Out of doors Analysis Helium Down Hoodie Overview

Backside Line

The Out of doors Analysis Helium Down Hoodie (males’s / ladies’s) is constructed to deal with powerful situations, making it a strong selection for shoulder-season adventures. With waterproof Pertex Defend material reinforcing the hood, shoulders, and higher sleeves, it sheds gentle rain and snow higher than most down jackets. The 800-fill down delivers reliable heat, whereas the powerful 30D Pertex Quantum shell with Diamond Fuse Expertise holds up properly in opposition to snags and tough use.

It’s not the lightest or most packable choice on our information to the most effective down jackets, however the trade-off is further sturdiness and higher climate resistance. The athletic match permits for good mobility, particularly for climbing or mountaineering. The adjustable hood is a pleasant contact, however we discovered the unfastened cuffs may use a safer match. In case you want a down jacket that may take some abuse and deal with damp situations, this one is value a glance.

How We Examined

We examined the Out of doors Analysis Helium Down Hoodie over a number of months in Colorado’s rugged mountains and foothills. From snowy hikes within the Gore Vary to chilly mornings round city, it endured heavy snow, sturdy winds, and freezing temperatures.

Consolation

The Out of doors Analysis Helium Down Jacket affords a great mixture of efficiency and luxury. Its trim match accommodates a base layer and light-weight mid-layer however leaves little room for bulkier clothes. 

Based mostly on our analysis, earlier variations of the Helium featured a extra commonplace match, whereas the present mannequin leans towards an athletic lower. The jacket matches snugly by the stomach whereas providing more room within the chest and shoulders, enhancing mobility. 

The raglan sleeve design prevents the jacket from driving up throughout motion, and updates to the match appear to handle issues about slim shoulders. Nonetheless, it’s value noting that the jacket seems to cater higher to taller people, which can not go well with everybody.

The supplies, whereas sturdy and protecting, really feel barely crinkly, significantly on the waterproof hood, shoulders, and higher arms. Regardless of this, considerate options like microfleece-lined hand pockets present a comfy contact, including to the general usability of the jacket. Whereas it might not be essentially the most comfy jacket in its class, its climate resistance, sturdiness, and practical particulars make it a dependable choice for a variety of out of doors actions.

Heat

The Out of doors Analysis Helium Down Jacket gives respectable heat for a mid-weight down jacket, although it isn’t a prime performer on this class. It options 800-fill-power down with a 90/10 down-to-feather ratio, providing dependable insulation for delicate to reasonable chilly situations. The up to date hood design seals properly, trapping warmth and stopping chilly air from sneaking in, which considerably enhances its total heat. 

The comfortable match helps retain warmth, however the unfastened, non-adjustable cuffs permit some heat to flee, which detracts barely from its insulating effectivity. The microfleece-lined hand pockets add a comfy contact. 

Whereas it’s not best for excessive chilly or actions requiring excessive breathability, it stays a strong selection for reasonable shoulder-season adventures and layering in harsher climate.

Weight & Packability

The Out of doors Analysis Helium Down Jacket balances weight and sturdiness moderately properly, although it’s not the lightest choice we examined. Our males’s measurement giant weighs in at 15.5 ounces, making it heavier than some ultralight opponents. 

This added weight comes from the rugged Pertex Quantum and Pertex Defend materials, which improve abrasion resistance and climate safety. For these prioritizing sturdiness over ultralight design, this trade-off could also be value it.

The jacket conveniently packs into its personal hand pocket, making a compact bundle that may be simply stashed in a pack or clipped to gear utilizing the built-in carabiner loop. Nonetheless, the microfleece-lined pocket flips outward when packed, making it liable to accumulating filth and particles if it touches the bottom or different surfaces. Whereas it’s not essentially the most light-weight or packable choice we’ve examined, it’s compact sufficient for many adventures.

Climate Resistance

This jacket stands out for its spectacular climate resistance, significantly for a down jacket. The Pertex Quantum shell with Diamond Fuse Expertise gives glorious sturdiness and wind resistance, outperforming a lot of its opponents. 

