Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket Review

With a sneaky-expansive collection, Helly Hansen gives brands like Arc’teryx and Patagonia a run for their money in the hardshell space. We recently brought the women’s Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket to Iceland for testing, where it proved itself as a capable companion in highly variable weather along the famed Laugavegur Trail. It’s heavier and a bit less refined than many competitors—including a hood that’s too small to fit over a standard ski helmet—but we were impressed by the shell’s above-average breathability and comfort. Below we break down our experiences with the Verglas Infinity. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best hardshell jackets.
 

Table of Contents

• Weather Protection
• Breathability
• Weight and Packability
• Comfort
• Build Quality and Durability
• Key Features
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Weather Protection

I have high expectations when it comes to protection, and the Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket put up an admirable defense against Iceland’s wet and rowdy weather. For waterproofing, the brand opted for their top-end Helly Tech Professional membrane. Along with fully taped seams and a durable water repellent (DWR) coating, the jacket effectively fended off moisture and strong gusts along the Laugavegur Trail. Even after hours of heavy rain, the Verglas Infinity showed no signs of wetting out and kept my midlayer perfectly dry underneath, and it was a similarly effective barrier against the relentless winds. Added up, the Verglas Infinity strikes me as a highly capable and fully weather-ready design—great for everything from hiking and backpacking to backcountry skiing in harsh winter conditions. 

Helly Hansen also outfitted the Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket with a nice assortment of protective features for battening down the hatches. First, the hood is highly adjustable with four drawcords: two at the rear (one at the yoke to pull it back and the other to tighten the halo) and two at the front to adjust the aperture. I’m still partial to Arc’teryx’s well-executed StormHood found on many of their premium hardshells, but I have to admit that Helly Hansen’s design lines up closely in terms of all-around performance (more in "Key Features" below). You also get Velcro-equipped cuffs that fit over or under gloves, and the hem can be cinched to seal out moisture and drafts. Finally, all the zippers are highly water-resistant and trustworthy enough that I regularly stash my phone in the hand pockets.

Breathability

Waterproofing and breathability are inherently at odds, but Helly Hansen nailed a very effective balance with the Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket. As I mentioned above, I wore the jacket frequently while backpacking over challenging terrain—including almost the entire first couple days of our trip—and never once grew sweaty or clammy. To be fair, I run fairly cold and temperatures were relatively moderate in Iceland (around freezing to mid 50s Fahrenheit), but the sun was intense, and I would have needed to remove most other shells in the same conditions. To help with airflow, Helly Hansen also equipped the jacket with sizable pit zips for dumping heat quickly while on the move. Given my experiences thus far, I’ll gladly reach for the Verglas Infinity while backcountry skiing this winter.

Weight and Packability

Checking in at 15.1 ounces for my women’s small (it’s listed at 15.9 oz.), the Verglas Infinity isn’t a particularly light or minimalist piece. For comparison, it weighs more than leading competitors like Arc’teryx’s Beta AR (13.8 oz.) and Beta LT (12.3 oz.) jackets while clocking in considerably heavier than more streamlined designs like Outdoor Research’s MicroGravity AscentShell Jacket (11.9 oz) and Patagonia’s Storm10 Jacket (7.4 oz.). And you can get a sizable upgrade in both protection and durability with Arc’teryx’s alpine-ready Alpha SV Jacket, which uses Gore’s top-end Pro waterproof membrane and an ultra-robust shell fabric for just 15.2 ounces.

It’s a similar story with packability. The Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket stuffs down to about the size of a cantaloupe when rolled into its hood, which is on the bulkier end for frequent backcountry use. In the end, I wouldn’t categorize the Verglas Infinity as overly hefty or cumbersome by any means, but there are plenty of lighter and more packable hardshell jackets on the market—many of which line up very similarly in terms of features, durability, and overall performance.

Comfort

While far from the lightest option available, the Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket fares well in the comfort department. First and foremost, the shell has a soft and supple feel against the skin—it’s noticeably more pliable and quieter than standard Gore-Tex—and offers great all-around mobility (the articulated sleeves help). Helly Hansen also added a patch of brushed microsuede along the collar to minimize chafing, which is a nice touch in theory but led to some irritation along my chin. This was due to the patch being curled in on my jacket (likely a design flaw), which caused poking even with the jacket unzipped and hasn’t improved over time. In the end, it’s a relatively small annoyance but does detract slightly from overall comfort.

