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  • ifmga-test-team
  • pertex®-shield-plus
Details

Built for flash-storm protection, the Helium II™ is 6% lighter and 10% more breathable than its predecessor. An ultra-compressible piece you'll never leave behind, it offers 30% more waterproof protection than the original. The Helium II™ is so light and packs down so small, you'll forget it's stuffed in your pack or clipped to your harness until you throw it on to ward off a sudden mid-route downpour. Compressible to the size of a granola bar and completely waterproof, the Helium II™ doesn't waste space or add more than a feather's-worth of weight.


Fit
Standard

Fabric :
Pertex® Shield+ DS 2.5L, 100% nylon 30D
ripstop with clear laminate

Avg. Weight (oz./g): 6.4 / 180 L

Features
  • Internal Front-Zip Stormflap
  • Fully Adjustable Hood
  • Waterproof
  • Water-resistant zippers
  • Elastic Cuffs
  • Fully Seam Taped
Technology
  • IFMGA Test Team

    IFMGA Test Team A select group of International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA) certified guides work closely with the Outdoor Research Product Development team.

    View More Information
  • Pertex® Shield Plus

    Pertex® Shield+ Pertex® Shield+ is a fusion of technically advanced, soft and lightweight face fabrics with Polyurethane film laminates. It offers high levels of wind and water protection with excellent breathability to create the ultimate lightweight, waterproof performance fabric for fast-moving outdoor athletes.

    View More Information
Lab Rat Reviews

Lab Rat Reviews

by PowerReviews
 
4.7

(based on 6 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (4)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (2)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Breathable (3)
  • Lightweight (3)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Hiking and camping (3)
      • Fit:
      • Feels too small

         

        Feels true to size

         

        100% 

        (4 reviews)

        Feels too big

         
      • Sleeve Length:
      • Feels too short

         

        Feels true to length

         

        100% 

        (4 reviews)

        Feels too long

         
      • Chest Size:
      • Feels too small

         

        Feels true to size

         

        75% 

        (3 reviews)

        Feels too big

         
      • Was this a gift?:
      • No (4)

    Reviewed by 6 customers

    Sort by

    Displaying reviews 1-6

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    (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Perfect for hiking and climbing

    By Allen

    from Berkeley, CA

    Verified Reviewer

    Pros

    • Ultralight

    Cons

    • Not The Most Breathable

    Best Uses

    • Backpacking
    • Climbing
    • Hiking

    Great and very light jacket for all around 3 season use. very light, small, totally waterproof. Perfect emergency piece and doubles as a windbreaker. Trim fit but will work over a light fleece or insulated jacket.
    This was a great choice for my JMT in a week through hike where weight was key.

    (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Light as a feather

    By trisportsfan

    from Long Valley, NJ

    Verified Reviewer

    Pros

    • Light rainproof portable

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Running

      First time out on a run with the OR Helium II and 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 stuffpocket. 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).

      (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

       
      4.0

      Great rainy day protection!!

      By MountainMedicMan

      from Leavenworth, WA

      About Me Professional/Guide

      Verified Reviewer

      Pros

      • Breathable
      • Comfortable
      • Lightweight
      • Warm

      Cons

      • Little long in the torso

      Best Uses

      • Hiking and Camping
      • Wet Weather

      I purchased the Helium jacket specifically for having with me while doing rope rescue work. The first day I brought it with me the jacket proved it's worth. We started out with a sunny day which quickly turned ugly with cold temps and even colder rain. I pulled out my Helium Jacket put it over my fleece and stayed dry and warm all day long while on rope. Great Product OR!!!

      • Fit:
      • Feels true to size
      • Sleeve Length:
      • Feels true to length
      • Chest Size:
      • Feels true to size
      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

       
      4.0

      Lightwheigt and packable!

