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Outdoor Research Helium HD Men's Jacket
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Outdoor Research Helium HD Men's Jacket
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Product Description
Inspired by the company’s best-selling Helium II rain shell, the Outdoor Research Helium HD jacket comes with all the protection you’ll need in a serious deluge—and it weighs just 9 ounces. The Pertex Shield+ 2.5L 30d ripstop fabric is waterproof, windproof, breathable, and lightweight, with full seam taping and a laminated construction Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downMsilverhammer
327
Jan 23, 2018
Just for clarification, when I wrote my comment on the jacket mentioned in this drop, the Men's Helium HD jacket, I mistakenly referred to it as the Men's Helium II jacket, both from Outdoor Research.
REI is selling the Men's Helium HD jacket for $199.00 as compared to the Men's Helium II jacket for $159.00, so this drop is well under market price.
Both jackets are made from the exact same Pertex® Shield+ 2.5L 100% nylon 30D ripstop material, but the Helium HD is three ounces heavier, has pit zips, and a hood that will fit helmets, and zip hand pockets, among the differences.
As I stated earlier, from what I have read, been told, and researched, they seem like excellent jackets, that are light, and very breathable.
Hope this clarifies my previous comment.
REI is selling the Men's Helium HD jacket for $199.00 as compared to the Men's Helium II jacket for $159.00, so this drop is well under market price.
Both jackets are made from the exact same Pertex® Shield+ 2.5L 100% nylon 30D ripstop material, but the Helium HD is three ounces heavier, has pit zips, and a hood that will fit helmets, and zip hand pockets, among the differences.
As I stated earlier, from what I have read, been told, and researched, they seem like excellent jackets, that are light, and very breathable.
Hope this clarifies my previous comment.
Msilverhammer
327
Jan 26, 2018
I am not sure where you are directing me.
Looked in all the blogs you cited, and linked, but could not find that date in any of those, or here in these undated comments.
Maybe I am missing something.
Would you please be more specific?
Thanks!
Looked in all the blogs you cited, and linked, but could not find that date in any of those, or here in these undated comments.
Maybe I am missing something.
Would you please be more specific?
Thanks!
DMDHiker
21
Feb 18, 2017
I've gone through 2 Helium 2's (unlimited guarantee). They're made of the same material as the HD. The 2.5 Layer construction loses its waterproofing ability after 2-3 wears. In a downpour you're going to get soaked, even in the HD. I love how light the jacket is, and it typically breathes well, but if you want a jacket that will keep you dry in something other than drizzle look elsewhere. If OR ever updates this jacket with a new material I may consider it.
treal512
435
May 9, 2017
When there's not even a chance of rain I find myself wearing it for the ability to cut wind and the warmth that comes with that plus body heat retainings. I love the jacket. A little on the trash bag side of feels, but there's always a compromise.
linus72
17
Apr 24, 2018
DMDHikerin agreement. i have a Helium II and while i love the weight, it wet through in a day long deluge pretty quickly. It was cold and wet and this jacket just did not keep me dry for long or warm like my REI Rainwall did (similar to a precip). Those jackets were much cheaper and much more waterproof (sold the Precip to a friend) and the bonus is when i was cold in my tent at night those coats helped me stay warm as they are less breathable... some things are worth a little extra weight. Luckily i got my Helium II free as part of my trail job perks. I will probably sell it as I already have a Houdini windshirt
Msilverhammer
327
Jan 23, 2018
I think a good rain jacket that keeps you dry, and relatively free of perspiration is an essential outdoor gear item.
However, if you do not want to spend around $150.00 for a rain jacket, then I suggest that you take a long look at the Marmot Precip jacket, which you can usually find on Massdrop, EBAY, Sierra Trading Post, and other sites for around $50.00 to $60.00.
The Marmot Precip is a good rain jacket, (I own one) and is consistently rated as a Best Buy by the reviewers at the Outdoor Gear Lab.
Just to be fair and accurate, the Outdoor Gear Lab has also rated the Helium II as a top pick, so it is no slouch, just more expensive, but lighter, and a bit more breathable than the Marmot Precip. I noticed that REI is selling them for around $160.00, so this drop is probably a bit under market price, but pretty much the same when you add in the Massdrop shipping charges.
