Helly Hansen Women’s Verglas 2.5 Layer Fastpack Jacket in Dark Creek Review
DISCLOSURE -THIS ITEM WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE THE REVIEWER’S OWN.
Reviewed by H Whetton
I do love a pack away jacket, just throw it in your bag and worry about the weather later. The 2.5 layer jacket weighs in at just 160grams, and all packed up, it measures approximately 8 inches by 7 inches. The coat has no annoying storage bag; it simply fits into one of its side pockets in seconds, making it easy to pack away. The women’s jacket comes in five colours: black, dark creek, bonfire and cedar wood. Sizes go from XS TO XL. I received an XL in Dark Creek, which is a nice green. I would have chosen it in the store. Size-wise, an XL is approximately sized 16-18.
Helly Hansen was established 140 years ago and is known worldwide for its quality and innovative technology. Even though the Fastpack jacket weighs just 160 grams, it boasts two layers of ‘Helly Tech’ to keep you warm, dry and ensure comfort and wearability. The front has a sealed zipper to ensure water does not get through, along with elasticated cuffs, hood and rim to ensure the wearer stays as dry as possible.
There is a soft fleece chin guard to stop any irritation from the zip to ensure your comfort, which is really nice. The two side pockets have a mesh lining to help the jacket ‘breathe’ whilst you are wearing it, helping you to stay comfortable and dry. Each zip has a pull tab to help you use it if your hands are cold and wet, or in my case, when my fingers do not want to work properly, which I like.
My daughter took the jacket out for a run, then we went down to the allotment for a test of wearability and comfort. The British weather did not fail us. We got caught in a rain shower, the jacket did its job, and I stayed dry and warm. It is so lightweight it hardly feels like you have anything on; it is flexible, you can move around with ease, it is warm, water-tight, great to run in, and being so lightweight and compact, it fits in a small bag, making it easy to keep with you. The jacket is machine washable on a cool wash, no higher than 40 degrees. Also, do not use fabric softeners, as they can alter the structure of the material. We gave it a quick wash at 20 degrees and hung it to dry.
As I said earlier, Helly Hansen is a premium label and therefore commands a premium price tag. The women’s Verglas Fastpack jacket in Dark Creek, Bonfire and Cedar Wood is on sale until the 1st September 2025, priced at £140.00 from £200.00.
If you are an avid runner, climber, camper, walker, etc., then the Verglas Fast Pack Jacket would be an excellent investment. My husband used to be a climber and skier; he has said that he would purchase the Helly Hansen jacket without hesitation due to its durability, comfort and design technology. I do know that it is a high price tag; however, I do believe that purchasing cheaper jackets can become a false economy, as you could end up having to purchase several jackets over the lifetime of the Helly Hanson jacket, costing you more money.
I like the Verglas Fastpack jacket; it is easy to pack away, it is small enough to fit in most bags, it is warm, dry, flexible, due to its light weight it is comfortable to wear and hardly feels like you have anything on, until it rains, then I was grateful for all of the technology that went into the jacket.
I like the pull tags on the zips, simple but handy. It is easy to keep clean and dries quickly. I think that’s it is a great addition to anyone’s wardrobe. The colours available are nice, the dark creek is my personal favourite. I would like it if their sizes went up to a larger size, to fit women with a larger chest! I cannot find fault with the jacket itself, so I give a rating of 5/5.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £200
For more information or to buy, visit www.hellyhansen.com
Cost varies depending on colour, until 1/09/2025 the dark creek, bonfire and cedar creek are on sale priced at £140.00 black is £200.00
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