[Review] The Ullr Midlayer Jacket by Helly Hansen

Every few years, a new midlayer love walks right into my life. It takes me by surprise and knocks me off my feet. This year, thanks to Helly Hansen, the midlayer of my life that I just can’t take off is the Ullr Midlayer Jacket. The double-knitted fleece combined with windproof reinforcement on the hood, shoulders, and elbows create the ultimate layer for walking around town or skiing the deepest and steepest powder of your life.

This midlayer is many things but most importantly it is versatile. I’ve hiked, climbed, and skied in the Ullr and the moisture wicking properties have kept me comfortable in a range of temperatures. Because of the way it was designed, it’s easy to use the Ullr as an outerlayer as well as a midlayer.

I’ve had many midlayers in the past where, while it’s my live-in midlayer, if I wore it as an outerlayer it would be destroyed. The Ullr has a toughness to it that allows for that ability.

The YKK zippers are built to outlast the layer but are not an overly difficult zipper to use. The zipper pull is nice and large so when your hands are cooking in your mitts, you’ll be able to unzip without de-mitting.

At first, I was convinced that Helly Hansen was wrong for deeming this a midlayer but as I better got to know it, it is nothing but. When I pulled it out of the box, I knew instantly I’d have a problem layering the Ullr under down jackets and ski jackets alike. I was a little bit disappointed, but knew I would wear it still for a bunch of activities. This November, in a desperate attempt for winter to appear in the high country of Colorado, the temperatures dropped and caught me by surprise. I’d been wearing nothing more than a long sleeve shirt and the Ullr. I didn’t know what to do and in a frantic moment, I threw on what I would call a smaller-fitting down jacket on over my Ullr. I couldn’t believe it! I didn’t even notice the Ullr was underneath the down. It was not restrictive at all. Time and time again, and more so as winter creeps into my life, I am constantly impressed by the Ullr Midlayer Jacket.

While it is an extremely petty insult, the one and only thing that I don’t love about the Ullr is the hand pocket size. I usually have my iPhone handy and, since the only midlayer/outerlayer I’ve been wearing lately is the Ullr, they kind of have to work together. I LOVE how the hand pockets zip closed because it is nice to have the security when heading out on adventures big and small. With the size of the hand pockets, my phone does not fit in, what I’m going to call hotdog style. It fits in, sort of, but falls right back out immediately. It only fits in vertically and then I have to zip the pocket shut in order for my phone to stay in place. Like I said, this is a hugely petty remark, but it is something that I’ve had to train myself to get used to!

Not only is the Ullr Midlayer amazingly versatile, comfortable, and layer-able, it is very stylish! I’ve never gotten more compliments on one single midlayer. People genuinely like the way the Ullr looks and I am one of the many. The Evening Blue is just a gorgeous color and accented with the bright orange, makes it truly a stand out piece in the midlayer world.

*Photos 3, 5, 6, and 8 taken by Giavonna Hunter.