Outdoor Research Helium Down - Women's Review

The Outdoor Research Helium Down is a semi-technical down jacket with RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certified 800-fill power goose down in a 90/10 down/feather ratio. Its main exterior fabric is 15D x 30D Pertex Quantum ripstop nylon (41% recycled) with Diamond Fuse Technology, while the shoulders and hood are constructed from the more waterproof 30D Pertex Shield 2.5L ripstop nylon. It has a slight drop hem, weighs 12.7 ounces (size small), and packs into its own pocket.

Warmth

The Helium Down is on the thin side of mid-weight down jackets in our review lineup. It's still acceptably warm, but nothing exceptional. This jacket is a decent mild-to-moderate weather option, and can work well for higher-output activities. The hood fits best over a beanie and decently over a climbing helmet, but we couldn't quite get a warm “seal” over our bare heads. The cuffs are fairly loose and not adjustable, proving to be an all-too-common weak point in keeping cold at bay. The hand pockets and chest pocket are lined with microfleece, which feels warmer and softer on your hands, an extra detail we appreciate.

Comfort

The standard cut of the Helium Down isn't as long as many of the others we tested, and it lacks coverage for our cold backsides. It has an average amount of space inside, allowing you to layer fleece underneath to add warmth. While the Helium Down is designed with raglan sleeves — which are intended to facilitate arm movement without letting it ride up your wrists and torso so much — it also has some of the narrowest shoulders of any jacket we tested. We found this to be fairly restrictive in normal wear, let alone when trying to wear it over a bulky base layer or do big movements while wearing it. Its less lofty construction should make it easy to layer over, but this oversight in the shoulder width makes it hard for most of our testing team to find the Helium Down comfortable. Many testers preferred to wear a size up. We appreciate the extra internal pockets and the key clip in the hand pocket to keep you from losing your car keys while on your adventure.

Portability

Despite reducing the amount of insulation, the thicker materials used in the Helium's construction keep it an average-weight jacket — a size Small weighs 12.7 ounces, and a size XL weighs 15.6 ounces. It packs into its hand pocket, where the key clip becomes a carabiner loop for easy transport. However, when packed this way, the microfleece lining of the pocket is now flipped outward and easily collects debris if it brushes the ground or other objects in nature.

Weather Resistance

This is one of the high-performance points of the Helium Down. The shoulders and hood feature a Pertex Diamond Fuse exterior material that's water-resistant and thicker than most others we tested — 30D. Outdoor Research claims this jacket is windproof, and in our testing, it certainly performed above average against gusting winds. Its weak point here is not the fabric, but the fit. Loose cuffs and a hood that can't fully cinch around a bare head both let in cold winds.

Up against light precipitation, the fabric again shows its worth, easily repelling water. Thicker sections on the shoulders and hood are even more resistant to the elements — and more durable as well. If you live in a particularly wet, humid, maritime climate, this extra protection could make this jacket a superior choice.

Breathability

As a mid-weight jacket, the Helium Down offers moderate breathability for a down-insulated piece. While it lacks dedicated ventilation features, its lighter fill and less bulky construction allow heat to escape reasonably well during activity. The face fabric feels slightly plasticky against the skin, which isn't ideal when working up a sweat, but the trade-off is impressive wind and water resistance, and it's likely you'll be wearing long sleeves under it, anyway. Overall, it breathes better than many similarly weatherproof jackets, making it a practical choice for stop-and-go cold-weather pursuits.

Should You Buy the Outdoor Research Helium Down?

The Helium Down may be a good mid-weight down jacket for you if your shoulders are on the narrow side. It has great weather-repelling technology and technically should work well as a layer over and under other garments to build a complete system. But the fit is key here, and it's not wide enough through the shoulders for us to wholeheartedly recommend it. If you are choosing to purchase this jacket, consider sizing up.

What Other Down Jackets Should You Consider?

If you're after a layering jacket that can keep up with you in the elements and in everyday life, the Arc'teryx Cerium is a mid-weight jacket with a better fit and very adaptable performance across the board. Another great casual jacket we love is the more affordable Rab Microlight Alpine, which also has great water-repellency. However, if you've had a chance to try on the OR Helium Down and find it's comfortable for your body, it's a solid light to mid-weight jacket with extra durability and elemental protection.