This winter has been exceptionally warm, treating us cyclists to some very gentle winter mornings. The New Year's ride I took on the 2nd was also warm, and with no fear of frozen mountain passes, it was a safe and enjoyable trip.
At this time of year, I am usually very cautious about choosing gear like apparel, gloves, and caps, often carrying extra items for my rides, but this winter I haven't really had to worry about that.
This applies not just to riding, but to daily life as well; you don't really need a jacket with excessive insulation, and having a down vest is usually more than enough. It keeps your core warm, and because it’s sleeveless, it’s easy to move in and isn't bulky, so it doesn't feel out of place when worn indoors. You can keep it on all the time, both inside and out. If you still feel cold, putting on an outer shell like a windbreaker is enough to get you through even chilly mornings and evenings.
It is such a versatile and useful item that I highly recommend anyone who doesn't have one to give it a try. In fact, we recommend it every season at the shop, but this season, I’m particularly excited about the new **HOUDINI All Weather Tee**.
It might seem odd to recommend something other than a vest after praising it so much, but this T-shirt style offers some significant benefits.
As you can see, it covers your shoulders, making it a bit warmer than a vest. If this were a long-sleeve, it would be too much. It has the ease of a vest while still being just a little bit warmer—that "little bit" makes all the difference.
【HOUDINI】
ALL Weather Tee
Color：Bucket Blue , True Black
Price：24,000 JPY (excl. tax)
For the insulation, it uses **PrimaLoft® Gold Active**, which is commonly found in modern winter activewear. It is as warm as down, lighter, and water-repellent, so it maintains its thermal properties even when wet, preventing your body from losing heat. Remarkably, it retains 97% of its insulating power even when wet, which is an astounding capability.
The outer material uses highly breathable **C9 Ripstop™**. Thanks to this excellent breathability, it efficiently dissipates heat generated by your body, preventing overheating during exercise—whether it’s riding, trekking, or even cross-country skiing. The fabric has a soft texture that feels great against the skin, and it’s also durable enough to excel in a variety of situations.
Although it has a simple T-shirt design, it features hand-warmer pockets on both sides, and a button closure at the left shoulder that opens up the neckline for easier changing. There is also a drawcord at the hem, allowing you to adjust the fit.
It is also worth noting, as is the case with many Houdini garments, that it is constructed with a 3D pattern designed to follow the body’s movements.
Note that this All Weather Tee is a unisex model, and the sizing is listed as **M’s XS / W’s S**, **M’s S / W’s M**, etc. By the way, at **170cm tall and 63kg**, the **M’s S / W’s M size is a perfect fit for me**. If you already own Houdini apparel, you should have no problem choosing the same size as usual.
When choosing high-functionality winter gear, it’s easy to gravitate toward something excessive, but when you consider everyday usage, it’s these items that might seem half-baked at first glance that actually end up being the most useful.
Even though it’s been warm, winter is still here, so please give the Houdini All Weather Tee a try. It will also be great when the season starts to warm up in early spring, and I’m sure you’ll be glad you have it.