Peak Performance is gaining some serious traction here in the UK. While the Swedish brand might have been around since the late 1980s it hasn’t had a full presence here until recently, buoyed no end by the opening of its first UK-based store in London late last year. The thing is, since its inception Peak Performance has been creating some core items within its line-up and this jacket – the Helium Utility – is one of the newest members of the tried-and-tested Helium family.

It’s a lightweight down jacket designed to offer a boatload of warmth but without that heavyweight feeling. Like other down jackets in the market, the Helium can be worn as an outer layer or as some extra insulation between other coats. That means it’s better suited to more situations. But this Utility version has some extra tricks up its sleeve over the standard Helium, in the form of additional pockets and beefed-up zips. 

Like other Peak Performance products, the Helium is laced with a slightly retro aesthetic. It’s also available in both hooded and non-hooded configurations depending on what you plan to do with it. Super-lightweight and easy to stow away, the Helium could make for an ideal choice when you need to boost that cosy feeling. Luckily, it won’t weigh you down when you need to shed a few layers. Here, we’ve been pushing the Helium Utility into the great outdoors to see how it copes.

Sphere Score

For

• Seriously lightweight
• Good levels of insulation
• Stand-out design
• Easy to pack down

Against

• Quite expensive
• Fits reasonably long
• Heavy pocket items can throw out the shape of the jacket
• Feels susceptible to nicks and thorns

Tech specs 

• £290
• 0.43g
• Duck down – 90/10 down/feather
• Elasticated hem and wrists
• Zip hand pockets

What does the Peak Performance Helium Utility have to offer?

The Peak Performance Helium places a big emphasis on lightweight construction. In fact, it weighs in at just 0.43g in a size large, which goes to show just how featherweight this jacket truly is. It’s packed with duck down with 700 fill power so it’s got enough down packing to keep things toasty. 

The quilted design is a Peak Performance hallmark and a standout design feature of the Helium in particular. The men’s jacket is available in one of six colourways – including Infinity Teel, Brilliant Blue and Pine Needle – which is a good deal more than you’ll find on the standard Helium jacket. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a few more stand-out colours. Many of these designs feature a contrast colour for the chest pocket which, we feel, looks great. 

The Helium name applies to a wider range of jackets than just this Utility version, too. There’s the Helium Hybrid, for instance, which blends the lightweight quilting of this jacket with stretchy fleece sleeves. The standard Helium is available in both hooded and regular specifications, too. Peak Performance has also recently introduced a Petroglyph version of the Utility jacket which, to our eyes, looks fantastic. It could be a better option for those looking to make more of a statement as well. There’s also a full-length down jacket, but this is less of a technical item and more suited to life in the city – though it’s still down-packed for maximum warmth. 

The Peak Performance logos are pretty subtle on the standard Helium Utility, too, and only really pop out the fully black model which gets contrast badges. But this lack of brand klaxon is quite cool and helps to give it a slightly more understated nature.

The exterior of the jacket also gets a water-repellent finish which should help you to navigate a quick shower, though you’ll want to put a full waterproof layer over the top if that weather turns into a more sustained downpour. 

Wearing – what is the Peak Performance Helium Utility like?

The Helium Utility has quite a futuristic feel to it when you first try it out. It is mesmerisingly lightweight and the quilted sections only add to the floaty feel. Fit-wise, the Helium comes up a little long and, at 5’11, we’d be better suited to a Medium jacket instead of the Large that we tested out. It’s fine on the arms, but it feels as though there’s a touch too much material in the midsection and, if the side pockets are full, the whole jacket can be pulled out of shape quickly. 

But pockets there are aplenty, making the Utility a top pick from the Helium range if you’re frequently carrying a lot of stuff. First, there’s the large chest pocket which is ideal for your phone or other valuables. The one on the arm is well-sized enough to take a map or even some snacks. Remember, too, that the whole jacket can be packed into the side pocket, aiding transportation.

The hood on the Helium Utility is particularly cosy, too. It’s two-way adjustable for height and width and this means you can get it to a snug fit and keep the worst of the cold at bay. The chin comes up reasonably high, too, and you could combine it all with a snood to maximise warmth. It’s got enough rigidity to it that it doesn’t feel like it’ll flap around, either. When the hood isn’t in place it doesn’t feel too uncomfortable behind you. 

While the water-repellent finish means that the Helium Utility can deal with an odd shower, we’d recommend putting a more waterproof top layer over this jacket should a more persistent downpour occur. However, we can definitely speak for the Helium Utility’s windproof characteristics as, even in blustery spells, you feel nicely isolated elements and cosy within the quilting. 

To finish

It’s always a challenge expanding on a classic and that’s exactly what Peak Performance faced with the creation of the Helium Utility. Thankfully, things are nailed on throughout; the Utility gets all the same great heat-boosting features that you’ll find in the standard jacket, but we love having the extra pockets dotted here, there and everywhere. It makes the whole jacket feel more versatile as a result. 

As with many other Peak Performance items the Helium Utility does carry a premium price tag, but given the variety of situations where this jacket would feel at home, it seems as though this cost is well justified.