First look: Helly Hansen Men’s Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket 2.0

Founded in Norway in 1877, Helly Hansen has built a global reputation for creating professional-grade outdoor gear that performs in the harshest environments.

From pioneering waterproof oilskins for sailors to developing industry-leading technologies like LIFA base layers and HELLY TECH waterproof-breathable fabrics, the brand has been at the forefront of innovation for nearly 150 years. Today, Helly Hansen is a trusted name in performance ski apparel, technical sailing gear and premium outdoor clothing – designed to keep people warm, dry and safe on oceans, mountains and trails around the world.

But Helly Hansen’s kit isn’t just about surviving the wildest conditions - it’s also about thriving on everyday adventures. And, as a new survey by Helly Hansen of 2,000 Brits revealed, those adventures are usually best enjoyed together.

Two-thirds of respondents (67%) said they prefer to share their outdoor activities with partners, family, friends or children, rather than going it alone. The reasons were compelling: 47% said companionship brought camaraderie and support, 34% reported it boosted their mental health, 28% said it built their confidence and 27% felt safer outdoors with company.

That spirit of shared adventure sits perfectly alongside Helly Hansen’s philosophy. Whether you’re hiking through the hills, summiting alpine peaks or carving down snowy slopes, Helly Hansen jackets are designed with versatility at their core - offering reliable protection and comfort so you can feel alive on every journey, and stay alive when conditions turn extreme.

And that is precisely what the Men’s Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket 2.0 aims to be: a jacket that helps you feel truly alive in the great outdoors, whether you’re adventuring solo or with friends. Billed as delivering “unwavering weather defence in fluctuating rainy, windy and snowy conditions”, here is everything you need to know about this premium waterproof hard shell jacket.

Waterproofing and construction

The Verglas Infinity Shell 2.0 is built with HELLY TECH PROFESSIONAL, a three-layer construction that’s designed for extreme wet, windy and snowy conditions. The shell is fully seam sealed, as you’d expect for high-end alpine, ski and mountaineering gear, so water ingress at seams is prevented.

One of the more interesting construction features is the use of LIFA INFINITY technology. It augments the waterproof fabric with moisture-moving properties, helping sweat or internal moisture escape while keeping external water out.

Also, there’s a ripstop outer for durability: the shell fabric is ripstop polyester (in recycled fibre form) which helps resist tears or snags when brushing past branches, ice axes or general mountainous abuse.

Overall, on paper therefore, the waterproofing and construction are both top tier. The jacket is classed as “extremely waterproof” by Helly Hansen, achieving a minimum hydrostatic head rating (the technical measurement of a fabric’s waterproofing) of 20,000mm. By most industry standards, this is considered a premium grade.

Breathability and ventilation

Because this is a 3-layer, HELLY TECH PROFESSIONAL shell, breathability is very good for its class – it scores a 6/6 score on Helly Hansen’s internal breathability grading system, achieving an “extremely breathable” rating.

That’s the same level of performance you get with a higher-priced, premium jacket from the top of Helly Hansen’s range, such as the £440 Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 jacket (read our full review here) or the £600 Helly Hansen Odin Mountain Infinity 3L Shell (read our full review here). Part of the Verglas’s success in terms of breathability comes from the LIFA INFINITY membrane, which helps move moisture from inside to out - a crucial process when you’re exerting effort on a steep slope or breaking trail in snow.

Ventilation is aided by underarm pit zips. These are strategically placed to help dump heat when you need it. While they won’t magically make this jacket feel like an ultralight, super-thin summer waterproof, they help prevent over-heating in mixed or variable conditions.

One caveat: because it’s designed for serious protection, breathability won’t quite match lighter 2-layer or ultra-light shells. The weight and robust membrane mean there’s more fabric and material layers that moisture has to pass through. However for hiking, mountaineering and ski touring, the breathability appears very well balanced against waterproof performance.

Weight and packability

The Verglas Infinity Shell 2.0 weighs approximately 500g for a men’s medium size. That’s solid for a three-layer shell with all its protections (seams, ripstop, helmet-compatible hood etc.). It’s not ultralight by any stretch, but it’s not absurd either - this is the kind of piece you expect to carry on tough days, not stash in your pocket.

Helly Hansen class this jacket as a 4 out of 6 in terms of lightness, as part of the brand’s internal scoring system. This is classed as “lightweight”, but not “very lightweight” or “extremely lightweight”. Consequently its all-round packability is good, but not exceptional – an understandable balancing act when protection and robustness are priorities alongside weight.

Size, fit, comfort and freedom of movement

The fit is described as regular and the jacket includes design elements to accommodate layering underneath. When reaching up (say for a ski pole plant, or alpine climbing moves), the shell doesn’t seem to restrict motion. The articulation and cut allow shoulder and arm movement without tugging.

The hood is helmet compatible, which is important for ski touring or mountaineering. You can adjust both the waist hem and hood (behind the head and around edges) so you can seal things up in bad weather.

The wrist cuffs use hook-and-loop Velcro for adjustment. Comfort wise, the collar comes up fairly high giving good chin and neck protection when fully zipped; while the pockets are placed for accessibility even when wearing backpacks or harnesses.

Features and functionality

Here the jacket delivers many of the bells and whistles you want:

Helmet-compatible hood: Can be adjusted and works with helmets.

RECCO reflector: Built in for search-and-rescue situations. Nice safety bonus.

Ripstop fabric outer: adds durability.

Fully seam sealed: no weak points at the seams in normal use.

Durable Water Repellency (DWR): treatment on outer face to help water bead and run off.

Adjustment features: cuffs, hem and hood.

The jacket also prioritises real-world functionality: access when wearing a harness or backpack, good pocket placement, and a cut (with a dropped tail over the backside) that delivers all-round coverage and protection in severe conditions.

Sustainability

Helly Hansen has used recycled materials in the shell. The shell fabric (outer layer, ripstop) is 100% recycled polyester. The DWR treatment is PFC-free (no long-chain PFAS chemicals), which is increasingly important both for environmental impact and regulatory pressure.

Also, the use of LIFA INFINITY membrane helps reduce the need for more toxic solvents in waterproofing (compared to some older methods). Helly Hansen touts its waterproof membrane technologies in this shell as being more environmentally considered.

Verdict

Overall, the Verglas Infinity Shell 2.0 appears to be an excellent choice for anyone who needs serious protection in volatile, wet or snowy mountain environments — hikers, ski-tourers and mountaineers.

It offers a strong balance of waterproofing, breathability, durability and functional features. If you regularly push into bad weather, this is a shell you can trust, and all at a reasonable price compared to top-tier jackets that can burn a hole in your pocket north of £500.

For more information visit: www.hellyhansen.com