Helly Hansen supplied an XL size Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 waterproof jacket rather than an L size, which turned out fortuitous as it means I can wear this over an insulated jacket without it feeling tight, something I’ve done a few times in bitterly cold winter weather. This means the jacket would be very baggy worn just over a base layer or thin shirt in summer but then this isn’t a jacket for that time of year. It’s very much a burly winter jacket in design and weight.
Chris Townsend’s verdict
For winter mountains this is a great jacket. It is quite heavy though and overkill for summer.- Hood
- Pockets
- recycled content
- Weight
- Price
The fabric is fairly stiff and feels very protective in strong winds. The front pockets run virtually the whole length of the jacket, so the front is effectively double-layer. Breathability is okay but not as good as some – I think having a double-layer on the front is probably part of the reason for this. The emphasis is on keeping the weather out though, and the jacket does that well.
The hood is a big, helmet-compatible one but can be closed down around a hat or bare head without much difficulty. It gives excellent protection and moves with the head. There’s a RECCO reflector built into the big stiff peak.
How Chris tested the Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds 3.0
Chris tested this jacket on day walks and multi day trips in the Cairngorms in the autumn and winter of 2023/24. Conditions included heavy rain, soaking drizzle, blizzards, and ferocious winds. Weights were measured on Chris’s home digital scales.
The huge pockets will swallow a vast amount of gear. The bottom is cut off by a hipbelt but that doesn’t matter. Double zip pullers mean the pockets can be opened from either end or from the centre. There’s also a smaller chest pocket that’s great for a compass or smartphone, items that would disappear in the big pockets.
The underarm zips have double zip pullers too. They are quite stiff and a bit awkward to use. Wide cuffs fit over gloves and allow ventilation to the arms.
For winter mountains this is a great jacket. It is quite heavy though and overkill for summer.
Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 Tech Specs
| Price | $475 / £440 |
| Weight | 610g (size UK XL) |
| Materials | Helly Tech Professional 3-layer 68% recycled polyamide/32% polyamide |
| Hood | wired and laminated peak, rear and side adjusters, helmet compatible |
| Front Closure | one-way watertight zip |
| Underarm/Side Arm Zips | underarm |
| Pockets | 3 external |
| Hem | elastic drawcord |
| Cuffs | hook and loop closure |
| Sizes | S-2XL |
| Women’s version | Yes |
| Brand Site | https://www.hellyhansen.com/en_gb |
