We’ve been having some very windy and rainy weather in Seattle this week, but it’s springtime and not too cold, so my big down jackets aren’t much help. Instead, I’ve been wearing my new Helly Hansen Lyness raincoat; it’s the perfect wet weather jacket for this time of year.
It’s also adorable! The Lyness raincoat is as cute in person as it looks on the Helly Hansen site (navy blue with white anchors all over it), and I get compliments every time I wear it. Ironically, I’m a yacht detailer and work on boats, so the anchor design is apropos!
The Helly Hansen Lyness raincoat offers the ideal trifecta of features I need in rainwear. It’s waterproof, windproof, and breathable. It has fully sealed seams to keep water from soaking in and Velcro-like tabs at the sleeves hems so I can tighten them up around my wrists. It has a “storm flap” on the back, which basically allows for venting to help regulate temperature. Venting is key; I hate that sweaty, cold, clammy rain jacket feeling when a jacket isn’t breathable! I appreciate that the Lyness rain jacket is lined, which shows its high quality workmanship and solid construction. Yet, it’s still a lightweight jacket.
I love how the Helly Hansen Lyness raincoat has both a front zipper and flap over the zipper that I can snap closed. Sometimes I want to zip up and other times I just want to snap a few snaps; I have that option with this jacket. The jacket is cut long and does a great job keeping sideways falling rain off my upper legs. I also don’t have to worry about getting my pants wet if I sit down on something wet because the jacket covers my butt, keeping me dry.
When zipped up all the way, the Helly Hansen Lyness raincoat offers a nice, high collar to keep wind from reaching my neck. The attached hood can be cinched up, which helps it fit around my head better (and it actually covers my forehead). I find most hoods are sloppy and only seem to protect the back of my head. The hood on this jacket has a better design and fits well, even with my pony tail.
The Helly Hansen Lyness raincoat is a lightweight shell I can wear over a shirt if it’s not too cold out (in the 50’s or warmer) or over a thicker sweater if the temps are in the 40’s. It has large hand-warming pockets on each side (my hands fit even if I’m wearing gloves) with room for my phone.
Sizing for the Helly Hansen Lyness raincoat is fairly true to size. (In general, Helly Hansen jackets are very consistent in sizing.) I have broad shoulders for my frame, so a size medium fit me well (in some brands I wear a size small). I would recommend if someone is in between sizes or has broad shoulders, or a larger bust, to choose one size up. Sizes: XS – XL. Available in six colors/patterns.
Bottom Line: This is a superb raincoat for spring and fall and a stylish jacket to wear on chilly summer evenings.
Manufacturer’s Site: hellyhansen.com
$160, free shipping at Amazon.