HikingHelly HansenWaterproof Jacket

Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 Shell jacket review: rugged reliability for real mountainside protection

Tested by a GBAC Mountain Leader across Snowdonia, the Cairngorms and the Lake District — this flagship Helly Hansen hardshell delivers genuine mountain-grade protection without compromise.

✓  Top PickHelly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 Shell Weight650 gWaterproofing20,000mmBreathability15,000 g/m² The good✓  Tough, durable 70-denier outer
✓  20,000mm waterproofing — genuinely delivered
✓  Impressive breathability for the spec
✓  Double-zip hip pockets with mesh internals
✓  Large glove-friendly toggles throughout
✓  68% recycled materials, PFC-free DWR
✓  Built-in RECCO reflector
✓  Bluesign certified
The not-so-good✗  Boxy cut — may need to size down
✗  Expensive at £440 RRP
✗  Hood can feel large without a helmet
✗  No internal zip pockets
✗  No central two-way zip

At a glance

Overview

Helly Hansen’s Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 Infinity Shell is the brand’s flagship mountaineering hardshell — designed to deliver uncompromising weatherproofing and durability mountainside. Built in conjunction with Helly Hansen’s network of over 55,000 professionals, this jacket represents the output of repeated design iteration aimed at delivering the most optimised hardshell the brand has produced.

At £440 it sits at the premium end of the hardshell market — around £40 more than the Rab Latok Alpine and somewhat pricier than the Patagonia Triolet. It is also the heaviest of the bunch at 650 g. But what those comparisons miss is the Odin’s specific feature set: RECCO reflector, PFC-free coating, Bluesign certification and a jacket genuinely built to withstand the sustained punishment that winter mountaineering in Scotland and beyond demands.

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How we tested

This jacket was tested across several outings through winter, including mountaineering trips through Snowdonia, the Cairngorms and the Lake District. The testing covered sustained rock and ice exposure, rucksack and ice axe abrasion, and high-output efforts in cold, wet, windy conditions. After putting the jacket through serious abuse, it still looked as good as new — no cuts, no abrasions, no deterioration in waterproof performance.

Features and performance

Build quality

The Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 is constructed from a 3-layer 100% polyamide material — Helly Tech Professional. Seams are sewn and taped flat throughout, and the finish is visibly long-lasting. The 70-denier recycled polyester outer is big and burly, resisting rock, ice and the general abuse that winter mountaineering involves. After multiple mountain days it showed no cuts or abrasions of any kind.

“It’s one of those jackets that just inspires confidence. In serious winter conditions, that matters more than any spec sheet.”

Weather protection and breathability

Rated to 20,000mm waterproofing and 15,000 g/m² breathability, the Odin delivers on both counts in real-world use. During a winter Grade III route in Glencoe, extended periods of driving rain and wet snow were handled without a drop getting through. Breathability held up well in most conditions — the only mild exception was a sustained warm wet-weather hike in the Lake District where the jacket was worn fully sealed for hours, eventually producing some internal moisture. A reasonable trade-off for a jacket designed primarily for cold mountain environments.

The PFC-free DWR coating performs on par with older fluorinated coatings in our experience. Regular washes and a DWR spray (such as Nikwax TX.Direct) keeps the jacket shedding water reliably.

Features and fit

The fit is intentionally generous — built to layer over midlayers or a climbing harness and to accommodate movement on technical terrain. The long hem provides excellent coverage in wind-driven snow. Oversized hip pockets with double-zip closures are genuinely useful: large enough for maps, hats and snacks, with mesh interior pockets for smaller essentials. Pit zips with large glove-friendly toggles add meaningful ventilation on high-output days. Internal cord locks for the hem and hood are fully concealed — a thoughtful detail that reveals itself after a few cold days in the field.

The RECCO reflector adds a passive safety layer for backcountry and avalanche terrain at no meaningful weight cost. The absence of internal zip pockets is the one feature we’d most like to see added in a future iteration.

Our verdictA flagship hardshell that genuinely earns the title.The Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 Shell is a well-designed, feature-rich and thoroughly proven mountaineering hardshell. It is not cheap, and the boxy cut will not suit everyone.But for anyone who regularly ventures into serious mountain environments in autumn and winter — whether hillwalking, mountaineering or ski touring — it is a jacket that inspires confidence, holds up to sustained abuse, and performs its core job without demanding much in return. A thoughtful, durable investment for the serious British adventurer.

FAQs

How waterproof is the Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 jacket?Extremely waterproof — rated to 20,000mm, it kept our tester dry through prolonged driving rain and winter storms. Helly Tech Professional is up there with GORE-TEX and Pertex in real-world performance, and the internally taped seams mean no weak points.

How breathable is the Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 jacket?Impressively so at 15,000 g/m² — coped well with sustained high-output winter efforts. Pit zips with large glove-friendly toggles provide an additional ventilation option when working hard on the hill.

How does the Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 fit?Intentionally generous — designed to accommodate midlayers or a climbing harness. Those with a slimmer build may want to size down. The long hem provides excellent coverage in wind-driven snow.

Is the Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 suitable for UK winter conditions?Yes — this is exactly what it was built for. Tested across Snowdonia, the Cairngorms and the Lake District in winter, it kept our tester safe, dry and comfortable in serious conditions. A considered choice for hillwalkers, mountaineers and skiers.

Is the Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 jacket worth the money?At £440 it’s a significant investment — but if you regularly head into demanding mountain environments in winter, the durability, weather protection and thoughtful features justify the price. It’s built to last many seasons.