OUTDOOR
RESEARCH HELIUM JACKET
Tester
Information:
Name: Pam Wyant
Age: 52
Gender: Female
Height: 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Weight: 175 lb (79 kg)
E-mail
address: pamwyant(at)yahoo(dot)com
Location: Western West Virginia, U.S.A.
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Backpacking Background:
I enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including backpacking,
day-hiking, car camping, and canoeing. Most of my excursions
are confined to weekends, although I try to fit in at least one
longer backpacking trip each year, and have started section
hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT), accruing a little over 300 mi
(483 km) so far. My style varies with the activity, but since
becoming a lightweight backpacker, I've noticed I tend to pack
somewhat minimally even on trips where I have more space.
Still, I don't like to sacrifice warmth, comfort, or safety.
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Initial Report - March 11, 2010
Photo Courtesy Outdoor Research
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Product Information:
Manufacturer: Outdoor
Research
Year of manufacture: 2010
Model: Helium
Color: Fossil
Size: Men's Large
Advertised
Weight: 193 g (6.8 oz)
Measured Weight: 184 g (6.5 oz)
MSRP: $140 US
Website: www.outdoorresearch.com
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Product
Description:
The Helium is aptly named. While it obviously isn't truly lighter
than air, it is the lightest durable waterproof breathable jacket I
have ever had the privilege of holding in my hand. When I
received the envelope from Outdoor Research, my first thought was that
it was too light and small to contain a rain jacket. When I
opened it, I was amazed that it was indeed the super light weight
Helium.
Although the Helium is made of a 2.5-layer fabric (20D Pertex Shield DS
ripstop), it is so thin and light that it feels like a single
layer. Closer examination reveals at least two layers - a dark
gray silky outer layer with a small gridded pattern, and a slicker
white inner layer with a tiny diamond pattern. The website
indicates the face fabric has a PV film laminate, so I assume this is
the invisible 1/2 layer.
The jacket features a full length water resistant front zipper,
measuring about 29"/74 cm long. The thin zipper is designed to be
light weight, and measures only about 1/2" (1.3 cm) wide. As with
other water resistant zippers I have used in the past, the zipper has a
small amount of resistance when it is opened and closed.
The top of the zipper is covered by a small triangular piece of fabric
(a 'zipper garage') that extends down into a 6" (15 cm) storm flap that
backs only the upper portion of the zipper. The combination of
zipper garage and small storm flap keeps the zipper from pinching my
chin when the jacket is completely zipped up.
The jacket has a very large Napoleon style chest pocket that is formed
from a second layer of the fabric in the upper left chest, running from
the front zipper to the sleeve seam. The pocket has a 6.5" (16.5
cm) long water resistant zipper. Although the zippers look
somewhat orange in the photo above, obtained from the manufacturer's
website, they are actually more of a brick red color.
The jacket features raglan style sleeves with artistically curved
seams, and front yoke styling. The sleeves forgo an adjustable
wristband, ending simply in an elastic cuff.
The articulated hood is well shaped to snug around my head without the
irritation of elastic around my face. It features a stiffened
brim that will hopefully help keep water out of my eyes when hiking in
the rain. It also features an elastic pull at the back, just
above the point my skull attaches to my vertebrae. The elastic
runs from the center back to the jawbone area in the front of the
hood. Tightening the pull adjusts the depth of the hood, which
seems like it might be useful to allow more visibility in light rain
and better coverage in heavier rain. I will observe whether the
adjustment has a useful effect as I test the jacket in various
conditions.
All seams are taped on the interior with a very light and thin
transparent tape. The seams appear to be sewn with a very light
thread. The stitching is very small and even in appearance.
The jacket features adjustable elastic in the hem, with a pull on each
side. A 6" x 6" (15 x 15 cm) interior pocket that fastens with a
small strip of hook and loop fastener is located on the bottom left
side of the jacket. The pocket can be turned inside out and the
jacket stuffed inside the pocket for storage. A small thin
webbing loop is located at the bottom of the pocket and can be used to
attach the stuffed jacket to a carabineer or clip. The inside of
the pocket is the same fabric as the exterior, and is imprinted with
the words "Designed By Adventure" near the webbing loop.
A similar webbing loop is located just under the hood on the interior,
in the tag area, and can be used to hang the jacket over a hook.
The neck tag of the jacket actually is heavier and thicker than the
jacket fabric, and is reinforced with an extra patch of the jacket
fabric. The thickened area of the tag can be observed from the
outside of the jacket. If possible, I think it would be
preferable to use 'tagless' technology. This would not only shave
another gram or two by eliminating three different tags at the neck
{name/website tag, size tag, and country of origin (China) tag}, but
would also make the jacket softer in this area. It might not be
possible to have the hang loop if this were done, however the jacket
could just as easily be hung from the back of the hood using the
adjustable elastic cord, so this is a feature I would gladly sacrifice
for a more comfortable feel.
