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Helly Hansen Paramount Accelerator S jacket


THE CUT OF this jacket impresses from the off. It’s neat but not tight, with a hood that pops straight over a helmet and stays in place, maintaining perfect peripheral vision.

On the bike it proved itself an ideal weight for spring riding. The fabric is lighter than on some of the other softshells here, with a double-weave construction that gives the inside a ribbed texture. This makes it warmer to the touch when you put it on but has superb sweat-wicking qualities once you start to warm up.

There are pockets aplenty (two on the chest plus two hand warmers) and construction quality is good. Because the Accelerator isn’t bike-specific it’s not as long as we’d like at the back. But if versatility matters more than protection, it’s one to seriously consider.

Price 195$
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