Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket Men SM / Galaxy
Indispensable for outdoor activities, ultra-packable and temperature variable The iconic, award-winning Helium rain jacket is a lightweight and ultra-practical outdoor garment. Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse 2.5-layer fabric offers rugged durability that breathes when your pace quickens, while fully taped seams keep moisture and wind at bay on gusty ridges or drizzly descents. The reflective logo on the chest and forearm inserts increase visibility in low-light environments, and the jacket stows in its chest pocket (hand pocket for Ws) for storage rapide in your pack. Elasticated cuffs and a drawcord hem offer a snug fit that slips comfortably under a backpack hip belt during long days on the trail. High-quality materials and thoughtful design elements combine on this specialized variable-weather jacket, guaranteeing it a place in your pack on every adventure. The Helium rain jacket should be cleaned regularly with the liquid detergent of your choice to maintain its water repellency.
Indispensable for outdoor activities, ultra-packable and temperature variable The iconic, award-winning Helium rain jacket is a lightweight and ultra-practical outdoor garment. Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse 2.5-layer fabric offers rugged durability that breathes when your pace quickens, while fully taped seams keep moisture and wind at bay on gusty ridges or drizzly descents. The reflective logo on the chest and forearm inserts increase visibility in low-light environments, and the jacket stows in its chest pocket (hand pocket for Ws) for storage rapide in your pack. Elasticated cuffs and a drawcord hem offer a snug fit that slips comfortably under a backpack hip belt during long days on the trail. High-quality materials and thoughtful design elements combine on this specialized variable-weather jacket, guaranteeing it a place in your pack on every adventure. The Helium rain jacket should be cleaned regularly with the liquid detergent of your choice to maintain its water repellency.
Indispensable for outdoor activities, ultra-packable and temperature variable The iconic, award-winning Helium rain jacket is a lightweight and ultra-practical outdoor garment. Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse 2.5-layer fabric offers rugged durability that breathes when your pace quickens, while fully taped seams keep moisture and wind at bay on gusty ridges or drizzly descents. The reflective logo on the chest and forearm inserts increase visibility in low-light environments, and the jacket stows in its chest pocket (hand pocket for Ws) for storage rapide in your pack. Elasticated cuffs and a drawcord hem offer a snug fit that slips comfortably under a backpack hip belt during long days on the trail. High-quality materials and thoughtful design elements combine on this specialized variable-weather jacket, guaranteeing it a place in your pack on every adventure. The Helium rain jacket should be cleaned regularly with the liquid detergent of your choice to maintain its water repellency.
Indispensable for outdoor activities, ultra-packable and temperature variable The iconic, award-winning Helium rain jacket is a lightweight and ultra-practical outdoor garment. Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse 2.5-layer fabric offers rugged durability that breathes when your pace quickens, while fully taped seams keep moisture and wind at bay on gusty ridges or drizzly descents. The reflective logo on the chest and forearm inserts increase visibility in low-light environments, and the jacket stows in its chest pocket (hand pocket for Ws) for storage rapide in your pack. Elasticated cuffs and a drawcord hem offer a snug fit that slips comfortably under a backpack hip belt during long days on the trail. High-quality materials and thoughtful design elements combine on this specialized variable-weather jacket, guaranteeing it a place in your pack on every adventure. The Helium rain jacket should be cleaned regularly with the liquid detergent of your choice to maintain its water repellency.
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The lowest price for Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket Men SM / Galaxy right now is $149.95 at Trek & Travel, compared across 4 retailers.
The all-time low was $149.95 on 31 Dec 2025. That's the lowest price we've ever tracked — a great time to buy.
Prices last updated 13 May 2026.
