Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Showing 1 of 11 conversations about:
Survivalist7
85
Jul 9, 2015
bookmark_border
Drop Refurbished
Like-new products you can trustDrop Rewards
Get $5 for every 500 points you earn! Learn more
Drop Keyboard Club
Become a member and expand your keycap collectionCollaborate With Us
For Brands & DesignersFollow Drop
I have the OR Helium II, it rocks! I use a Marmot Precip Medium 12oz for cool weather protection over my layers.
The Outdoor Research Helium II rain jacket is my go to for summer rain gear. It is for the minimalist weighing 5.6oz for medium, nylon-ripstop with Pertex rain shell that is so lightweight. It serves me double duty as a wind and/or waterproof jacket. It has a waist drawcord to cinch. It is perfect for wearing in warmer weather when you need to carry a waterproof hooded jacket and when I want to keep my gear as lightweight and compact as possible. The hood has somewhat of stiff cap cover bill.
It lacks side pockets and pit zips to save weight. As for breathability, just regulate by unzipping the water resistant/waterproof zipper to let air in and around. It has elastic around wrist as opposed to having added velcro to lock closed. If you lift your arms up, water drains down the sleeve from wrist area. It does fold into a internal pocket. It has adjustable elastic on back of hood to cinch around your face, but does not fit tight causing it to allow rain in and down around your face which I don't mind during warm weather but use my 12oz Marmot Precip for cold rainy weather. It is appealing to me for backpacking and hiking as a lightweight gear solution but is pricey. It is made with 30D nylon ripstop (2.5 layer Pertex Shield+).
OR's Helium II is waterproof and has fully taped seams and has a small chest pocket with a water resistent zipper. It has a small inner pocket 5"x6" which the jacket can be folded into for a small storage which I love. This is a great warm weather rain shell and for an ounce counter like me its lightweight for the value. It is so small and light, it always stays in my pack.