HikingHelly HansenWaterproof Jacket
Helly Hansen Loke waterproof jacket review: light, stylish, built for Britain
A lightweight, city-smart shell that’s at home on coastal trails and casual strolls alike — from blustery Dartmoor ridges to breezy pub gardens.
✓ RecommendedHelly Hansen Loke
Weight218 gPrice£120Construction2.5-layer + DWR
The good✓ Super lightweight and packable (218g)
✓ Big, effective pit zips
✓ Clean, versatile styling
✓ Great hood adjustment
✓ Repairable main zip
✓ Long drop hem
✓ Hanging tab for drying
The not-so-good✗ Not multi-day tough
✗ No chest pocket
Buy the Helly Hansen Loke →
At a glance
| Brand | Helly Hansen |
| Model | Loke Waterproof Jacket |
| RRP | £120 |
| Weight | 218 g |
| Packed size | ~15 x 5 x 5 cm (large energy drink can) |
| Construction | 2.5-layer with DWR coating |
| Notable features | Pit zips, storm flap, repairable zip, long drop hem, hanging tab |
| Ideal for | Hiking, UL wild camping, daily wear |
| Not suitable for | Fastpacking, deep winter use, multi-day deluges |
Overview
We have long had a soft spot for Helly Hansen at GBAC. Founded in Norway back in 1877 by sea captain Helly Juell Hansen, the brand first made rugged oilskins for North Sea fishermen. These days, Helly Hansen are global players in outdoor kit, kitting out everyone from offshore sailors to ski patrollers to weekend ramblers. They are especially well known for their sailing and snow sports kit, but we have tested plenty of their jackets and fleeces over the years and found them consistently solid.
Enter the Helly Hansen Loke waterproof jacket. This one is aimed squarely at the everyday adventurer — someone who might be tackling Dartmoor one weekend and dodging city downpours the next. Weighing just 218 g and packing down to about 15 cm x 5 cm x 5 cm (roughly the size of a Monster can), it is designed to disappear into your daypack until the weather turns. At £120, it is a sensible mid-range buy: not dirt-cheap, but far from wallet-ruining.
How does it measure up against the competition? Compared to the Berghaus Deluge Pro 3.0, which costs the same but weighs 291 g, the Loke feels impressively lightweight — though it may give up a bit of long-term toughness in return. The Patagonia Torrentshell costs £180 and weighs a beefier 350 g, but its 3-layer build will likely shrug off more repeated hammerings. And the Marmot Precip Eco (typically around £110, 290 g) offers similar 2.5-layer protection with pit zips but feels a touch rustlier and bulkier to pack than the Loke.
Stacked up like this, the Loke arguably hits the best balance if your priorities are low weight, decent weather protection and an understated look that does not scream “technical mountain shell” when you are popping to the shops.
How we tested
To put it through its paces, we took the Loke on hikes across Dartmoor and along the North Devon coast path — spots where the weather is never short of surprises. It performed admirably in strong winds and passing downpours, keeping us dry and unfussed.
We also wore this jacket casually around town and on easy local strolls. With its clean design and good choice of colours, it never felt out of place in more urban settings. We especially appreciated how small and light it was to stow in a daypack or even a tote bag, ready for when the inevitable drizzle arrived. Over multiple medium-length day hikes, it proved a breeze to carry and quick to whip out — which is exactly what we want from a just-in-case shell.
Features and performance
Fit, hood and hem
What we like most about the Loke is that it keeps things refreshingly simple, without skimping on the bits that matter. Slip it on, and you notice straight away how fuss-free the fit is — there is a slight give in the fabric that lets it move with you on climbs and scrambles, not rigid like some cheaper shells. That subtle stretch, paired with the longer drop hem at the back, does a grand job of keeping your seat covered when you are bending down to adjust your boots or ducking under a stile, stopping rain from funnelling straight into your waistband.
The hood is equally well judged. It is not designed for climbing helmets, but that is no real drawback here. Instead, you get a peaked design with a tidy cord adjustment that cinches snugly around your face, cutting out biting wind and keeping drizzle off your brow — perfect for coastal walks or standing on a Dartmoor ridge when the weather shifts. After a downpour, the handy hanging tab means you can just hook it up in the porch to dry, without having it puddle on the floor.
