View Full Version : OR Helium Jacket...
Hey Folks! Looking to lighten up my rain gear. Got a bomb proof MH Epic jacket and pants. Real nice, but heavy! 18oz for the jacket and 12oz for the pants-XL size. Super nice combo just not 7 ozs like the helium. Anybody have some thoughts? What pants OR pants go with that jacket? Sure was a pretty blue color! I see the Precip has a lot of admirerers, as well. Thanks for your opinions. Kevin:-?
RWheeler
04-07-2012, 13:55
I haven't had personal experience with the Helium, but I do own a lot of OR gear and I really really like it. I was gifted a Mentor 3-layer pro shell (Pilsner color) from a friend that is currently my "super bomb hard shell", but I don't think I'm going to take it on the trail with me. I can get rain protection for a much cheaper jacket. I'd hate to have it damaged too bad on the AT.
On my experience with OR in general, I feel like the Helium would be a great jacket (although reviews seem to suggest that anything bulkier than a fleece layer underneath is not going to work). My guess is that the Revel would be the best pant to pair with the Helium.
Kerosene
04-07-2012, 14:03
You might also check out the Marmot Super Mica (http://marmot.com/products/super_mica_jacket) (9 oz) and the Montane Spektr e-Vent Smock (http://www.montane.co.uk/products/men/shell/spektr-smock/415) (7.4 oz). The Mica has pit-zips, which can be very useful in regulating heat build-up, while the Spektr uses e-Vent, which I've found works quite well in cooler rainy days (35-55F). You might also look at The Packa (http://www.thepacka.com/) (16 oz for e-Vent; 5.5 oz for Cuben), which gives you more options for ventilation; the Cuben version is a new option and looks very attractive. Another alternative is the SMD Gateway Cape (http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/raingear/GatewoodCape.html) (11 oz) which can double as your shelter if you're so inclined. You could pair the ponchos with zPacks Cuben Fiber Chaps (http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/chaps.shtml) (1.9 oz), but I'd probably use my Montbell UL DWR Wind Pants (http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?p_id=2305297) (2.4 oz) for their versatility.
I have one of those Backpacker Cascade 2 ponchos from Campmor. Thats what I like to hike in. I like the jacket and pants for camp or cold and windy conditions. The poncho is 9.5 ozs. The MH gear I have is 30 ozs total. I could carry the poncho and have some of this new lightweight stuff and still come in way under 30 ozs! That's what I was thinking. I tried the umbrella on one 70 mile hike. It was a Euroschirm. Very nice umbrella. It was a pain to manuever through the tunnels. I don't think I'll do that again. I'll see about those Montbell pants and maybe a Helium Jacket. That and the poncho would be like 20 ozs. 10 ozs less than what I use now. Thanks for the thoughts. The links were great! Kevin