Outdoor Research Helium Jacket Review

Tucked away deep in the black hole of your backpack is a jacket–the one you keep “just in case.” Just in case, you get stuck on an exposed ridgeline as a Spring snowstorm suddenly plows down on you or just in case you are mid-ride on Moab’s Porcupine Rim when Summer turns into “not so Summer.” The new Outdoor Research Helium jacket is the perfect “just in case” jacket everyone should have.

About the Outdoor Research Helium Jacket

Their most compressible storm shell is so light it practically floats, or at least it’s so light that you won’t notice you’re carrying it until a sudden downpour bursts into your day. When a big, exposed objective puts you on route for a full day stretching into dark, this jacket packs into its own pocket and can be clipped to your harness for quick access if you need protection from rain, wind, or cooling temps. And it includes all the features needed for true functionality, without any bulky excess.

Ultralight, waterproof/breathable 2.5-layer 20D Pertex® Shield DS ripstop fabric
Fully seam taped
Single-pull hood adjustment
Ultralight, water-resistant zippers
Front zipper has 7.5″/19 cm inner stormfap
Zippered napoleon pocket
Stuff pocket at side hem with hook/loop closure
Elastic cuffs
Single drawcord hem adjustment
Weight: 6.8 oz
Colors: Pilsner Yellow, Fossil Grey, Black
MSRP: $140

Outdoor Research Helium Jacket Review

Lightweight is an understatement with this jacket, but don’t let its featherweight design fool you–the Outdoor Research Helium jacket is for real and not only for the “just in case” moments. The Pertex Shield fabric is light and seemingly-durable in spite of its thin-ness. It also breathes extremely-well. After a hard 30-minute run on a 45-degree day the Helium merely felt slightly damp to the touch on the inside. After 5 minutes, that had all dissipated.

The cut of the jacket is great for slapping on top of a down jacket or other puffy insulation layer as need arises. Alone with only a long-sleeve shirt underneath, I’d wish for a little more form-fitting torso. As it stands, it works great on top of puffier under layers. The hem is cut longer than many jackets of this type, so it covers your backside well even when you’re moving around a lot. The simple elastic sleeve cuffs are simple and light, but a lightweight Velcro cuff would have been great.

I brought this jacket along on a handful of ski tours as well and loved the light weight and compressibility of this jacket. Stuffing it into the bottom of my backcountry ski pack, it yielded plenty of space for other sundries.

I really dig the hood and find it necessary in a jacket like this. Should you need to slap it on in a pinch, the hood can be easily worn–leaving your noggin well-protected.

As time goes on, I still marvel at how lightweight this jacket is yet how performant it remains. Excellent overall design for “just in case” backcountry use or highly-aerobic activities.

Good Helium

So light it will amaze you
Excellent water and wind protection
Pertex Shield fabric is really the star of the show
Attached hood adds to the versatility
The Fossil color is muted and dashing
Very lightweight and packable
Single-handed shock-cord hem cinches well

Bad Helium

Missing some sort of grippy rubber along the inside of the hem to keep in place
No hand pockets
Front zipper is reversed (for the ladies?)
Would like to see a simple Velcro cuff closure instead of just elastic

Bottom Line: Outdoor Research Helium Jacket

While some great Outdoor Research jackets are sometimes overlooked, the Helium should garner several double-takes. It’s light weight, packable and offers solid shelter for aerobic activity or in a pinch. The Pertex fabric breathes well and performs when needed.

Buy Now: Find Outdoor Research Jackets at REI