Seems great! Ultimately returned it.
- Familiarity: I returned this product before using it
- Fit: Runs small
- Size Bought: M
I purchased this layer, along with a Mountain Hardwear Thermostatic jacket. The Helix is well-constructed, and warms up quickly while remaining breathable. I ultimately returned it for a few reasons:
1. The Helix lacks packability, and does not store into its own pocket. This feature was important to me for use as a pillow when camping and convenience to carry when climbing. The Helix is also heavier than the MH Thermostatic, though more than made up for this with its warmth-to-weight ratio.
2. The sleeves were a tad short, making use of the thumb loops awkward. For comparison, I am 5'10", 170-ish lb with a 42 inch chest, 32 inch waist and tried a size M. The jacket looked stylish and fit well otherwise.
3. Perhaps this resulted from the improper fit, but I found my range of motion somewhat limited by the jacket. As I purchased this for use while hiking and climbing, this was a point against the jacket. If your measurements are similar to mine, I might recommend ordering a medium and a large to compare the fit.
This would be a great layer to own for its more intended purpose of skiing, hiking, and casual usage. I was looking for a climbing/hiking/casual layer, and ultimately went with a layer more geared toward my needs. I wish the Helix would have worked better for my purposes; I had hoped to test the durability of Icebreaker's MerinoLoft tech.
Cheers,
Oscar