      By goorilla

      from Europe

      About Me Casual/ Recreational

      Verified Reviewer

      Pros

      • Breathable
      • Lightweight
      • Packsize
      • Waterproof

      Cons

      • Hoodbrim could be stiffer

      Best Uses

      • Casual Wear
      • Hiking and Camping

      A super lightweight (190 gr. in M) and breathable water repellent jacket with minium packsize. Folds easily into integrated pocket with sling, great to have it in your pack just in case.Mushroom/red is a the color to go with and general fit is very well. Nice and simple jacket with no unnecessary pockets and gimmicks, it just does what it says at the box.
      It would be even better if it has a small strip out of a better breathing material under the armpits ( still no need for pit zips) and the brim of the hood could be a bit stiffer and better to shape around my face.

      • Fit:
      • Feels true to size
      • Sleeve Length:
      • Feels true to length
      • Chest Size:
      • Feels true to size
      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      Good things DO come in light weight pkgs

      By Canoe Bob

      from London, Ontario, Canada

      About Me Professional/Guide

      Our broad based regional athlete community

      Pros

        Cons

          Best Uses

            The Helium is a sleeper jacket. It seems light weight when you first see it and when stuffed into it's pouch, it looks really small. Don't be fooled by this light weight-ed-ness! This jacket performs in a league well above it's weight class. The simple design is easy to battened down and yet, it provides ample motion to hike or to swing a paddle all day. The hood adjustment works well, providing good protection from a hard slanting rain, while maintaining optimum peripheral view. The Helium is a great jacket! The same qualities that make it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, comfort,light weight and pack-ability, also make it an ideal jacket for any urban adventurer facing a rainy day.

            • Fit:
            • Feels true to size
            • Sleeve Length:
            • Feels true to length
            • Chest Size:
            • Feels too small
            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

             
            5.0

            One Dialed In Jacket

            By Mikeroam1

            from Kansas City, MO and Red River, NM

            About Me Avid Adventurer

            See all my reviews

            Pros

            • Breathable
            • Comfortable
            • Durable
            • Lightweight
            • Stylish

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Casual Wear
              • Hiking and Camping
              • Wet Weather

              This jacket is so dialed in and stripped down to the essentials for staying dry. Super lightweight no other brand even comes close. Chest pocket and internal stuff pocket are all you need. I take this every time I travel whether for urban or outdoor adventures. It may be a little lightweight for a multi-day hard core backpacking trip where you need a heavier weight fabric with pit zips and pockets, but otherwise this thing is a work of art!

              • Fit:
              • Feels true to size
              • Sleeve Length:
              • Feels true to length
              • Chest Size:
              • Feels true to size
              • Was this a gift?:
              • No

              Displaying reviews 1-6

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              Lab Rat Q & A

              Have questions about this product?

              Get answers from Lab Rats and in-house experts with Ask a Labrat.

              15 Questions | 17 Answers
              Displaying questions 1-10Previous | Next »
              • Q:

                Hi. Is this a trim, standard or relaxed fit? I sit in that area between a L and XL. Sometimes L can be too snug, but if I get XL, I may be swimming in material.
                Asked on 12/11/2012 by Peter Z from Philadelphia, PA

                1 answer

                • Outdoor Research Employees

                  A:

                  Standard Fit

                  Answered on 12/11/2012 by CS from Seattle
              • Q:

                Does this jacket have a stow-away hood?
                Asked on 11/13/2012 by LOC from NC

                1 answer

                • Outdoor Research Employees

                  A:

                  This jacket does not feature a stow-away hood.

                  Answered on 11/14/2012 by CS from Seattle
              • Q:

                I cannot find anywhere its waterproof ratings in mm and breathability ratings in mvtr. Can you please provide this jacket ratings in mm and mvtr.
                Asked on 9/26/2012 by Adnan from United Kingdom

                1 answer

                • A:

                  OR has not published this info, however RAB also uses Pertex Shield + in some of their jackets, all of which have a rating of HH: 15,000 and MVTR: 20,000.