Last updated at 13/05/2026 20:44:46
Helium Jacket - Mens Ultralight Shell SML / Galaxy
Free delivery
Helium Jacket - Mens Ultralight Shell SML / Galaxy
Free delivery
Outdoor Research Men Helium Rain Jacket Galaxy l Size S l Summit Gear
Free delivery between 18–26 May
OUTDOOR RESEARCH Men's Helium Rain Jacket Galaxy / Small
Free delivery
originally posted on REI
On its best day this jacket might be considered "drizzle resistant", and even that's generous.I bought this for the 3-month South America trip I'm currently on. My priority was compactness over performance, as I'm operating entirely out of a 55L pack, and this jacket fit that bill. Of course it wouldn't have the wet performance of a proper 3-layer, but it's lightweight, stuffs into its own pocket, and reviews suggested it still held up well enough in the rain, agreeing with the product description: "When a storm blows in, slip on the light and durable protection of the men's Outdoor Research Helium rain jacket". After trying it on in-store, I also liked the fit and the look. And it's front pocket *just* fit my distastefully large (6.7") phone. In the mirror, I was ... MoreOn its best day this jacket might be considered "drizzle resistant", and even that's generous.I bought this for the 3-month South America trip I'm currently on. My priority was compactness over performance, as I'm operating entirely out of a 55L pack, and this jacket fit that bill. Of course it wouldn't have the wet performance of a proper 3-layer, but it's lightweight, stuffs into its own pocket, and reviews suggested it still held up well enough in the rain, agreeing with the product description: "When a storm blows in, slip on the light and durable protection of the men's Outdoor Research Helium rain jacket". After trying it on in-store, I also liked the fit and the look. And it's front pocket *just* fit my distastefully large (6.7") phone. In the mirror, I was already fantasizing about this shell bailing me & my electronics out on the hike back from Chalten.Hahaha!The first test came during a few hours of persistent rain in Buenos Aires. These sort of jackets aren't made for that, of course, but it was enlightening anyway. The then-new jacket wetted out in what must have been <15 minutes. My pants, which weren't even marketed as water proof, lasted 1-2 hours. My non-waterproof backpack lasted longer than it. Even my everyday tennis shoes, which have mesh vents on the top, kept me dry significantly longer than this jacket.I'm writing this at a coffee shop in Cochabamba a month later. I was inspired after walking ~10 minutes here through a gentle rain, taking it off and seeing the whole hood was already wet on the inside. So, what's the point of this jacket, exactly? In some circumstances you'd be better off just wearing a t-shirt (or an old REI Flash jacket, like it was meant to replace in my case).In addition to not performing in the rain, the lack of hand pockets was a lot more detrimental than I thought it would be. There are a couple other jackets in this segment than have both hand pockets and pit zips and come in at roughly the same weight, and to my those features would be worth having even at the cost of an ounce or two.To end on a positive, there are good reasons I'm not just giving it a 1/5. Despite its utter failure at it's stated goal, this jacket has actually been really nice to travel with. It's done a great job shielding me from some of the most intense winds I've ever walked in. The seals and stitching are all extremely high quality--so much so that I'm actually keen on buying more from OR in the future--and the somewhat exotic material held up better than I thought it would after I took a nice branch to the side of my head. As a Seattleite with no hair, getting a bit wet in the elements bothers me less than the misleading marketing.I hope some day we have environmentally friendly textiles that can make a jacket like this work, but clearly we aren't there yet. If OR has some tech breakthrough and wants to take another swing at it, and they add hand pockets and pit zips, I'll be first in line to buy a new one. But as it stands, we're talking about a $160 wind breaker... Pass on it.
originally posted on backcountrygear.com
It is not easy to leave a less than satisfactory review and the review is not related to the product. The review is related to the "no returns" policy if the item has been worn and is not in brand new condition. I've been accustomed to the more common return policy that if the product is not satisfactory, then I'm able to exchange or return it. At Backcountry Gear, this is not true. I received the Helium jacket in XL. I can't really determine if the size is correct unless I take it for a run. After one run, it was apparent the jacket was too large and I would need to exchange it. Unfortunately, I am not able to given their return policy. If it's been worn once, buyer keeps it. The person on the chat was nice but not in a position to do anything. I'm left with a $132 ... MoreIt is not easy to leave a less than satisfactory review and the review is not related to the product. The review is related to the "no returns" policy if the item has been worn and is not in brand new condition. I've been accustomed to the more common return policy that if the product is not satisfactory, then I'm able to exchange or return it. At Backcountry Gear, this is not true. I received the Helium jacket in XL. I can't really determine if the size is correct unless I take it for a run. After one run, it was apparent the jacket was too large and I would need to exchange it. Unfortunately, I am not able to given their return policy. If it's been worn once, buyer keeps it. The person on the chat was nice but not in a position to do anything. I'm left with a $132 dollar jacket that I can't wear and not sure what to do. It may be time to stop shopping at Backcountry gear... it's too bad... they have been a great retailer up to this point.
