Insulated jacket
Product 2024
Man
We were initially inclined to award a First TEST4OUTSIDE award to this Helly Hansen ski jacket. However, during a session in bad weather and wind, we had to use the hood. It’s clearly too small to accommodate a helmet. Its tight volume significantly hinders head rotation, rendering the hood inoperative.
If we disregard this hood and remove it via a zipper and Velcro on each side of the neck, we get a truly effective jacket in many respects.
The first quality of the Helly Hansen Alpha 4.0 is its versatility: it’s a protective jacket with insulation. So, it’s a “two in one,” eliminating the need to invest in a separate down jacket as with a simple protective jacket. We appreciated that this Helly Hansen Alpha 4.0 is not overly warm either; it’s not a deep cold jacket but sufficient for sessions with thin layers underneath. At the end of the season, you don’t end up with a jacket that turns into a sauna. This is likely also a result of the ventilation system in the back, which is difficult to verify. One question? Can it function when wearing a backpack?
The second quality concerns comfort. The fabric is indeed well-balanced in its stretch effect: it moves with you without being too loose. The PrimaLoft® Black Eco insulation also plays an important role in the “soft” or cozy feel of the Helly Hansen Alpha 4.0. Of course, with Primaloft, the jacket doesn’t accumulate moisture.
The close-to-body fit nicely contours the silhouette, far from the baggier freeride outfits. The neck area is well-designed and remains comfortable. The fabric could rise slightly higher for a bit more protection. The chin isn’t irritated by the soft fabric.
The wrist area is particularly comfortable with perforated cuffs for the thumbs.
Another major positive point is the zippers, which slide easily and can be handled without any problems with cold fingers. The central zipper is a model of its kind: it never gets stuck.
The weak point of the Helly Hansen Alpha 4.0 is its waterproofing. Only the central zipper is waterproof. Under rain and wet snow, you quickly get wet despite the fabric’s water-repellent effect.
This Helly Hansen Alpha 4.0 is a good mix of insulation and protection: it offers both. Very comfortable, warm for sessions in intense cold, it unfortunately lacks waterproof zippers.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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