Product

Helly Hansen Enigma Flow Down Jacket

Promise

Combining the protection of a shell jacket with the warmth, lightness and comfort of down insulation.

Performance

This supremely advanced innovation from Helly Hansen creates a fundamental jacket for extreme weather conditions at altitude. The Flo2w System has been developed to keep you warm or cool depending on the environment and your exertions.

Using nature’s own goose down 90/10/800 body insulation under HH’s own strict ethical ‘code of conduct’, the Enigma Flow Down couples this unsurpassed warmth-to-weight ratio with a fully taped Helly Tech O2 20,000mm waterproof shell that’s equally breathable. 4-way Dynamic Stretch and Thinsulate Flex 40g insulation simply adds to your comfort.

Unique mesh vents either side of the front zip can be opened to allow air flow around the down pads throughout the inside of the jacket. This is the Flo2w mechanical venting system at work. A minor drawback is that a biting head wind can penetrate these zips to some degree.

A multitude of fine detailing over every aspect of this jacket really showcases Helly Hansen’s mission to protect you in the harshest of environments. Most notable being the HH Warm Balaclava, zipped into the inside back with the same wicking material used for the wrist gaiters – warm when wet and fast-drying,unlike its Lycra competitors.

An interior comms pocket and utility pocket might struggle to fit bulky ski googles as the graphics suggest but the zip away powder skirt is a bonus if you’re using it for more general pursuits as is the overall weight – approximately 1.56kg.

More subtle designs involve clipped-away bungee toggles, a goggle wipe in one of the two chest pockets, a well hidden ski pass stash on the sleeve and an equally hidden rear pocket that could hold the removable hood. The hood (large enough for helmets) has a unique zip and clip fastening system with hidden draw cord clasps. The very handy zip on the rear of the collar improves neck space when layering up and reinforced shoulder prints protect against pack rub.

Verdict

For the amount of features the Enigma Flow Down Jacket has, it’s remarkably light. It’s no secret then why this coat is so expensive – incorporating a myriad of Helly Hansen’s extreme protection fabrics and practical detailing is bound to add up. It’s the perfect partner to a pair of Enigma pants when you head above the tree-line this winter.