originally posted on outdoorresearch.com
The Helium RAIN jacket is good to stuff in your pack for a possibility of rain, so why the 1 star?It's no Helium HYBRID!The HYBRID breathed like a lion (whether hiking, biking, running, skiing or playing beer pong with a naked cheerleader team, you couldn't break a sweat), was tougher than Chuck Norris (I once tumbled through a boulder field and came to with a broken collar bone and an unbroken Hybrid Helium), blocked the wind better than an ex talking to Ryan Reynolds (I live in the birthplace of wind) and when you lost favor with the Gods and the heavens released their vengeance, it somehow kept you dryer than a... well... it kept you dry (donner blitzen season no longer required two jackets!). To top it off, the single pocket was big enough to carry a phone ... MoreThe Helium RAIN jacket is good to stuff in your pack for a possibility of rain, so why the 1 star?It's no Helium HYBRID!The HYBRID breathed like a lion (whether hiking, biking, running, skiing or playing beer pong with a naked cheerleader team, you couldn't break a sweat), was tougher than Chuck Norris (I once tumbled through a boulder field and came to with a broken collar bone and an unbroken Hybrid Helium), blocked the wind better than an ex talking to Ryan Reynolds (I live in the birthplace of wind) and when you lost favor with the Gods and the heavens released their vengeance, it somehow kept you dryer than a... well... it kept you dry (donner blitzen season no longer required two jackets!). To top it off, the single pocket was big enough to carry a phone and the 2-tone construction accented our IPA bosom while hiding our growing dad bod bellies. It was as if Miss Monroe was reincarnated as a jacket... perfection.Then it was all taken away, cancelled, kaput, gone, discontinued.Now we have a choice of getting wet from the inside out with the unbreathable Rain, or from the outside in from the unwaterproof Wind jacket. The pocket has inexplicably shrunk while phones grow like malignant tumours and the single tone has stopped even the avalanche recoveries from giving me longing eyes.Maybe I'm just yearning for years gone by or waxing poetic but this review is an ask, request, begging you to please bring back the HYBRID!!!Sorry for the negative words earlier, I apologize for saying what unfortunately needed to be said.-love from a Canuck from the north
| CENTER BACK LENGTH | 29.25 in |
Helium Jacket - Mens Ultralight Shell SML / Galaxy
Free delivery
Helium Jacket - Mens Ultralight Shell SML / Galaxy
Free delivery
Outdoor Research Men Helium Rain Jacket Galaxy l Size S l Summit Gear
Free delivery between 18–26 May
OUTDOOR RESEARCH Men's Helium Rain Jacket Galaxy / Small
Free delivery
On its best day this jacket might be considered "drizzle resistant", and even that's generous.I bought this for the 3-month South America trip I'm currently on. My priority was compactness over performance, as I'm operating entirely out of a 55L pack, and this jacket fit that bill. Of course it wouldn't have the wet performance of a proper 3-layer, but it's lightweight, stuffs into its own pocket, and reviews suggested it still held up well enough in the rain, agreeing with the product description: "When a storm blows in, slip on the light and durable protection of the men's Outdoor Research Helium rain jacket". After trying it on in-store, I also liked the fit and the look. And it's front pocket *just* fit my distastefully large (6.7") phone. In the mirror, I was ... MoreOn its best day this jacket might be considered "drizzle resistant", and even that's generous.I bought this for the 3-month South America trip I'm currently on. My priority was compactness over performance, as I'm operating entirely out of a 55L pack, and this jacket fit that bill. Of course it wouldn't have the wet performance of a proper 3-layer, but it's lightweight, stuffs into its own pocket, and reviews suggested it still held up well enough in the rain, agreeing with the product description: "When a storm blows in, slip on the light and durable protection of the men's Outdoor Research Helium rain jacket". After trying it on