Lee Jones

Super-light, seriously breathable, and ready for changeable mountain weather — the Helly Hansen Verglas Micro Shell trousers are a reliable waterproof layer that’s ideal for UK hikers, wild campers and fast-moving hillwalkers.

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Helly Hansen Verglas Micro Shell waterproof trousers

Ideal for: hillwalking, hiking, wildcamping

Not suitable for: winter hiking

The Helly Hansen Verglas Micro Shell waterproof trousers are some of the lightest, most packable waterproof overtrousers we’ve tested — and crucially, they don’t sacrifice performance to get there. Built with Helly Tech® Performance fabric, they keep rain out without turning you into a sweaty mess on the inside. At just 185g (lighter than the listed weight) and about the size of a woolly hat when packed, they’re a go-anywhere, throw-in-your-pack sort of layer. Our only real gripe is that the lower leg zips aren’t quite long enough for easy use over hiking boots. But overall, these are top-tier trousers for anyone chasing serious performance in a minimal shell. One of the best waterproof trousers for the UK we’ve come across.

The Good

Featherlight at 185g

Excellent waterproofing

Genuinely breathable

Packs down tiny

Comfy elasticated fit

Fast deployment zips

The Bad

Zip too short

No pockets

Not for big boots

Helly Hansen Verglas Micro Shell waterproof trousers review

Helly Hansen have been doing waterproofs since the 1800s, and the Verglas Micro Shell trousers are a direct descendent of that heritage — only much lighter. Designed for hikers and mountaineers who want full waterproof protection without lugging extra grams, they hit that magical balance of breathable, packable and actually waterproof.

At just 185g (we weighed them ourselves), they’re lighter than Helly Hansen claim — and yet still feel solidly built. RRP is £72 at time of writing, down from £120, which puts them right in the mix with other top-tier waterproof trousers.

So how do they stack up? Lighter than the Montane Minimus Nano Pants (100g, £120), slightly more robust than the Rab Downpour Light Pants (205g, £90), and far more compact than the old-faithful Berghaus Deluge 2.0 Overtrousers (390g, £80). In short: these are for people who want performance and portability, not just one or the other.

When and where we tested them

We took the Verglas Micro Shell trousers on a long, wet stomp through the Brecon Beacons, testing their mettle in sideways rain, muddy trails and humid climbs. It was the kind of day where you start out sweating, end up soaked — and need gear that can handle both without making you regret every kit decision you’ve ever made.

Features and performance

Let’s walk through what you’re getting — because the Verglas Micro Shells are more than just a light pack.

First off: they pack down tiny. Think woolly hat size — small enough to disappear into a side pouch or jacket pocket. We found ourselves chucking them in on days we might get rain, which is half the battle with waterproofs. If they’re too bulky, you leave them behind. These — you don’t.

Getting them on quickly is easy, thanks to the lower leg side zips. If you’re in trail shoes or lightweight hikers, you’ll be good — you can whip them on mid-hike without breaking stride. But if you’re in chunky boots? You’ll struggle. The zips just don’t go high enough to get over big footwear, which meant we had to stop and take boots off during one squall. It’s not a dealbreaker, but something to plan for.

The elasticated waistband and drawcord strike a perfect balance: secure but comfy. No digging in, no sagging, and easy to adjust on the fly. Same story at the ankles — the elasticated cuffs and quality button closure fit neatly over your footwear and do a decent job of sealing out updrafts and puddle splash.

Inside, you’re kept dry by Helly Tech® Performance fabric, which manages to be genuinely waterproof and breathable. We wore these in heavy rain and warm temperatures, and at no point did we feel like we were stewing. That clammy-leg horror you get with cheap waterproofs? Nowhere to be found here.

And yes — there are no pockets. But honestly, we didn’t miss them. These are emergency trousers, not something you’ll wear all day. The minimalist design means less faff, less weight, and more reasons to carry them just in case.

Scarpa Golden Gate’s ATRs next to the Scarpa Spin Planets..

Performance in the British outdoors

We wore the Verglas Micro Shells through full-on British weather — sustained rain, high humidity, blustery hilltop wind — and they held their own. Not only did they keep our legs bone dry, they stayed comfortable too. Even while working hard uphill, the breathability held up. That’s rare for waterproofs this light, and it makes them feel like proper performance gear rather than an emergency bin-bag layer.

They’re clearly built for UK hillwalking and wild camping — the kind of gear you pack for a trig point dash or a damp multi-day loop. With trail shoes or approach shoes, they’re as close to perfect as we’ve worn. If you’re in bigger boots, though, you’ll want to plan your changes a little earlier.

At 185g, they’re a no-brainer for spring through autumn trips. We’d trust them on longer wild camping adventures, fastpacking loops or even just stuffed into the bottom of your daypack for a local GBAC ramble.

Helly Hansen Verglas Micro Shell waterproof trousersFAQs

How waterproof are the Helly Hansen Verglas Micro Shell trousers?

Seriously waterproof. We wore them through extended downpours and stayed dry from start to finish. The Helly Tech® fabric kept everything out — even in horizontal rain.
How breathable are the Helly Hansen Verglas Micro Shell trousers?

Impressively breathable for their weight. No clammy feeling, even when working hard uphill in warm, wet conditions. A proper high-performance shell.
Are the Helly Hansen Verglas Micro Shell trousers worth the money?

Absolutely. At the current reduced price, you’re getting a premium waterproof trouser that’s lighter than most, packs down tiny, and performs well in real British weather.

The Helly Hansen Verglas Micro Shell waterproof trousers: Our verdict

The Helly Hansen Verglas Micro Shell waterproof trousers are just about everything we want from an emergency waterproof shell — light, packable, breathable and genuinely waterproof. They’re a proper bit of technical kit in a tiny package, ideal for British conditions where “chance of showers” often means “biblical soakings”.

Yes, the boot zip issue is frustrating if you wear chunky footwear — and we’d love to see Helly extend that zip a touch in future versions. But for the money, weight and overall performance, they’re easily one of the top waterproof trouser options in the UK right now.

They’ve earned a permanent place in our pack.

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About the Author

Lee Jones

Wild Camping Trips

Hikes & Walks

Trail Runs & Fast Packing

Family-friendly

Lake District

Scotland

Dartmoor

Wales

Helly Hansen Verglas Micro Shell waterproof trousers review: Big protection, small pack size

A featherweight waterproof that doesn’t feel like a compromise — these shell trousers punch well above their weight.