Burton Men's [ak] Helium Hooded Stretch Insulated Jacket

Active Thermal Layering. High-CFM Breathability & Packable Stretch Warmth.

Designed as the ultimate "never leave it behind" midlayer for mountain touring, the Burton Men’s [ak] Helium Hooded Stretch Insulated Jacket provides dynamic temperature regulation, low-bulk warmth, and complete freedom of movement. Built with a lightweight 20D stretch nylon/spandex shell and 40g Thermacore Stretch insulation, this high-CFM jacket breathes continuously when skinning uphill or booting up ridges, keeping you warm without overheating before sliding smoothly under your 3L shell for the descent.

• 40g Thermacore Stretch Insulation: Low-bulk synthetic insulation stretches with every move while letting excess heat and humidity escape during high-output efforts.

• Stretch 20D Nylon/Spandex Shell & Lining: High air-permeability (high CFM) plain-weave face with a water-repellent coating paired with a soft 20D ripstop lining.

• Packable Self-Stowing Design: Stuff-sack functionality allows the entire jacket to pack neatly into the wearer's left handwarmer pocket for easy storage in small touring packs.

• Fitted Stretch Hood: Low-profile hood with stretch binding fits snugly over a beanie or under a helmet without impairing peripheral vision.

• Slim Articulated Fit: Streamlined cut sits close to the body, eliminating interior bulk and fabric bunching when layered under GORE-TEX shells.

• Utility & Pocket Setup: Features a zippered chest pocket, zippered handwarmer pockets with a media port, an internal pocket loop, reflective details, and a low-profile hem cinch.

Pro Tip: Down vs. Synthetic Insulators in the Backcountry The choice between down and synthetic comes down to moisture management vs. ultimate warmth-to-weight ratio:

• Choose High-Loft Down (e.g., [ak] Baker 800-Fill) for extreme sub-zero cold, dry conditions, and compact packing. Down provides unmatched thermal efficiency per gram and compresses into a fraction of the space in your touring pack—making it the ultimate summit layer during cold ridge transitions or emergency shelter setups.

• Choose Active Synthetic (e.g., [ak] Helium Thermacore Stretch) when you are actively moving and sweating on high-effort uptracks or riding aggressively in bounds. Synthetic insulation handles humidity and perspiration without collapsing, dries rapidly, and continues to trap heat even if damp.

The Backcountry Setup: Many riders pack a highly breathable synthetic layer on their body for the uptrack and keep an ultralight down jacket compressed at the bottom of their pack to throw over everything the moment they hit the summit or transition to descending.