Do you snowboard? Are you a ski racer? Do you have a ton of money and just want the best jacket? The Arc'teryx Fissile SV Down Jacket and the Helly Hansen Helly Vantage Jacket are two of the most expensive ski and snowboard jackets on the market right now, and they're built for very different riders.
Full disclosure: both of these jackets are mine. I bought them at a discount, and neither brand gave them to us. I haven't had them on snow yet, so this is a tech comparison to help you decide before the season starts.
Arc'teryx Fissile SV Down Jacket ($1,100)
Arc'teryx calls the Fissile SV its pinnacle resort jacket. The idea is one piece: a base layer plus this jacket, with no mid layers to mess around with. Think of it as an Arc'teryx Sabre SV shell stuffed with a Thorium down jacket.
Fabric and Waterproofing
It uses a tough 80D face fabric with a GORE-TEX ePE membrane, not GORE-TEX PRO. That tells you it's an in-bounds resort jacket, not a backcountry shell. A soft C-KNIT backer on the inside makes it really comfortable against your layers.
Insulation and Warmth
The insulation is 750-fill European goose down, with synthetic insulation mapped into spots that are bound to get wet and sweaty, like the shoulders, underarms, and sides. The insulated hood is removable, so you can wear the jacket around town without it.
This is flat out the warmer of the two jackets. On subzero days, sitting on the chairlift or bending down to strap into your bindings, it's going to keep you warm.
Weight
Arc'teryx lists it at about 1.2 kg, roughly 2 lb 10 oz. The warmer jacket is actually the lighter one here, thanks to that high-quality down.
Breathability and Downsides
The GORE-TEX membrane breathes well, but breathability matters less on a jacket this warm. If you're doing tons of laps all day, you're still going to cook in it. And remember, down doesn't like getting wet, which is why this is a resort jacket and not one for rolling around in deep, wet snow all day.
Best for: Cold, lower-output resort days with lots of chairlift time, plus après. It's especially good for snowboarders.
Helly Hansen Helly Vantage Jacket ($1,200)
Why is it so expensive? The Vantage was developed with input from Team Telenor Alpine Norway, Norway's alpine ski team. It's basically a race suit turned into a resort jacket for those of us who want to look and feel fast on the hill.
Race-Inspired Cut and Stretch
Right away you'll notice it's cut shorter in the front, so you can drive into your turns without extra bulk. The fabric is four-way stretch and almost feels like a wetsuit. It hugs you in the right places and moves with you when you're carving hard. It also has reinforced, padded shoulders where you carry your skis, so the edges don't slice into the jacket.
Waterproofing and Ventilation
It uses HELLY TECH Professional, Helly Hansen's highest level of waterproofing. Helly doesn't publish waterproof or breathability numbers, but it performs in the same range as GORE-TEX in a lot of testing. Pit zips help you dump heat. Because it's built for high output, I think the Vantage will do a better job of venting than the Fissile.
Insulation and Weight
Inside is 80g PrimaLoft Gold synthetic insulation, chosen so it keeps performing when you get sweaty. On the scale, it's about 1,400 g, a little over 3 lb, so it's the heavier of the two.
Best for: Aggressive skiers who carve groomers, run gates, and ski fast and hard all day.
Side-by-Side Specs
Arc'teryx Fissile SV Down Jacket
Price: $1,100
Face fabric: 80D with GORE-TEX ePE
Insulation: 750-fill European goose down plus mapped synthetic
Hood: Insulated and removable
Weight: About 1.2 kg (2 lb 10 oz)
Fit: Looser, roomier
Best for: Cold, low-output resort days and snowboarding
Helly Hansen Helly Vantage Jacket
Price: $1,200
Face fabric: Four-way stretch with HELLY TECH Professional
Insulation: 80g PrimaLoft Gold synthetic
Ventilation: Pit zips
Weight: About 1,400 g (3 lb)
Fit: Trim, European, race-inspired
Best for: Aggressive, high-output skiing
Skiers vs Snowboarders: Who Each Jacket Is For
The Vantage is purpose-built for skiers who go hard. It stays dry, moves fast, hugs you in the right places, and cuts out material where you don't want it.
The Fissile SV leans more toward snowboarders, or any skier who takes it easier. Snowboarders tend to sit down to strap in and spend more time not moving, so a warmer, less active jacket makes sense. There's a style difference too. The Vantage has a tighter, European fit, and the Fissile is looser and baggier.
Our Verdict
On cold days, I'm grabbing the Fissile SV 100%. The Vantage is probably going to my dad, who's a really good skier at 63 and still beats me down the hill.
If you want the best materials, the best look, and you don't mind spending to get them, both of these jackets deliver. Just pick the one that matches how you ride: warmth and comfort with the Fissile SV, or speed and stretch with the Vantage.
FAQs
Is the Arc'teryx Fissile SV warmer than the Helly Hansen Vantage?
Yes. The Fissile SV's 750-fill down makes it the warmer jacket, and it's also lighter.
Is the Fissile SV GORE-TEX PRO?
No. It uses a GORE-TEX ePE membrane with an 80D face fabric, which fits its role as an in-bounds resort jacket.
Is the Helly Vantage good for snowboarding?
It can work, but it's designed around aggressive skiing, with a shorter front cut and a race-inspired fit. Most snowboarders will prefer a roomier, warmer jacket like the Fissile SV.
Which jacket is better if I sweat a lot?
The Vantage. Its synthetic PrimaLoft insulation keeps working when damp, and it's built to vent during high-output skiing.
Shop Premium Ski Jackets at Ridge and River
Shop the Helly Hansen Helly Vantage Jacket. Looking for a premium Arc'teryx down resort jacket? Check out the Arc'teryx Macai Down Jacket. Want to try them on before you commit? Stop by our Levis Commons store in Perrysburg. For more winter gear, subscribe on YouTube and follow along on Instagram.
