Helly Hansen Blaze Softshell Jacket review: Versatile, comfy and reliable

The Helly Hansen Blaze Softshell Jacket is a midweight layer aimed at hikers, backpackers and general mountain-goers who want a balance of stretch, protection and comfort without breaking the bank.

It uses a 4-way stretch double-weave softshell fabric (47% recycled polyamide, 41% virgin polyamide, 12% elastane) with a PFC-free DWR. The result is a smooth yet soft-feeling jacket that offers excellent freedom of movement and good weather protection.

Weighing 440g in a men’s large, the Blaze weighs about average when compared against the alternatives in our best softshell jackets round-up. It’s warmer and tougher than ultralight windshirts or the lightest, simplest softshells but still breathable and mobile enough for active use across spring, summer and autumn.

The cut is athletic yet accommodating, with good coverage in the arms and torso, and thoughtful seam placement that avoids chafing. Details like mesh-lined handwarmer pockets, a cinchable hood with a stiffened brim and a reverse-coil main zip with storm flap elevate the Blaze above more basic rivals.

At a UK RRP of £130, it offers solid value (but shop around, as we’ve seen it for around £100). Though not as light or technical as some alternatives, it outperforms many in comfort and everyday usability, making it a smart choice for most outdoor users who need a reliable layer in changeable conditions.

Fabrics and stretch

The Blaze uses a classic midweight softshell fabric that balances breathability, mobility and all-round weather protection. It’s a double-weave nylon-elastane blend with 4-way stretch, giving a smooth outer face with a softer, slightly textured inner for great next to skin comfort.

The fabric also incorporates recycled fibres and is bluesign-approved, which are both plusses in terms of sustainability. The specific composition is 47% recycled polyamide, 41% virgin polyamide and 12% elastane, finished with a PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) treatment.

The high proportion of elastane in the fabric blend delivers loads of stretch for first-class freedom of movement, while the nylon should ensure better durability than polyester-based rivals.

It’s still a fairly light fabric, so don’t subject it to too much punishment, but after a couple of months of regular wear testing on various yomps across Snowdonia, it showed no real signs of abrasion.

Weatherproofing

The fabric isn't 100% windproof but still delivers adequate protection in breezy and blustery conditions, keeping off the worst of the wind while retaining a high degree of permeability and breathability.

It’s a slightly heavier weight than that found in the lightest softshells on the market, like Black Diamond’s Alpine Start or Rab’s Borealis, which means you’ll overheat more quickly than in those types of jackets – but on the other hand, you also get a bit more warmth and weather protection from the Blaze.

All in all, it’s a good performer for 2-3 season use from late spring through to early autumn, though not quite burly enough for winter use (Helly’s Odin Pro Shield Hybrid being the brand’s winter-weight softshell).

Like almost all softshell jackets, the Blaze is water resistant rather than fully waterproof. The DWR coating repels light rain but the fabric will soon wet out in a heavy downpour. It’s fairly quick drying though, which is a benefit on multi-day backpacking or trekking trips.

Fit, comfort and weight

The Blaze is one of the best-fitting softshell jackets I’ve tested. It suits my rangy build perfectly (for reference, I’m 6ft 4in, with a 42” chest and 34” waist). The men’s size large was ideal, with plenty of length in the arms and torso, plus a slightly dropped tail that delivers a bit of welcome rear protection.

The fit is trim without feeling too snug. It lacks the more aggressively tapered cut of some technical, climber-focused brands such as Mountain Equipment and La Sportiva, which tend to be generously sized around the chest and shoulders but very slim around the midriff.

Still, the Blaze feels relatively athletic and streamlined, and should suit a multitude of body shapes and builds. It’s a good choice for hikers, hillwalkers and backpackers, but would still work for occasional scrambling and climbing too.

The fabric is soft and comfortable, thanks to that in-built stretch and the pleasantly textured inner face. Seams are sensibly positioned so as not to cause irritation, being slightly offset at the shoulders and with seamless underarm panels that extend right down to the hemline.

We particularly like the cuff design, which has an elasticated panel at the inner wrist. This ensures sleeves taper nicely at the wrist without needing to use a bulky Velcro-style closure or elastic binding.

