[Review] The Vanir Glacier Down by Helly Hansen

The Vanir Glacier Down Jacket by Helly Hansen is hands down the best down jacket I’ve ever owned for ice climbing. Not only does the Vanir Glacier Down have every feature I could think of as required for an ice-climbing jacket, but it’s also extremely easy to pack, lightweight, and compressible. I love that the Vanir Glacier Down Jacket comes with its own stuff sack and I rarely head out on a winter adventure without this jacket in a pack (or on my body).

The Vanir Glacier Down is one of the warmest down jackets I own but it’s also the one that takes up the least amount of space. This is key, especially for ice climbing adventures, because I feel like no matter what, my pack is always so full and such a cluster. The included stuff sack not only contains this jack so as to protect it, but it also makes it pack down real small. I love that it’s easy to just throw in a pack and go and know that I’ll have a warm layer no matter what.

With it’s lightweight (although durable) construction, I’ve found that even using this jacket in ice-climbing environments, it has held up extremely well. For how durable and lightweight this jacket it is, I feel as though it packs a good punch.

While the Vanir Glacier Down is packed with subtle yet extremely useful features, it’s important to note that it is not a bad looking jacket. The lines are sleek and simple, the colors pop, and yet it’s an entirely usable cold weather, extreme adventure jacket built for the elements.

Some basic features (although worth mentioning) include things like a two way zip so you can access your harness without taking the jacket off, high set hand pockets, ample adjustment in the hood and the softest material where you need it most.

This is different than any down jacket I’ve ever had in that it is a bit of a mix of synthetic insulation and down insulation. Helly Hansen has strategically placed Primaloft® Silver water resistant insulation throughout the jacket in places where it needs it most. The rest of the jacket is using a certified responsibly sourced down for insulation. I think this is a genius idea and it makes sense in every way.

Even though the down is waterproof in areas, it’s important to note that in a downpour or extremely wet pow day, you won’t be super happy in this jacket. The strategic down placement helps keep you comfortable when the weather turns but it’s definitely not a substitute for a waterproof shell.

When we’re ice climbing, I love to wear this jacket as I belay and if it’s really cold, while I’m climbing I’ll have it under my shell. At first, when I got the Vanir Glacier Down jacket I felt like it was a huge puffy jacket that wouldn’t layer well. I couldn’t have been further from the truth with that speculation. This jacket layers nicely under shells because it is so lightweight and packable.

If you’re looking for the ultimate bit of warmth for any winter activity, look no further than the Helly Hansen Vanir Glacier Down. It looks really nice as a day to day jacket but functions amazingly well as an ice climbing (or whatever you want) jacket. It keeps me warm when I need it most and has proved to be the perfect belay jacket.

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