Last Updated on August 26, 2026 by Daniel Globe
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A technical shell has to do more than stop rain. You also need room to layer, ventilation when your pace rises, and details that still work with a backpack, harness, or helmet. The Helly Hansen Women’s Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket is built around that mountain-use brief, with a 3-layer construction, LIFA INFINITY™ technology, recycled face fabric, and a fit designed for hiking and mountaineering. This review focuses on the Verglas as the main pick while also comparing it with the more mountaineering-focused Men’s Odin 9 Worlds 2.0, so you can see where each jacket makes the most sense.
Quick Verdict
Rating: Recommended with caveats
Best For: Hikers and mountaineers who want a waterproof 3-layer shell with strong ventilation and pack-friendly features.
Bottom Line: The Women’s Verglas Infinity Shell combines serious weather protection with a relatively light 500 g build and a recycled polyester face fabric. Its main tradeoff is that it is a technical shell rather than an insulated jacket, so warmth depends on the layers you wear underneath.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Helly Hansen |
| Model | Women’s Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket, No. 63057 |
| Product type | 3-layer waterproof, breathable hard shell |
| Shell material | 54% recycled polyester, 46% polyester |
| Weight | 500 g |
| Weather technology | HELLY TECH® Professional and LIFA INFINITY™ |
| Construction | Fully seam sealed, 3-layer construction |
| Ventilation | Mechanical ventilation zippers |
| Compatibility | Helmet, backpack, and harness compatible |
| Other features | RECCO® transponder, YKK® zippers, adjustable cuffs, hem, and hood, articulated sleeves |
| Water-repellent finish | PFC-free DWR |
| Best use | Hiking and mountaineering |
Top Picks
|
Category |
Product |
Best Use |
|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Best Overall Waterproof Shell |
Hiking and mixed mountain use |
|
|
🎯 Best For Mountaineering |
Rugged alpine use |
How We Chose
We compared the two shells on the details that matter most outdoors: waterproof and breathable construction, weight, layering room, ventilation, pack and helmet compatibility, material, care requirements, and intended use. We also removed unsupported rating and review-count claims because live Amazon review data could not be confirmed during this refresh. The Verglas remains the main recommendation because its official specifications directly support a broad hiking and mountaineering use case.
What Is the Helly Hansen Women’s Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket?
The Women’s Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket is a technical outer shell from Helly Hansen, model 63057. It uses a 3-layer construction with HELLY TECH® Professional and LIFA INFINITY™ technologies, and the shell fabric is 54% recycled polyester and 46% polyester. At 500 g, it is light enough for active mountain use without being an ultralight emergency shell.
The design is aimed at hiking and mountaineering. Fully sealed seams, a PFC-free DWR finish, mechanical ventilation zippers, and adjustable openings help you manage changing wind, rain, and effort levels. A helmet-compatible hood, backpack and harness compatibility, articulated sleeves, and a RECCO® transponder make the jacket more useful in technical terrain than a basic commuter rain jacket.
What People Say
The source article’s sentiment snapshot is broadly positive, especially around waterproof protection, layering, and active-use comfort. Because live Amazon review counts were not independently verified, this refresh does not repeat the old exact star rating or review total.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 3-layer waterproof and breathable construction for sustained outdoor use
- 500 g weight keeps it practical for hiking and mountain travel
- Mechanical ventilation zippers help release heat during harder climbs
- Helmet, backpack, and harness-compatible design supports technical use
- Recycled polyester content and PFC-free DWR reduce reliance on conventional materials and finishes
Cons
- It is a shell only, so you still need separate insulation in cold weather
- The technical cut and feature set may be more than you need for casual rain protection
- Care should follow the specific garment label, not generic hand-wash advice
How It Performs in Real Use
Day Hiking in Mixed Weather
For day hikes, the Verglas gives you more protection and adjustability than a simple rain jacket. The fully seam-sealed 3-layer build handles serious weather, while the 500 g weight is still manageable in a pack when the sky clears. The ventilation zippers are especially useful on climbs where a waterproof shell can otherwise feel warm.
Mountaineering and Helmet Use
The helmet-compatible hood and articulated sleeves make more sense when you are moving on steep terrain, using poles, or wearing climbing equipment. Backpack and harness compatibility also matters because pocket access and hem position can become frustrating when a standard jacket sits under hip belts or climbing gear.
