Outdoor Research Helium vs Zpacks Vertice: Rain Shells
How we did this: we compared what Outdoor Research and Zpacks publish on their own product pages, checked on 29 Sep 2026: weight, fabric, vents, hood, pockets and price, for the men’s versions. We have not field-tested these jackets.
The Outdoor Research Helium is a common budget alternative to the Zpacks Vertice. The new Helium UL weighs 5.7 oz to the Vertice’s 5.4 oz and costs $225 list, or $157.50 on sale, against $299. What the extra money buys on the Vertice is venting: armpit zips the Helium does not have.
Outdoor Research Helium vs Zpacks Vertice: the verdict
Buy the Outdoor Research Helium UL if price matters most: it is within 0.3 oz of the Vertice for $74 less at list, and $141.50 less on sale. Buy the Zpacks Vertice if you hike hard in warm rain and need pit zips to vent.
| Men’s | Outdoor Research Helium UL | Zpacks Vertice |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 5.7 oz (162 g) | 5.4 oz (152 g) |
| Price | $225 list; $157.50 on sale (29 Sep) | $299 |
| Fabric | Toray Dermizax 3D, 2.75-layer, 15D nylon ripstop, 61 g/m² | Vertice waterproof-breathable, 1.50 oz/sq yd, PFAS-free DWR |
| Vents | None listed | Waterproof armpit zippers |
| Hood | Brim wire, hood lock | Visor, rear adjustment, fits a helmet |
| Chest pocket, doubles as stuff sack | Chest pocket, doubles as stuff sack | |
| Cuffs and hem | Shaped bonded cuffs, partial elastic; drawcord hem | Elastic cuffs; elastic hem |
| Zippers | YKK Aquaguard front and chest | Waterproof front zipper with rain guard |
| Length (center back) | 29.0 in | Not listed |
Sources: Outdoor Research Helium UL page; Zpacks Vertice Rain Jacket page.
The one real difference: pit zips
At 5.7 oz and 5.4 oz, weight does not separate these jackets, and both pack into their own chest pocket. What does is venting. Zpacks puts waterproof zippers under both arms of the Vertice; Outdoor Research lists no pit zips on the Helium UL. On a steep climb in warm rain, pit zips are the difference between opening the jacket and staying in it.
Outdoor Research Helium UL
- $74 less than the Vertice at list, $141.50 less on sale
- Chest pocket doubles as a stuff sack
- Brim-wired hood and YKK Aquaguard zippers
- No pit zips listed
- 0.3 oz heavier than the Vertice
- No waterproof or breathability numbers published
Outdoor Research describes the Helium UL as the next generation of its Helium rain jacket, built from
“Toray Dermizax™ 3D 2.75-layer waterproof protection with upgraded construction for lighter weight, improved breathability, and greater comfort and durability.”
Outdoor Research, Helium UL page
The shell is 15D nylon ripstop at 61 g/m², with fully taped seams, YKK Aquaguard front and chest zippers, a brim-wired hood with a hood lock, shaped bonded cuffs and an elastic drawcord hem. Outdoor Research lists the men’s at 5.7 oz and a 29.0 in center-back length.
Check price →Zpacks Vertice
- Waterproof armpit zippers
- 5.4 oz, the lighter of the two
- Hood fits a climbing, ski or cycling helmet
- $299, the most expensive here
- No breathability number published
- Elastic cuffs, no hook-and-loop adjustment
Zpacks builds the Vertice from its 1.50 oz/sq yd waterproof-breathable fabric with a PFAS-free DWR and fully taped seams. It has a full-length waterproof front zipper with a rain guard, waterproof armpit zippers, adjustable elastic at the wrists and hood, and a chest pocket that flips inside out to hold the jacket, rain pants and mitts.
Check price →Which should you buy?
- Lowest price: Outdoor Research Helium UL, $225 list or $157.50 on sale.
- Warm, steep, wet trails: Zpacks Vertice, for the pit zips.
- Lightest: Zpacks Vertice, by 0.3 oz.
- Helmet on top: Zpacks Vertice, whose hood Zpacks says fits a helmet.
FAQ
Is the Outdoor Research Helium lighter than the Zpacks Vertice?
Does the Outdoor Research Helium have pit zips?
How much does the Outdoor Research Helium cost?
What fabric is the new Helium UL made of?
Which is more breathable?
The bottom line
The Outdoor Research Helium UL is the value pick: 5.7 oz for $225, or $157.50 on sale. The Zpacks Vertice costs $74 more at list and earns it only if you need pit zips.
Related guides
Keep building your system with these closely related guides.
