WP/B Jacket – 2 oz – Too Good to be True???

how have they made that 59g? its got a hood, pit zips and what look to be velcro cuffs. If it didn't also say 2 oz you'd think they've missed a number before the 5 such as a 2 0r 3!!

That's just the weight of all the zippers :p NO WAY that weighs 2 ounces. I have a HH store in a mall nearby, maybe I'll go check one out.

How indeed!

I just got off a "live chat" session with Backcountry.com. The guy confirmed the weight. When asked, he also commented that the jacket's got really good waterproofness and breathability.

Chris: yes, it would be great if you can check this out and let us know! :)

Impossible…

More likely than not, it will lack expected breathability…too good to be true.

oops..missed the pit zip part..hmmmmm

Per Backcountry.com (Outlet):

Weight – 1.9 oz. for a medium – full zip, pit zips, hood, 2 hand pockets, 1 chest pocket…

Breathability rating – 15,000 (that's pretty darn good if it refers to MVTR)

Waterproof rating – 15,000

As mentioned, I confirmed the above with a live salesman.
OK, what's the catch?

The price is the catch at $200, as may be the durability. However if the waterproof and breathablity figures are correct, a 59g jacket with hood, pit zips and velcro cuffs that breathes and is fully waterproof deserves to sell at a premium.

I thought my Montane H2O at 115g was good but that doesn't have a hood or pit zips and the waterproof and breathability stats are worse too.

If everything is above board this redefines the borders of rain jackets to a level that will be near impossible to better.

My guess is still that the 1.9 oz. weight refers to the weight of the nylon fabric itself — and NOT the weight of the entire jacket. Methinks the rep I talked to just gave the specs a nod, and didn't physically weigh the jacket to confirm.

Until I hear from actual users, I ain't parting with my hard-earned cash.

I'll add to your torture: it's on sale for $140, S, M & XL.

http://www.backcountryoutlet.com/outlet/HYH0213/c11/s20/Helly-Hansen-Zone-Jacket-Mens.html?CP=Sitematch&CMP=KAC-SKU&mv_pc=r141&ATT=121206&GCID=C14965x023&keyword=NA

They make pants too: $150 and same weight.

http://www.hellyhansengear.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=323&osCsid=77901608b875630c81d40271cd973a93

Curse you, Dale! :)

Actually, I saw the site, and came really, really, really close to ordering. I mean, hey, if it doesn't pan out, I can always return it, right?

Go on Benjamin get it bought and test it sharpish so you can report back to us all…you're desperate to aren't you? go on admit it!!!

The Helly Hansen website makes the same claim — 59g in size M.

http://www.hellyhansengear.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=321

Huh.

When I realized that the listed weight wasn't a typo (at least when compared with other retailers' descriptions), I ordered one of these from Steep and Cheap this morning. I'm still skeptical, but I'll know for sure in about a week. I'll post my findings then.

Ernie:

Your post on "Gear Deals" was what got me into looking up the Hally Hensen jacket. Curious, what colors were available on SteepandCheap?

Since posting here, I've also called Hally Hensen. The guy confirmed that the 2oz weight was a typo on their part; however, he couldn't tell me what the correct weight is. His "guess" is 8-10 ounces or something to that effect.

Would be curios to know — please post your feedback when you receive your jacket. Have fun!

SAC had the yellow and something called Clay/Tobacco on sale this morning for 66 bucks. Yikes, even if the weight is wrong, that's not bad. If you go through the SAC web site you can get the jacket at 40% off from Backcountry, which is better than the 30% off on their outlet page, but not as good as 66% off earlier today.

http://sacattack.com/items/686

Calling HH was a great idea, Ben. I'm not really surprised that the listed weight was a mistake — I'd been wondering all day how they managed to stuff all of those features into a jacket that's an ounce lighter than my Montane windshirt. You're problably right about the fabric weight being mixed up with the product weight. Still, 8-10 ounces isn't bad at all.

i was super skeptical. i bought it anyway, and i was nervous because they weren't being bought up as quickly as i expected them to be. I'm glad to be reading this thread, because i was thinking about how impossible it would be to fit all that into 2 ounces. my HH mars windshirt weighs 2.2 oz. i'll post back when it comes in the mail with the actual weight for y'all.

I bought one of the Zones too. If its a mistake I'll be returning it since I have a DIAD. My minimum requirements are WP/B, full-zip, one pocket, and a hood. The DIAD at 281g was the lightest I knew about until this Zone.

Edit; initiated RMA process; Thanks Benjamin.
PS, I bought your UL pillow.

Brett:

As noted above, I talked to HH, and the phone rep. quickly acknowledged that it was a mistake — there was no way the jacket could weigh just 2 ounces. His estimation was that the jacket probably weighed around 8-10 ounces — still pretty good, but no lighter than your DIAD.

If you bought the jacket mostly for its supposedly 2oz. weight, you may want to cancel your order and avoid the shipping / return shipping expense. On the other hand, the rep. did also say that the jacket performs "very well" in the breathability and waterproofness departments…

The Helly Hansen web listing reads 56 grams, 1,9 ounces (note the comma). 560 grams converts to 19.75 ounces {{{wince}}}. I saw one photo that showed a lot of coarse texture, making me think it may well be a 20oz jacket. Oops!

Whereas we North Americans separate fractions with a decimal, many Europeans use a comma instead!

I think the confusion lies in using the fabric weight as total jacket weight — and not a problem with decimal.

In any case, a number of "guinea pigs" have now identified themselves — we will soon know for sure.

Understood on the comma. I bet that someone in Norway dropped a zero on the metric weight. Here's a photo I found on line. You can see by the drape and texture of the fabric that it is more a like a 20oz jacket than 2oz.

I had posted on the gear swap forum that I was looking for a heavy duty rain jacket. I found a deal on a Mountain Hardwear Exposure II jacket and it is perfect for work and commuting. We've been having record rains and winds in Seattle and I was tired of getting beat up by the eather while standing at the bust stop. The jacket weighs over TWO POUNDS!

Jacket weight confusion aside, I've always disliked the two-tone color scheme! And thus, GoLite's 2007 line of jackets is one big turn off. Yes, I know, totally subjective and personal. :)

Ben,

I do not care about the color as much as the seams. Seams are subject to leaking and ripping. Seams add weight. I am willing to sacrifice a little fit and fashion to reduce seams.