Review: Helly Hansen Women's Powchaser Lifaloft Insulated Jacket

Published on 07/25/2023 · 3 min readCurated Winter Sports Expert Clare W. shares her experience with using the Helly Hansen Women's Powchaser Lifaloft Insulated Jacket. Note that experts are not sponsored by any brands; these are their honest opinions.
Clare W, Ski Expert
By Ski Expert Clare W
9 photos
Photo by Clare W

The Curated Take

4.7/5

The Helly Hansen Women's Powchaser LifaLoft Insulated Jacket is ideal for versatile skiers dealing with fluctuating temperatures and weather conditions. It utilizes LifaLoft insulation for warmth and breathability, aiding in temperature regulation. Key features like underarm vents and a helmet-compatible hood boost comfort and adaptability. Despite its limitations in extremely cold and heavy rain conditions, its waterproofing capability and overall durability make it a reliable choice. Its aesthetic appeal and functional design also add to its attractiveness.

Ideal for
  • Warm and great for temperature regulation.
  • Really comfortable and lightweight.
  • Has a lot of convenient features like helmet compatibility and convenient pockets.
Not ideal for
  • Does not have as high waterproofing as others; the user may get wet in the rain.
Breathability
Clare W, Curated Expert
I've found this jacket to have great breathability. Helly Hansen's LifaLoft insulation efficiently wicks away moisture while trapping warm air, keeping me comfortable and dry in cold and warm weather....Read more
Comfort
Clare W, Curated Expert
This jacket is super comfortable for me. I love the mobility it gives me. I have a full range of motion in my upper body and arms, no matter what....Read more
Warmth
Clare W, Curated Expert
The only time I felt cold creeping in on me was on a very windy subzero day in the East. This jacket couldn't really keep up in that kind of...Read more
Durability
Clare W, Curated Expert
Helly Hansen designs their jackets to withstand harsh weather conditions, rough terrain, and heavy use. Founded in 1877, the company boasts the longevity and durability of its products, and rightly...Read more
Aesthetics
Clare W, Curated Expert
I'm not afraid to admit that aesthetics is a huge deciding factor in any ski gear I buy. The combination of colors in this jacket really makes it stand out...Read more
Waterproofing
Clare W, Curated Expert
Staying warm and dry is crucial while skiing, and so far, I've found this jacket is doing an excellent job for me. This jacket is part of the Helly Hansen...Read more

Expert Reviews of the Helly Hansen Women's Powchaser Lifaloft Insulated Jacket

Clare W I've been using this ski jacket for one entire ski season, and I'm in love with it. I ski all over the mountain, from groomers to trees and everything in between, so my body temperature fluctuates a lot depending on how hard I'm skiing. To make things even more challenging, the wind and weather on East Coast mountains can be unpredictable and very cold. This jacket has really helped me regulate my temperature amidst all these different factors. The LifaLoft insulation makes it warm but not heavy or bulky, so I have a full range of motion in my arms and upper body. It is breathable and has awesome features like underarm vents to help if I get too hot. The helmet-compatible hood keeps all wind and weather out when I'm cold, significantly increasing the jacket's warmth. The only time I ran into problems staying warm was when skiing at -20°F, in which case, one should consider a coat with more insulation than this one. The waterproofing in this jacket is great in everything except heavy rain, but even still, it can hold its own in light rain and wet snow.

Product Specs

GenderWomen's
Age GroupAdult
Featured technologyYKK VISLON® AquaGuard®, RECCO®, The Life Pocket™
FeaturesWaterproof, Hood, Insulated, Powder skirt, Pit zips/Venting, Seam-sealed, Thumb loops
StyleFull-Zip, Hoodie
MaterialPolyester/Polyester blend, Thermoplastic polyurethane

Review Ratings

Breathability

5/5
Clare W gave 5 of 5 stars. I've found this jacket to have great breathability. Helly Hansen's LifaLoft insulation efficiently wicks away moisture while trapping warm air, keeping me comfortable and dry in cold and warm weather. I've used this jacket on both warm spring days and cold, windy days, and my body can breathe in both conditions.

