Helly Hansen Lifaloft Insulator Jacket Review

Searching for the right mid-layer jacket? I was too, for years! I have a great little down jacket but sometimes it’s too hot or it’s very wet and I want a synthetic option. Enter – the Helly Hansen Lifaloft Insulator Jacket! In this gear review we explore: the specs, the fit, and the performance of this jacket. Plus, I’ll share my thoughts on why the lifaloft insulator jacket is a great mid-layer option for any winter sport.

Helly Hansen Lifaloft Insulator Jacket Life

The lifaloft insulator jacket and I have been together for over a month now and throughout the harshest seasonal transition of the year. Fall in the Canadian Rockies is no joke. It can be +10C one day, then -10C and snowing the next. Mother nature is moody in the mountains, no matter where the mountains are. As part of a proper layering system, you need a mid-layer that is lightweight, warm when wet and can be used as quick insulation. Capturing precious body heat is critical when out in the wintery elements all day.

Function and fashion collide in this practical peice by Helly Hansen. The lifaloft insulator jacket does a lot of things really well plus it fits perfectly into my adventure wardrobe! Let’s explore the functional elements (specs) and why this is a solid technical peice.

Heads Up! Some links in this post are affiliate links, which earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. No pressure to use our links, but we REALLY appreciate it when you do!

Fabric

The interior and exterior are both made of lightweight, PFC-free fabric. HH rates the windproofness as 4, which means ‘slightly windproof’ and says it’s best for hiking use. Regarding waterproofness, this jacket rates as a 2 which means only water repellent or DWR treated. Remember, these results are testing as a stand alone jacket. When you add a shell, you now have a 6 in both categories! The fabric is very light (thin) so when wearing alone, do be mindful of rough or sharp surfaces. The material has a good repellency to dirt, mud etc. and washes easily.

What is Lifaloft?

Fill – inside is LIFALOFT™ syntheic insulation. Helly Hansen Lifaloft was developed in partnership with PrimaLoft® where they collaborated to create an insulation with more air pockets and a lighter fiber structure. Lifaloft™ insulation is 20% lighter than standard synthetic insulation and it traps more heat at lower weight (total jacket weight is just 280g!!) – allowing for maximum comfort and agility.

Features – only the essentials

2 hand pockets with brushed lining. These roomy pockets have easy to use (read: mitten friendly) zippers and a soft, fleecy lining. The front pockets are great for warming your hands or storing your keys, wallet and phone when you make a quick dash to the grocery store. The location of these pockets is my only beef with this jacket. I prefer higher pockets, so I can wear a pack waist strap and still use the pocket.
Full length front zipper inner flap for wind protection. The YYK zipper isn’t a wind/water proof one, so this inside flap is critical for keep out the draft.
3 3/4 ” high collar. The collar is also filled with Lifaloft™ and does a decent job of keeping your neck warm on it’s own. The collar is very toasty under a shell layer.
2 inside stuff pockets. Great pockets for keeping your extra mitts, battery powered devices and snacks warm. The jacket almost fits inside these pockets to pack it down.

I consider the lifaloft insulator jacket a solid technical piece because it compares well against other jackets with similar specs and has proven it’s self to me out in the elements. The lifaloft synthetic insulation is really the star of this jacket, being so lightweight yet very good at holding heat. In order for Help Hansen to get the jacket to be SO light, the fabric had to be lightweight too. The insulator jacket will not give you the waterproofness or wind-resistance required for the mountains as it’s intended use is as an insulation (mid) layer. Used this way, it performs perfectly.

Fit

At 5’5″, 145 lbs with a DD cup and average length torso and arms, a medium fits me perfectly. Helly Hansen’s Fit Finder tool was very thorough and accurate helping to determine my size. This jacket fits true to size with exactly enough room for a thicker base layer and even an fleece. The sleeves are good and long with a invisible little cuff to keep the draft out. The length is good, almost covers my bum and is long enough so when I lift my arms, it’s still well below my hips.

Performance

I wore the Helly Hansen Lifaloft Insulator Jacket in a variety of conditions while doing a variety of activities. Below are the results from the various outings;

Winter Hiking Round 1

Sunny, windy (20km/hr gusting to 60km/hr) and a balmy 0C
I wore the lifaloft insulator jacket as a stand alone jacket (over top of the Lifa Merino) and I was too hot on the way up. I tend to run very hot when climbing uphill. Wearing the lifaloft insulator jacket on the way down was super comfortable, it certainly does hold heat well. It did an ok job against the wind, managing to keep my iphone alive in the front hand pocket. This jacket is so light you don’t even know your wearing it.

Winter Hiking Round 2

Overcast, breezy (20-40km/h) was -15C but felt like -20C
Wearing the Helly Hansen Lifaloft Insulator Jacket as a mid-layer on this hike, it was just enough. I was hiking for about 3 hours over variable terrain (mix of up and down) and as long as I was moving, I was warm enough. Stopping was chilly and I would have needed another fleece or down layer if had to stay put. The lifaloft insulator jacket is good at holding heat, so as long as you’re generating it. With a shell and a mid-weight base layer, you can stay comfortable until about this temp. I will definitely using this combo for ski touring this season!

Late-season Mountain Biking

Sunny, clam, about 1C
Worn as a shell/outer layer (over top of the Lifa Merino) the lifaloft insulator jacket cut the 15km/hr wind speed as I sped down the trail. I had created so much heat on the way up, that as soon as I topped out and threw on the lifaloft insulator, I was instantly warm. The jacket is light as a feather and doesn’t restrict my range of motion at all. On this clear and relatively warm day, the lifaloft insulator was the perfect wind-resistant, insulated layer.

Final Thoughts

Reflecting back to when I first pulled the jacket out of the box, my opinion has changed a lot. Initially off put by the dusty rose colour and very light fill, this jacket has proven it’s functionality as a high performance technical product. It can do what Helly Hansen says it can do all while looking sleek and fashionable. I will be bringing this jacket along on multi-day ski touring trips this season and plan to include it as my main mid-layer while skiing at resorts throughout the Canadian Rockies.

The Helly Hansen Lifaloft Insulator Jacket is more than meets the eye. I look forward to exploring the mountainous winter wonderland together this season.