PADDLER 8
Helly Hansen Essence Long Down rain jacket www . hellyhansen . com By Hannah Steeds Photos : Robert Carroll
PADDLER 8
REVIEWS
Helly Hansen Essence Long Down rain jacket www . hellyhansen . com By Hannah Steeds Photos : Robert Carroll
Long puffer coats are potentially the ‘ it ’ fashion item for Winter 2024 / 25 . Whether it ’ s Tik-Tok viral videos or just on your daily commute , the Maxi Puffer coat appears to have taken over . Aside from fashion , though , these coats were initially designed from a more practical standpoint rather than just to look good .
In 1936 , the first of which was invented by Eddie Bauer . When the American nearly suffered from hypothermia on a freezingly cold fishing trip in the Winter months , he developed a technique for spreading down feathers across the entire coat , and pretty much since then , puffer jackets have been insulating us all .
Helly Hansen ’ s Women ’ s Essence Long Down Coat is a textbook example of a maxi puffer jacket that is stylish enough to allow wear within the city without looking out of place and practical enough to join you on your winter camping trip . As part of their URBAN outerwear , this coat does indeed do what it says on the tin , with ‘ peak to pavement appeal ’. As expected with a puffer , it is indeed warm . Complete with internal fitted cuffs , fleece-lined pockets , and a down hood with a high neck , this puffer is designed to keep every part of you toasty . For those animal lovers , the down used is of Responsible Down Standard ( RDS ), which certifies animal welfare requirements and tracks it from the source to the final product , with 100 % of the down used in the Essence coat certified .
The coat is pretty light considering its warmth ( 1150 g ), but it can ’ t be folded into itself for travel or compact storage . This is the Essence ’ s biggest downfall . With a rating of 600 fill , the size-to-fill power ratio is lower than that of many competitor models .
On a more positive note , the attention to detail on this puffer is worth noting . It ’ s long , mid-calf length ( model is 5 ’ 9 and wears a size medium ), keeping most of your body warm , but handily , the zip starts at knee length height , enabling easy zip access . The drawstring waist prevents the puffer from drowning itself , giving a shapely fit , again allowing for high-street wear . The soft fleece-lined pockets are just what cold hands desire , and the inner-sleeved cuff within the coat helps trap heat within . Fold-away reflective stripes on the sleeves allow for visibility in the dark for the safety-conscious among us .
Overall , I think the Essence Long Down Coat is a great investment for the Winter months . It is both fashionable and practical . The coat was found to be true to size . It is available in the ‘ Utility Green ’ colour and can be purchased online at Helly Hansen or at select retailers .
FEATURES
Allied feather and down ® YKK ® zipper Hand pockets with YKK ® zipper Adjustable hood with drawcord Adjustable waist with drawcord HH ® printed logo on sleeve Fold up reflective bluesign ® product Responsible Down Standard PFC-free DWR Price : £ 400.00
Fibre content : Shell : 100 % Polyester Lining : 100 % Polyester ( Recycled ) Lining 2 : 100 % Polyamide Insulation : 80 % duck down , 20 % duck feather Trim fabric : 100 % Polyester Weight : 1150g