Helly Hansen Arctic Transition Parka

If you are heading to the extremes of the planet the Helly Hansen Arctic Transition Parka should be on your packing list, writes Mike Gormley.

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This jacket has been on some significant travels since I obtained it, as well as being most welcome back in the UK during colder and wetter times. Although named Arctic, I did the polar opposite and took it south to the Antarctic… but it worked out to be just perfect for lots of reasons. Since then, it has had a good few outings in all sorts of weather. I should note here there is a fully insulated version of this known as the Arctic Patrol Modular Parka and as I write this, I am sure there are many of these keeping their owners well-protected in the southern hemisphere winter; especially those hardy souls that over-winter in the Antarctic.

For my trip I did not need anything quite so extreme as we headed back north before the winter set in. Since then, this HH Arctic has been most welcome out on Dartmoor and the like. Conditions do not need to be as extreme as one might think for me to be more than happy to be wearing this jacket. As it is not an insulated garment, it is good to wear even if not so cold but when the wind and rain are trying to get to you and make life miserable. If it gets a bit chill, I generally team it up with one of Helly’s fleece tops or jacket such as the Panorama Pile. This it is not a heavy cumbersome jacket so can be packed away quite well if not being worn or being carried as a ‘just in case’. That is not to say it is not warm. It is perhaps surprisingly so for a non-insulated jacket.

This jacket has a very comprehensive spec with many features that you soon get used to and fully appreciate. For a start it is made from Helly Tech 2 layer breathable, and importantly waterproof, material. I can add snow- and sleet-proof to this. The sizing is, as one might say, reasonably ‘generous’ so perfectly suited to layering with one or perhaps more mid-layers and a suitable base layer.

It really is a fully featured garment with all the things you would expect on the jacket of this type. Perhaps the standout features are the pockets. There are lots and not only this, they are very good and well thought out. Highly practical. As I am sure you know when out for long periods in difficult conditions you will have lots of ‘stuff’ to take with you. If not wearing them, gloves and hat, tend to be bulky and need convenient places to stow them when not in use. Goggles and sunglasses – just in case – then you have things like maps, nav aids, binos and perhaps a camera and / or lenses. I was able to use pockets for this when trying to protect camera kit in the Antarctic and attempting to capture those magic images in sleet and spray but keep the camera easily accessible when stowed.

Then of course items of sustenance and perhaps even a drink bottle or warm drink mug. All need space to keep them stowed and available. With this jacket you can do all of this. On top of this you need to be able to get your hands in for added protection some of the time and here Helly have it sorted. There are pockets with vertical access so easy to slip your hands into, gloved or not, for that bit of extra welcome protection when you are not doing things with them. These are excellent and do have a press stud closure if required. As well as these, on both sides are two significant pockets: one with waterproof zip and the other with fold-over and very protective flap. Then on the chest you have a large pocket on each side with vertical zip access so handy to get into even if wearing a rucksack. The left side pocket has a large and very strong D-ring to attach valued items to, perhaps a radio.

For good reason most of the stowage is on the outside so you don’t have to expose yourself to the elements to get something out. This said there is a capacious poachers’ pocket, perhaps good to keep those spare dry gloves in. On the left arm are two pockets of useful size; one zipped and one with a press stud flap. The cuffs, perhaps a little surprisingly, have no inner storm flaps, so less bulky, but do have very effective and easy to use hook and loop adjusters which I found perfectly adequate. As this is a jacket to be visible in, the cuffs also have reflective bands on.

The Arctic Transition Parka is of generous length and again perhaps a little surprising has no hem draw cord; though I did not feel it needed it, in the conditions I was in at least. The front zip is a good sturdy one and is adequately backed up with a storm flap. This zips right up to cover the neck and chin. The zips have sturdy and helpful pull tags fitted. From here up is a very effective hood that fits well and provides good protection and has a useful peak and there are part captive pull cords to tighten it up if required. There are also volume adjusters. There is also a reflective strip across the back. Just to add to the robustness of this jacket there are black Cordura panels on the lower arms and across the backside as well as on the shoulders where backpack straps would lie.

The colour of this is Patrol Oran as it is good to be visible most of the time when wearing this. I really like this jacket. It proved perfect for my trip South and it is one which I almost look forward to bad weather, just so I can wear it.

[images © Jean or Mike Gormley]

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