“It is the kind of jacket you will happily stuff into your pack or sling over your arm, knowing it will handle most day hikes, city strolls and coastal rambles without fuss.”
Breathability and ventilation
Breathability is where a lot of lightweight shells stumble, but the Loke is helped along by some genuinely decent pit zips. Open them up on sweaty climbs and they dump heat fast, helping stave off that clingy, sticky feeling you get when slogging uphill in muggy weather. The mesh-lined hand pockets add a bit more passive airflow too. They are roomy enough to stuff in a beanie or a flapjack for later, keeping everything to hand without overheating your core.
Waterproofing and smart details
Then there are the little design touches that show this jacket was made by people who have actually spent time outdoors. The Velcro cuffs seal snugly around your wrists, blocking out draughts and stopping water from racing up your sleeves. Up front, a storm flap over the zip does the heavy lifting to keep wind-driven rain from seeping through — no fancy waterproof zipper here, which means it is cheaper and easier to replace if it ever fails. And that is the clever bit: Helly Hansen have opted for a repairable zip, so you are not forced to bin the whole jacket the minute it goes. It is a small nod toward longevity, but one we really rate.
Altogether, it means you have got a lightweight shell that is quick to chuck on when the heavens open, comfortable enough to wear for hours, and smart enough not to look out of place when you are back in town. It is no bombproof alpine piece, but for typical British walking, day hikes and errands — it is exactly what you need.
How the Loke performs in the UK
Out on typical British trails, the Helly Hansen Loke genuinely feels like it has been made for our kind of weather. It shrugged off squalls rolling over Dartmoor and kept the worst of the wind off along the exposed stretches of the North Devon coast path. The pit zips came into their own on steeper climbs, letting us vent off heat before we got clammy.
Back in town, it was just as handy — light enough to carry without a thought and smart enough for popping into a café without looking like you had wandered off a mountain. That long drop hem also proved a blessing when sitting on damp benches or leaning against stone walls, keeping the drizzle off your backside.
In short, it is spot on for our usual mix of short showers, changeable skies and breezy hilltops. Just know that for multi-day trips in relentless rain, you will want something burlier — but for 99% of UK outings, the Loke hits the sweet spot.
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Our verdictThe perfect just-in-case shell for British day hiking — and a firm favourite on our kit rack.All told, the Helly Hansen Loke waterproof jacket is a spot-on choice for anyone who wants a lightweight, good-looking shell that is perfectly tuned to Britain’s classic mix of sunshine and sudden showers. It is the kind of jacket you will happily stuff into your pack or sling over your arm, knowing it will handle most day hikes, city strolls and coastal rambles without fuss — and without denting your wallet too heavily.At £120 from Helly Hansen — a brand with proper wet-weather pedigree — it strikes a brilliant balance of weight, packability and real-world performance. It is not made for week-long slogs through relentless storms, but for typical UK days out, it has become a firm favourite on our kit rack.Buy the Helly Hansen Loke →
FAQs
How waterproof is the Helly Hansen Loke?Pretty waterproof — for the right sort of days. The 2.5-layer build with DWR treatment kept us dry through Dartmoor downpours and stiff coastal winds. Spot on for typical British outings, though in multi-day soaking rain, you will see it start to wet out.
How breathable is the Helly Hansen Loke?Decent for this kind of lightweight shell. The fabric shifts moisture reasonably well when conditions allow, and those big pit zips plus mesh pockets are a godsend on climbs. In muggy or prolonged rain, like most shells, it will still get clammy — but overall we were pleased.
How packable is the Helly Hansen Loke?Exceptionally packable. At just 218 g, it stuffs down to roughly 15 cm x 5 cm x 5 cm — about the size of a large energy drink can. Dead easy to keep tucked in your daypack or even a handbag, ready for any sudden shower.
How durable is the Helly Hansen Loke?It is a lightweight 2.5-layer shell, so you will trade some long-term toughness for packability. Fine for day hikes, urban outings and typical weekend use, but we would not drag it on rugged multi-day treks. The repairable zip is a clever touch that helps extend its life.
Is the Helly Hansen Loke worth the money?Yes. At £120, it undercuts many rivals while still offering reliable waterproofing, good features like pit zips and a storm flap, and an impressively light, compact design. For most UK adventures, a very sound buy.