Snow is everywhere as we ease into the winter season, and if you haven’t already pulled your winter wardrobe out of storage, now’s the time. It’s also often when we look through the clothing from past seasons that we realize we need one new item—either to replace what we’ve grown out of, or replace what can no longer be fixed.
In either case, give the Helly Hansen Odin Mountain Softshell Jacket some consideration.
Designed for backcountry pursuits, you can wear it for nearly anything. The four-way stretch softshell jacket has hybrid construction—membrane fabric at the top for weather protection, and no-membrane fabric on the body for great breathability. Inside, grid-fleece backing makes things soft and comfortable. Outside, the fabric is also soft, unlike that slick material that makes tons of noise when you move around.
The jacket is extremely lightweight (658 grams) but also extremely durable. It’ll protect you from wind and water, while also being breathable so you don’t have that hothouse effect inside. As a shell layer, it’s not going to keep you warm enough in very cold conditions, so consider sizing up for layering underneath if you want the jacket to function across a variety of conditions.
The hood is helmet compatible, and adjusts both vertically and horizontally. Zippered hand pockets and chest pocket double as secure places to stash a phone, cards, keys, ski pass, hand warmers, or lip balm. Inside the jacket is a RECCO locator, optimal technology for a backcountry jacket.
The Helly Hansen Women’s Odin Mountain Softshell Jacket comes in scuba blue, festival fuchsia, and quiet shade (gray), and lists for $300 on the Helly Hansen site. There’s a men’s version for the same price in electric blue, quiet shade, and wood green.