Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 Shell Jacket Review
We recently put the Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds Shell Jacket 3.0 through the paces in our travels and outdoor adventures. It handled winter in the Canadian Rockies and a hiking trip through the Alps with ease. If you’re in the market for a new hard-shell jacket, the burly Odin 9 Worlds Shell will definitely be up for the job.
Helly Hansen knows how to make some excellent outdoor apparel ready to tackle ferocious weather. This shouldn’t be much of a surprise for a Norwegian company that knows a thing or two about bad weather. We’ve long loved our Helly Hansen gear for adventuring in the Canadian Rockies and around the world.
The only downside to the jacket is that it is pretty heavy, so it’s best suited for hikers who plan to deal with bad weather. There are lighter options on the market, including those from Helly Hansen, but they sacrifice the protection for weight savings.
Testing In The Canadian Rockies
The one article of clothing we take on almost every outing in the Canadian Rockies is a hardshell jacket. While we generally say the hiking weather in the Canadian Rockies is excellent come summer, we do experience our fair share of inclement weather.
We’ve seen it snow every month of the year, that includes July & August! We see cold temperatures in the mountains, and a key to staying warm is to stay dry. A solid hardshell jacket is one of the best investments for hiking gear, and with proper care, it will last over a decade.
We’re fortunate to spend many days outside testing new gear. We put the Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds Jacket 3.0 to the test in the mountains this fall and winter. The jacket boasts the Helly Tech Professional waterproof membrane, which can handle any type of precipitation. Just in case that’s not enough, they finish off the jacket with DWR treatment, and the seams are sealed for added water resistance.
The jacket provides a lot of confidence in terms of protection; this largely has to do with the rugged fabric. It feels good in hand, and it’s tough enough to stand up to elements like thick brush, rock, or a strong gust of wind. It leaves you feeling well protected even in winter elements.
Our only negative is that the thick material does feel a bit warm when active in mild temperatures. Granted we’d reach for other jackets in those scenarios like the Helly Hansen Roam jacket. However, we spent most of our time testing out the jacket in adverse fall conditions.
Fall conditions in the Canadian Rockies bring cool weather, rain, and the occasional dusting of snow. For our testing, we stuck to day adventures with a light backpack and found all-day comfort. This meant long day hikes and a few mountain blustery summits. Due to the heavier shell material, we felt well protected, granted it does sacrifice some packability.
While the price tag is not cheap, it offers decent value compared to its competition. Its quality is on par with the Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket at hundreds of dollars less. It’s a well-rounded jacket ready to tackle the most inclement weather.
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Jacket Features
The jacket includes plenty of features to ensure ample protection against adverse weather. We found the fit to be just generous enough to provide coverage in the back and enough room to layer a mid-layer underneath—granted that does depend on sizing.
Speaking of fit, the hood is helmet compatible and can fit over a climbing or ski helmet. That hood is complemented with four drawcords to adjust the fit on the head. As an added piece of safety, a RECCO reflector is hidden within the hood, which adds to the jacket’s ski credentials.
We appreciate features like the underarm vents, which help keep you cool when you’re active. Additionally, the jacket provides deep front pockets that are accessible while wearing a harness or backpack. The breast pocket is great for a phone or navigation device.
We also loved the ability to tailor the fit in bad weather with wrist adjustments and a waist cinch. To finalize the weather protection, all the seams in the jacket are sealed, and it utilizes YKK zippers.
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Fit & Sizing
Helly Hansen jackets tend to run trim, which is typical of European sizing. It’s a nice athletic fit, and Cameron’s jacket fits him exceptionally well. However, Natasha has a larger chest and would have been better suited with one size up.
Sizing is very subjective, so we recommend planning for a trim fit. If you can’t try the jacket on in person, the Helly Hansen website has a helpful sizing calculator that can help you find the right size based on your measurements.
Breathability & Comfort
It’s undeniable that we feel well protected in the jacket, and, most importantly, it remains comfortable for all-day wear. As the shell is on the heavier side and extremely robust, it does sacrifice some breathability.
Regardless, it does manage to regulate some temperature and moisture in milder to colder conditions. The addition of pit zips in the jacket helps dump heat in warmer or more humid conditions while still providing protection.
Who Is The Jacket For?
Thanks to its exceptional protection, the Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 Jacket is perfect for those expecting adverse weather. With ample features and Helly Tech Professional fabric, it’s a good investment for anyone who regularly heads into adverse weather conditions.
It’s a great jacket for hikers, climbers, mountaineers, backcountry skiers, and anyone who spends time in environments that can change quickly. With its rugged exterior shell, it’s best for shoulder seasons, winter, or unpredictable climates.
This jacket is a good option for anyone who values durability and long-term use. The thick face fabric does a great job of resisting abrasion from a backpack, rocks, or thick brush, making it a great investment for anyone hard on their gear. We’re pretty confident it will last for many seasons.
If your priority is minimizing pack weight or remaining cool in hot climates, there are better jackets on the market. Helly Hansen even offers lighter jackets better suited for warm climates.
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Final Verdict
The Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds Shell Jacket 3.0 is a reliable hardshell built for serious outdoor adventures. After testing it in winter conditions in the Canadian Rockies and in variable weather in the Alps, it proved exceptional in cold, wet, or windy conditions.
It’s a little heavier than other hardshell jackets, but that extra weight means superior protection and durability. We’ll reach for the jacket whenever we’re heading out in cooler or more adverse weather.
If you’re looking for a waterproof shell that can handle harsh conditions and last for years, the Odin 9 Worlds Shell offers excellent value compared to other premium jackets. It’s a jacket well worth adding to your kit.
