So how effective is this in practice then? At the time of writing it’s been a very wet start to autumn and I’ve been out in some real downpours in this. I’ve certainly felt very protected in it. It’s a very hardy jacket and I’ve seen water beading right off the surface on each time I’ve used it. I’ve also seen parts of the jacket become a bit saturated as well though, so I’d say it’s kind of like a Gore-Tex Pro jacket in the sense that the water repellency of the fabric does have a threshold – but at least it’s achieved without the use of harmful chemicals. I’d actually be tempted to treat this with Nikwax’s eco-friendly TX.Direct just to add even more water resistance to it. 

In terms of breathability, I’d also compare this to a Gore-Tex Pro jacket on that front, with the added bonus that you also get pet zip ventilation – always handy to have in my eyes. 

Related: Helly Hansen Odin 9 Review

As for the rain and wind protection, the Lifa Infinity does exactly what you want it to do on that front. I particularly like how functional and reliable the hood is, then there are all those other things I look for on a jacket, including easy-to-use cuff tabs, one-handed adjustment at the hem, a comfortable chin guard and harness/hipbelt compatible pockets. There are the useful extra details as well, including a removable powder skirt, interior valuables/lift pass pocket, RECCO reflector and glove friendly zipper tabs. 

I’m 5 foot 10, have a fairly slim build and normally wear a size M. I tried this in an M and it’s definitely the right size for me. I really like the cut too. It’s loose enough to allow a couple of warm layers underneath but it doesn’t come across as baggy and it doesn’t feel at all restrictive. 

Verdict

I do a lot of long-distance walking and I’d say this is a little on the heavy side for me to want to take it on a trip where I was expecting mostly warm and dry weather. That said, if I was ever faced with the kind of conditions where I’d want to be wearing a jacket most of the time, this is definitely the kind of shell I’d want to have protecting me – the kind of thing I’d reach for when venturing out in autumn and winter.

£600? It’s steep, but at least you are getting some serious tech here.

More info: hellyhansen.com