Outdoor Research

Helium Rain Jacket - Men's

Perfect for Backpacking

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Perfect for backpacking and day hiking. Great for backpacking at high elevation where the weather is unpredictable.

This is NOT a rain jacket

This is marketed as a rain jacket. It has taped seams. HOWEVER - after wearing jacket on AT in rain I quickly discovered it is only marginally water resistant. WHY IS THIS MARKETED AS A RAIN JACKET? WHY TAPE THE SEAMS IF IT IS GOING TO LEAK ANYWAY????

OR Follow Up Review

I wanted to take a moment to thank the OR team for their response to my previous (not so favourable) review of this jacket. My critique of the jacket still remains but the effort made by Outdoor Research and their representative Mickey are greatly appreciated. They listened to my concerns/experience with the jacket and we were able to come up with more suitable jacket for the application. I was treated as a person and not just a dissatisfied customer!! Although I won't recommend this jacket for UL purposes I will totally recommend OR!! Thanks Outdoor Research!!!

A Rain Jacket Should Keep You Dry

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

This jacket has been a complete disappointment. It cannot hold up in even a light rain to keep you dry. I watched/read reviews that indicated it "was not a long/steady downpour solution", but was moreso intended for "short spot showers". OK... but, unfortunately, after testing it repeatedly in both scenarios, I can say it is not a solution for either. Even in light rain, one is damp and wet disappointingly quickly. Calling it an extra windbreaker and looking elsewhere to find an actual rain jacket.

Wouldn't recommend for rain

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.

NO need anymore.

Fabric not breathable. ALso rain protection is too weak.

Not a rain jacket more a wind breaker

I wore this jacket once to the gym, a ten minute walk through light rain and already then water was soaking through. The water beaded on the outside but see attached picture where the rain soaked through the single layer but not (yet) the double layer of the pocket. Very disappointed! Will be returning it to the store in Sweden for a refund.

A winner

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

We love this jacket. So lights weight,packable and not stiff. Great colors. I've bought 4 of them for family members

Awesome rain jacket for MTB

I've been eying this jacket for a while, specifically for warm weather mountain biking in PA. So far, so good. My only little disappointment is the lack of hand pockets (There is a chest pocket). I get the zipper and materials add unwanted weight. Great jacket regardless.

Good for running

Pretty breathable for being pretty waterproof! Hood tightens nicely. I'd prefer that it had some venting zippers but other than that it's great! Packs small too