Build Quality and Durability

Helly Hansen has been producing quality outdoor gear for over a century, so it comes as little surprise that the Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket is a well-built piece. While it lacks the bombproof feel of Gore-Tex Pro, the supple 50-denier (D) shell fabric has proven to be impressively hardy and durable throughout testing. For reference, the jacket handily withstood waiting out a storm huddled against sharp volcanic rock with no signs of wear or abrasion. Most of the smaller components are holding up equally well, from the hood and hem toggles to the DWR coating. The only quality-related issues to report are very small: As I mentioned, the patch of microsuede along the collar causes consistent irritation along my chin due to it being curved inward, and the main zipper is a little sticky. Importantly, neither have detracted from the jacket’s hardwearing and premium feel.

Key Features

Hood

As I touched on above, the Verglas Infinity’s hood rivals Arc’teryx’s well-loved StormHood design, which is very high praise. Starting with adjustability, you get four drawcords for dialing in fit: two at the back and two at the base of the neck. In practice, the hood fit comfortably over a beanie, ball cap, and helmets for climbing or mountain biking, although it was too snug to work with a bulkier ski helmet—a notable downside given the jacket’s backcountry slant. That issue aside, the hood stayed securely in place even in gale-force winds and didn’t impede peripheral vision, and the rigid brim did a great job of deflecting moisture from dipping onto my face. Helly Hansen also cleverly hid a Recco reflector in the brim, which allows rescuers to pinpoint your location in the event of an emergency (and also helps the brim maintain its shape when you pack the jacket away). Finally, I appreciate that the hood is relatively quiet due to the jacket's supple build, which made it easy to hold a conversation while moving.

Storage: Pockets

In terms of storage, the Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket sticks to the basics with just two hand pockets. The good news is that they’re situated high enough to clear a backpack hipbelt or climbing harness and are plenty big for stashing a map, beanie, or cold hands (with or without gloves on). The right pocket also features an internal sleeve, which is too narrow for a phone but could accommodate smaller items like a ski pass. I do wish Helly Hansen had included an internal zippered pocket for securely stashing valuables, but I was able to make do with the two-pocket layout and trust the YKK zippers enough to store my phone in either of the hand pockets (provided they’re not being used to warm my hands).

Fit and Sizing

I’ve found that many European jackets fit on the trimmer end, and the Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity is no exception. For reference, I was able to fit a lightweight down jacket underneath in my usual women’s size small, but those with wider shoulders will likely want to size up. The length was also spot-on for me: The hem falls well below my hips, with a little added length around back for coverage when sitting down or bending over. Those looking for a dedicated ski shell may want a slightly longer cut, but I found it perfectly adequate for hiking and backpacking. 

Sustainability

Many leading outdoor brands have made changes to their production practices over the last several years to reduce their environmental footprint, and Helly Hansen’s Lifa Infinity technology is a solid effort. In short, it means that the Verglas’ membrane and face fabric aren’t treated with harmful chemicals—instead, they utilized heat and a PFC-free DWR coating on the exterior that forgoes the use of perfluorocarbons. The shell is also made from 54% recycled polyester (recycled materials are a commonality among all designs with the Lifa Infinity designation). We’d love to see bluesign-approved materials and/or a Fair Trade certification tacked on in a future update, but we nevertheless appreciate Helly Hansen’s progress on the sustainability front.

Other Versions of the Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity

We put the women’s Verglas Infinity hardshell to the test for this review, and Helly Hansen also offers the jacket in a men’s version. Comparing the two, the men’s Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket costs the same at $450 and boasts a nearly identical feature set and overall construction but checks in a little heavier (1 lb. 1.6 oz.), comes in different colorways, and is offered in sizes from S to XXL (the women’s model is available in sizes from XS to XL). Rounding out the collection are Verglas Infinity Shell Pants for men and women, which use the same Helly Tech Professional waterproofing with their Lifa Infinity tech and retail for $325.

