Hardshell Jackets
Product 2026
Woman, Man
The Helly Hansen Odin Infinity Minimalist Jacket was originally designed for hiking and mountaineering. However, its versatility goes well beyond those activities. Its exceptionally low weight and helmet-compatible hood work just as well over a beanie or even on a bare head, making it an excellent shell for a wide range of outdoor adventures.
We weighed the Helly Hansen Odin Infinity Minimalist Jacket at just 220 g (size M) on our scales. Despite its featherweight construction, this three-layer shell featuring Helly Hansen’s LIFA INFINITY™ membrane makes no compromises when it comes to waterproof protection. The fabric, combined with the highly protective cut around the neck and hood, makes this jacket a reliable shield against severe weather, including strong winds and heavy rain. Thanks to its incredibly low weight, it is easy to keep in your backpack at all times. It packs neatly into one of its own pockets.
The jacket features two waterproof zippers: the main front zipper and the chest pocket zipper. Both operate smoothly and are fitted with lightweight cord pullers finished with silicone tips for improved grip.
As its name suggests, the Odin Infinity Minimalist Jacket embraces a minimalist philosophy to maximize weight savings and performance. As a result, adjustment features are kept to a minimum, with only a single hem adjustment. The cuffs rely on elasticated openings rather than hook-and-loop closures. Since there are no bulky cuff tabs, rainwater runs straight off instead of soaking into the fabric.
The fabric offers a slight amount of stretch, while the cut leaves enough room for insulating layers underneath. Like most lightweight waterproof shells, the material produces the characteristic rustling sound when moving.
The hood incorporates a small semi-rigid visor, where the RECCO® reflector is integrated. Around the harness attachment area, the design is particularly clean, with no hand pockets or excess fabric to interfere with climbing equipment. This uncluttered layout makes it easy to monitor rope positioning and tie knots without obstruction.
So, what are the jacket’s limitations? Although Helly Hansen claims outstanding durability, the extremely lightweight fabric inevitably raises some questions about long-term abrasion resistance in demanding environments. We see this jacket primarily as an outstanding balance between ultralight construction and serious weather protection. Once you’ve experienced carrying a shell this light without sacrificing performance, it’s hard to go back. Core Award for this uncompromising offering from Helly Hansen.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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