Preliminary
Impressions:
The Helium has a very trim fit. Since the women's version was not
available in my normal x-large size, I chose the men's
large. In most jackets or shirts, I find a men's large
rather similar in size to a women's x-large, other than the sleeves are
usually longer and the chest and shoulder area will usually be overly
loose. The Helium fits slightly different than I expected.
The chest and shoulders fit me perfectly. The stomach and hip
areas are actually a bit snug. While I am used to a looser fit in
a rain jacket, I am still able to wear a base layer and a light weight
insulated jacket underneath the Helium without the insulation appearing
to be compressed.
The jacket has a pleasant, light and soft feel. The fabric makes
a slight, whispery sound when I move around, but it isn't very loud or
annoying. I was somewhat surprised how comfortable the sleeves
felt against bare skin when I wore a short-sleeved shirt underneath the
jacket, as I often find rain gear clammy against bare skin.
The only thing I really missed as I've worn the jacket around the last
few days is hand pockets. While the chest pocket seems to provide
ample storage area for things like gloves, or even a knit cap, in
casual wear I miss having a pocket for my hands. Most likely this
will not be a feature I miss while wearing a pack, as pack belts and
straps usually block access to these type of pockets anyway.
Summary:
The Outdoor Research Helium appears to be a well constructed waterproof
breathable jacket that uses advanced fabric technology, trim cut, and a
few well thought out features to shave ounces/grams over a more
traditional durable rain jacket. The fabric has a great feel and
in preliminary wear seems pretty breathable, given it did not make my
bare arms feel clammy.
Things I
like:
Super light weight
Soft feel of fabric
Nice fit in chest, shoulders, and articulated hood
Things of concern/things I dislike:
Fit overly snug in stomach/hip area
Neck tag heavier than jacket fabric
Field Report - May 18, 2010
Field
Locations and Conditions:
Canaan Valley State Park, April 2010 ~ 6 mi (10 km) overnight
backpacking trip. While backpacking normally isn't allowed in
West Virginia state parks, we were given special permission as part of
the Department of Natural Resources Becoming an Outdoor Woman
program. I wore the Helium during one rest break and in camp that
evening and the next morning, in light rain. Temperatures ranged
from about 40 F to 70 F (4 C to 21 C). I wore the Helium over a
short sleeve wool base layer shirt, with a long sleeve wool base layer
shirt added as a mid-layer later in the evening.
Ramsey's Draft area of George Washington National Forest, May 2010 ~ 17
mi (27 km) overnight backpacking trip. Temperatures ranged from
about 60 F (15 C) during the day, down to freezing at night, with heavy
wind. I wore the Helium during breaks and immediately upon
arrival at camp, over a short sleeve wool base layer. I later
added a long sleeve base layer shirt and a Montbell UL Down Inner Parka
under the Helium. I also wore the Helium over both base layer
shirts for hiking the next morning, removing the long sleeve shirt
later in the hike, but wearing the Helium for the duration of the hike
as a windbreaker.
Other ~ I also have worn the Helium on about 3 day hikes of 3 mi (5 km)
each in western West Virginia, and for about 4 days of work, as a rain
jacket.
Use and Conclusions:
I have really enjoyed testing the Outdoor Research Helium jacket.
I am still amazed at how light weight it is. So far the jacket
has been very durable. I can't find any signs of damage to the
fabric even after pushing through a good bit of trail overgrown
with brush and berry bushes on the Ramsey's Draft trip. While the
water resistant zippers are slightly stiff to work, this is common for
this sort of zipper, and they work smoothly and don't snag on the
jacket fabric.
The Helium is also very breathable. It was very comfortable to
wear in the windy conditions I experienced during the Ramsey's Draft
trip, and even when the wind died down, I didn't feel overly hot or
clammy. Well, at least I didn't overheat other than on one uphill
shortly into the second day's hike, while I was still wearing a long
sleeve base layer top and base layer pants under my nylon hiking pants,
and the jacket was not the cause of the overheating. Once I
removed the extra layers, I was very comfortable for the remainder of
the hike, with only minimal sweating on the uphills, as I would expect
even if I had only worn a base layer for hiking.
One thing I have missed is having hand pockets, especially when I am
using the Helium as a windbreaker or for a minimal amount of warmth
while taking a break or sitting around camp. However, the
Napoleon style chest pocket is roomy. I was able to fit a light
wool beanie and pair of polypro gloves in it, which came in useful
while I was hiking at Ramsey's Draft. During calm warmer spells
in the weather I could store the hat and gloves away, while keeping
them within easy reach so I could pull them back on as the wind kicked
up, or the trail changed from a sunny exposed area to a cool shaded
area. I could also tuck an energy bar in the pocket, so that it
was handy if I wanted to pull it out to munch on when my energy level
flagged. So, I have plenty of room to store the things I might
need during the hike, it is just that I don't have somewhere to put my
hands when at rest.