Cold, Wet Layering
The Verglas is not insulated, which gives you control over warmth. You can wear a light base layer in mild conditions or add fleece and insulation underneath in colder weather. This makes the shell flexible across seasons, but it also means the jacket alone should not be treated as a cold-weather warmth solution.
Travel and Everyday Rain
You can use the Verglas for travel or a wet commute, but that is not where its technical features deliver the most value. A casual rain shell may be cheaper and simpler if you do not need a helmet-compatible hood, harness-friendly design, mechanical ventilation, or mountain-focused construction.
How the Odin 9 Worlds 2.0 Differs
The Men’s Odin 9 Worlds 2.0 Outdoor Shell Jacket, model 62938, is a separate Helly Hansen hardshell built more narrowly around mountaineering. Its official specification lists a 3-layer HELLY TECH® Professional waterproof, breathable, and windproof construction, a 100% polyamide shell, a 610 g weight, RECCO®, a PFC-free DWR finish, and a bluesign® product certification.
The Odin is the better fit when rugged alpine use is your main priority. It is heavier than the Women’s Verglas model reviewed here, but its design is positioned for rough terrain, helmet use, backpack use, and year-round layering. It does not use the same LIFA INFINITY™ specification shown on the Verglas page, so the two jackets should not be described as having identical membrane technology.
What People Say
The source article’s sentiment chart for the Odin is also positive, with the strongest themes centered on weather protection and active mountain use. Exact Amazon star ratings and review totals are omitted here because the live listing could not be independently confirmed.
Odin at a Glance
|
Factor |
What It Means |
|---|---|
|
100% polyamide shell |
A different face material from the polyester-based Verglas. |
|
610 g weight |
Heavier than the 500 g Women’s Verglas, with a stronger mountaineering focus. |
|
HELLY TECH® Professional 3-layer build |
Designed for waterproof, breathable, and windproof protection in demanding conditions. |
|
RECCO® and bluesign® product |
Adds mountain-oriented searchability technology and a verified product certification. |
Odin Care Notes
Helly Hansen’s official care instructions for the Odin say to close hook-and-loop fasteners and zippers before washing, avoid fabric softener, and tumble dry the garment completely to help reactivate the water-repellent treatment. That directly conflicts with the older source wording that described the Odin as hand-wash only.
Fit, Layering, and Movement
The Women’s Verglas is built to work with movement and equipment rather than fit like a casual fitted jacket. Articulated sleeves help when you reach overhead, the hood adjusts vertically and horizontally, and the cuffs and hem can be tightened as conditions change. Helly Hansen also lists the jacket as backpack and harness compatible, which is useful when you want the shell to stay functional under load.
For sizing, Helly Hansen’s current product page says customers report the model fits true to size and recommends staying with your regular size. Your layering plan still matters. If you routinely wear a bulky insulated midlayer, check the brand’s current size chart and try the jacket with the layers you expect to use most often.
Fit Feedback Snapshot
The second sentiment graphic from the source is retained below. Its overall message supports the same practical point: buyers considering the Verglas should pay more attention to layering room, mobility, and technical fit than to a slim casual silhouette.
Fit Tips Before You Buy
- Check the current Helly Hansen size chart for the exact women’s model before ordering.
- Think about your thickest normal midlayer, not just a T-shirt, when choosing a shell size.
- Confirm that the hood works with the helmet you actually use if mountaineering or ski touring is part of your plan.
- When trying it on, raise both arms and wear your backpack hip belt to check hem movement and pocket access.
Before You Buy: Do not buy the Verglas expecting built-in insulation. It is a technical weather shell, so cold-weather comfort depends on the base and midlayers you pair with it.
Pro Tip: Try your shell with a loaded backpack and your usual midlayer before removing tags. That simple check reveals sleeve reach, hood clearance, hem lift, and hip-belt interference better than standing still in front of a mirror.
Materials, Weather Protection, and Care
The Verglas uses a 54% recycled polyester and 46% polyester shell with a PFC-free DWR treatment. Its 3-layer construction is fully seam sealed, and Helly Hansen rates the model at the top of its own scale for windproofness, waterproofness, breathability, and durability. Those manufacturer ratings are useful for comparing Helly Hansen products, but they should not be read as a guarantee that no moisture can ever enter during every storm or activity.
