Helly Hansen Alpha Lifaloft Jacket - Men's for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides

8.0
out of 10
1 Positive, 1 Mixed & 0 Negative
from 2 Reviews
Retail Price:
$550.00
Used Value:
$330.00
Sale Value:
$495.00

Snowy weather doesn't send you running into the lodge—if anything it sends you running out of it and back onto the mountain. That's why you bring the Helly Hansen Alpha Lifaloft Jacket everywhere from your local hill to far-flung pow-chasing trips. The waterproof and breathable HellyTech Performance membrane keeps out moisture from driving snow so your internal climate stays dry and comfortable even as you kick up a few huge pow turns. Inside the jacket is Helly Hansen's innovative Lifaloft insulation, which was designed in tandem with PrimaLoft to give you toasty insulation that manages to stay light in weight without sacrificing an ounce of warmth. That way you'll be able to move more freely on the slopes while also having a jacket that's not hard to bring along on globe-trotting ski trips. Also helping you move is the four-way stretch fabric, which you'll appreciate as you shoot tight tree gaps in the woods and rip it up down your favorite bump run. Meanwhile, a high-visibility hood ensures that you'll still be able to see well when you batten down the hatches in snowy weather (that's why you're out there right?), and a special insulated Lifepocket+ keeps your phone well protected from the cold so you've got a full day of juice even in cold conditions. 

HELLY TECH® professional fabric

The Helly Tech® Professional fabric is designed with a two-layer construction that consists of a durable outer shell and a waterproof, breathable membrane. The outer layer is made of a water-repellent fabric that is designed to repel moisture and prevent water from seeping through. This layer also has a fully taped construction, which ensures that no water can penetrate the seams. The inner membrane is a waterproof, breathable layer that is designed to keep you dry and comfortable while remaining breathable and lightweight.

LIFALOFT™ insulation

Perfect choice for any outdoor adventure. Featuring LIFALOFT™ insulation, this jacket provides superior warmth and comfort for all your outdoor activities. The insulation is lightweight, compressible and breathable, making it ideal for all weather conditions. The jacket is also highly wind-resistant and water-repellent, so you'll stay warm and comfortable even in the harshest conditions. The jacket also features a detachable hood, a storm flap, adjustable cuffs and a drawcord hem, so you can adjust the fit and keep the elements at bay. The jacket also has multiple pockets, so you can easily store your essentials while you're on the go. Whether you're hitting the slopes, exploring the trails or just out and about, this jacket will keep you warm and comfortable.

Specifications

Brand:
Center Back Length:
30in
Claimed Weight:
2lb 10oz
Fit:
regular
Hood:
detachable, helmet-compatible
Insulation:
80g LifaLoft
Length:
hip
Manufacturer Warranty:
limited lifetime
Material:
[membrane/laminate] Helly Tech Performance, [face fabric] 89% nylon, 11% elastane, DWR coating
Pockets:
1 pass, 1 Lifepocket+, 1 zippered chest
RECCO:
yes
Recommended Use:
skiing, snowboarding
Seams:
fully sealed
Venting:
H2Flow System (underarm vents)
Waterproof Rating:
20,000mm

Full Reviews

10
I bought this jacket to go on a ski trip in 2020. I had been using more of a Parka from another brand so it was a bit longer than the HH. The Helly Hansen is a great jacket if you are a better skier than I am. When upright, it locks you in, I was at 10,000 ft on some very cold (-5 to -10), windy and snowy days this trip and it blocks out the wind like a champ! Waterproofing is top notch! Fit is a bit tighter in the chest than I would have anticipated, but once on the hill, it fit great, I have never purchased an actual "Ski jacket" before so it took a slight amount of getting used to how it fit. The Life pocket with Insulation really did it's job by not allowing the cold to zap my phone battery while on the mountain. I admit I am a novice skier at best. I took a few tumbles and even with the powder skirt snapped into place, one spill shot snow right up my back. I can't say that I blame the coat, but I didn't have this problem last year on the hill with the "parka" coat I was wearing. It kept me warm, it kept the snow out when upright, looks great, moves wonderfully and hits all the marks!
Aaron R., backcountry.com
March 25, 2020
6
After an exhaustive search for a new insulated ski jacket, I narrowed it down to the Patagonia Powderbowl and Snowshot and the Helly Hansen Alpha 3.0 and Alpha Lifaloft. When I put on the Alpha 3.0 and Lifaloft, they felt warmer and more comfortable. The "life pocket" in the HH jackets to keep your phone warm seems like an excellent idea, but I haven't been able to figure out exactly which of the pockets it is. I reached out to HH support, but NEVER heard back...not a good sign. I was also a bit spooked by the folks complaining about the HH jackets ripping on tree branches and quickly fading. The HH jackets are nearly identical, but I discovered that the Lifaloft has a number of technical advantages: -Lifaloft insulation is supposed to be 20% warmer -Lifaloft jacket has more robust zippers with better seals -Lifaloft jacket has a slightly different back venting system -Lifaloft jacket has much fluffier collar insulation that should provide more warmth Unfortunately, the Alpha Lifaloft jacket only comes in three colors none of which suited my style. The blues are pretty dull and the orange is WAY too much. The Alpha 3.0 has a bunch of color options that are pretty great. Ultimately, I decided not to buy either of the HH jackets because of the durability issues and potentially poor warranty support. They seemed like good jackets for a short term purchase, but not something you can keep for years like the Patagonia jackets, which are more durable and have comparable features with excellent warranty support.
FleetFoot, backcountry.com
January 3, 2020