Helly Hansen Garibaldi 2.0 Jacket
A waterproof, insulated ski jacket with an innovative ventilation system that helps effectively regulate your temperature on the slopes.
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Helly Hansen Garibaldi 2.0 Jacket, MSRP: $450 [BUY NOW]
SKI Gear 360 Review
The Helly Hansen Garibaldi has been the industry standard for insulated ski jackets for a few years now. It features everything a skier needs and also includes a few features that users might not even know they want (after getting used to these extras, you might not be able to live without them). How do you make the best thing even better?The reimagined Garibaldi 2.0 takes everything we loved about the original to the next level.
First, the basics: The Garibaldi 2.0 combines 2-Layer waterproof/breathable HELLY TECH Pro fabric and PrimaLoft Black Eco insulation. With slightly more insulation packed into the body of the jacket compared to the sleeves and hood, this breathable-and-warm combo is ideal for keeping toasty and dry in cold and/or snowy conditions throughout the dead of winter. When temps increase, the jacket has a built-in ventilation technology—the H2Flow system—to shuttle excessive heat and moisture out, as well as pit zips that dump heat even faster.
The additional perks of this jacket go above and beyond what skiers might expect. First, one of the chest pockets is built with PrimaLoft Aerogel insulation for keeping your phone’s battery warm and charged. SKI Magazine’s SKI Test crew relies on this so-called Life Pocket when filling out digital test cards at the annual SKI Test, and you’ll appreciate it more for keeping your phone handy for photos and on-the-spot Instagram uploads. Add in a slew of other pocket options inside and out, and it’s hard to imagine anyone complaining about this jacket’s storage capacity.
Additionally, the Garibaldi 2.0 features a hi-vis orange hood brim and a RECCO device, making it easy for your friends to spot you when skiing in the trees or for Search and Rescue to locate you quickly should something go terribly wrong.
What’s a RECCO? Rescue Devices Explained
I have been fortunate to test the original Garibaldi jacket skiing at Deer Valley, ski touring in Norway, and lapping chairs at Aspen Snowmass over the last few years. When I tried on the Garibaldi 2.0 while skiing at Loveland Ski Area last month, I noticed a few improvements right away. The first is the cut: The newest generation of the Garibaldi has a much looser, relaxed fit that moves even better with the body while skiing than the previous version. It also better accommodates thicker midlayers for when the temps really drop. The 2.0 feels longer in the collar, body, and sleeves, serving up better coverage for keeping snow at bay during worm-turns and deep powder runs. At the same time, designers removed some of the unnecessary flaps, so despite the looser cut and better coverage, the jacket has a much more streamlined, clean look. Helly Hansen also updated the colors for the Garibaldi 2.0, mellowing out the green version and removing the flashy camo print from the blue version.
While the Garibaldi 2.0 is still my go-to option when temperatures warrant an insulated ski jacket, there are a couple things I wish were different. I prefer to wear bib pants, and the Garibaldi 2.0’s powder skirt is not removable, which creates some friction. Wearing a backpack also diminishes the effectiveness of the H2Flow system.
Despite the few drawbacks, the Helly Hansen Garibaldi 2.0 is still the standard for me when it comes to insulated ski jackets, and is my first choice when I know it’s going to be a cold day riding chairlifts. For skiers who run cold, it could also function well for cold days touring in the backcountry or when riding in snowcats and helicopters. While the price is certainly on the higher end for this category, remember that you get what you pay for. In this case, it’s a jacket that will keep you warm on the mountain for years to come.
Helly Hansen Garibaldi 2.0 Jacket, MSRP: $450 [BUY NOW]