www.hellyhansen.com | £650
If this test were only about the looks then the Helly Hansen Thrym Jacket would certainly be winning. The silver/grey main colour is easy on the eye and the contrasting yellow and turquoise zip detail and lining finishes it off nicely. But it isn’t just about how it looks in the bar or on the slopes, it has to perform – and for a whopping £650 it should perform exceptionally.
The jacket’s outer shell is made from a fabric called Helly Tech Professional, which is windproof and waterproof and has a four-way stretch for unrestricted movement. It’s also strong and durable to withstand repeated falls and knocks, and the seams are taped to prevent any water ingress here. Protection from the chill is provided by the Primaloft’s Infinity fill, which is quick drying as well as insulating.
The jacket also uses what Helly Hansen calls its ‘revolutionary turbocharged mechanical venting’ H2Flow system: an airflow method that employs two zipped vents in the chest; soft, padded ribbed detail inside the back of the coat and two zip-up vents in the back of the jacket to let warm air exit and cool air circulate, regulating your body temperature.
The stretch snow skirt is fixed to the jacket, but it’s housed in a zipped pocket to keep it neatly out of the way when it’s not needed. The large removable hood is attached to a high padded collar and is big enough to go over a helmet, with side and back drawstrings for adjustment and a stiffened peak. The zip-up front pockets are fleece-lined for warmth and are large enough to take gloved hands or to stow a spare hat or nibbles. There is also a huge pocket across the lower back which is ideal for goggles or similar. On the left sleeve there’s a zip-up pocket for your lift pass and another pocket higher up the sleeve that contains a goggle wipe and would hold a mobile phone or MP3 player.
All the zips are snag-free water-resistant YKK zips with large glove-friendly pulls for easy operation, and the hem has an adjustable cord that can be operated with gloves on. The cuffs have an inner gaiter with thumb loops to stop the sleeves riding back and to keep snow out of your gloves, and the cuffs themselves are Velcro adjustable and large enough to fit over big gloves. The jacket has a Recco Advanced Rescue system for emergencies.
The fit is comfortable to allow layering up while not being restrictive, and the arms have an articulated cut for good freedom of movement. It’s a great jacket and it looks good, but what a hefty price tag.
Helly Hansen Thrym Jacket Verdict
The Helly Hansen Thrym Jacket is a great all-round jacket, but what a price tag.