Comfort

5/5
Clare W gave 5 of 5 stars. This jacket is super comfortable for me. I love the mobility it gives me. I have a full range of motion in my upper body and arms, no matter what. The underarm vents and helmet-compatible hood help regulate my temperature, while the powder skirt, wide-sleeve cuffs, and thumb-hole wrist gaiters keep all the snow out. There's even a little goggle shammy attached to the arm pocket to keep ice and snow off my goggles.

Warmth

4/5
Clare W gave 4 of 5 stars. The only time I felt cold creeping in on me was on a very windy subzero day in the East. This jacket couldn't really keep up in that kind of cold. There are other jacket options with more insulation than this one that would be able to. Other than that, I've had no issues with warmth, especially when I pair this jacket with a couple of good layers underneath.

Durability

5/5
Clare W gave 5 of 5 stars. Helly Hansen designs their jackets to withstand harsh weather conditions, rough terrain, and heavy use. Founded in 1877, the company boasts the longevity and durability of its products, and rightly so. They incorporate a system called "Helly Tech," which combines a DWR-treated outer layer with a breathable and waterproof membrane layer and, finally, a breathable lining underneath. Many customers have reported that their jackets have lasted for years and still look and perform like new. My jacket still looks new after a full season of skiing and constant use.

Aesthetics

5/5
Clare W gave 5 of 5 stars. I'm not afraid to admit that aesthetics is a huge deciding factor in any ski gear I buy. The combination of colors in this jacket really makes it stand out on the slopes. Not only does it look good, but the design is also functional, with plenty of pockets and adjustable features. I've received several compliments on it already.

Waterproofing

4/5
Clare W gave 4 of 5 stars. Staying warm and dry is crucial while skiing, and so far, I've found this jacket is doing an excellent job for me. This jacket is part of the Helly Hansen Professional line, which is designed to withstand all the elements during outdoor activities. It has a waterproof rating of 20,000mm, which is on the upper end of the waterproof scale, and it takes quite a bit of water before the outer shell starts to leak. I've had no issues with this one so far, but GORE-TEX jackets are a better option if someone wants something more truly waterproof in any condition. 

FAQs

What was your favorite moment with this gear?

Clare W My favorite moment with this jacket was the first time I hit the slopes with it. It was a cold, windy day. With my old jacket, the wind coming through my front zipper would have thoroughly chilled me by mid-afternoon. I was so happy to find myself completely guarded from the wind in this jacket. With my hood up and the jacket zipped to the top, none of that cold air got through to my body. I comfortably skied the whole day while some of my friends complained of being cold.

Why did you choose this product?

Clare W Skiing in the East can be challenging because one day, it will be sunny and warm, and the very next day, the wind chill will make skiing intolerable without the right gear. I chose this jacket because of its high-tech, lightweight insulation to keep me warm on those wind-chilling days and its breathability and ventilation system to keep me cool on warm, sunny days. On top of that, I love the aesthetics.

What is the value for the money versus other options?

Clare W When I started researching jackets that fit my needs, I found most of them to be around $100-$300 more than this one, with the only major difference being that other jackets have a waterproof rating that's a bit higher. This jacket has done just fine, even on pretty wet days. If someone is consistently exposed to heavy, wet snow and steady rain, paying more for a jacket with a higher waterproof rating may be worth it.

What do you love about this product?

Clare W I love how many awesome features this jacket has. The lightweight insulation and breathability make regulating my temperature easy, and features like the underarm vents and helmet-compatible hood make a huge difference. The many pockets are convenient for stashing my phone, ski pass, and even a snack for the lift. To make things even better, it's super cute, and I love the contrast between the blue jacket and the bright orange accents.

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