Helly Hansen Lifaloft hybrid insulator jacket

We tested the Helly Hansen Lifaloft hybrid insulator jacket in all ski conditions, every day for many weeks.

We appreciated the jacket’s lightness, finesse and comfort: you don’t feel constricted. Wear it under a ski jacket when skiing, for everyday wear or outdoor activities, the Helly Hansen Lifaloft Hybrid insulator can be worn alone as a windproof. It is also water repellent. Helly Hansen states that the DWR treatment is PFC-free (Bluesign certified).

The other positive point is its very low propensity to absorbing moisture, and if it does, it dries very quickly. At Test4outside.com, we believe in Primaloft fiber, which we believe offers one of the best heat/weight/bulk ratio and moisture resistance. We did not understand why the Norwegian brand had mixed their Lifa fiber and Primaloft to create the Lifaloft Hybrid (75% Lifa and 25% Primaloft). Officially it is to be lighter (20% lighter) while keeping good thermal qualities. Primaloft already seems to us, very powerful solo.

Testing we noticed the decrease in weight but the thermal insulation is reduced also, or at least it’s not as warm as a thicker jacket. The Helly Hansen Lifaloft hybrid insulator is not a thick down jacket, it is designed for active sports by offering an intermediate layer between the protective jacket and the mid-layer. Skiing, its thermal efficiency is great if you wear a thick protective jacket (it isn’t enough under a thin membrane jacket). When you stay active, the HH is very effective because it keeps you warm without being too hot. In the depths of winter we wore an additional layer.

Like all insulation jackets in terms of breathability, (the worst being down), you can expect to sweat a little. You therefore have to play with layers and ventilation (under the arms of the protective jacket).

The Helly Hansen Lifaloft hybrid insulator is very comfortable to wear because it is well cut, the collar is just the right height. The central zip slides easily and the wide slider is easy to use even when wearing gloves. The fabric is not stretch but it doesn’t matter.

The waist size adjustment is on both sides of the zip. We would have preferred them at the hips. But that’s just splitting hairs, but the surplus elastic (both loops, left and right) are close to the zip and they get caught in your fingers when you zip up the jacket. Helly Hansen thought of everything because the extra elastic stashes away in the pockets. You just put your hands inside the pockets and pull on the elastic to put them away.

The Helly Hansen Jacket Lifaloft hybrid insulator is a stylish insulation jacket that won us over. Light, thin, water repellent, it is not necessarily designed for very cold weather but it provides sufficient protection in most situations.

"The Helly Hansen Jacket Lifaloft hybrid insulator is a stylish insulation jacket that won us over. Light, thin, water repellent, it is not necessarily designed for very cold weather but it provides sufficient protection in most situations."

Rating

• 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
• WARMTH
  7
• WATERPROOFNESS
  6
• BREATHABILITY
  7
• ZIP QUALITY
  9
• DRYING SPEED
  9