Feathered Friends

Helios Hooded Down Jacket

This jacket. So good it almost has me speechless. In ripping wind and arctic cold south of -40 degrees F, this jacket kept me warm with nothing more than a light base layer underneath.

Given the generous amount of loft, it’s surprising how small it packs down. An arctic expedition kit is expansive, so there really isn’t any room for non-essentials. The Helios saves on precious space and is worth its weight in gold. A standout feature for me is the pockets. They essentially just have an elastic opening, but they are so efficient that you don’t lose any heat when trying to get frozen hands into them.

This one’s a no brainer…if you’re going to be spending real time in dangerously cold environments, pull the trigger on this.