However, since I already own several similar rain jackets, and if I was willing to be somewhat redundant, and spend $150.00 for another rain jacket, I would rather try a rain jacket, or an insulated rain jacket for those cold times of the year, made with the Columbia Outdry technology, which purportedly eliminates the clamminess that one often experiences with Gore-Tex, eVent, Marmot Nano Pro, Marmot Nano Pro Membrain, Marmot Membrain Strata, Patagonia H2 No, and other multiple iterations, and versions of the aforementioned multiple fabric layer rain jacket technologies made with "breathable" membranes.
I might also want to try a jacket made with Polartec Neoshell fabric, which is similar to all of the aforementioned waterproof, breathable fabrics, but is considered "air permeable" so in extensive testing and reviews was rated as more breathable.
The Marmot Zion jacket, now discontinued, but still available here and there online is a good example of a Polartec Neoshell jacket that received great reviews regarding the breathability. Other well known names like Rab, Westcomb, Sugoi, and Mammut and others manufacture jackets using Polartec Neoshell.
By the way, all of the technologies mentioned here, have been out on the market for at least two years, and in some cases many more, as in the case of Gore Tex, and eVent.
I own several rain jackets made by Lowe Alpine (eVent), Marmot Precip, (Nano Pro), Marmot Oracle, (Marmot Membrain Strata, Marmot Artemis, (Marmot Nano Pro Membrain), a Gore Tex jacket issued to me by the NPS, and a Sierra Designs Badlands Nylon jacket with DWR coating.
By the way, the Outdoor Research Helium II jacket showcased in this drop uses a similar Pertex® Shield+ 2.5-layer ripstop nylon fabric, which is extremely durable, waterproof, and very breathable.
In most, if not all of these jackets there is a waterproof/breathable membrane sandwiched between two or more layers of fabric.
The outer fabric layer is treated with a durable water repellent (DWR) coating, and the inner layer is a liner that gets the water off your skin and helps move it to the membrane, keeping you (somewhat) nice and dry. There are varying degrees of dry based upon temperature, exertion levels, etc.
Please note that the outer layer of most waterproof jackets will start to "wet out" after some time, and will then have to be cleaned, and then the DWR coating, (Nikwax, Grangers, Revivex) will have to be reapplied again depending upon the usage level, rain, snow, or salt water exposure, ultraviolet light exposure, abrasion, etc.
According to my research Columbia’s new OutDry Extreme tech is built differently.
The exterior of the jacket is covered in a water-tight membrane that makes the jackets look and feel more like a rubber dry bag than the usual fabric exteriors of traditional waterproof, breathable jackets.
Columbia’s external membrane repels the big water droplets from rainfall but it’s not entirely sealed off, as the membrane has millions of tiny perforations that let water vapor evaporate out of the jacket. Below the membrane is a liner made of a nylon fabric that wicks water away from your skin. If the whole system works as advertised, an OutDry Extreme jacket will keep you dry, cool, and comfortable.
So, yes the Helium II is a great jacket, and probably worth the $150.00 price tag, if you are looking for the lightest waterproof rain jacket around.
But as we know, there is always a better mouse trap being built, so in the case of the Columbia Outdry, and Polartec Neoshell technologies, there may be more breathable jackets out there that will keep you bone dry.
I hope that all of this information helps you in some way, and is food for thought!
Following are a few links that you might find useful, informative, and interesting:
Marmot Waterproof Technologies... https://www.marmot.com/technology-articles/technology.html#water
Polartec Neoshell... http://dev.polartec.com/product/polartec-neoshell
Columbia Outdry Extreme Jackets, Reviews, Features and Specifications...
https://www.columbia.com/technology-outdry-extreme/#prefn1=genderGroup&prefn2=productClass&prefv1=Men%27s&prefv2=Jackets
https://blog.columbia.com/outdry_extreme/
https://gizmodo.com/columbia-outdry-extreme-the-future-of-rain-jacket-perf-1711780378
However, if you do not want to spend around $150.00 for a rain jacket, then I suggest that you take a long look at the Marmot Precip jacket, which you can usually find on Massdrop, EBAY, Sierra Trading Post, and other sites for around $50.00 to $60.00.
The Marmot Precip is a good rain jacket, (I own one) and is consistently rated as a Best Buy by the reviewers at the Outdoor Gear Lab.
Just to be fair and accurate, the Outdoor Gear Lab has also rated the Helium II as a top pick, so it is no slouch, just more expensive, but lighter, and a bit more breathable than the Marmot Precip. I noticed that REI is selling them for around $160.00, so this drop is probably a bit under market price, but pretty much the same when you add in the Massdrop shipping charges.
