Last Updated: October 21, 2021
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Helly Hansen Juniper 3.0 Jacket Review: Versatile And Functional

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Helly Hansen Juniper 3.0

The Juniper 3.0 is a high end jacket, designed for both the slopes and urban environments. Designed with high-end materials that are made to last, it is an investment you won't regret. View Latest Deal

Helly Hansen’s Juniper 3.0 is a great, versatile ski jacket. At first glance, it looks just like a regular city jacket. But when you start to look at all of its different features and the quality of materials, it soon becomes obvious that it is an amazing ski jacket as well.

So, does that sound like something you might be interested in? If it does, keep reading to learn about all the different features of this jacket, from the number of pockets, down to the type of its zippers!

But before we get into the different materials and features of the jacket, here’s a quick overview of the things we (don’t) love the most about the Juniper 3.0:

Pros

  • Waterproof and windproof
  • Versatile design
  • Insulated phone pocket
  • Not restrictive

Cons

  • No powder skirt
  • Size variety could be improved
  • Pricey

Product Rating

82Overall Rating
Materials & Durability
9/10
Design & Style
9/10
Warmth & Weather
8/10
Features
8/10
Affordability
7/10

Product Information

  • Helly Tech Professional Fabric
  • H2Flow Ventilation Technology
  • Waterproof YKK Vislon Zippers

Materials And Quality

Helly-Hansen Men's Juniper 3.0 Jacket, 639 Electric Blue, Small

The Juniper 3.0 jacket is made from the brand’s proprietary Helly Tech Performance fabric. It is a 2-way melange stretch fabric, with two-ply construction that makes it exceptionally durable.

This jacket features seam sealed construction, which guarantees its wind and water resistance. The materials are very durable, and they will not get torn or ripped easily.

In addition to that, this jacket features only YKK zippers, which are some of the best zippers on the market. They are known for their high quality and excellent performance, so there shouldn’t be any malfunctions.

And the high-quality construction accounts for the higher price point of the jacket. Neither the fabric nor the zippers are cheap to produce and use, so it makes sense that the Juniper 3.0 is not exactly affordable.

Insulation And Warmth

This Helly Hansen jacket is insulated with Primaloft, just like most of their other outerwear. The insulation is found in the body of the jacket, as well as the sleeves and the hood. One of the pockets is also insulated, but I will tell you more about that later.

Primaloft is one of the top synthetic insulations out there. It is very breathable, which ensures that you won’t get too sweaty even if you get too hot at some point. Which might happen, considering that this insulation is able to keep you warm even in some extremely cold weather.

In addition to that, this synthetic insulation is also very lightweight and packable, which explains how this jacket manages to be so warm, yet so light. It will not weigh or slow you down one bit on the slopes, so comfortable and enjoyable skiing sessions are guaranteed.

But, Primaloft insulation is also pretty pricey to use, and that’s another reason why this jacket is so pricey. Helly Hansen uses only the best materials and technologies that are available, so it makes sense that their products aren’t exactly cheap.

Wind And Water Resistance

Helly-Hansen Men's Juniper 3.0 Jacket, 407 Wood Green, Small

The Juniper jacket is both windproof and waterproof, just like a great ski jacket should be.

The excellent wind resistance comes from several different features – the elastic wrist cuffs, the adjustable hem, the seam-sealed construction, and the convenient storm flap over the front zipper. Even the hood is adjustable, and you can tighten it to ensure it won’t slip off in really windy weather.

All of these features help keep the wind out so that you don’t get too cold when you’re wearing the jacket.

And then there are the features that ensure you will stay dry even in really heavy downpours. The material of the jacket has some water resistance on it is own, and it features a protective coat of DWR – Durable Water Repellent. This accounts for the excellent water resistance of the jacket, and it makes it so that the water just slides off the outer shell. The seam-sealed construction also helps here, as it ensures that little drops of water can’t get in through the seams.

And there’s one more feature that locks in the waterproofing, and those are the excellent YKK Vislon zippers. The main jacket zipper and the two front pockets all feature waterproof YKK Vislon zips, which guarantees that everything behind them will stay entirely dry.

Breathable Technology

Helly-Hansen Men's Juniper 3.0 Jacket, 407 Wood Green, Small

This ski jacket features Helly Hansen’s proprietary H2Flow technology. That is mechanical venting that is able to let the moisture (sweat) escape from inside the jacket, in order to keep you dry at all times.

In addition to that, the Juniper jacket also features underarm ventilation zippers, that you can use to quickly cool down when you feel too warm. By undoing the zipper, you are exposing breathable mesh, and letting some of that warm air out. Just remember to zip the vents up when you’ve cooled down so that you don’t let all of the warmth out.

The zippers are located strategically, and they are very easy to reach and use. Because of their position, you don’t even have to stop in order to be able to use them – provided you’re not doing a fast downhill run.

Also, it’s pretty cool that the entire zipper is the same color as the body of the jacket, so they are not very noticeable. This is actually what helps this jacket be so appropriate for urban environments as well – it is equipped with an abundance of ski-friendly features, but none of them are obvious at first glance.

Size Variety And Fit

Helly-Hansen Men's Juniper 3.0 Jacket, 407 Wood Green, Small

The Juniper 3.0 could be the best ski jacket in the world, but they have to make it in your size, in order for you to even consider getting it.

If you’re anywhere between sizes S and XXL, then this jacket is great for you. But if you’re an XS, or wear something larger than XXL, then I’m sorry to have to disappoint you, but they don’t make the Juniper jacket in your size.

There are other Helly Hansen ski jackets that have a wider size range, so be sure to check those out first, before you entirely give up on the brand.