in-store, I also liked the fit and the look. And it's front pocket *just* fit my distastefully large (6.7") phone. In the mirror, I was already fantasizing about this shell bailing me & my electronics out on the hike back from Chalten.Hahaha!The first test came during a few hours of persistent rain in Buenos Aires. These sort of jackets aren't made for that, of course, but it was enlightening anyway. The then-new jacket wetted out in what must have been <15 minutes. My pants, which weren't even marketed as water proof, lasted 1-2 hours. My non-waterproof backpack lasted longer than it. Even my everyday tennis shoes, which have mesh vents on the top, kept me dry significantly longer than this jacket.I'm writing this at a coffee shop in Cochabamba a month later. I was inspired after walking ~10 minutes here through a gentle rain, taking it off and seeing the whole hood was already wet on the inside. So, what's the point of this jacket, exactly? In some circumstances you'd be better off just wearing a t-shirt (or an old REI Flash jacket, like it was meant to replace in my case).In addition to not performing in the rain, the lack of hand pockets was a lot more detrimental than I thought it would be. There are a couple other jackets in this segment than have both hand pockets and pit zips and come in at roughly the same weight, and to my those features would be worth having even at the cost of an ounce or two.To end on a positive, there are good reasons I'm not just giving it a 1/5. Despite its utter failure at it's stated goal, this jacket has actually been really nice to travel with. It's done a great job shielding me from some of the most intense winds I've ever walked in. The seals and stitching are all extremely high quality--so much so that I'm actually keen on buying more from OR in the future--and the somewhat exotic material held up better than I thought it would after I took a nice branch to the side of my head. As a Seattleite with no hair, getting a bit wet in the elements bothers me less than the misleading marketing.I hope some day we have environmentally friendly textiles that can make a jacket like this work, but clearly we aren't there yet. If OR has some tech breakthrough and wants to take another swing at it, and they add hand pockets and pit zips, I'll be first in line to buy a new one. But as it stands, we're talking about a $160 wind breaker... Pass on it.
It is not easy to leave a less than satisfactory review and the review is not related to the product. The review is related to the "no returns" policy if the item has been worn and is not in brand new condition. I've been accustomed to the more common return policy that if the product is not satisfactory, then I'm able to exchange or return it. At Backcountry Gear, this is not true. I received the Helium jacket in XL. I can't really determine if the size is correct unless I take it for a run. After one run, it was apparent the jacket was too large and I would need to exchange it. Unfortunately, I am not able to given their return policy. If it's been worn once, buyer keeps it. The person on the chat was nice but not in a position to do anything. I'm left with a $132 ... MoreIt is not easy to leave a less than satisfactory review and the review is not related to the product. The review is related to the "no returns" policy if the item has been worn and is not in brand new condition. I've been accustomed to the more common return policy that if the product is not satisfactory, then I'm able to exchange or return it. At Backcountry Gear, this is not true. I received the Helium jacket in XL. I can't really determine if the size is correct unless I take it for a run. After one run, it was apparent the jacket was too large and I would need to exchange it. Unfortunately, I am not able to given their return policy. If it's been worn once, buyer keeps it. The person on the chat was nice but not in a position to do anything. I'm left with a $132 dollar jacket that I can't wear and not sure what to do. It may be time to stop shopping at Backcountry gear... it's too bad... they have been a great retailer up to this point.
