REVIEW: HelikonTex DELTA Jacket

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After recently taking a look at the Helikon UTP pants, we continue our review series with a look at the next element of the Urban Tactical Line by HelikonTex, the DELTA Jacket. This jacket is a fleece-lined softshell jacket which, as usual in the Urban Tactical Line, has a more discreet appearance without velcro patches or oversized pockets.
First impression: Our testers received the DELTA Jackets directly from HelikonTex, the manufacturer recommended ordering the jacket in the respective civilian jacket size. An important tip, as the DELTA Jacket is also designed for a civilian fit, but is still wide enough to conceal a protective vest or a concealed handgun.

The outer material is called Sharkskin Softshell, a relatively soft and elastic polyester fabric coated with Teflon. The coating makes the material highly water and dirt repellent. The seams on all jackets made a more than solid impression, however, some ends were sloppily sewn and threads were loose from the jacket, indicating a need for HelikonTex to work on their quality control. The jacket's inner lining consists of light fleece covered with mesh material, making the jacket airy despite having interior pockets. The collar is also lined with waffle fleece.

Structure: The jacket, as mentioned, is very simply structured. Two spacious outer pockets at hip height and another on the chest, all with a YKK zipper. Inside, there are three more zipper pockets in mesh material, two at chest height and a large one on the inside of the left side. What's missing here is a channel or at least buttonholes for cable management, a feature the manufacturer plans to address in future versions. All zippers end in a zipper flap to protect against dirt.

The front zipper of the DELTA is a toothed zipper, very robust but also harder to repair. Whether a coil zipper should have been used instead remains a matter of personal preference. However, there were no issues with the zippers in 6 months. The jacket is secured at the wrists with plastic tabs and velcro, and the elbows are generously reinforced with an additional layer of softshell material.

As for water and dirt repellent properties, Helikon Tex does not disappoint. Only after about 30 minutes of continuous rain did the coating start to weaken, allowing water to seep into the material. Dirt and even oil could be easily removed from the jacket even after a long time. However, it's important to remember that the DELTA Jacket is a softshell jacket without any membrane, and its water-repellent abilities come completely from its coating. Therefore, it's expected that each wash may make the jacket slightly more susceptible to environmental factors mentioned above.

To adjust the DELTA Softshell to the wearer, it also features a drawstring in the hip area that is secured with 2 cord stoppers. The loose ends of the elastic cords end in the front hip pockets, disguising any loose strings. The elastic waistband also allows the jacket to be pulled over a holster, making access easier. However, Helikon offers another version of the DELTA (called JACKAL) with its own holster opening. The jacket feels perfect over a simple t-shirt for transitional weather, keeping you warm without feeling like you're in a wetsuit when the sun comes out, thanks especially to the moisture-wicking fleece lining. If it gets colder, wearing a base layer helps, but this jacket is not designed for layering clothing. A standalone softshell is better suited for that. A plate carrier fits perfectly under the jacket, making it a quick cover for the shooting range or operations.

Conclusion: Overall, the DELTA is a more than solid and especially inconspicuous jacket at a fair price. We're not talking about a product for professional outdoor use, but rather about a "tactical" jacket that saves us from the hassle of layering clothing to a certain extent.

The HelikonTex Delta can be found in Germany at RECON COMPANY for 69.95 Euros.