What We Like

• Interior has a noticeably soft and supple feel that’s quieter and more pliable than standard Gore-Tex.
• Helly Hansen's in-house membrane and sizable pit zips combine to offer top-notch breathability for a waterproof design.
• Trim fit is flattering and performance-oriented with just enough room to comfortably wear a lightweight midlayer underneath.
• Sustainably built with a mostly recycled shell fabric and PFC-free DWR coating.
• Nice selection of classy colorways (six at the time of publishing).

What We Don’t

• Hood is too small to fit over a ski helmet, which strikes us as a big oversight given the jacket’s intentions.
• Heavier than most competitors at 15.9 ounces.
• Limited on storage with just two hand pockets.
• We experienced a couple of quality- and comfort-related issues, including a sticky main zipper and irritation from the microsuede patch along the collar. 

Comparison Table

The Competition

Helly Hansen’s Verglas Infinity stands out for its great breathability and comfort, but it’s not the most well-rounded option available. Our top-rated hardshell jacket this year is Arc’teryx’s Beta AR Jacket, which is their quintessential do-all design and an expertly built piece. Stacked up against the Verglas Infinity, the Beta AR is lighter at 13.8 ounces, impressively durable with a mix of 40 and 80D fabrics, and more protective with Gore’s top-end Pro membrane. It’s also a little roomier with a “regular” fit that can accommodate more layers underneath, features a more refined hood that fits comfortably over a ski helmet, and tacks on an internal chest pocket with a laminated zipper for securely stashing valuables. The rest of the feature set lines up closely, including a hidden Recco reflector, generously sized pit zips, and water-resistant zippers for sealing out moisture. The Arc’teryx will cost you a significant $150 more than the Helly Hansen and isn't as supple, but it’s a skillfully built piece for all-around backcountry use.

My husband was testing Arc’teryx’s Beta Lightweight Jacket in Iceland, which is both lighter and cheaper than the Beta AR at 13.4 ounces and $500. In this case, Arc’teryx opted for a standard Gore-Tex membrane with their soft C-Knit backer, which adds a nice dose of next-to-skin comfort. And feature-wise, it’s a close match with the Verglas Infinity: You get an adjustable and helmet-compatible hood (that works with a ski helmet), a Recco reflector, Velcro-equipped cuffs, a patch of soft microsuede along the collar, and pit zips for dumping excess heat. The Beta Lightweight also includes a zippered internal pocket in addition to the two hand pockets. The shell is on the thinner end at 40D (compared to the Helly Hansen's 50D fabric), although we didn’t have any issues during testing and consider the Beta Lightweight’s upgrades in storage and overall refinement worth the additional $50.

Next up is an in-house alternative to consider: Helly Hansen’s Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 Shell Jacket. The two designs have a lot in common: Both use the brand’s Helly Tech Professional waterproof membrane, include a hidden Recco reflector, feature hipbelt- and harness-compatible hand pockets, and boast pit zips for releasing excess heat. The Odin is heavier than the Verglas Infinity at 1 pound 3.4 ounces, but it’s impressively durable and winter- and ski-ready with a burly 70D shell fabric and exterior chest pocket for additional storage. That said, the thicker fabric doesn't breathe as well and has a modest impact on mobility. Whether or not the Odin 9's advantages in durability and features are worth it is up to you, but both are well-built designs with strong weather protection (for more, see our in-depth Odin 9 Worlds review).

A final alternative to have on your radar is Rab’s Kangri GTX Jacket, which costs $25 less than the Verglas Infinity and stacks up very competitively in all-around performance and features. Similarities include a two-pocket storage layout, water-resistant zippers, a fleece-lined chin guard, sizable pit zips, hook-and-loop cuffs, an adjustable hem, and a helmet-compatible hood with a wire brim to deflect moisture away from the face. The Rab is also impressively durable with a beefier 70D face fabric and has a long cut (27.6 in.) that makes it well suited for snowshoeing and other cold-weather activities, although you do pay a minor weight penalty (1 lb. 0.5 oz.). The Helly Hansen also gets the slight edge in both breathability and comfort, but the Rab is the more polished and hardwearing pick—at a small discount to boot.