Wild CampingHelly HansenWaterproof Shell Jacket

Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity shell jacket review: the shell that means business

A full-spec mountain shell built for serious UK weather — and it absolutely delivers.

✓  Top PickHelly Hansen Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket Weight410 gMembraneLifa Infinity (PFAS-free)Price£400 RRP The good✓  Excellent waterproofing
✓  Outstanding breathability
✓  Helmet-compatible hood
✓  Dual-direction hand pockets
✓  Big, easy pit zips
✓  PFAS-free Lifa Infinity membrane
✓  RECCO reflector
✓  Sleek, premium look
The not-so-good✗  Full price is steep
✗  Hidden toggles can be fiddly
✗  Far from ultralight
Check price at Helly Hansen →

At a glance

Overview

Helly Hansen might be most widely known for kitting out salty seadogs, but the Norwegian brand’s alpine and mountain kit has long earned the respect of outdoor professionals. From search and rescue teams to ski patrollers, Helly Hansen gear regularly gets called into tough situations — and delivers.

The Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket sits in the sweet spot of the range — built on the brand’s top-spec 3-layer Helly Tech Professional fabric and featuring PFAS-free Lifa Infinity technology. It weighs 410 g, packs to a modest size, and comes in at a steep but justifiable £400 RRP. Price-wise, it rubs shoulders with the Patagonia Triolet and Berghaus MTN Alpine Pro — but undercuts both when you factor in regular Helly Hansen discounts that often bring it closer to £250–300.

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How we tested

We first wore the Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket in classic Dartmoor conditions — driving rain, gusting wind, nowhere to hide. Later tests included a multi-hour hike through the Brecon Beacons and a windswept stretch of the South West Coast Path. From persistent rain to fast-moving sea squalls, we tested its waterproofing, ventilation and real-world comfort on the move.

Features and performance

Built for movement

Everything about the Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket has been designed with real mountain movement in mind. You feel that the moment you throw it on — the fit is athletic without being restrictive, with enough articulation in the shoulders and sleeves that you never feel like you are fighting the fabric. Whether you are climbing steep steps on the South West Coast Path or scrambling over granite blocks in the Brecon Beacons, it moves with you.

The storm-sealed main zip is thick, rubberised and glides up confidently even with cold fingers. The two generously sized hand pockets sit high enough to be used with a pack belt or climbing harness — and both use dual-direction YKK zips, meaning you can open them from the top or bottom depending on what kit you have on. It is a minor detail until it is not, and it shows this jacket has been properly field-tested. The pit zips are big, storm-flapped and easy to operate on the move — a godsend on changeable ridgelines where the clouds roll in just as quickly as they roll out.

Hood, cuffs and details

The hood is one of the better designs we have come across at this price. It is properly helmet-compatible but still cinches down cleanly over a beanie or cap thanks to well-positioned toggles. Those toggles are concealed within the seams, giving the whole jacket a clean, minimalist silhouette — which is where the “hidden toggles can be fiddly” note comes in, but nothing about this jacket feels flimsy or short-lived. At the wrists, wide Velcro cuffs stay shut even when soaked, muddy or stretched over gloves. It sounds simple, but it is baffling how many high-end jackets still get this wrong.

The muted rubberised Helly Hansen logos are understated and sleek — you can wear this in the hills or on the high street without looking like you have just walked off a rope team in Chamonix. This is not a jacket that just looks technical — it actually is. And every element of its design feels tuned for people who live in their kit, not just browse it.

“Wet, windy hilltops. Coastal gusts. Long climbs and humid descents. The Verglas Infinity Shell has proven itself a proper all-season, all-terrain piece of kit.”

Performance in UK conditions

Across Dartmoor, the Brecon Beacons and the South West Coast Path, the Verglas Infinity held up at every turn. On Dartmoor it faced sideways rain and bog-hopping yomps, shrugging off the worst of the weather without soaking through or turning clammy inside. In the Brecon Beacons, we climbed into thick mist and gusting summit winds where the jacket’s stormproof build and breathability really came into their own. And along the South West Coast Path, where the weather changes by the hour and the wind comes straight off the Atlantic, it offered the kind of lightweight protection you do not think twice about throwing on. It has become one of those jackets you instinctively reach for, whatever the forecast says.

Our verdictA no-nonsense, high-performance shell that earns a permanent spot in the kit cupboard.If you need a serious shell that can stand up to real British weather — heavy rain, howling winds, sideways sleet — the Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket is right up there with the best we have tested. The fit is dialled, the materials are top-notch, and the performance in foul weather is genuinely impressive. We have thrown it into everything from Dartmoor bogs to wind-battered hilltops in the Brecon Beacons, and it has not let us down once. Yes, if weight is your absolute top priority, something lighter might suit you better. But if you want a reliable shell for year-round adventures in the UK and beyond, this is absolutely worth the investment.Buy the Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity at Helly Hansen →

FAQs

How waterproof is the Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket?Very. Fully taped seams, Helly Tech Professional 3-layer fabric and storm-sealed zippers handle UK rain with ease. Occasional reproofing will keep it performing season after season.

How breathable is the Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket?Genuinely excellent for a full 3-layer shell. The Lifa Infinity membrane and pit zips let you regulate temperature even on hard uphill climbs.

Is the Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket worth the money?Yes. At RRP it is premium, but discounts often bring it into the £250–300 range. At that price, it is seriously good value for a jacket of this quality.

How durable is the Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket?Very durable. Premium YKK zips, reinforced seams and strong Velcro cuffs give it a long working life even with regular use in tough terrain.