Helly Hansen Verglas Icefall Down Jacket: Warmth and Efficiency for Cold-Weather Missions
We asked Helly Hansen for an insulated jacket—a true “puffy”—suited for bivouacs, mountaineering, demanding treks, and even skiing in very cold weather. The Norwegian brand sent us the Helly Hansen Verglas Icefall Down Jacket for testing.
We were immediately impressed by this well-designed piece, built to retain body heat and shield you from frigid conditions. The jacket uses a hybrid fill: a combination of down and Primaloft Silver, offering an excellent balance between warmth and weight. On our scale, the size M came in at just under 700 grams.
The shoulder and hood zones feature slightly lighter insulation, making the hood helmet-compatible and allowing for a full range of head motion—no bulky resistance here.
Worn on its own, or even better under a shell, the Verglas Icefall Down Jacket keeps you warm and comfortable during extended periods of inactivity. You’ll feel the warmth immediately, especially around the neck, which is well protected. The hem and cuffs seal well, keeping wind out.
The fabric is soft and moves with the body. The main zipper runs smoothly and never catches—same for the side pockets, which are equipped with slim pull cords, making them easy to use even with gloves.
The jacket stuffs into a compact sack integrated into the right-hand pocket. Compression is excellent, making it easy to pack and minimizing space in your backpack. We didn’t notice any down leaking from the seams.
An outstanding piece for tackling (very) cold conditions. Excellent materials and thoughtful construction make it a highly effective tool in the field. Awarded “First Test” by Test4Outside.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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