Burton [ak]® Helium Hooded Stretch Insulated 2027 – Women's Insulator Jacket

The Burton [ak]® Helium Hooded Stretch Insulated Jacket is a technical mid-layer built for women who move. Designed specifically for ski touring, backcountry laps, and high-output days in the mountains, it delivers warmth without the bulk — whether you're earning your turns or threading through trees on the way down.

At the heart of this jacket is a 40g Thermacore Stretch synthetic insulation layered between a 20D nylon/spandex ripstop shell and a matching stretch lining — both water-repellent treated — giving you a slim, unrestricted fit that bends and twists with your body rather than fighting it. The fitted full-time hood adds coverage without adding profile, and the hem cinch keeps everything locked in on the descent. It packs into its own left handwarmer pocket when conditions shift, and YKK® zippers, reflective details, a utility loop, and a media port round out a feature set built to handle the whole day.

This is the jacket for touring-focused women who need a mid-layer that can keep up with big vert and long approaches. The stretch construction makes it just as capable under a shell as it is worn solo on a bluebird skin track. If warmth-to-weight ratio and packability are non-negotiable for you, this one earns its spot in the pack every time.

• Can it be worn as an outer layer? Yes — the water-repellent coating handles light precipitation, though it's optimized as a mid-layer under a shell in harsher conditions.
• Does it compress small enough to stuff in a pack? It packs into its own left handwarmer pocket, making it easy to stash when you heat up on the climb.