining heat.

Good To Know: Houdini designs their clothes circular from the start. This means that they use either synthetic fibers that are recycled and recyclable, or natural fibers that are inherently biodegradable. They never blend naturals and synthetics, because then they can be neither recycled or decomposed.

Not only does this jacket provide top-notch performance, but it also boasts impressive eco-friendly credentials as a Bluesign-certified product. Despite being made from plastics, the production process is thoroughly vetted by a third party to ensure the elimination of any harmful chemicals or substances.

The soft and supple microfiber stretch fleece insulation provides an instant dry feeling. Photo: Houdini Sportswear

Colors: For those who appreciate a variety of colors, Men’s Power Houdi is available in ten colorways, including Sail Away Blue, Blue Illusion, More Than Red, True Black/True Black, Burned Orange (shown below), Deeper Green, Morning Haze, Baremark Green, No Dye, and Deep Red. The Women’s version is available in eleven colorways.

Durability: In a survey Houdini conducted in 2019 with over 400 Power Houdi users, they learned that the average amount of times someone wears their Power Houdi is 1287 times. This means that your Houdi only costs you 14 cents per use.

Fit: Slim

Key features: Moisture wicking fuzzy fleece inside, shaped collar with zip garage, 2-way front zip, extended sleeves with thumb loops, hidden draw cord in bottom hem, zippered side pockets, inner stash pockets.

The Inside Story of the Houdini Power Houdi

The following short film is mini documentary about Houdini’s classic fleece jacket, the Power Houdi. See how the jacket is made and the philosophy behind it. Follow Houdini Sportswear inside the Polartec textile plant in Lawrence, USA and see the production at Spectre in Latvia.

Conclusion

These jackets are built to last. The Polartec® Power Stretch® Pro™ fabric used is renowned in the industry for good reason, and the added features such as thumb holes, a two-way zipper, and an adjustable fitted hood make it easy to control body temperature while also providing maximum comfort.

The Power Houdi is the ideal choice for all activities, from skiing to commuting. It offers comfort and regulates body temperature, while also being durable and resistant to abrasion. Lightweight and flexible, it allows for full freedom of movement.

For those seeking a planet-friendly and stylish option for staying warm on the mountain, slopes, or during belay, this high-performing midweight fleece jacket is a versatile choice.

However, if you have a smaller budget, there are comparable medium weight options available that use Polartec® Power Stretch® Pro™ fleece fabric, such as the Arc’teryx Kyanite Hoodie fleece jacket (Men’s) (Women’s) ($180), or the REI Co-op Hyperaxis Fleece Jacket 2.0 (Men’s) (Women’s) ($150).

In short, Houdini fleece is a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts.

Shop Now at Houdini Sportswear

About Houdini

Houdini, a unique group from Sweden consisting of scientists, artists, designers, and adventurers, is on a mission to redefine the future of practical clothing. Since its establishment in 1993, Houdini has continuously pushed boundaries in the textile industry as a female-led company that prioritizes responsible design and implements circular business models. They firmly believe that humans are meant to move forward, not backward, and with the right direction, we can make great progress.

100% of the fabrics Houdini uses for their collections have been recycled, recyclable, biodegradable, renewable, or Bluesign-certified—often a combination of them all.