For added safety, the shoulders, hood, and higher arms are strengthened with Pertex Defend, a 2.5-layer waterproof material additionally utilized in Out of doors Analysis’s common Helium Rain Jacket. This mix affords enhanced safety in opposition to gentle rain and snow, making the Helium Down a wonderful selection for damp, windy situations.

Whereas the jacket will not be totally waterproof and received’t face up to sustained rain, it handles gentle precipitation simply. The upgraded hood design seals successfully, trapping heat and blocking chilly drafts, whereas the waterproof material prevents moisture from seeping in. This jacket carried out admirably throughout blustery Colorado snowstorms, however what actually impressed us was its efficiency whereas operating a snowblower to clear 12 inches of recent powder in whirling 30 mph winds. We have been satisfied the non-protected areas would soak by, however they didn’t, and we remained heat and dry all through the job.

This climate resistance makes the Helium Down significantly well-suited for individuals who stay in moist, maritime climates or interact in actions the place sudden climate modifications are frequent. 

Whereas it doesn’t change a real rain shell, the jacket’s mixture of sturdiness, windproofing, and moisture resistance makes it a dependable selection for chilly, unpredictable situations.

Breathability

The Out of doors Analysis Helium Down Jacket affords reasonable breathability, making it appropriate for low to mid-intensity actions in chilly climate. Its Pertex Quantum shell with Diamond Fuse Expertise prioritizes sturdiness and climate resistance over airflow, which might trigger the jacket to really feel stuffy throughout high-output actions. The jacket’s insulation, that includes 800-fill down, retains heat effectively however doesn’t permit for a lot warmth escape, particularly throughout strenuous motion.

Whereas the Helium Down isn’t designed with particular options to enhance breathability, its lighter insulation and fewer lofty building assist forestall overheating in comparison with bulkier down jackets. Nonetheless, the sturdy supplies, significantly the waterproof material on the hood and shoulders, can lure warmth and moisture, making it much less best for actions the place air flow is essential.

Ought to You Purchase the Out of doors Analysis Helium Down Hoodie?

For these residing in moist climates just like the Pacific Northwest or anybody who prioritizes sturdiness and climate resistance in a down jacket, it is a strong choice. 

Its rugged supplies, waterproof material on the hood and shoulders, and 800-fill down insulation make it nice for shoulder-season adventures and chilly, unpredictable climate. It’s finest suited to hikers, backpackers, and outside fans who want a mid-weight jacket that layers properly and handles gentle precipitation and wind.

That stated, the jacket’s slim match—particularly within the shoulders—might not work for everybody, and it’s a bit heavier and bulkier than ultralight choices. It’s additionally not the only option for high-output actions the place breathability is vital.

In case you’re searching for a dependable, weather-resistant down jacket that balances heat and sturdiness, the Helium Down Hoodie is a strong decide, particularly for damp or rugged situations.

What Different Down Jackets Ought to You Think about?

In case you’re contemplating the Out of doors Analysis Helium Down Hoodie, listed here are a number of comparable merchandise value testing, or go straight to the supply with our information to the most effective down jackets.

Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody Overview: This premium down jacket affords comparable climate resistance with its use of artificial insulation in moisture-prone areas, but it surely’s lighter and extra breathable, making it an amazing selection for lively pursuits.

Rab Microlight Alpine Overview: Combining glorious sturdiness with hydrophobic down and a windproof Pertex Quantum shell, the Microlight Alpine gives a comfortable match and higher warmth-to-weight ratio, excelling in colder, windier situations. The Microlight is heavier, hotter, and cheaper. Nonetheless, it doesn’t carry out practically as properly in moist situations. 

REI Stormhenge 850 Overview: This totally waterproof down jacket options a mixture of 850-fill energy down and artificial insulation, delivering spectacular heat and climate safety. It’s heavier than the Helium however affords superior efficiency in moist situations. It’s additionally barely inexpensive.