Helly Hansen Reviews

I ordered 2 Capacitors 65l, but received 2 Resistors 45l instead.
The backpack is great overall, I'm familiar with both models.
Just be aware if you order this backpack at the last moment before your departure to the mountains -- you could receive the wrong model.

This seems like a very high quality backpack and I was tempted to try and make it work, however, the internal frame didn't fit right for me. I am 5'4" and I was easily able to adjust the straps for the right fit. However, the internal frame has a u-shaped frame that hangs down in the back below the waist belt. It hit each time I walked and caused the whole (empty) backpack to pull away from my body, even when the straps were tight. I believe this would have been increasingly problematic over time and with extra weight. Even if my backside was flat (which it's not), it would have been annoying, but it was definitely problematic that it wouldn't lay flush for me. It's too bad, I think I would have loved it otherwise. The color is beautiful, the fabric is strong, and the additional details are many.

This is a really beautiful shell/jacket that I'm sending back due to the fit. I read every review that came up with a Google search and figured I'd have a 50:50 chance of it fitting me well for snowboarding if I bought it in size large, and that if it didn't, a medium would. I was wrong.

I'm 5' 9" tall and weigh 165 lbs at the moment, which is a bit heavy for me. I wear 34" waist pants, but need a belt with them, and a 16/33 button down shirt. Since I planned to use it snowboarding, I wanted to be able to be comfortable while wearing a base layer and fleece under it.
With a T shirt and fleece on, my chest is 43" around just under my arms at neutral/half inhaled breath. So maybe 42" to 44" breathing. That's right below the armpits where my lats are, and again, with a T shirt and a pretty heavy LL Bean wind block pull over fleece. Wearing those, I can't move in this jacket.

It's not technically too small. The sleeves are long on me. It's just that the sleeves aren't much wider at the shoulder than at the wrist, so for me it's super tight where they meet the torso. It feels like I have a string tied over my shoulders and under my armpits.

Because of my build, which is wide and shallow, even though my actual chest size is 41", this is a no go for me. Large is also clearly for someone a little taller than me, but this would have been a great length for snowboarding.

Given the above, if you are built with a deeper chest type body, and your chest measures under 42" with a fleece on, and are also a little taller than me, then even if you're a few lbs heavier than me due to your height, this may be your luck day. I have had 3 really nice Gore Tex Marmot shells, a North Face shell, an REI parka, and a few others jackets over the past 25 years. This shell would have been my nicest ever by far. If it fits you, I'm jealous of the deal you're getting!

It's hard to overstate the quality of this garment. Seams are absolutely beautiful inside--the quality and attention to detail blew me away. This this jacket is perfect for the full spectrum of weather encountered on the peaks since its warm and a couple baselayers easily fit under it, but it's also breathable and ventable when on skin track or engaging in high energy turns. Truly a gem of a ski jacket.

I got to try this on in store, I tried my typical most brands size and it seemed to fit well. of note, the hood I think was removable but mostly it is a helmet overhood. I liked the center back stretch stuff that I guess the more you move the more opens, I think they call it H2 or something but I can imagine that actually working to release more heat when you're more active, although it won't compensate when the temperature changes, but your actively level doesn't, if you use casually. it seemed like it could also be used casually.