Name-drop "Patagonia" or "Arc'teryx" around a certain crowd of granite-scaling, mountain-hopping outdoorsy folk and you may see some eyes roll. Why? These two top-rate outerwear brands have, in recent years, become status symbols for some fashionable, Gorpcore-loving celebrities and influencers. (Feel free to roll your own eyes now).
Trendy or not, both brands make best-in-class jackets. And several of my all-time favorite lightweight models are on sale right now, through REI, at steep pre-Black Friday discounts.
Specifically, the Patagonia Houdini is presently 30% off for men and 50% off for women. Meanwhile, dudes can score the Patagonia Reversible Shelled Microdini Jacket for $149 and the Arc'teryx Gamma Lightweight Hoody for $154. Finally, Patagonia's R1 CrossStrata Hoody for women is $141. Colors are limited but size availability is still solid for most options.
Pre-Black Friday Arc'teryx & Patagonia jacket deals – Quick links:
- Patagonia Houdini (men’s): was $109 now $76 @ REI
- Patagonia Houdini (women’s): was $109 now $54 @ REI
- Patagonia Reversible Shelled Microdini (men's): was $199 now $149 @ REI
- Arc'teryx Gamma (men’s): was $220 now $155 @ REI
- Patagonia R1 CrossStrata (women's): was $189 now $141 @ REI
Patagonia Houdini — lightweight and packable
I've owned a Patagonia Houdini for four years and it’s one of my most versatile pieces of outerwear. The chest pocket converts into a zippered stuff sack for easy storage. In this form, it takes up about as much room as a pair of tube socks. So, I always toss the Houdini in my bag when I’m leaving the house for more than a few hours, just in case.
Despite weighing less than 4 ounces, this jacket does a remarkably good job keeping the wind and light rain at bay. Note: It’s not fully waterproof. You can also comfortably wear a sweater or a mid-layer jacket under the Houdini. But it does run a tad small in men’s, so consider sizing up.
Patagonia Houdini deals
Patagonia Reversible Shelled Microdini — comfy and casual
Patagonia's reversible Shelled Microdini jacket is essentially a Patagonia Houdini with a built-in fleece liner. This is an outrageously comfortable garment when worn with the shell side out.
Reversed, it's a bit more sporty and fun thanks to the colorful chest pocket. You also get hand pockets, which I appreciate. The fleece does increase the jacket's weight to 16 ounces, but that's still quite light.
Patagonia Reversible Shelled Microdini deal
Arc'teryx Gamma jacket — flexible weather protection
Like the Houdini and Microdini, this Arc'teryx jacket also has a silly name, but don’t let that fool you, the Gamma is serious business. This a heavier option than the Houdini, with better protection from the cold and elements. Still, it’s just 10.6 ounces, so it certainly won’t weigh you down.
I especially like the Gamma because the fabric repels water effectively, while still being fairly stretchy. This allows for good mobility, which isn’t always the case with wet weather jackets. I also appreciate the inclusion of hand pockets, something the Houdini is missing.
Arc'teryx Gamma deal
Patagonia R1 CrossStrata Hoodie — functional fleece
Like the Gamma above, this lightweight, weather-resistant jacket is a great option for cool-weather fitness activities. The CrossStrata is also abrasion-resistant, so it should hold up through even the most extreme adventures.
The built-in hood can be worn normally or under a helmet, which is a really nice touch, especially for bikers and climbers. Moreover, for a jacket that weighs just 10.5 ounces, this technical fleece punches well above its weight.
Patagonia R1 CrossStrata Hoodie deal
Other REI jacket deals
Arc’teryx and Patagonia aren't the only brands REI is offering heavy discounts on ahead of Black Friday. You can also score some sweet deals on gear from Outdoor Research, Helly Hansen, Marmot and other.
For more on wet weather gear, read our handy guide on staying dry while biking in the rain.
