The Helly Hansen Odin Everdown Hooded Jacket reminds me of many synthetic insulated jackets I’ve tried in the past, including the Rab Xenon and the Keela Solo. The difference is that this one’s filled with down, making it lighter, more breathable, and warmer too.

I’ve been testing it through some stormy sessions in the mountains – Storm Amy was a real treat – and most recently I used it on a campout high up on Carnedd Llewelyn, where I stayed outside my tent in freezing conditions to marvel at an incredible sunset and cloud inversion. Here’s how I got on with it.

The Top Line

This jacket is very snug, and its warmth-to-weight ratio is impressive. Expect quite a short cut at the hem which has some benefits, but it might not be to everyone’s taste.

Price: £280
Weight: 350g
Insulation: 85% Goose down, 15% Polyester (60g/sm)
Best for: Mountain days when you’re getting the blood pumping but still need real insulation.
Pros: Good warmth-to-weight ratio, very comfortable, very packable.
Cons: The pockets don’t hold items, the short cut might not be to everyone’s taste, lacking any adjustment. 

Buy The Helly Hansen Odin Everdown: £280 at Hellyhansen.com

Is It Warm?

I’ve found this to be very warm for its weight and bulk. It weighs just 350g but the warmth it provides is genuinely impressive, and it packs down to about the size of a pint glass.

The down is formed into sheets within the jacket, not in baffles like you normally see. Baffled down jackets tend to have lots of stitching and, on stitched-through designs, those seams can create cold spots where heat escapes and wind gets in. By using sheet-style down insulation instead, this jacket achieves a more uniform warmth with fewer weak points, as well as a cleaner, more wind-resistant outer.

It’s designed as an active down jacket, so it’s suited to movement or layering rather than static use in extremely cold conditions. From my experience, it’s warm enough as a standalone insulator for most three-season use in the UK. If you’re after something for true sub-zero comfort, a jacket like the Helly Hansen Glacier Down would be a better choice.

The outer shell has a durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment, so it can fend off some light rain. However, like most down jackets, there’s a limit – so I’d still recommend keeping it protected from sustained wet weather. Fortunately, it’s designed to layer nicely under a waterproof hardshell. On that note, let’s talk about the fit.

The Fit

I’m 5ft 10in, and while I normally wear a size medium in down jackets, I’m currently between medium and large. I opted for a size L here, and I definitely made the right choice, as the jacket has a surprisingly short hem at the front. I think it would’ve been too short for me if I’d gone for a medium. As such, I’d recommend considering sizing up with this one.

Why so short on the hem? As an alpine down jacket, it’s likely designed to layer comfortably underneath a hardshell and to prevent bunching under a climbing harness. I’ve tried it with a number of my jackets and it fits neatly with all of them.

Details

Going for lightweight minimalism, Helly Hansen has omitted things like hand pocket zips, hood, cuff and hem adjustment, a chest pocket, and even the zipper tabs are fairly basic. It does still have an inner front placket to prevent cold air seeping through the zip, plus there’s a RECCO reflector and a separate storage bag for the jacket.

I did find myself wishing it had some hood adjustment, as it didn’t fit snugly enough for me and it bellowed quite a bit in any breeze. I also found the handwarmer pockets a little frustrating, as they don’t drop down inside – anything I stored in them tended to fall out immediately. They’re really only good for keeping your hands warm.

Verdict

While the pockets have been a surprisingly large frustration – along with the lack of hood adjustment – I’ve still enjoyed using this jacket. It feels very comfortable to wear, retains warmth, and blocks out wind nicely. Being an alpine down jacket, the cut might not be for everyone, but it should suit those who want a jacket they can layer over and wear comfortably while active.​

Buy The Helly Hansen Odin Everdown: £280 at Hellyhansen.com