REASONS TO BUY
Ridiculously light and compact
Useful minimalist features
REASONS TO AVOID
Low weight compromises weather protection
Not very robust
Wallet-straining price
Outdoor Research Helium UL Review
An ideal jacket for ounce‑counters who want a just-in-case layer for brief storms
Credit: Zach Lovell
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 1, 2026
RELATED: The Best Rain Jackets for Men
Our Verdict
If weight is a priority, the Outdoor Research Helium UL should be on your finals list. This featherweight and packable shell is a specialized piece of gear and fantastic as a “what-if” layer for surprise showers or wind on otherwise fair-weather missions, disappearing in your pack until you need it. Its ultra low weight (5.6 ounces) and tiny packed size make it a go-to for ounce-counters, but these same factors mean that it's lacking somewhat in weather protection and durability. If this premium model is in your budget and you're not deliberately hitting the trailhead in a big storm, the Helium UL might be all you need.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Outdoor Research Helium UL | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Option for Minimalists |  Best Overall Rain Jacket |  Comfort on a Budget | Lightweight and Affordable | Best Bang for the Buck |
| Price | $225 List Check Price at REI | $189 List Check REI (on sale!) | $140 List Check Backcountry (on sale!) | $130 List Check REI (on sale!) | $100 List Check REI (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | An ideal jacket for ounce‑counters who want a just-in-case layer for brief storms | A rain jacket that proves you don’t have to pay top-dollar to get top-tier performance | Comfortable rain jackets can be pricey, but this layer delivers a more affordable alternative to high-end options | This high-value option offers decent performance for shoppers needing a rain jacket on a budget | An affordable all-arounder with thoughtful features and steady weather performance |
| Rating Categories | Outdoor Research Hel... | Patagonia Torrentshe... | Rab Downpour | Helly Hansen Loke | REI Co-op Rainier |
| Water Resistance (45%) | |||||
| Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Comfort and Mobility (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Outdoor Research Hel... | Patagonia Torrentshe... | Rab Downpour | Helly Hansen Loke | REI Co-op Rainier |
| Number of Fabric Layers | 2.75 | 3 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Material and Waterproof Membrane | 2.75-layer Toray Dermizax 3D | 3-layer H2No Performance Standard 50D ECONYL (proprietary material) with a PFC-free DWR finish | 2.5-layer Pertex Shield | 2.5-layer Helly Tech Polyamide (proprietary material) with a PFC-free DWR finish | 2.5-layer HydroWall recycled ripstop nylon with non-PFC DWR finish |
| Measured Weight | 5.6 oz | 12.7 oz | 13.3 oz | 8.4 oz | 12 oz |
| Pockets | 1 zippered chest | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand, 2 interior drop-in |
| Pit Zips | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pit Zip Length | N/A | 11.5" | 11.6" | 11.0" | |
| Stows Into Pocket | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Carabiner Loop in Stow Pocket | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Helmet Compatible Hood (Per Testing) | Yes, but very snug fit with partial coverage | Yes, but snug fit with partial coverage | Yes, but snug fit with partial coverage | ||
| Hipbelt Friendly Hand Pockets | N/A | No | No | No | |
| Additional Features | Adjustable hood with brim wire, drawcord hem, shaped and bonded cuff | 2-way adjustable and stowable hood, microfleece-lined neck, external and internal zipper storm flaps, chin guard, adjustable Velcro cuffs, drawcord hem, carabiner clip-in loop | Adjustable hood with stiff peak, dual sided rear hem adjustment, internal storm guards | Adjustable hood, front placket/storm flap, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem | Adjustable hood with visor, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem, windproof up to 60 mph, articulated elbows |
Our Analysis and Test Results
In our testing, the Outdoor Research Helium UL stood out for its incredibly low weight and great packability, making it an ideal emergency rain or wind layer for fair-weather missions. However, we also found its limited weather protection and durability harder to justify at this higher price.
If you're not going too far from the car or typically head out in more pleasant temperatures, the Helium is a nice layer for brief storms. Credit: Zach Lovell
Water Resistance
This was not a particularly strong metric for the Outdoor Research Helium UL, but context is everything: for quick afternoon thunderstorms, the Helium UL might be all you need to briefly stay protected. For bigger weather events, however, this might not be the right option.