Care is part of shell performance. The older source article repeatedly called the Verglas hand-wash only, but that instruction was not confirmed on the official model page used for this refresh. Follow the care label supplied with your exact jacket and the brand’s current product-care guidance rather than assuming one washing method applies to every generation.
Customer Preferences
The practical choice comes down to how technical your use is. Choose the Women’s Verglas when you want a lighter 500 g shell with LIFA INFINITY™, recycled polyester content, mechanical ventilation, and a hiking-to-mountaineering range. Choose the Men’s Odin 9 Worlds 2.0 when you want a 610 g mountaineering shell with a 100% polyamide face, HELLY TECH® Professional 3-layer construction, RECCO®, and a bluesign® product certification.
Is It Worth the Price?
The Verglas sits in the premium technical-shell category, where you are paying for a 3-layer waterproof and breathable build, mountain-specific adjustability, ventilation, equipment compatibility, and a relatively light 500 g package. It makes the most sense if those features solve real problems for you on hikes, climbs, or mixed mountain trips.
It is harder to justify if your main need is walking to work in occasional rain. In that case, a simpler waterproof jacket can cover the basics with less cost and fewer technical features. For regular mountain use, the Verglas is worth considering because its feature set is directly aligned with that job rather than added mainly for style.
How It Compares to Alternatives
The current Women’s Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket 2.0 is the newer Helly Hansen alternative to compare if you want the latest version of the concept. It keeps the 3-layer, HELLY TECH® Professional, LIFA INFINITY™, helmet-compatible, and pack-compatible approach while updating materials and details.
The Men’s Odin 9 Worlds 2.0 is the more mountaineering-focused comparison in this article. It uses a 100% polyamide shell, weighs 610 g, and is explicitly positioned for mountaineering. The Women’s Verglas reviewed here is the better match when you want a lighter shell with LIFA INFINITY™ and a broader hiking-plus-mountaineering use case.
Comparison at a Glance
The table below keeps the choice simple. Both jackets are serious waterproof shells, but they use different materials, weights, and technology packages.
| Helly Hansen Women’s Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket | Helly Hansen Men’s Odin 9 Worlds 2.0 Waterproof Shell Jacket | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| Model | 63057 | 62938 |
| Weight | 500 g | 610 g |
| Shell Material | 54% recycled polyester, 46% polyester | 100% polyamide |
| Core Technology | HELLY TECH® Professional + LIFA INFINITY™ | HELLY TECH® Professional 3-layer |
| Primary Use | Hiking and mountaineering | Mountaineering |
| Check Price → | Check Price → |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Women’s Verglas Infinity Shell actually waterproof?
Helly Hansen lists the model as a waterproof, breathable shell using HELLY TECH® Professional and LIFA INFINITY™ technology. It also has fully sealed seams and a PFC-free DWR finish, which are key parts of its weather-protection system.
Is the Verglas insulated?
No. It is a hard shell designed to block weather while letting you choose your own base and midlayers. That is useful across seasons, but you need separate insulation when temperatures drop.
How does the Women’s Verglas fit?
Helly Hansen’s product page says customers report the model fits true to size and recommends staying with your regular size. Check the current size chart and account for the midlayers you plan to wear under the shell.
Can you wear the Verglas with a backpack or climbing harness?
Yes. Helly Hansen specifically lists the jacket as backpack and harness compatible. That makes it more suitable for technical hiking and mountaineering than a basic rain shell.
Does the hood fit over a helmet?
Yes. The hood is listed as helmet compatible and has vertical and horizontal adjustment. You should still test it with your specific helmet to confirm visibility and head movement.
How should you wash the Verglas Infinity Shell?
Follow the sewn-in care label for your exact jacket and Helly Hansen’s current product-care guidance. The older article’s hand-wash-only statement was not confirmed for this model, so it should not be treated as authoritative.
Who should choose the Odin 9 Worlds 2.0 instead?
Choose the Odin if mountaineering is your main use and you prefer its 100% polyamide shell, 610 g build, HELLY TECH® Professional 3-layer construction, RECCO®, and bluesign® product certification. The Verglas is lighter and uses LIFA INFINITY™ with a recycled polyester blend.
The Bottom Line
The Women’s Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket is a strong fit for hikers and mountaineers who want a 500 g, 3-layer shell with LIFA INFINITY™, sealed seams, ventilation, and equipment-friendly adjustability. Skip it if you mainly need casual rain protection or expect built-in insulation, because its value comes from technical mountain features and a layering-focused design.
