If the El Nino hype is real, then we are headed for a very wet autumn and winter here in Utah. As Chris Farley told us years ago, “all other tropical storms bow to El Nino”, so it would be wise to be prepared before things get soggy. Helly Hansen specializes in outdoor gear built to beat the worst of the elements; basically, they laugh in the face of this mighty weather pattern. HH sent me the rain-beating combination of the Loke Jacket and Pant earlier this year, and let me tell you, this kit is ready to face the wrath of The Nino.
Loke Jacket tech specs:
• waterproof, windproof and breathable
• HELLY TECH performance
• 2.5 ply fabric construction
• fully seam sealed
• DWR treatment
• quick dry interior
• fully adjustable hood
• zippered hand pockets
• long pit zips
• pocket packable
That’s a hit list designed to top even the mightiest of storms. And storm it did, for me and my camping buddies at least. Every trip I took this year has been accompanied by at least mild precipitation. From a soaking wet weekend in the San Rafael swell to the typical Uintas mid-day downpours, the Loke jacket has kept me dry. Everything from light mist to hours-long rainstorms have bombarded, and been beaten, by the Loke.
There’s a lot to like about this jacket. As with most Helly Hansen garments, the fit is technical and the design is tight. The claim of waterproof/windproof and breathable is legit. The weather forced me to wear the jacket on hot days, but I never overheated thanks to the full length pit zips. The front storm flap, sealed seams and numerous adjustment points allowed me to create a cocoon of dryness when the skies opened up. Perhaps my favorite feature is the lightness and packability of the Loke jacket; I crammed it into the top of my packs and barely noticed it was there until I needed it. After using it in slot canyons, sandy campsites and the unforgiving tundra of Utah’s mountains, I am sold on its durability. Next up, a look at the companion pants:
Loke Pant tech specs:
• waterproof, windproof and breathable
• 2.5 ply fabric constuction
• fully seam sealed
• DWR treatment
• quick dry lining
• adjustable waist
• bottom leg zipper
Time to admit something: I’ve NEVER owned rain pants. Sounds crazy, right? For whatever reason, I’ve never invested in a pair, instead settling for a soggy bottom and general discomfort during and after storms. After using the Loke pant for several months, I can’t imagine why anyone would live like that. The very first time I used these pants, the advantages were clear. A four day camping trip in the San Rafael Swell was more like a four day monsoon. I wore the Loke pants for most of the trip, and not once did my legs get wet. The bottom leg zipper and velcro adjustment make them easy to take on and off. The waist is adjustable so you can wear them right over your hiking shorts or pants (which is especially helpful when a storm blows in quickly). Thanks to the quick dry lining, even days of saturation don’t compromise your rain defense system.
Four days were all I needed to realize that the Loke pants will now be included on any future excursions. If they can survive the sandstone and jagged rocks of the Swell and Escalante, my guess is they will do just fine wherever you bring them. I was extremely impressed by both the bomber build and all around weatherproofness of these pants.
For under $200, it would be tough to find a better combination than the Loke jacket and pants. Helly Hansen has loaded them with a ton of useful technology that works in the field. So, El Nino, La Nina and all other storms watch out: Loke is going to shut you down! Helly Hansen even makes these in a 4XL, so even Chris Farley-sized folks can stay dry.