• Overall Rating

  : 4-5 out of 5

With the Helly Hansen Odin Ultimate Infinity jacket, the clue is in the slightly hyperbolic name. Helly Hansen has used its long-standing expertise in extreme conditions protection to create a garment designed to be the one jacket you’d need for even the toughest and most demanding environment, no matter whether you’re a hiker, mountain guide, ski tourer or mountaineer.

The jacket has all the bells and whistles – and a price tag to match. Made using their own high performance waterproof fabric, Helly Hansen have probably managed to shave a little off the price for the consumer. There’s no escaping that this still marks a considerable financial investment but it is a high quality, high performing and versatile piece of kit so the investment does feel like better value. The jacket is very light and packs down small enough to be easily packable in a daypack for “just in case” useage, but it’s eminently capable of so much more than that!

Out on the hill, it’s superbly protective, yet comfortably breathable with no overheating or moisture build-up issues thanks to its breathable fabric and the inclusion of pit zips. The peaked hood wraps nicely around the head, with room for a helmet if needed, and can be cinched in as required with the drawcord (the toggle is a bit flimsy on this) for maximum field of vision. The roomy pockets are above the harness line and the sleeves are a good length, with easy-to-use Velcro adjustment at the cuffs.

The inclusion of a RECCO reflector in the hood is a nice added extra for anyone likely to be in the mountains in winter and adds to the jacket’s versatility for snow as well as mountain sports. It’s not quite perfect thanks to that toggle, but it’s pretty close. Definitely the “Ultimate Allfather” of jackets.

How Lara tested

Lara tested these waterproof jackets from February to June in a variety of wet conditions varying from around freezing temperatures to mid-twenties, on day hikes of varying lengths in the Malvern Hills, Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains. Lara is 165cm tall and wears size 14/14-16 (Large/XL), brand dependent. Weights are from her own digital scales. This review was published in the September 2026 issue of The Great Outdoors. Compare it with others in our guide to the best waterproof jackets.