Outdoor Research Helium vs Columbia Watertight II: Ultralight Shell or Value Shell?
A 9 gap that buys about nine ounces. The Outdoor Research Helium is 6.5 oz of 2.5-layer Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse on 30D ripstop, stuffs into its own chest pocket, and lives in a daypack all season; 4.6 stars over 480 ratings, with thin fabric that resists brush less than a heavier shell. The Columbia Watertight II is 0, Omni-Tech with fully sealed seams, an adjustable storm hood and a mesh lining, backed by 4.6 stars over 38,000 ratings; heavier and bulkier, and no pit zips when you are working hard. Searched as the Helium rain jacket vs Columbia Watertight II, it is the shell the hiker carries against the shell the whole family can own.
Choose the OR Helium if
You hike or backpack with a pack on your shoulders, want a shell that packs smaller than a water bottle and stays there, and accept the 59 price and gentler fabric.
$159.00 · 4.6★ · 480 ratings
See the OR Helium →Choose the Columbia Watertight II if
You want a sealed-seam storm hood jacket at 0 that can be bought for every adult in the family, and you will never notice the extra packed bulk at camp.
$60.00 · 4.6★ · 38,000 ratings
See the Columbia Watertight II →OR Helium vs Columbia Watertight II: side by side
| Spec | OR Helium | Columbia Watertight II |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.00 | $60.00 |
| Rating | 4.6★ from 480 ratings | 4.6★ from 38,000 ratings |
| Category | Apparel & Footwear | Clothing |
| Best for | Best for weekend adventures | Best for all-day trail comfort |
| One thing it does well | Very light and packable for day hikes, travel, and backpacking | Omni-Tech waterproof shell with fully sealed seams holds up in steady rain |
| One thing to know | Thin fabric is less abrasion-resistant than heavier rain jackets around rocks and brush | No pit zips, so it runs warm during high-exertion hiking |
| Who should buy it | Weekend adventurers looking for reliable outdoor gear; Families planning camping trips together | Weekend adventurers looking for reliable outdoor gear; Families planning camping trips together |
Pros and cons, side by side
OR Helium
Pros
- Very light and packable for day hikes, travel, and backpacking
- 2.5-layer Pertex Shield construction provides waterproof and breathable rain protection
- Packs into its own pocket so it can stay in a daypack without taking much space
- Adjustable hood and hem help seal out wind-driven rain
Cons
- Thin fabric is less abrasion-resistant than heavier rain jackets around rocks and brush
- Minimalist pocket layout and light construction are less suited to prolonged severe storms
- The trim emergency-shell design leaves limited room for bulky insulation underneath
Columbia Watertight II
Pros
- Omni-Tech waterproof shell with fully sealed seams holds up in steady rain
- Packs into its own hand pocket for easy storage in a daypack or camp bag
- Adjustable storm hood and cuffs keep rain off during gusty hikes
- Breathable mesh lining releases heat during active use
Cons
- No pit zips, so it runs warm during high-exertion hiking
- Not insulated — needs a midlayer underneath in cool weather
- Sizing runs a bit generous; some buyers size down
What the numbers say
The OR Helium lists at $159.00 and the Columbia Watertight II at $60.00 — Columbia Watertight II is the cheaper of the two by $99.00. The Columbia Watertight II carries the larger review base (38,000 ratings at 4.6★ vs 480 at 4.6★), which usually means the failure modes are better documented. Price and ratings are read from the TrailMapz catalog and refreshed on every deploy — check the product pages for today's numbers before you buy.
The verdict
Neither product wins outright — the trip decides. Pick the OR Helium if this is your trip: You hike or backpack with a pack on your shoulders, want a shell that packs smaller than a water bottle and stays there, and accept the 59 price and gentler fabric. Pick the Columbia Watertight II instead if this is your trip: You want a sealed-seam storm hood jacket at 0 that can be bought for every adult in the family, and you will never notice the extra packed bulk at camp. Read the two lists against the trip you are actually taking, not the one in the marketing photos, and the decision usually makes itself.
Shopping the whole category? best apparel & footwear guide and best clothing guide put every pick in the category in context, and the side-by-side compare tool lets you put any two products in the catalog next to each other.
More head-to-head comparisons
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