Customer Reviews Outdoor Research Helium Rain Full Brim Hat

I was seeking a compact, light hat for a trip to a rainy climate. This garment is feather light and folds flat as a pancake. Probably, after viewing other Outdoor Research products, I mistakenly thought that the adjustable chin strap was removeable, and the headband could be tightened. This is not the case. The negatives relate to fashion and aesthetics, although it is unlikely that any raingear could include those qualities. A friend told me that I look like a combination of Portuguese fisherman and Jesuit priest, without intending offence to either cohort, I hope. If looking goofy and staying dry is appealing to you, then this product is perfect. I will keep it, because self-deprecation has been recommended by philosophers of stoicism, or so I am told by Alexa. I would urge anyone to purchase and enjoy this hat with gusto.

This hat is surprisingly light but does a great job.

5

Yes, I've already tested this hat in a storm and was delighted that it performed as advertised. Quite unlike others I have that leaked around the brim in heavy rains.

Good quality

So far, so good. Very light and packable, too.

I was looking at this hat and the Seattle Rain Hat as a replacement for a non-OR rain hat whose membrane was delaminating. I chose the Helium over the Seattle because while I like the ability to flip up the brim on the Seattle, I don't like the use of Velcro for that (my old hat used magnets). Velcro catches on other garments, especially anything knit, gets dirty easily, and wears out quickly. I also wish the Helium used a 3-layer waterproof fabric, as the former owner of a 2-layer hat. I do like the reflective logos, how light the hat is, the wide brim, and (so far) the waterproofness of the Pertex Diamond Shield material. Four stars.

Keeps your head dry and warm on rainy days and cool and shaded on sunny ones. Wish the brim was a little wider but best hat out there. This is my 3rd one from OR.

I wore it today in a steady rain and after an hour my head was wet. I'm not sure if it was perspiration or the rain but either way, it is either not waterproof or not breathable. I like that it is lightweight but I was hoping for waterproof.

My old Outdoor Research Full Brim Rain Hat is so much better than the new one I ordered. So much better I sent the new one back.

Rim to narrow. Chin strap doesn't really tighten up the hat so it's still too big especially if there's any wind.

I work outside and am in/out of vehicles every few minutes so using a rain coat with a hood was not ideal. I bought this hat from a local store and was excited to use it, especially since I sweat a lot and get rather warm while working. This hat was great during a light rain the first night. The next night I used it in a hard rain it became stretched out and flimsy plus it just lost all abilities to be water proof. I have a bald head so cold rain on my head doesn't feel the greatest. Save your money and get a more durable hat.