The Helium RAIN jacket is good to stuff in your pack for a possibility of rain, so why the 1 star?It's no Helium HYBRID!The HYBRID breathed like a lion (whether hiking, biking, running, skiing or playing beer pong with a naked cheerleader team, you couldn't break a sweat), was tougher than Chuck Norris (I once tumbled through a boulder field and came to with a broken collar bone and an unbroken Hybrid Helium), blocked the wind better than an ex talking to Ryan Reynolds (I live in the birthplace of wind) and when you lost favor with the Gods and the heavens released their vengeance, it somehow kept you dryer than a... well... it kept you dry (donner blitzen season no longer required two jackets!). To top it off, the single pocket was big enough to carry a phone ... MoreThe Helium RAIN jacket is good to stuff in your pack for a possibility of rain, so why the 1 star?It's no Helium HYBRID!The HYBRID breathed like a lion (whether hiking, biking, running, skiing or playing beer pong with a naked cheerleader team, you couldn't break a sweat), was tougher than Chuck Norris (I once tumbled through a boulder field and came to with a broken collar bone and an unbroken Hybrid Helium), blocked the wind better than an ex talking to Ryan Reynolds (I live in the birthplace of wind) and when you lost favor with the Gods and the heavens released their vengeance, it somehow kept you dryer than a... well... it kept you dry (donner blitzen season no longer required two jackets!). To top it off, the single pocket was big enough to carry a phone and the 2-tone construction accented our IPA bosom while hiding our growing dad bod bellies. It was as if Miss Monroe was reincarnated as a jacket... perfection.Then it was all taken away, cancelled, kaput, gone, discontinued.Now we have a choice of getting wet from the inside out with the unbreathable Rain, or from the outside in from the unwaterproof Wind jacket. The pocket has inexplicably shrunk while phones grow like malignant tumours and the single tone has stopped even the avalanche recoveries from giving me longing eyes.Maybe I'm just yearning for years gone by or waxing poetic but this review is an ask, request, begging you to please bring back the HYBRID!!!Sorry for the negative words earlier, I apologize for saying what unfortunately needed to be said.-love from a Canuck from the north
I love how light and packable this jacket is. However, I am not willing to sacrifice waterproofing to go this light. I've had the zipper leak on me twice, once in a rain storm and once in a shower test, where I had a line of wet fabric down the center of my shirt. During one particularly challenging situation (I was already very sweaty in 95 degrees with decent humidity and a torrential downpour so I know this is asking a lot of any rain jacket) it wet out so bad I was dumping buckets of water out of my sleeves and when I unbuckled my hip belt a torrent of water came dumping out the bottom front. It only took about 10 minutes to get to that point and I would have to dump the sleeves out again every 10 minutes or so. I've seen reviews of through hikers that swear by ... MoreI love how light and packable this jacket is. However, I am not willing to sacrifice waterproofing to go this light. I've had the zipper leak on me twice, once in a rain storm and once in a shower test, where I had a line of wet fabric down the center of my shirt. During one particularly challenging situation (I was already very sweaty in 95 degrees with decent humidity and a torrential downpour so I know this is asking a lot of any rain jacket) it wet out so bad I was dumping buckets of water out of my sleeves and when I unbuckled my hip belt a torrent of water came dumping out the bottom front. It only took about 10 minutes to get to that point and I would have to dump the sleeves out again every 10 minutes or so. I've seen reviews of through hikers that swear by this jacket so perhaps I am doing something wrong but I can't imagine what that might be. If you have the money to blow on a jacket to carry on day hikes for light rain or where it's not life or death if you get wet in a downpour then I would recommend this jacket. If you're going deep into the back country with cold conditions where you absolutely have to stay dry, I would steer clear.Side note, I didn't think I would mind not having hand pockets since they're useless when you have a hip belt but it actually is quite annoying when you're hanging around camp.
This is pretty much what I expected. I tested it in a light rain and a medium rain. In the light rain (with some wind), I walked for 30 minutes. For part of the walk, it was on the low end of light (1/9), the rest a mid-light (2/9). I stayed dry and it served decently as a wind-breaker. During the medium rain, also with some wind, I felt wet immediately, but it turned out to be me feeling the cold rain through the jacket. I spent 15 minutes in the rain and soaked through my shoes, socks, pants, and underclothing, but my torso and shirt remained completely dry. However, on inspecting the inside of the jacket, the rain was just starting to penetrate and the shoulder area was damp and even beading a little (but not enough to dampen my shirt yet).Based on reviews, I ... MoreThis is pretty much what I expected. I tested it in a light rain and a medium rain. In the light rain (with some wind), I walked for 30 minutes. For part of the walk, it was on the low end of light (1/9), the rest a mid-light (2/9). I stayed dry and it served decently as a wind-breaker. During the medium rain, also with some wind, I felt wet immediately, but it turned out to be me feeling the cold rain through the jacket. I spent 15 minutes in the rain and soaked through my shoes, socks, pants, and underclothing, but my torso and shirt remained completely dry. However, on inspecting the inside of the jacket, the rain was just starting to penetrate and the shoulder area was damp and even beading a little (but not enough to dampen my shirt yet).Based on reviews, I didn't expect this to stand up to a heavy rain. I was a little disappointed with the medium rain. That said, I bought it for its very low weight and for desert backpacking, where it doesn't typically rain much, and when it does, not for long. So for my needs, it's adequate. It's also packs nicely into a pocket and is very light. But I would not take this to a wet climate.
