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Monday, December 10, 2012

Gear Institute's 2012 Ski Jacket Reviews: Helly Hansen Enigma

The Helly Hansen Enigma is a full-featured snowsports jacket with a stretchy shell and synthetic (Primaloft) and down insulation system

By:
Enigma. Photo: Helly Hansen

THE GOOD
    •    Stretchy material for dynamic riding and a good fit.
    •    Full-featured for snowsports.
    •    Venting system superior to pit zips.
    •    RECCO system.
    •    Helmet compatible hood.

THE BAD
    •    A bit heavy.
    •    Very expensive.

THE VERDICT
Helly Hansen’s Enigma is an excellent and well-designed jacket—versatile, nicely fitting, and built with top-shelf materials, like stretchy waterproof fabric, Primaloft, and down insulation. It has a superior ventilation system than most super-warm ski jackets, making it a more versatile choice for spring-like or frigid conditions. Bummer: it’s heavier than most similar jackets (3.5 pounds) and very expensive.

Read the full review at Gear Institute, a network of the best outdoor gear testers in America, dedicated to providing the most professional, objective, and helpful advice you can get about the gear you depend on.

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