Helly Hansen Verglas Down Hooded Jacket 2.0: The Ultimate Alpine Companion for Outdoor Activities

When temperatures drop at high elevation, having reliable insulation isn’t just about comfort—it’s about safety. After extensive testing across multiple alpine environments, the Helly Hansen Verglas Down Hooded Jacket 2.0 proves itself as a good investment for climbers, mountaineers, and winter adventurers who demand performance in harsh conditions.

Premium Warmth Without the Bulk

The Verglas delivers exceptional thermal efficiency with its 700-fill RDS-certified down insulation strategically mapped throughout the jacket’s construction. I tested this jacket in a whole variety of conditions from early morning winter ascents, cold early spring bouldering and belay sessions and general warmth on summit stops. The jacket maintained core warmth without restricting movement—critical when navigating technical routes.

The proprietary ALLIED Down protection treatment gives this jacket a significant edge over traditional down insulation, maintaining 70% of its insulating properties even when damp—a game-changer when exertion leads to condensation or when unexpected weather moves in. This was particularly welcome this winter as it’s been very damp here in the UK.

Weather Protection That Won’t Let You Down

While many down jackets surrender to moisture, the Verglas features Helly Hansen’s HELLY TECH® Professional fabric technology with an enhanced DWR finish that effectively sheds snow, light rain, and wind. During surprise showers when hiking, water beaded and rolled off impressively; however, it did begin to seep in more prolonged rain and drizzle.

The hydrophobic down was especially useful in the typical damp conditions we’ve had this winter.

The helmet-compatible hood deserves special mention—its three-way adjustment system creates a protective seal around your face without limiting peripheral vision, essential when assessing route conditions or belaying partners. The reinforced brim directs precipitation away from your face, maintaining visibility in challenging conditions.

Dependable insulation on those cold spring hikes – light and compact, it takes up little room in a pack.

Technical Design for Outdoor Performance

Serious mountain athletes will appreciate the thoughtful technical elements:

• Articulated sleeves and ergonomic paneling allow unrestricted overhead reaching during climbs
• The dual-direction front zipper enables harness compatibility and mid-route temperature regulation
• Internal drop pockets easily accommodate climbing gloves or energy bars
• The well sized chest pocket is positioned for accessibility even with a pack’s sternum strap fastened
• Elastic cuff gaskets effectively block updrafts without the bulk of velcro adjusters
• The fit is more performance than regular so it sits well under a hardshell
• The jacket packs well into it’s own pocket – no need for a stuff sack

Packability That Makes Sense

Despite its serious insulation, the Verglas compresses remarkably well, packing down to roughly the size of a 32oz (1L) water bottle. It really packed down well into my hiking pack and took up very little room, it lofted quickley when delpoyed on those cold and breezy summit stops.

Why the Verglas Belongs in Your Mountaineering Kit

Beyond the technical specifications, this jacket offers something invaluable—reliability when conditions deteriorate. The reinforced shoulders and elbows show minimal wear even after, and the YKK Vislon zipper operates smoothly even with gloved hands in sub-freezing temperatures.

For alpine starts, mountain approaches, belay stations, and summit pushes, the Verglas provides the thermal performance needed without compromising mobility or adding unnecessary weight to your pack.

Perfect for those early season bouldering sessions – a very cold and windy Almscliffe Crag, Yorkshire.

Room for Improvement

While the Verglas excels in most alpine conditions, a few enhancements would elevate it to perfection:

• A fully waterproof version would extend its versatility into truly foul weather scenarios
• Additional reflective elements would improve visibility during pre-dawn starts
• The addition of pit zips would help manage temperature during high-exertion approaches

Verdict: A Cornerstone Piece for Keen Mountaineers and Climbers.

At £250, the Helly Hansen Verglas Down Hooded Jacket 2.0 represents excellent value for serious winter adventurers. Its combination of technical features, thoughtful design, and reliable performance makes it a standout choice for alpinists, ice climbers, and winter backpackers who venture into demanding environments. That said, I have also been wearing it casually for meetings, to the pub and indoor climbing sessions so it’s proved it’s versiatility.

Whether you’re planning high-altitude expeditions or simply need dependable insulation for winter climbing, the Verglas delivers with its Scandi design roots. This is a jacket that understands the demands of mountain environments and responds with performance you can trust when exposure risks are real.

The Helly Hansen Verglas Down Hooded Jacket 2.0 comes in sizes S-2XL and 4 colour options.

There is a specific women’s version that comes in sizes XS-XL and 4 colour options.

The SRP is £250 and it can be bought direct from Helly Hansen and specialist retailers.

Disclosure – CGR reviewers and writers are never paid to provide a review and the website does not take advertising or link to affiliate sales. We are a bunch of keen climbers and travellers who accept sample products and offer an honest and independent review of the item.