I wear this hiking an mtb and use it exclusively as a rain/windshirt when a wool base layer needs protection from wetting out or evaporating away the heat.This jacket is minimal protection. Two thin layers that do only what they need to. Outer layer protects the inner membrane, repels and diperses moisture by spreading it out amongst the fibers. Inner membrane is the waterproof layer that allows some moisture to escape. Held to a light sourse you can almost see through both.It works well enough. In soaking rain the outter layer wets out as expected. Inside the membrane is dry to the touch and my insulation layer remains as dry as my activity level allows. If activity is high, some moisture builds up as expected.Hard to take stars away for lack of pockets, ... MoreI wear this hiking an mtb and use it exclusively as a rain/windshirt when a wool base layer needs protection from wetting out or evaporating away the heat.This jacket is minimal protection. Two thin layers that do only what they need to. Outer layer protects the inner membrane, repels and diperses moisture by spreading it out amongst the fibers. Inner membrane is the waterproof layer that allows some moisture to escape. Held to a light sourse you can almost see through both.It works well enough. In soaking rain the outter layer wets out as expected. Inside the membrane is dry to the touch and my insulation layer remains as dry as my activity level allows. If activity is high, some moisture builds up as expected.Hard to take stars away for lack of pockets, minimal material, price etc because these were pretty clear when I bought it. It fits in a pocket, weighs less than any other piece of clothing, and keeps most environmental moisture out of my insulation without feeling like a trash bag. Don’t use this instead of a 3 layer goretex shell if conditions call for that. Use this when conditions are variable and a goretex shell is a pain to store and unstore and overkill.
I suspect a lot of the negative reviews are coming from people who are expecting this jacket to compete in the same space as mountaineering-designed waterproof jackets made out of Gore-Tex. It is not meant to do that, not even remotely. This is the equivalent of a bivy, and as such, it works remarkably well. It has kept me dry and warm riding through thunderstorms with high winds and lashing rain. Its hood can be easily yanked over a helmet, on the fly, and cinched down to get you through a downpour. Worn with merino wool layers underneath and I challenge any backpacker or bikepacker to tell me this is not a great jacket.The fact that you can get this degree of weather protection from something that packs smaller than a beer can is a feat of design and ... MoreI suspect a lot of the negative reviews are coming from people who are expecting this jacket to compete in the same space as mountaineering-designed waterproof jackets made out of Gore-Tex. It is not meant to do that, not even remotely. This is the equivalent of a bivy, and as such, it works remarkably well. It has kept me dry and warm riding through thunderstorms with high winds and lashing rain. Its hood can be easily yanked over a helmet, on the fly, and cinched down to get you through a downpour. Worn with merino wool layers underneath and I challenge any backpacker or bikepacker to tell me this is not a great jacket.The fact that you can get this degree of weather protection from something that packs smaller than a beer can is a feat of design and engineering. What a great garment, just all around incredible.