The Outdoor Research Helium UL is half to a third the weight of our top weather-resistant options, and it simply doesn't have enough material to provide the best protection from the elements. Having said that, this ultralight jacket technically offers 2.75 layers of 15-denier nylon, with a Toray Dermizax membrane. In light drizzles, the Helium could handle as much as a few hours, but in more intense and sustained storms, we got wet in this layer in the shoulders and neck areas. This jacket might be a good fit for those fast and dramatic thunderstorms often occurring in the afternoons in places like the Rockies, as long as those storms are measured in minutes, not hours.
This is a lightweight jacket that'll provide some protection in light storms. Credit: Zach Lovell
The Aquaguard zipper on the Outdoor Research Helium UL was impressively water-resistant and helped with the weather protection scores. The same zipper is also what Outdoor Research put in the chest pocket, which was a nice addition for any items you might want to keep at least partially protected.
We were impressed by this jacket's (and its zipper's) ability to fend off water, despite its low weight. Credit: Zach Lovell
Breathability
This lightweight layer actually breathes quite well. While it may have 2.75 layers of fabric, it is substantially thinner than most of the other jackets in the lineup, helping the Outdoor Research Helium UL shed more body heat than more traditional layers.
We were able to wear this layer fairly comfortably while on moderate hikes, and we loved it for damp mountain bike rides. While we wouldn't go out of our way to hike in this layer uphill, it was a nice windbreaker on exposed ridgelines or windy plateaus. The relatively trim fit kept us from wearing many layers under it, but that helped us avoid getting too sweaty.
In cooler temperatures and on lower output hikes, we didn't overheat in the Helium UL. Credit: Zach Lovell
Comfort and Mobility
The Outdoor Research Helium UL has a more relaxed fit than previous versions of the Helium, and it made for much nicer mobility. The next-to-skin comfort is a bit reduced with the painted/sprayed liner, but we still found it reasonably comfortable.
Ultralight jackets have a tendency to be slimmer fitting, with the general idea that less fabric equals less weight, but the Outdoor Research Helium UL had enough room for us to scramble, cast a fly fishing rod, or even do some climbing. If mobility is on your priority list, keep the Helium UL on your contenders list if the lower weather resistance isn't a deal-breaker.
This is a fairly freeing jacket that won't restrict your movements too much. Credit: Zach Lovell
Weight
The weight of the Outdoor Research Helium UL is truly phenomenal. This is one of the lightest jackets we've ever tested, even across multiple jacket categories. Naturally, the Helium UL came in at the front of the pack.
This featherweight layer weighs 5.6 ounces in a men's medium. This is two or three times lighter than almost all the other rain jackets we tested.
That's right, the Outdoor Research Helium UL only weighs 5.6 ounces. Credit: Zach Lovell
Its packability is similarly mind-blowing, and we always managed to squeeze it into our bags. For climbing missions, the entire jacket easily fits into its chest pocket, and it can be clipped to the harness with a carabiner. If a lightweight, portable layer is what you're after, this is the one.
We loved how easily this jacket fit into its own pocket. Credit: Zach Lovell
Construction Quality
As expected, the lightest of jackets is not the most robust. Having said that, Outdoor Research engineered the Helium UL to be relatively feature-rich and packed as much durability into a 5.6-ounce layer as they could.
The face fabric of the Outdoor Research Helium UL held up well when sticking to trails and light-duty scrambling. When voyaging into dense brush or rock climbing, we had to be more careful not to snag branches or sharp rocks on the jacket. However, the drawstring systems in the hood and hem worked very well and were relatively durable. We were also happy with the zippers on this otherwise delicate layer, which performed fairly well even when grit got into the teeth.
When considering its very low weight, the Helium UL has decent durability, and the zippers held up well. Credit: Zach Lovell
Should You Buy the Outdoor Research Helium UL?
If you need a graduated windbreaker that can handle some light precipitation and block some wind, the Outdoor Research Helium UL might be just what you're looking for. It shouldn't be your “plan A” jacket for impending large storms, but it's great for those surprise rains on a day forecasted to be sunny.
What Other Rain Jackets Should You Consider?
If this expensive jacket is out of your price range, consider the Helly Hansen Loke, which is a fraction of the price and still weighs just over 8 ounces. If you're realizing you need a more legitimate rain jacket for frequent use, consider the affordable Patagonia Torrentshell 3L.
—Zach Lovell
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