Outdoor Research Helium - Women's Review

The Outdoor Research Helium is constructed from 2.5-layer Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse fabric made of 30D ripstop nylon. This impressive outerwear technology delivers an exceptionally lightweight and compact water-resistant garment that stuffs into its left-hand pocket for an easy-to-stash-and-carry emergency layer no matter how light you plan to travel.

Performance Comparison

Water Resistance

This featherweight fabric's water resistance is above average for its weight. The sealed zippers performed very well in our standing water test, keeping water from penetrating through the front zipper. However, we noticed that the fabric itself began to absorb water fairly quickly, darkening in color as it did so.

All other top contenders in our lineup successfully kept moisture from soaking through their fabric longer than we saw in the Helium's performance during our shower test and while in the field. We also found that its minimalist hood lacked overall coverage compared to other designs, with a small and flimsy visor and a hood that hugs the edge of the face, limiting the protection it offers from the shower head and rain. But heavy storm protection is not the ambition of this featherweight shell. This is backup protection when you will carry little more. It lives unnoticed in the bottom of your bag or gets tucked into a side pocket of a hydration vest, etc., the perfect extra layer if you are caught in brief, unexpected showers while out on a trail run or when moving fast to find cover or heading back to the trailhead. While this jacket is not the most water-resistant in an extended deluge, we were impressed with its protection from the elements, especially considering how we barely noticed it at the bottom of our packs.

Breathability

While the 2.5-layer membrane on the Helium does a decent job of letting perspiration escape while keeping the rain out, it lacks the breathability of other, more flexible designs we tested. The lightweight fabric traps body heat, although opening both hand pockets can somewhat alleviate this.

OR omitted pit vents from the design to keep this jacket ultralight. The lack of ventilation and the non-adjustable, elastic wrist cuffs caused the Helium to lose a few points in scoring, especially compared to other more breathable designs and constructions. When overheating, we were forced to unzip the jacket's main zipper. This may be fine in a mist or light drizzle, but it's not practical when it rains more consistently.

Comfort and Mobility

“The Helium is a very slim-fitting design that sits close to your skin; I didn't find a ton of extra room to layer underneath comfortably,” says one tester. That said, it does allow a full range of motion for the most part (those with larger shoulders may find it a touch more limiting). The featherweight fabric is so light that it's easy to forget you're wearing a piece of outerwear. It moved easily with the body and didn't feel too restrictive, no matter what activity we used it for. Though on the slimmer side, we still managed to layer a thin synthetic insulated jacket underneath when needed. The inner lining also felt fine against the skin when hiking on a warmish windy day, and the cuffs and neck wore comfortably against the skin.

The pockets on the Helium were updated in 2023, swapping out hand pockets rather than offering only one small chest pocket, as was seen in the original design. This is a big improvement for comfort and functionality, as it offers the option to tuck our hands into the pockets when the temperatures drop and rain starts. The jacket can be stashed in the left-hand pocket, which also has a handy key clip for securing keys while wearing the jacket. This clip then doubles as a clip to attach the jacket to a backpack strap, belt loop, or harness when the jacket is stowed. Each of the two pockets is roomy enough for a wallet, keys, or a phone.

Weight

“This is where the Helium really shines as an ultralight rain jacket,” says Jessica Albery. The garment only weighs 6.2 ounces. For comparison, the next lightest jacket weighed 8.6 oz, and the heaviest was 29 oz. Needless to say, the Helium design is featherlight compared to the heavier jackets we tested. Though we recognize that 12 oz is still quite light for a 3L rain jacket, it's hard to beat a 6.2 oz rain jacket for those counting every ounce before setting out on their fast-paced alpine mission.

When stashed in its stow pocket, the Helium compresses into a rectangle measuring 10.5 x 6.5 x 2.5 inches, the smallest package we tested by far. It's effortless to pack into the left-hand pocket, and once stowed, the key clip makes it easy to attach to any loop so it remains accessible. As far as lightweight, packable rain jackets go, we're super impressed. The Helium's design is difficult to beat for ultralight missions.

Construction Quality

We wondered how this bluesign-approved 2.5-layer Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse fabric (more similar to a thin windbreaker construction) would hold up to months of outdoor testing. We're known to be a bit hard on our gear, and thus, we were somewhat concerned we would rip or tear the thin, delicate-feeling material. After putting this jacket through its paces, we were pleasantly surprised by how well it held up. The technical material is built of a diamond-shaped nylon yarn that locks together to create a more durable fabric without adding weight, and it seems to be doing the trick.

The components used in this rain jacket are well-made. All the zippers run smoothly and consistently, and drawcords are durable and easy to use. All structural seams are double-stitched and seam-sealed to prevent any leakage. Care and time have been taken in this jacket's design and manufacturing, and the results are easy to appreciate.

Should You Buy the Outdoor Research Helium?

The Helium is a solid featherlight jacket, perfect for those looking for an emergency just-in-case layer to stuff into the bottom of their pack. While this is not the most water-resistant jacket tested, we were impressed by how protective it was considering its weight. If weight and space aren't top concerns, you might be seeking something with more bells and whistles. This also might not be the jacket for those frequently outside in a region with long, heavy rainy seasons. Overall, we recommend the Helium for minimalists looking to keep their packs light so they can go further faster and not let variable weather forecasts get in the way of a good adventure.

What Other Rain Jackets Should You Consider?

For those seeking a rain jacket that offers better performance during extended periods of inclement weather, there's no better jacket than the Arc'teryx Beta SL. Although it weighs a few ounces more and costs substantially more to add to your gear closet, the Beta SL is far superior in waterproof performance, breathability, and comfort, with high-quality construction built to last. If you can't get beyond the steep price tag of the Beta SL, the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic is another good option for those looking for a lightweight, breathable rain jacket. It includes additional features such as more hood coverage and pit vents and supplies a better range of motion due to its flexible and stretchy fabric. While not a minimalist design, the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch is a great option for those seeking an ultralightweight construction with great flexibility and better water resistance.