Kraig Becker sent me an early prototype of a Helly Hansen LifaLoft jacket for my 2019 trip to Patagonia. I wore it non-stop for a couple of months cycling and hiking in wet, windy and sometimes cold weather.
LIFALOFT
is not down. It’s arguably lighter and warmer.
The idea is to trap a maximum amount of air in a small space. And due to the hydrophobic properties of LIFA®, LIFALOFT has an inherent water repellency that should keep you warm, even when wet.
It worked for me as advertised.
Glacier Vinciguerra, Ushuaia, Argentina
Cerro Guanaco trail, Tierra del Fuego National Park, Argentina under a rain shell
The best test came when I got caught in a surprise downpour while hiking without my shell. I was worried.
But next morning the LifaLoft looked and felt 100% perfect.
Kraig sent me this to replace my FAILED Columbia OutDry down jacket. It was useless after 7 months.
The Helly Hansen is far superior. The Colombia failed — I think — because it couldn’t handle being frequently compressed into a stuff sack. The HH LifaLoft seems much more durable.
In Patagonia Helly Hansen is the go-to brand for serious sailers and outdoors-people. Developed in Norway, HH is tested under the worst weather conditions.
For future hikes in moderate weather where weight is a big consideration, I’ll be carrying the LifaLoft and just a waterproof ultra-light Frogg Toggs shell.