The great thing about this particular jacket is that it is very relaxed, and it’s not tight at all. The looser fit means that it’s not going to restrict your movement at all, even if you go with a thick hoodie or a sweater underneath.

And it generally runs true to size, so feel free to get it in the size you normally wear.

Many Different Pockets

Helly-Hansen Men's Juniper 3.0 Jacket, 407 Wood Green, Small

Pockets are a common feature of both ski and city jackets. And since the Juniper 3.0 is trying to be both, we expect it to have an abundance of pockets for all your must-have items.

The first thing that I have to talk about is the Life Pocket. It is a dedicated smartphone pocket, which is insulated with Primaloft. This is supposed to help your phone stay sufficiently warm so that its battery doesn’t run out.

While it might seem like a gimmicky feature on the surface, the Life Pocket is actually something that all ski jackets should have. Just imagine having an accident on the slopes, and being unable to call anybody because your phone is out of juice. The Life Pocket exists because there is a possibility that it could save your life one day, and that’s worth an honorary mention.

And there are plenty of other pockets as well. The Juniper features two classic hand-warming pockets on the body, which are open. These can hold some of the bulkier items, but they’re not zipped, so stuff could fall out of them.

You will get two zippered chest pockets, which can hold all of your really important must-haves on the slopes. In addition to that, this Helly Hansen ski jacket also features internal pockets for goggles and a ski pass. They are perfectly fine for your wallet and keys as well, when you’re going out into the city, and not skiing on the slopes.

Ski-Friendly Features

The best ski jackets always have a variety of ski-friendly features, which will help you enjoy your winter adventures even more. And the Juniper jacket is equipped with plenty of such features, so let’s talk about them.

One of the main things worth mentioning is that this Helly Hansen jacket features articulated arms, for optimized mobility. This helps you stay comfortable when you’re skiing and reduces the movement restriction to a minimum. Your jacket will move along with you, which will make your days on the slopes even more enjoyable.

The hood is adjustable and detachable so that it is easy to make it work when you’re wearing a helmet. You can either take it off entirely or pull it over the helmet, to protect you in wet weather.

However, the Juniper jacket lacks some features that are considered necessary for the best ski jackets. A snap-away powder skirt is one of those – there’s nothing on this jacket that will stop the snow from getting into your pants.

I would have also loved to see thumb holes on the wrist cuffs since this helps ensure that the sleeves don’t ride up your arms when you’re moving them. But that’s not such a big deal – the powder skirt is the thing I’m most concerned about.

Versatile Design

Helly-Hansen Juniper 3.0 Jacket Black 1 SM

The Juniper 3.0 is design as a versatile ski jacket. It has a very sleek exterior, which is more than suitable for the city streets. And that’s why we love it; this is a ski jacket that you could comfortably wear when you’re out and about, and no one would even look at you weirdly.

It looks like a regular outdoor jacket, which is pretty cool. And it means that you’re getting better value for money since you will be able to get more use out of this awesome jacket.

However, I would not recommend wearing this when it is extremely cold outside. Ski jackets aren’t as warm as down parkas, no matter how insulated they are. And that is because they are not supposed to be too warm; when you’re skiing, snowboarding, or engaging in any other outdoor sport, you’re producing a lot of body heat. The insulation in these jackets is designed to trap that heat, and retain it – that’s how you stay warm for hours on the slopes.

But when you’re just going out to the store, you aren’t producing a lot of body heat, to begin with, so there’s nothing for the insulation to trap. And that’s why you will be warmer on the slopes than in the town, even if the temperature is lower in the mountains.

Pricing And Value

The Juniper 3.0 is a pricey ski jacket, and it’s completely normal to be hesitant about getting it. I never find it easy to spend large sums of money on a single item, so I entirely understand where you’re coming from.

But, if you’re going to spend a lot of cash on anything, it might as well be this jacket. Yes, it is pricey, but for very good reasons. It features materials of the best quality, extremely durable waterproof YKK zippers, and the best possible synthetic insulation that exists. None of those jacket components are cheap to produce or get, and they’re the reason why the jacket is expensive.

It’s also important to note that some colors are cheaper than others. So, before you actually go and get the jacket, make sure to compare the prices of your size in various different colors – you might be able to get a really good discount for it!

Helly Hansen Juniper 3.0: Should You Get It?

If you are looking for a high-end ski jacket, which looks sleek enough that you can wear it out into the city, then yes, definitely grab the Juniper 3.0. Especially if you’re someone who doesn’t spend too much time on the slopes, and you would prefer to have something more versatile, just so you can get more use out of it!

This is an amazing ski jacket that’s made from the best materials. It is insulated with Primaloft, it features a breathable interior, as well as a waterproof and windproof exterior, and an abundance of ski friendly features.

These include an insulated phone pocket, wrist gaiters and an adjustable and detachable hood. Even the zippers of this jacket are entirely waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about the items inside the pockets getting wet. And you also have some internal pockets, for your must-have items on the slopes, like goggles and a ski pass.

Helly-Hansen Men's Juniper 3.0 Jacket, 222 Alert Red, Small
  • A Best Selling Crossover Between A Fully Equipped Performance Ski Jacket With A Sophisticated City Jacket Appeal, Featuring A Structured Fully Seam Sealed Helly Tech Fabric And The Innovative H2Flow Technology.
  • 2-Ply Fabric Construction, 2-Way Mechanical Mélange Stretch Fabric, H²Flow System Mechanical Venting For Optimal Comfort, Fully Seam Sealed,

Head over to Amazon to see all the color options of the Juniper 3.0, and their different price points.

And if you think that this isn’t the right ski jacket for you after all, then go ahead and check out our related posts for even more amazing ideas!

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