I bought this jacket in 2017. Like almost all "waterproof/breathable" clothing (also known as GoreTex), it's neither waterproof nor breathable once you've worn it a dozen or so times. The public is finally beginning to catch on.These garments consist of an outer nylon layer, a thin porous plastic layer that's stuck to it, and sometimes a third, inner nylon layer to protect the thin porous plastic. Nylon is not waterproof. The thin porous plastic layer theoretically stops water from getting through to the inside, but it can't do that if the outer nylon layer is saturated. So, they put a coating on the outer nylon that causes the water to bead up and roll off, keeping that nylon mostly dry. They call this a "durable water repellant" coating. A Goretex jacket will ... MoreI bought this jacket in 2017. Like almost all "waterproof/breathable" clothing (also known as GoreTex), it's neither waterproof nor breathable once you've worn it a dozen or so times. The public is finally beginning to catch on.These garments consist of an outer nylon layer, a thin porous plastic layer that's stuck to it, and sometimes a third, inner nylon layer to protect the thin porous plastic. Nylon is not waterproof. The thin porous plastic layer theoretically stops water from getting through to the inside, but it can't do that if the outer nylon layer is saturated. So, they put a coating on the outer nylon that causes the water to bead up and roll off, keeping that nylon mostly dry. They call this a "durable water repellant" coating. A Goretex jacket will remain basically waterproof until the "DWR" coating wears off. That takes about two months if you wear it regularly, and it will never be waterproof again after that (aftermarket "DWR" spray-on coatings don't work).People buy Goretex jackets, wear them a few times, and think they're great because it keeps them dry. That's why these things keep selling. Most people never wear them for more than a couple minutes in the rain, walking across a parking lot, so it's not a problem and they're happy with "waterproof/breathable." It's a different story if you spend time outdoors in the rain with a jacket that's not brand new. The "breathable" claim was always a joke - you're wearing a plastic bag! It's got tiny holes in it, so in theory perhaps 2% of your perspiration could escape through the holes, but even this doesn't escape once the outer nylon is saturated.The OR Helium jacket fits well, has zippers in the right places, has a very well-designed hood, looks good... OR did nothing wrong. It simply suffers the same fate as any "waterproof/breathable" jacket: there's no such thing. The Helium jacket does away with the 3rd layer - the inner nylon - in order to save a lot of weight and bulk. As a result, you feel the water coming through the minute it "wets out." With heavier jackets with a 3rd inner layer, the water's seeping through just as fast, but it takes longer to notice it.My suggestion is to buy a silnylon or silpoly rain jacket that doesn't pretend to be "breathable."
This is a nice simple waterproof jacket, and expensive even on sale. That said, I was so bummed to realize it has no pockets other than a chest pocket. I've never had a pocketless jacket before and my hands are befuddled. The other annoyance is the zipper-it requires a bit of effort to slide it up and down and feels like it won't last long at that level of tension. I wish the elastic at wrists went all the way around instead of halfway. I love the color, purple and the cinches at hood and bottom of jacket. For a men's XL, the jacket is rather small. I'm a small woman who buys men's XL rain jackets because they are longer and bigger, good to wear over bulky non-waterproof layers, and I know that isn't the purpose of this jacket. It has a little stretch. I would not ... MoreThis is a nice simple waterproof jacket, and expensive even on sale. That said, I was so bummed to realize it has no pockets other than a chest pocket. I've never had a pocketless jacket before and my hands are befuddled. The other annoyance is the zipper-it requires a bit of effort to slide it up and down and feels like it won't last long at that level of tension. I wish the elastic at wrists went all the way around instead of halfway. I love the color, purple and the cinches at hood and bottom of jacket. For a men's XL, the jacket is rather small. I'm a small woman who buys men's XL rain jackets because they are longer and bigger, good to wear over bulky non-waterproof layers, and I know that isn't the purpose of this jacket. It has a little stretch. I would not buy this particular version of this jacket again due to the lack of hand pockets-that was my mistake.
I recently used this jacket while hiking the Juan Du Fuca Marine trail on Vancouver Island. The first day was a very light mist/fog and the jacket was suitable for keeping me dry but that was about the extent of it. The second day was quite rainy and I was thoroughly soaked within 30 minutes. I didn't even bother with the helium pants. The jacket also lacks adequate ventilation. I can second an earlier posters comment that he wasn't sure if he was wet from overheating underneath or from rain soaking through. The jacket was reasonable at blocking wind. I chose this jacket for its UL weight/cost. I would certainly not recommend this to any user who is doing through hikes in rainy coastal areas.
| CENTER BACK LENGTH | 29.25 in |