However, since I already own several similar rain jackets, and if I was willing to be somewhat redundant, and spend $150.00 for another rain jacket, I would rather try a rain jacket, or an insulated rain jacket for those cold times of the year, made with the Columbia Outdry technology, which purportedly eliminates the clamminess that one often experiences with Gore-Tex, eVent, Marmot Nano Pro, Marmot Nano Pro Membrain, Marmot Membrain Strata, Patagonia H2 No, and other multiple iterations, and versions of the aforementioned multiple fabric layer rain jacket technologies made with "breathable" membranes.
I might also want to try a jacket made with Polartec Neoshell fabric, which is similar to all of the aforementioned waterproof, breathable fabrics, but is considered "air permeable" so in extensive testing and reviews was rated as more breathable.
The Marmot Zion jacket, now discontinued, but still available here and there online is a good example of a Polartec Neoshell jacket that received great reviews regarding the breathability. Other well known names like Rab, Westcomb, Sugoi, and Mammut and others manufacture jackets using Polartec Neoshell.
By the way, all of the technologies mentioned here, have been out on the market for at least two years, and in some cases many more, as in the case of Gore Tex, and eVent.
I own several rain jackets made by Lowe Alpine (eVent), Marmot Precip, (Nano Pro), Marmot Oracle, (Marmot Membrain Strata, Marmot Artemis, (Marmot Nano Pro Membrain), a Gore Tex jacket issued to me by the NPS, and a Sierra Designs Badlands Nylon jacket with DWR coating.
By the way, the Outdoor Research Helium II jacket showcased in this drop uses a similar Pertex® Shield+ 2.5-layer ripstop nylon fabric, which is extremely durable, waterproof, and very breathable.
In most, if not all of these jackets there is a waterproof/breathable membrane sandwiched between two or more layers of fabric.
The outer fabric layer is treated with a durable water repellent (DWR) coating, and the inner layer is a liner that gets the water off your skin and helps move it to the membrane, keeping you (somewhat) nice and dry. There are varying degrees of dry based upon temperature, exertion levels, etc.
Please note that the outer layer of most waterproof jackets will start to "wet out" after some time, and will then have to be cleaned, and then the DWR coating, (Nikwax, Grangers, Revivex) will have to be reapplied again depending upon the usage level, rain, snow, or salt water exposure, ultraviolet light exposure, abrasion, etc.
According to my research Columbia’s new OutDry Extreme tech is built differently.
The exterior of the jacket is covered in a water-tight membrane that makes the jackets look and feel more like a rubber dry bag than the usual fabric exteriors of traditional waterproof, breathable jackets.
Columbia’s external membrane repels the big water droplets from rainfall but it’s not entirely sealed off, as the membrane has millions of tiny perforations that let water vapor evaporate out of the jacket. Below the membrane is a liner made of a nylon fabric that wicks water away from your skin. If the whole system works as advertised, an OutDry Extreme jacket will keep you dry, cool, and comfortable.
So, yes the Helium II is a great jacket, and probably worth the $150.00 price tag, if you are looking for the lightest waterproof rain jacket around.
But as we know, there is always a better mouse trap being built, so in the case of the Columbia Outdry, and Polartec Neoshell technologies, there may be more breathable jackets out there that will keep you bone dry.
I hope that all of this information helps you in some way, and is food for thought!
Following are a few links that you might find useful, informative, and interesting:
Marmot Waterproof Technologies... https://www.marmot.com/technology-articles/technology.html#water
Polartec Neoshell... http://dev.polartec.com/product/polartec-neoshell
Columbia Outdry Extreme Jackets, Reviews, Features and Specifications...
https://www.columbia.com/technology-outdry-extreme/#prefn1=genderGroup&prefn2=productClass&prefv1=Men%27s&prefv2=Jackets
https://blog.columbia.com/outdry_extreme/
https://gizmodo.com/columbia-outdry-extreme-the-future-of-rain-jacket-perf-1711780378
Mr.Dude
18
Jul 7, 2017
Got to use mine from the last drop in a downpour while camping. The pocket and pit vents really helped to keep air flowing (the pocket interior is mesh, so there is air flow, but be careful as water can get in) The hood is great. Even after being stuffed in the pocket, it opened and formed well.
Hood is comfortable up or down even with a big neck (I'm 18" around) Reaching overhead to tie up tarps did not lift the jacket and the wrist closures were tight enough that not much water came down the sleeves. Probably the only thing that didn't seem to fit was a slight tightness around the chest. (I'm a 48R and I got the XL) Nothing I'd be concerned with in summer conditions, but if you wanted to wear this over a puffy insulating layer, you'd need to go up a size.
