Outdoor Research Helium II Review

Having gotten snowed on during climbs a lot this spring, I decided to look at the Outdoor Research Helium II as a super light storm shell that I can toss in the bottom of my pack 'just in case'. 

Basically, it's a great jacket (love the hood), but the body is annoyingly short which makes it staying put under a harness a problem. 

I find it best as a backup summer rain jacket. Always keep it in my daily bag for work/around town because Germany isn't exactly the dryest place. For climbing, the same goes. For winter or heavier rain I like the Arc'teryx ALpha FL. A bit heavier yet, but still light and its cut long with little foam inserts on the bottom sides to prevent it from riding up above your harness.

Yep, in the winter I use the Procline Comp - softshell back for breathability, hardshell front for soaking wet ice and falling snow.