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Description

Ultralight storm protection.

When a flash storm rolls up and the outside temperature drops 10 degrees in 10 minutes, don't call in a chopper; reach in your pack and grab ultralight Outdoor Research Helium II Jacket. Built with weather-resistant Pertex Shield fabric, the Helium II weighs in under seven ounces and packs down to practically nothing.
  • Ultralight Pertex Shield fabric features a waterproof breathable PU membrane and DWR coating for severe weather protection
  • Fully taped seams and water-resistant zips mean water won’t roll down the shell and sneak in through the fabric joints
  • Single-pull hood drawcord so you can adjust coverage without dropping your ice-axe
  • Zippered Napoleon pocket keeps valuable items protected and handy
  • Elastic cuffs keep the ugliness out without added bulk or hassle
  • Stuff pocket with 'biner loop helps keep things simple

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Outdoor Research Helium II Jacket - Men's

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Here's what others have to say...

4 5

ma.p489127

Member since 

Extremely light and thin piece of clothing. Seems to be good quality, walked through the woods through branches and brush, didn't catch, no damage what so ever. I'm 6 foot 170, got the large, it fits pretty well, but I wish it was a little longer in the torso.

5 5

Andy Dorais

Member since 

This piece has made an awesome addition to my ski mountaineering kit. I bring it along if it's going to be windy or wet and use it as an outer layer over other base or mid layers. It has an athletic fit with a longer torso and arms which is a plus for me. The hood fits well over a small helmet but someone with a huge head like my brother might have some trouble. It does the job to keep the elements off and is incredibly light and packs down super small. Also, after two seasons of use, it's holding up really well which is something that not all superlight products can brag about.

5 5

gav1771286831

Member since 

I'm not given to posting reviews but I just took my first run with the OR Helium II. I am seriously impressed. So light and so quiet for a waterproof that I had to check to make sure it hadn't leaked (and it hadn't). Wicked the moisture away so well that I didn't feel hot and bothered one bit - and it's August in New Jersey! It's beautifully spartan but has a zippered pocket for all that I need on the trail, tight cuff seals, ample room and perfect drawcord adjustments. And, soooo small in its stuffsack. Pretty near design perfection. I'm always leery of corporate mottos but 'designed by adventure' rings true for this company. This jacket is clearly designed by folks that walk the walk (or run the run. in this case).

4 5

J Razzle

Member since 

Pretty simple jacket. I've noticed on warmer rain storms it does get damp from sweat. Excellent at stopping wind and has been my "go-to" jacket for nearly everything due to its convenient size. The hood will not fit a helmet though. Fit is a little smaller than standard, I normally wear a medium (175Lb, 5'11", athletic build, 42" chest, 31" waist.), sized up to the large with plenty of room for a fleece underneath. Aside from getting clammy in warmer weather, the material is very, very thin. I am hesitant to run it across an ice patch or tramp through the trees. Also, I wish it had adjustable sleeves as well, the elastic on the sleeve ends is annoying after a while.

Great Jacket

I'm looking for a jacket that I can use...

Luke L

Member since 
Posted on

I'm looking for a jacket that I can use in summer storms in alaska and winter mountianeering Would this be my best choice or is there another Jacket that I should compare?

Reid Pitman

Member since 
Best Answer Responded on

Check out the OR Axiom! The goretex active shell breaths great. I am a big fan of the OR Mentor jacket. The Helium is more of a minimalist jacket, something you carry for those "just in case" situations rather then the "I'm going to need this".

Kate Williamson

Member since 
Groups:
Responded on

Reid has it right Luke. The Helium II is an ultra thin rain shell. It would be great for a rain forest, bad for mountaineering. I agree that the Axiom will be the best option for you--light enough for your summer showers but rugged enough with enough stretch for mountaineering.

5 5

alpinenut

Member since 

Experienced my first storm in this jacket yesterday. It kept me perfectly dry. It's so light and packable it's ridiculous. One other bonus, because it's so light it actually ventilates in a breeze if you open the zipper a bit. It's like pit zips without the added frills or weight. Go for larger size if you're on the fence so you can layer if necessary. I'm 5'10" 190 and bought the Large (which is perfect). The Medium would work, but wouldn't layer very well. This jacket will not leave my pack May-Sept.

Could anyone provide the jacket length...

JTaylor

Member since 
Posted on

Could anyone provide the jacket length dimension from neck to bottom hem?

Dustin Short

Member since 
Best Answer Responded on

Says in the product description that the center back length is 31 inches...

On the OR website one reviewer even said "feels a little long in the torso" so 31 is probably accurate since many jackets in this class tend to save weight by cutting themselves shorter.

alpinenut

Member since 
Responded on

I'm 5'10" and wear the Large. Doesn't seem long at all to me. Doesn't seem short either. Just Right!!

ma.p489127

Member since 
Responded on

I am 6'0" and I got the Large as well...wish it was a little longer...But it works

Does this jacket have pit zips? Looking...

Herb Sanchez

Member since 
Posted on

Does this jacket have pit zips? Looking for a rain jacket and a winter outer shell jacket

Arthur Debowski

Member since 
Groups:
Responded on

It does not have pit zips.

