With its 4-layer HELLY TECH fabric and the best hood we’ve tested, the Aegir Race offers elite protection. Is it worth the premium price
Norwegian brand Helly Hansen has been making waterproofs since 1877 when Captain Helly Juel Hansen and his wife Maren discovered that by soaking linen in linseed oil they could make water-resistant clothing.
Its latest Aegir Race waterproof boating jacket is rather more sophisticated and spans the gap between its regular Skagen Offshore jacket (£325) and its top spec Aegir Ocean 2.0 (£1,200). It’s available in three colours (yellow, black and red) and sizes from S to 2XL. The yellow one is currently discounted to £490 online.
Made from a four-layer HELLY TECH fabric with sturdy taped seams and reinforced Cordura panels around the elbows and seat, it feels stiffer and heavier than some but also more robust. To counter this, the opening uses a heavy-duty waterproof zip with a single inner storm flap. We found the zip a little awkward to engage and stiff to pull up or down but less bulky than multiple exterior storm flaps with fiddly velcro patches.
Adjustable cuffs form a tight seal and we rated the collar and hood arrangement with its soft face guard and sturdy hood, with clear peak and sides, as the best of the bunch.
The cargo pockets aren’t as big as some but waterproof zips ensure they stay dry. We would have liked to see waist-level handwarmers behind them as the chest ones aren’t easily accessible when wearing a lifejacket. A seamless shoulder design (the place where jackets tend to leak first) helped it fly through our waterproof tests and it feels like it will continue to do so for many years to come, as you would hope given its premium pricing.
Specifications: Fabric: 4-layer Helly Tech® Professional | Sizes: S-2XL (Men); XS-XL (Women) | Weight: 1,200g | Pockets: 2 cargo, 2 handwarmers, 1 inner
Pros
- Best-in-class hood and collar arrangement | Streamlined design with no bulky outer flaps | Exceptional durability and waterproofing
Cons
- Waterproof zip can be stiff to operate | Handwarmers are hard to reach under a lifejacket
