Outdoor ResearchMen's Helium Rain Jacket – Breathable Weatherproof Jacket

I bought this before heading up to Ketchikan Alaska for the weekend. It’s a literal rain forest up there and this preformed great. I love the cut which is slim but it should be noted that I sized up to have room to move and wear a layer underneath if needed. I liked the elasticized cuffs and the fit of the hood. Yes, there are no waist pockets but I’d rather have pit zips if I was going to add weight. So there are some things that aren’t perfect but if they were there the coat would weigh more. So I’m completely satisfied with the trade offs.

Used this for an outdoor event a couple days ago, rained nonstop the entire 6 hours I was out there. Everything underneath the jacket was completely dry. Fits me very well and the compaction feature is very handy and makes it easy to pack away in a bag or even a large pocket if the need presents itself.

Great product as you would expect from OR. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is the jacket seems to run small. Layering is limited.

Really disappointed in the lack of waterproofing and doubly annoyed that it isn't a particularly breathable jacket.

Heeding the warnings of other reviewers, I did not expect much in the way of water proof-ness. Expecting little I was surprised by how well the jacket functioned in the rain. Only in a long downpour was the jacket overwhelmed. Considering how light we had to pack for the trip we were doing it was good enough for my needs. I would not recommend counting on it as a sole rain jacket on a multi day hike or long trip where lots of rain is likely.

This jacket is well-made, very light, can be balled up inside its breat pocket, perfect to put in my backpack Year-round for hiking. Trim fit but enough space for needed under layers.

Purchased for a two-week, high altitude backpacking trip to Colorado, scheduled during the summer. Key factor was weight, secondary was breathability. Jacket weighs by specs -- i.e., very little. We experienced temperatures of 35 degrees at night and 60 degrees during days. We only had a couple of days of light rain (and it served as a good barrier), and I did not experience the inside wetting (from perspiration) that is normally present with my better, breathable three-layer (i.e., Goretex types) rain jackets. It had fairly decent wind resistance, too -- as one day we had wind velocities of over 50 miles per hour. In the mornings I would layer with my 40 degree puffy and was quite comfortable. I doubt if it is very durable or can "take a licking" . . .but, that is not its real purpose. Overall, for the purpose for which is it designed, I highly recommend it.

They nailed the hood design too. A hat fits well under the hood && it still conforms well and is not flappy with no hat at all. The beak/bill is short enough to deflect rain but not too long.It packs so small it fits in a front jeans pocket - snug but it WILL fit in there.You might as well get the matching rain pants dood.I am 5’10”, 155 to 160 lbs and got a size Small in Pewter/grey and it fits even with a light jacket and sweater inside. It even fits well with just a t-shirt because the material is so light that it gets sucked to your shape/contours easily.As a side note, I got the matching pants in Medium and those fit the way I like - not too snug and can easily go over jeans.