                  Answered on 10/17/2012 by Mikey from Chicago, IL
              • Q:

                Hi, I was wondering if the back of the jacket is longer than the front. From all the pictures I see, the cut is the same, unlike other jackets that tend to have a bit more material (almost like a flap) at the back, to prevent it from riding up when you bend down.

                Or is it made a bit longer all the way around. At 5'11", 175 my normal size is a M, but if this runs small, then the jacket would ride up when I lift my arms and/or bend down.

                Could you please address this? Thank you!
                Asked on 8/16/2012 by Teredactle from Canada

                1 answer

                • Outdoor Research Employees

                  A:

                  The back of the helium 3 3/4 inches longer than the front and is a "standard" fit so should be comparable to your other mediums.

                  Thanks for your question!

                  Answered on 9/21/2012 by Outdoor Research CS from Seattle, Wa
              • Q:

                What is the Helium's overall length and sleeve length in the Small size?
                Asked on 6/12/2012 by Anonymous from United States

                1 answer

                • Outdoor Research Employees

                  A:

                  The sleeve length from the center of the back to the center of the cuff in a straight measurement is 34 3/4". The front length from the neck seem down is 22 3/4" and back length from the neck seem down is 26 1/2".

                  Answered on 10/25/2012 by Customer Service from Outdoor Research
              • Q:

                Does helium 2 have pit zips?
                Asked on 6/3/2012 by Steve

                1 answer

                • A:

                  No, it does not have pit zips.

                  Answered on 9/27/2012 by MixtMarshall from SoCal, CA
              • Q:

                The specs on the Helium II show as "Waterproof". Can this model be used as a primary rain jacket for extended hours in medium rain?
                Asked on 4/28/2012 by Troutman from The Sierra's

                1 answer

                • Outdoor Research Employees

                  A:

                  Yes, the Helium II is fully waterproof and can be used in extended rain.

                  Answered on 4/30/2012 by Outdoor Research CS from Seattle, WA
              • Q:

                Have you heard from any of the owners of this jacket using it for alpine climbing? It seems perfect to stuff into a pocket and clip to a harness for longer routes in the mountains.
                Asked on 4/28/2012 by morrismc from Walla Walla, Wa

                1 answer

                • Outdoor Research Employees

                  A:

                  This jacket is very lightweight and stuffs into it's own very small stuff pocket. It would be prefect for clipping to a harness while climbing.

                  Answered on 4/30/2012 by Outdoor Research CS from Seattle, WA
              • Q:

                is this material like Gore Paclite or better?
                Asked on 4/26/2012 by Anonymous

                1 answer

                • Outdoor Research Employees

                  A:

                  The 2.5 layer Pertex Shield DS ripstop fabric will be much lighter weight, but fully waterproof, just like a Gore Tex Paclite.

                  Answered on 4/30/2012 by Outdoor Research CS from Seattle, WA
              • Q:

                is this durable enough/suitable for extended backpacking trips?
                Asked on 3/14/2012 by Anonymous

                1 answer

                • Outdoor Research Employees

                  A:

                  The Helium II is a 2.5 layer 30D Pertex Shield ripstop fabric w/ a clear laminate so although it is among our thinner jackets it should be able to withstand extended backpacking trips

                  Answered on 3/19/2012 by Outdoor Research CS from Seattle, WA
              Displaying questions 1-10Previous | Next »

              Have questions about this product? 

              Men's Helium II Jacket™

              Style# 55230OR

              Become a Lab Rat

              Lighter and more breathable than the original, the waterproof Helium II Jacket™ is super-lightweight weather insurance.

              Infinite Guarantee- Outdoor Reseach Products are guaranteed forever
              $150.00

              Quick Overview

              Lighter and more breathable than the original, the waterproof Helium II Jacket™ is super-lightweight weather insurance.

              Color:

              Black
              Glacier
              Hot Sauce
              Lemongrass
              Pewter
              Supernova

              Size:

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