Helikon-Tex Husky winter jacket

Helikon-Tex was founded in 1983. It`s not widely known, that the company started as a surplus equipment reseller. In 1999, after the market changes, the company decided to manufacture their own clothing. Initially, these were mostly copies of American military clothing. The reconstruction of the M65 jacket was very successful during this period. In 2013, Helikon-Tex from Miekinia started cooperation with Hyde Definition – company which specializes in camouflage patterns development and created successful products such as PenCott GreenZone, Badlands, SandStorm, and Snowdrift. Today, Helikon-Tex designers create new and improved products based on proprietary ideas. Their UTP trousers or Husky winter jacket are a great example of such a design approach.

The Apex-filled Husky jacket from Helikon-Tex is an evolution of the 7th layer of American   ECWCS III Extended Climate Warfighter Clothing System III. Husky was developed for uniformed services and is based on the known Level 7 jacket. Two garments have almost the same look, are made of the same nylon fabric and are both filled with Apex Climasheild 100g insulation.

It`s hard to distinguish between the two jackets at first glance. Careful observation will produce some differences. Husky has a Quick Side Access (QSA) system which allows for quick access to the equipment carried on the belt. The front lower part of Husky has flat, zippered pockets in place of the elastic-closed, baggy pockets. The cuffs in the Helikon-Tex product are adjusted with a combination of elastic webbing and velcro patch. This is probably the best solution – it makes tight adjustment easy and still maintains enough give to remain comfortable.

Apex insulation was created by American Climashield which specializes in thermal insulation for clothing and outdoor equipment such as sleeping bags. Apex is the pinnacle of 25 years of insulation development and currently is the most thermal-efficient filling available on the market. Insulation contains long strands of very durable material so folding or compressing does not damage the insulation structure. Due to long strands, there is no need to create small pockets of insulation. It does not move and distributes evenly. As it`s synthetic, Apex does not lose it`s insulation properties even when wet.

Helikon-Tex Husky down-filled winter jacket was developed for uniformed services. The design was based on the previous Level 7 model

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The jacket comes with a compression bag. Thanks to Apex filling, even significant compression does not have a negative effect on the Husky

Husky cuffs are adjusted with an elastic webbing/velcroed patch combination

To understand the thought process behind Helikon Husky we need to go back in time to 1985 when the US Army introduced the 22-element clothing system called ECWCS (Extended Cold Weather Clothing System). It contained 5 levels (layers) of clothing to protect against lowe temperatures. Since then, ECWCS evolved and in the following years next generations of the system were introduced. The second generation was developed by USMC in 1994-1995, 3rd was created in 2000-2008, this time as an Extended Climate Warfighter Clothing System. The last generation has 7 levels – from underwear to jacket and trousers suitable for arctic conditions. The main purpose of ECWCS III was to create a system that provides comfort when operating in temperatures as low as -50 Celsius.

System`s newest edition contains the following 7 layers. First, are thermal pants and shirt made of Polartec PowerDry Silkweight fabric in tan color. Second is made of thin underwear made of Polartec PowerDry fabric. The third level contains trousers and top made from Polartec Thermal Pro. Windbreaker jacket is the 4th layer while a softshell trousers and jacket make up the 5th level. Due to limited water repellency of softshell fabric, the 6th layer consists of Gore-Tex pants and jacket. These two are considered supplemental to the layer 5 and do not have pockets. Instead, openings are located in a way to provide access to the layer underneath. Level 7 of ECWCS III is for static operation in extreme cold conditions and consists of grey trousers and jacket. The last layer is to provide thermal comfort after marches or during periods without any physical activity. Photos illustrate ECWCS III level 3 to 7 elements.

Every technical or winter jacket has to have a hood. Husky`s hood can be hidden in the collar, under a 2-way zipper. Insides are lined with soft polar fabric which improves the comfort and insulation properties. The collar, despite large size, is comfortable and offer efficient neck protection against the wind.

The circumference and the rear of the hood can be easily adjusted. The adjustment system is designed in a near-perfect way – the cords are hidden inside the chest side pockets so nothing protrudes from the jacket in the neck area. The cords end look to be durable and are fixed to the jacket with small fabric loops. Hood is insulated with Apex 67 g insulation.