I really was amazed that I could wear this in the heavy rain, tie up tarps and other active work and not be totally soaked in either rain or sweat. When the rain stopped and the sun came out, I simply hung the jacket over a tarp line and it was dry in short order. I checked it about an hour after I hung it, but I'll bet it was dry sooner. Of course, the breeze helped, but still, that was plenty fast.
I like that the jacket stuffs into a package that is about the size of a paperback. The thin package really makes it easy to keep handy.
Hood is comfortable up or down even with a big neck (I'm 18" around) Reaching overhead to tie up tarps did not lift the jacket and the wrist closures were tight enough that not much water came down the sleeves. Probably the only thing that didn't seem to fit was a slight tightness around the chest. (I'm a 48R and I got the XL) Nothing I'd be concerned with in summer conditions, but if you wanted to wear this over a puffy insulating layer, you'd need to go up a size.
I really was amazed that I could wear this in the heavy rain, tie up tarps and other active work and not be totally soaked in either rain or sweat. When the rain stopped and the sun came out, I simply hung the jacket over a tarp line and it was dry in short order. I checked it about an hour after I hung it, but I'll bet it was dry sooner. Of course, the breeze helped, but still, that was plenty fast.
I like that the jacket stuffs into a package that is about the size of a paperback. The thin package really makes it easy to keep handy.
DannyMilks
4557
Feb 17, 2017
DanmatthewsThanks for pointing this out! We instantly corrected this. @Danmatthews was right - we had the MSRP incorrectly listed for the first few minutes that this drop was live @BBAddict @DarrinW @grubbster
anon9
42
Jul 7, 2017
Can we get the Women's version of the HD as well and not the traveller instead? We're getting the short end of the stick here...
DannyMilks
4557
Jul 7, 2017
anon9OR does not make the Helium HD in womens size/fit, nor do they make the Traveler in mens size/fit. I agree that it's shameful that they don't make a womens version of the HD - seems like it would sell well.
anon9
42
Jul 7, 2017
DannyMilksWell it appears our complaints are misdirected then! Looks like at one point they did, but they do not anymore. Shame.
Peregrin8or
5
May 10, 2017
There's a useful review here: http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/clothing-mens/rain-jacket/outdoor-research-helium-ii
thefeev
47
May 12, 2017
Peregrin8orYep! pit zips AND pockets! ...with the expense of about 3 oz of added weight, BUT to keep you cooler and dryer, it's definitely worth it!
autojeremy
48
May 30, 2018
Well I wish I hadn’t just bought one of these at REI for $40 more. Great jacket and packs so small it is always in my daypack.
treal512
435
Jul 21, 2018
autojeremyREI has a fantastic return policy that you could easily take advantage of in the least damaging way for all parties if you were concerned and or motivated enough. Just saying.
JeanValJean
0
May 10, 2017
would this coat be good for ultra running in rainy conditions?
anyone has experience running with this coat?
Thanks!
MasterRo
86
Jul 7, 2017
JeanValJeanThe MVTR rating is around 25,000 which is decent and the pit zips would help and increase your odds of minimizing moisture build up, but personally, I would lean more to using it for hiking or backpacking in cooler to cold weather as it will completely block the cold wind and help prevent hypothermia. Research and look for Neoshell for running in warmer weather where there is rain. I would also try to find pit zips for the the Neoshell. Neoshell has air permeability ratings around .5 CFM and Pertex is 0 CFM . I have found it helpful to find garments for the application that minimize moisture build up as drying out faster can make your day more comfortable.
mwae
7
Jan 24, 2018
JeanValJeanYes the jacket is quite perfect for trail running. except the helium hd has only one drawback: the weight.
The only jacket i use for running is the patagonia houdini (if there is no rain but it could be windy) and the marmot essence (if there is most likely rain or competitions must have gear).
All running jackets with no pit zips will make you sweat to much. The mentioned TNF hyperair made me sweat trying it in store.
HD has pit zips, which is for me a must have for a running used rain jacket.
The only jacket i use for running is the patagonia houdini (if there is no rain but it could be windy) and the marmot essence (if there is most likely rain or competitions must have gear).
All running jackets with no pit zips will make you sweat to much. The mentioned TNF hyperair made me sweat trying it in store.
HD has pit zips, which is for me a must have for a running used rain jacket.
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