Kate Williamson

Member since 
Groups:
Responded on

Sorry to be the barer of bad news, but this is a horrible jacket for winter/summer use. It is way to thin and wouldn't retain the heat you'd want from a winter jacket (though it breaths like a dream for summer use). I'd recommend the men's OR Foray or even the men's OR Panorama jacket.

Hope this helps!

5 5

ken5554180

Member since 

I love this jacket. It folds up into an internal pocket, and is perfect for stuffing in your backpack when you are out hiking or walking the town. I have been caught in a sudden rain, and was able to grab it out of my pack and unfold the jacket, and get it on before getting too wet. The hood has a stiff brim of sorts that keep the hood forward and keeps your face dry. It works well as a wind shell over a fleece too. I like the blue color, and my only regret is that I did not have one of these with me on the last 4 or 5 years of business travel. It allows me to head out with protection, but not sacrifice 1/2 my backpack to the rooom some jackets, and it does not add much to the weigh I have to lug around.

can this jackets hood fit over a climbing...

kun4140209

Member since 
Posted on

can this jackets hood fit over a climbing helmet?

Kate Williamson

Member since 
Groups:
Responded on

Not unless you had a super slim climbing helmet. Just tried mine with a biking helmet and it was super tight and didn't quite zip up all the way.

5 5

Neil Provo

Member since 
Groups:

The size of an apple and the weight of a fly box, the Helium2 jacket will fit into every outdoorsman kit out there! You never know when that perfect blue day in the mountains will turn into a dreadful wet and cold retreat. Weather your skiing/snowboarding, biking, fishing, camping, or climbing, with packable gear this light there's no reason to get stuck without proper weather protection when sky decides to unleash. Toss it in your pack and never look back!

Ultralight shell for those unexpected storms
5 5

Jason Dorais

Member since 

Unfortunately we haven't had much snow this year so I haven’t used the Helium as much as I expected but it kept me dry in the one storm I was in. I got it as a light weight "hardshell" for ski touring. It weighs a little over 6 oz and has great water and wind protection, fantastic. No matter how light you're trying to go, if there is any chance weather is coming, there is room in your pack for this jacket (seriously, it packs into nothing). Pack this in your bag along with a small puffy and you’re covered for just about any weather. I got a medium and I’m 5’11 165 lbs, it fits well.

5 5

Tom Murphy

Member since 

This jacket is perfect for the weight conscious but has made it through salt water kayak tours international travel and more than a couple ski tours. It doesn't breath as well as the three layer fabrics but I have had one for the past few years and it is still waterproof and untorn! It's so light and compresses so small that there is no excuse not to have your rain protection with you. It makes a great 'just in case' piece or can be a go to outer layer when every ounce counts.

5 5

Chris

Member since 

Accidentally posted this as a comment on Beth's review, and want to repost properly:
I picked up a Helium II jacket to replace an old Patagonia wind-shirt that was only minimally water resistant even when it was brand new. This jacket weight is in the same class, packs down as small, is equally wind-resistant and superiorly water-resistant and durable. It's quickly become my go-to piece for weight-conscious, endurance events where I may need wind or water protection, and can't afford not to bring it. I'm 6'1", 185lbs, and the Large fits me well without being too tight.
Chris Simmons
IFMGA Mountain Guide
OR Grassroots Athlete

Does this jacket offer any wind resistance...

bigwheat

Member since 
Posted on

Does this jacket offer any wind resistance at all?

Jeff Blackston

Member since 
Responded on

Yes, highly wind resistant, almost fully windproof. Because the fabric is so thin, it will almost feel as if the wind is blowing through the fabric, but it is not.

Walker Hum

Member since 
Responded on

I currently have a thin wind shell that felt like the wind is coming through, though it does not. I attributed it the the cool temp's and the high windchill. It was like wearing a drysuit while diving in arctic water, yes you are dry and not wet(i.e. wind proof) but you can still feel the cold water outside of the suit.

Is this true to size or slim fitting? I...

abu3821639

Member since 
Posted on

Is this true to size or slim fitting? I normally wear a M in OR. 5'8" 175 lb. M or L?

Chris

Member since 
Responded on

I would call this a true size, not a slim/trim/athletic fit. I'm 6'1", 185 lb, and I fit well in a Large, even with a heavy-weight LU piece underneath.

Jason Dorais

Member since 
Responded on

I'm 5'11" 165 and a medium fits well.

5 5

Nik

Member since 

Great jacket for taking everywhere. This jacket is so light and gives you all the protection from the elements you need to get out of what could end up as a bad situation. It clips to your harness easily and you will not ever know it is there. I never leave the car without it!

5 5

Shingo Ohkawa

Member since 

The original OR Helium Jacket made me change my mind about hard shells... I tend to run hot, especially from the waist up, and so I could never justify the cost, weight or bulk of garment that I seldom would wear--the exception being, of course, in the event of a storm. If I'm cragging and it starts to pour, we're probably bailing, and so one need only to stay dry enough to reach the car at the trailhead. On bigger routes, a quick getaway's not as easy, and so staying dry may mean the difference between waiting out the weather and eventually topping out, or the worst case scenario--a cold, wet and potentially epic descent. At about 6 ounces (men's medium), the size of a navel orange--the Helium II packs neatly into its own pouch with a clip-loop--and at a fraction of the price of most other shells, you'll not only want one, you'll insist that your wall partner buy one, too!

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