The Blaze weighs 440g in a men’s large, which puts it squarely in the midweight category of softshell jackets. It’s double the weight of the lightest softshells and windshirts on the market, but not as hefty (or bulky) as rivals like the Mammut Ultimate VII, the Keela Hydron or the Alpkit Resolute.

As such, it strikes a decent middle ground – you can wear it as a standalone wind-resistant outer layer in spring or summer, and layered under an insulated jacket and/or a waterproof hard shell in colder conditions.

It offers similar warmth to 100gsm fleece, and is just as comfortable while also being more wind and water-resistant. And while it offers similar weather protection to a windproof jacket, you’re getting the added benefits of a soft and stretchy softshell fabric.

Features: Pockets, hood and ventilation

Most of the features we look for in a three-season softshell are present and correct. In this regard, the Blaze gives you a lot more functionality than lighter softshell jackets like the Rab Borealis, Black Diamond Alpine Start, Montane Tenacity Nano or Mountain Equipment Arrow Hooded.

There are well-placed zippered hand pockets, which are positioned high enough so as to not obstruct a rucksack hipbelt. They’re also mesh-lined, so if you want added ventilation, you can unzip them for a bit of extra cooling.

The zippers are small and unobtrusive, and are also reverse-coil designs for a bit more weather protection (but don’t rely on them to keep electronics dry in proper wet weather). Similarly, the main zip is also a reverse-coil type and is backed with a storm flap for additional protection from wind and light rain.

It zips right up to the throat, which works well with the grown-on hood to create a snug feel in blustery weather. The hood also has dual drawcord adjustment around the face, with simple but effective cordlocks to cinch it in quickly and easily. You also get a slightly stiffened peak at the brim. All in all, it’s significantly more protective and weather-resistant than the simple elastic-bound hoods of lighter, flimsier rivals.

As we mentioned earlier, cuffs are stretchy and snug-fitting. The hem has a single drawcord adjustment at the right-hand side to prevent draughts whipping up your back.

Price and competition

The Helly Hansen Blaze Softshell has a UK RRP of £130, but we’ve seen it available online for £100 in a full range of sizes and colours. That already makes a fairly priced jacket even better value. It’s not a particularly technical jacket, and it’s slightly heavier than some higher-end rivals, but it’s actually a very versatile piece.

If you want something a bit more technical but with a similarly soft and comfortable feel, look at the Mountain Equipment Arrow Hooded Jacket (£100) or the Thrudark Veles (£165). The Arrow has a more fleece-like feel with a trimmer cut, while the Veles brings additional durability and a more refined build.

Alternatively, you could look at a more traditional wind jacket, like the Paramo Velez Windproof (£125). It’s a lot lighter than the Blaze and has some nifty features (though it lacks a hood). But it lacks the stretch comfort of a softshell.

If you want something warmer and more protective, then consider the Alpkit Resolute (£120), the Keela Hydron (£150) or Helly Hansen’s own burlier offering, the Odin Pro Shield Hybrid (£190). But all are heavier, bulkier and arguably less versatile than the Blaze.

If you want maximum weather protection in a softshell jacket, then you’ll need to up your budget. The pinnacle is probably the well-proven Mammut Ultimate VII Softshell (£240), which uses Gore’s latest Infinium Windstopper fabric.

Otherwise, there’s the Berghaus Ridge Roamer (£270, but shop around), or the Peak Performance Explore (£200), which both use thicker softshell fabrics that sandwich a PU membrane between a sturdy outer and a soft inner. These all give you added water resistance compared to the Blaze’s double-weave fabric but comes at the cost of breathability.

Verdict

Overall, the Helly Hansen Blaze is a smartly designed, comfortable, and weather-resistant softshell that’s ideal for three-season mountain use – especially if you can grab it below retail price.

About the author

Matt Jones is a freelance journalist based in the heart of Snowdonia National Park, he’s a vastly experienced gear tester and self-confessed outdoor kit geek. Matt’s been one of our main gear testers for the last couple of years and is the first person we call with any complicated kit queries that need in-depth and forensic analysis.