Husky`s hood is well designed. Adjustment cords are located in the chest pockets and don`t get in a way

A polar fabric is used on the collar`s inside. With the hood compressed inside, there is no constriction to movement while the neck is well protected against wind

Rolled and hidden hood adds rigidity to jacket`s collar

The Quick Side Access (QSA) system is characteristic for new garments from Helikon-Tex. The system enables access to belt-carried equipment. It consists of a special buckle, zipper, and a velcro patch. To open ze side of the jacket user has to lively pull on one of the tabs located near the main zipper bottom. This opens the buckle and pulls the zip open thus allowing for access to the holster. QSA zippers terminate almost in the armpits so the access to equipment is comfortable.

QSA is a simple, efficient and low drag solution. However, it`s not devoid of problems. One of these is a lack of jacket adjustment in the bottom. The QSA pull-cord on a correct level but there are no provisions for circumference adjustment. Instead, an elastic webbing is used to fit the jacket around the user`s body. This works ok but terminates at the QSA zippers thus reducing the system effectiveness. It would be a good idea to locate similar elastics in the front of the jacket.

Quick Side Access system isn’t essential for civilians but will work great for professional users

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QSA consists of velcroed locking patch, special, easy-to-open buckle, and a long, armpit to jacket`s bottom zipper

Helikon-Tex jacket is equipped with 9 pockets. Eight are conventional and the 9th is located on the back. Each pocket is closed with a reversed YKK zipper which means that the teeth are located inside the pockets. This is good for aesthetics, lessens the possibility of grime getting caught in the zipper, and improves durability. The commonly used zippers have tabs made of webbing or cord, each terminating with a plastic pull engraved with manufacturer logo.

Big, side chest pockets have two-way zippers so the access can be obtained from the top or bottom of the opening. Jacket has special sleeves to protect the tabs and increase the streamlined look. of Husky. Both pockets are lined with polar fabric for increased thermal comfort. Also, both pockets have organizers that can easily fit items of the smartphone size.

There are 2 big pockets located below the waist. These are 260 x 280 mm and increase the Husky`s load carrying capabilities significantly. Above these, 2 flat chest pockets are located, each with side access opening pointing towards the main zipper.

Husky also has pocket-compartments with detachable identification panels. These pockets, located on the left side of the chest (90 x 140 mm), the right side of the chest (120 x 90 mm), and the back (260 x 120 mm) will be used mostly by professional users. Members of various force departments can place their units markings on the panels. The identification panels are attached by velcro and can be removed when not required to increase the available pocket real estate. The additional, flat, chest pockets are great for carrying documents or a phone and the opening are almost invisible, hidden under the fabric.

Concluding, the Husky has a lot of well-designed pockets and can be used not only as a static operation jacket but also as an everyday garment.

YKK zippers and plastic elements make a good impression and give a feeling of durability

Husky`s chest pockets are lined with polar fabric which improves hands thermal comfort

Organizer sewn into the chest pockets is comfortable for smartphone carry

Symmetrical interior pockets improve the load-bearing capabilities of the Husky

Detachable identification panels point towards professional pedigree of the jacket

Husky is rather large but it was to be expected from a jacket derived from Level 7 static operation jacket. The jacket will provide good thermal comfort in sub-zero temperatures, even if the wearer only has a thermal shirt under the Husky.

Despite its large size, Husky weighs only 1180 grams. After compression, the cylinder-shape bag is 330 x 170 mm. The compressed jacket does not take a lot of space in the backpack. When new, Husky`s fabric is kind of rigid but with time it softens and wears better.

Sleeves are faultless, with a good profile and pintucked elbows. Stitching is pretty and even, with only small bits of loose threads in a few places. Japanese-made YKK zipper works nicely and the only zipper issue encountered was a tendency to catch on the front protective flap.

Lack of bottom adjustability can be considered as a problem. Winter jacket of such type, especially one with belt access system, should have an adjustable bottom.

Despite quite a large size, the jacket weighs only 1,18 kg. The user won`t be cold, even with just a t-shirt under it and in sub-zero temperatures

Husky was created with a very particular user in mind and as such was very well designed. Quick Access System works and the identification panels are a valid addition for uniformed services. These features, however, might not be required by a civilian user.

Moreover, professionals will value the fact the Husky is less obvious than other tactical models from Helikon-Tex. Visibility depends on the chosen color. Coyote or Alpha Green jackets bring military to mind straight away. Black or grey jacket will not grab attention and will allow the wearer to disappear in the crowd.

Husky is warm and comfortable, and the price is reasonable. Good quality and well-designed pockets are other advantages of the new Helikon-Tex product. In the first half of January 2019, the price of the Husky and the original Level 7 jackets are closely matched so the competition is rather close.

Husky was created for uniformed services. QSA system works nicely and the identification panels are a valid addition

Article previously published on MILMAG 01/2019