Wild CampingHelly HansenDown Jacket

Helly Hansen Odin Everdown jacket review: game-changing warmth to weight

A lightweight and impressively warm jacket designed for layering or standalone wear in the mountains.

✓  Best BuyHelly Hansen Odin Everdown Weight313 gInsulationThindownPrice£400 The good✓  Warmest jacket we’ve tested at this weight
✓  Thindown — no cold spots whatsoever
✓  Packs to 500 ml bottle size
✓  Comes with stuff sack
✓  Wind-resistant almost like a softshell
✓  Extended rear hem — brilliant at camp
✓  Smooth central zip even with gloves
✓  RECCO reflector in the hood
The not-so-good✗  Expensive at £400
✗  Not waterproof — needs a shell in rain
Check price at Helly Hansen →

At a glance

Overview

Helly Hansen have been designing weather-beating kit since 1877, starting out with hardy waterproofs for North Sea fishermen. Fast forward nearly 150 years, and the Norwegian brand is still at the cutting edge — now kitting out mountaineers, sailors, skiers and guides all over the world. We have tested plenty from their flagship Odin range and have always come away seriously impressed. Odin sits at the top of their mountain collection — minimalist, highly technical, and designed for people who live and work in the mountains.

With the Odin Everdown, Helly Hansen have pulled off something genuinely exciting. This is the lightest insulated jacket we have ever tested, and somehow also one of the warmest. The magic ingredient is Thindown — an innovative panelled form of down that removes the need for baffles entirely. That means no cold spots, no stitching for wind to sneak through, and no wasted space. The result? Just 313 grams of jacket that packs down smaller than most midlayers but delivers heavyweight warmth. It is not often we test something that feels like a real step forward — but this one absolutely does.

Compared to the Mountain Equipment Lightline (717 g, £260) and Rab Neutrino Pro (515 g), the Odin Everdown shaves off significant weight without sacrificing meaningful warmth. Even the Patagonia Nano Puff weighs slightly more at 349 g and offers notably less warmth, despite its £220 price point. If warmth-to-weight is your primary concern, the Odin Everdown leads the field.

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How we tested

We put the Odin Everdown through its paces on a wild camping trip in the Brecon Beacons where temperatures barely rose above zero — barely noticeable in our packs during long days on the trail, but delivering instant, cosy warmth each evening. We also wore it during multiple tent-testing trips on Dartmoor between November and January, where it handled wind, rain and freezing temperatures impressively well. Like all down jackets, it loses some warmth when wet — but the Thindown construction dried faster than conventional baffle-filled down jackets. On local walks in the Chiltern Hills in sub-zero conditions, it kept us so warm that pairing it with a midlayer often proved too hot.

Features and performance

Thindown insulation

What really sets the Odin Everdown apart is its Thindown insulation. Traditional down jackets rely on individual baffles filled with loose down clusters, but here Helly Hansen have used stitched panels of down to create a smooth, uniform sheet of insulation. That instantly eliminates cold spots — those familiar frustrating areas where warmth often escapes — and offers consistent heat across your whole upper body. On bitterly cold UK summits, the difference was immediately noticeable. No chill sneaking through seams, no random patches of cool air. Just even, reliable warmth. And because the baffles are gone, the jacket blocks wind far better than most down pieces we have tested. On Dartmoor ridgelines with strong gusts funnelling through, it performed almost like a softshell. That is rare for down, and it adds to this jacket’s versatility enormously.

Design details

The cut shows thoughtful design. The extended rear hem drops slightly over your lower back and backside — something you will appreciate when sat around camp on damp ground or cold rocks. During our Brecon Beacons wild camp, that extra coverage meant we could stay out longer in the evenings, happily sat by the stove long after sunset. For a jacket this warm, its packability is astonishing: the included stuff sack compresses it to the size of a 500 ml water bottle. More than once, we tossed it into our pack as an emergency layer, knowing it added barely any weight or bulk.

The hood wraps snugly around your head, offering excellent protection against wind and cold. It stayed in place well even during gusty Dartmoor testing. The lack of adjustment drawcords means it can catch in very strong winds, and it is not designed to fit over a climbing helmet — but for general mountain walking, it is spot-on. The central zip glides smoothly every time, even with gloves on. And the integrated RECCO reflector in the hood adds reassurance for anyone venturing into avalanche terrain.

“The lightest insulated jacket we’ve ever tested, and somehow also one of the warmest. Quite simply the warmest jacket we’ve tested at this weight.”

Performance in UK conditions

In real-world UK conditions, the Odin Everdown has consistently delivered outstanding performance. It handled everything from howling wind to heavy rain and freezing conditions on Dartmoor. Despite being down-filled, the Thindown insulation dried noticeably quicker than traditional baffle-filled jackets after wet spells. On fast hikes in the Chilterns during icy cold snaps, it regulated temperature beautifully — so much so that pairing it with a midlayer often proved too warm. Its ability to fend off wind almost like a softshell adds another level of versatility, meaning it covers a much broader range of UK conditions than most down jackets we have tested.

Our verdictOne of the finest ultralight down jackets on the market right now — and an absolute game-changer.For those who value packability and warmth, the Helly Hansen Odin Everdown might just be one of the finest ultralight down jackets on the market right now. Absolutely superb for cold-weather layering and lightweight adventures, particularly in the dry, cold and windy conditions we so often encounter across the UK hills and mountains. Whether you are pausing for a brew on a frosty summit, chucking it in your pack for emergency warmth, or throwing it on around camp after a long day out, it performs every time. Sure, it is not designed for prolonged downpours — there are better options for that. But for most UK mountain days, this is an absolute game-changer. Helly Hansen have delivered something quite special here.Buy the Helly Hansen Odin Everdown →

FAQs

How warm is the Helly Hansen Odin Everdown down jacket?Incredibly warm for its weight. The Thindown insulation delivers even heat with no cold spots, keeping you comfortable down to freezing with just a base layer. Not a deep-winter belay jacket, but for UK conditions one of the most efficient layers we have tested.

How waterproof is the Helly Hansen Odin Everdown?It is not waterproof. The outer is lightly water-resistant and the Thindown copes better with moisture than traditional down, but it still loses warmth when wet. You will need a shell if rain is forecast.

Is the Helly Hansen Odin Everdown worth the money?Yes, if you value performance. At £400 it is expensive, but the warmth-to-weight ratio is superb and the Thindown technology is genuinely impressive. One of the best ultralight insulation layers we have tested.

How durable is the Helly Hansen Odin Everdown?Surprisingly durable for its weight. The outer fabric is light but tough, the zip is excellent, and the build quality is solid. With care, it will handle years of regular UK use.