One thing I really like is the brim on the hood. It has been just
right so far to keep the rain out of my face, without obscuring my
vision. It works especially well when I pull the hood adjustment
somewhat tight, which keeps the brim further above my eyes than when
the adjustment is looser.
I also like the soft and silky feel of the fabric. It has a
slight rustle when I move, but nothing really distracting or
annoying. Another plus is that the Helium beads water well and
dries quickly, which allows me to shake it out under a tarp or in a
vestibule and get rid of most of the moisture, so I don't have a
sopping wet jacket to deal with in a tent or hammock. It is easy
to stuff the jacket into the designated inner pocket, forming a small
package that is easy to store in my pack.
The fit of the jacket is slightly trimmer than I would like at the hem
area, but the chest, shoulders, and arms are a perfect fit for
me. The sleeves are a nice length ~ not too long, but I can pull
them down over my hands easily if I want. The hood fits well, and
the adjustment cord locks nicely in place to hold the fit. The
fit of the neck area is nice too, especially with the soft flap of
material over the zipper head, which keeps my chin from getting
irritated when the jacket is fully zipped up.
Oh, and I almost forgot ~ the Helium has also been totally waterproof
so far. I have worn it in prolonged drizzle while at camp, in
moderate rain while day hiking, and in the pouring rain while measuring
houses, and haven't had it leak yet.
Summary:
The Outdoor Research Helium is living up to its early promise.
I've found it very breathable, light weight, waterproof, and easy to
store in minimal space. The lack of hand pockets has taken some
getting used to, but the chest pocket provides ample storage for items
I may want while hiking. So far, the Helium is a winner in my
book.
Long Term Report - July 20, 2010
Field
Locations and Conditions:
Girl Scout Camp Sandy Bend, Elizabeth, West Virginia, May 2010 ~
weekend (2 night)
tent camping. Light evening rain. Overnight
temperatures were around 60 F (15 C).
Girl Scout Camp Sandy Bend, Elizabeth, West Virginia, May 2010 ~
overnight lodge
camping. Clear, dry weather. Overnight temperatures were
around 60 F (15
C).
Cranberry, Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, May 2010 ~ 25 mi
(40 km)
weekend (2 night) backpacking trip. Overnight temperatures were
in the 50 F (10 C) range, high humidity, light rain one night.
Miscellaneous use - I've also worn the Helium on 3 different occasions
as a rain jacket while inspecting/measuring homes.
Use and Conclusions:
Although the weather did not cooperate to the point of being able to
use the Helium jacket for hiking in the heavy rain, I am really
impressed with this jacket. Although the weather was relatively
warm on all of my trips during this phase of the test, I did wear the
Helium in the late evening and early morning on each of these trips.
The Helium is light enough that I did not overheat when wearing it
hiking in wind, and it was very comfortable around camp in light rain
while doing chores, sitting around, and those middle of the night
trips. An added bonus was that the Helium added just enough light
warmth to substitute for a long sleeve base layer or light
fleece. This saved me a few ounces of weight in my pack,
since even in the summer I typically pack one or the other when
backpacking in the mountains, but the Helium is breathable and sturdy
enough that I felt safe relying on it for extra warmth as well as
protection from rain.
I continue to miss having lower hand pockets on the Helium, but this is
a relatively small inconvenience, and offset somewhat by the roomy
Napoleon style pocket. It has just been hard for me to get used
to a pocket in the chest area, as this is not something I have
typically used. I have not used the interior mesh pocket for
storing anything, but I do like it for neatly packing the jacket away
for storage in my pack or duffel. This does take a little time
and effort, and I have to admit I sometimes just stuff the loose jacket
in when I am in a hurry, but having the integrated storage makes for a
nice way to store the jacket without having to keep up with an
additional stuff sack (or, as a dedicated gram weenie, having to carry
those extra few grams of stuff sack weight).
So far the jacket shows no signs of wear, although I have only worn it
about 8 hours under a pack, and the zippers still operate
smoothly. One thing that I really like about the jacket is the
smooth, almost silky texture and soft hand of the fabric.
Summary:
The Outdoor Research Helium is a fantastically light weight shell with
good breathability, great packability, and (so far) truly
waterproof. It will most definitely be my 'go to' rain jacket for
future hiking and backpacking trips. The slight downside to the
Helium for me is the trim fit in the hip/stomach area, and the lack
of hand pockets. For the light weight, small packed size,
and breathability, I can live with these drawbacks.
Likes:
Light weight
Breathable
Comfortable
Ample storage in chest pocket
Dislikes:
Miss having hand pockets
A little trimmer than I like in the hip/stomach area.
Thanks to Outdoor Research and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity
to test the Helium.
Read more reviews of Outdoor Research gear
Read more gear reviews by Pamela Wyant
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