Unbiased Helios Heated Coat Reviews: The Ultimate Guide
HELIOS Heated Coat Reviews:
- The Helios heated coat features 4 independent heating panels with versatile control
- The panels can be controlled front and back or in isolated sections with the click of a button
- The coat is designed with a detachable hood, front pockets, covered zipper, and adjustable Velcro closure around the wrists
- It has an inside zipper pocket with a built-in USB port for storing and charging a power bank (not included)
- The coat is not the warmest parka tested, but is best used for ice or alpine belay or backcountry trips where you will be moving most of the time
- It has 7.9 oz. of 850 fill down, comparable in warmth to other light parkas such as the Rab Infinity and Outdoor Research Incandescent
- Made with high-quality 850 fill down and a light but weather-resistant outer fabric
- Weighs 16 oz., making it one of the lightest down parkas tested
- Designed for technical or active use such as climbing, mountaineering, and ski touring
- Good warmth-to-weight ratio
- Minimal features to save weight and increase packability
- No Velcro cuffs, only simple elastic piping
- Waist does not have adjustability, only elastic piping
- Hand-warming pockets have a "clamshell" design without zippers
- Pockets lined with down on both sides
- Small zippered inner chest pocket for small items
- Hood has front adjustability with two cinch cords
- Jacket does not offer a lot of face protection in windy and snowy conditions
- Short fit, appreciated by climbers as it stays out of the way and is easy to access gear when used as a belay parka
- Short fit means less warmth and the jacket rides up annoyingly when worn outside of climbing situations
- Size large adds an inch to the length, buyers may consider purchasing a size up
- Features Pertex Endurance outer fabric, which is weather-resistant but not as protective as heavier parkas in very windy and snowy weather
- Relatively durable but designed to be lightweight, other parkas available with stronger fabrics for increased durability
- Minimal features such as waist cinches, cuff Velcro, and pocket zippers
- Best used for climbing belay or fast and light backcountry activities
- Price of the Hooded Helios is $389
- If looking for a more versatile parka, consider the Patagonia Fitz Roy Parka or the Rab Neutrino Endurance.