My first real outdoor jacket back in the 90s was a Helly Hansen. I used that jacket for everything. Skiing, hiking, travelling, walking the dog. Of course, I knew nothing about outdoor gear back then and technology has come a long way since then.
1877 sea captain Helly Juell Hansen was trying to stay warmer and dryer out in the harsh Norwegian weather.
launched his waterproof outdoor apparel business with linen soaked in linseed oil.
Since then Helly has innovated with outdoor materials creating one of the worlds first fleece jackets, LIFA base layers, LIFA Merino, H² Flow, LIFALOFT, LIFA Infinity Pro and Helly Tech waterproof membranes.
Today Helly makes some of the best sailing, outdoor and outdoor work apparel in the world, combining their many technologies to keep us warm and dry.
2022 is no different as they come back around with new pieces and old favourites for yet another winter in the sailing, outdoor and work spaces.
Here’s our favourite picks from Helly Hansen going into the fall and winter of 2022.
Our Favourite Helly Hansen Gear from Fall Winter 2022
Verglas Down Insulated Jacket
You can never go wrong with a good down puffer. It can be worn on its own on cold days or as a layering piece when it’s wet. I never go hiking or skiing now without one.
The Verglas Down Insulated Jacket is a simple lightweight puffer from Helly Hansen with 700 fill responsibly sourced down, PFC-free DWR coating on the outside and bluesign® approved manufacturing.
The whole jacket zips into the large left hand pocket forming a small 9″x11″ pillow. Another zippered pocket is inside the chest.
The cut is long so it keeps you covered even when reaching or bending. There’s a hooded version as well.
Mens without hood $320 CAD ($275 USD)
Mens with hood $370 CAD ($300 USD)
Womens without hood $320 CAD ($275 USD)
Womens with hood $320 CAD ($275 USD)
Cascade Low Cut Helly Tech Hiking Shoes
As the cool weather rolls in with fall and winter in the Pacific Northwest, so does the rain. Some locations in the area can get 7 feet of rain per year. That’s a bit of water. How do we keep our feet dry through that?
You may not know Helly Hansen has a line of shoes. Drawing on their expertise with waterproof clothing and sailing shoes, they’ve put together the Cascade Low Cut Helly Tech hiking shoe.
Helly Tech is the waterproof membrane that’s sandwiched in between the inner and outer layers. A whole host of other tech in the Cascade creates a shoe that’s stable, durable but lightweight. At 800 grams for the pair, they’re great for fast adventures.
I’ve been testing the Cascade over the last month and they’re great for on, and off, the trail. The fit is standard street size.
Mens Cascade $160 CAD ($140 USD)
Womens Cascade $160 CAD ($140 USD)
Odin 9 World Infinity Shell Jacket
Most waterproof jackets have to have a Durable Water Repellency (DWR) coating on the outside to make the water bead off. If the water doesn’t bead, it blocks the moisture from evaporating out from the inside.
The LIFA Infinity Pro layers in the Odin 9 World Infinity jacket don’t need a chemical coating on the outside. Helly has taken all their moisture management experience and created an outer layer of LIFA fibres that permanently beads water on its own. There’s no DWR (with flourocarbons) to wash off or re-activate in the dryer.
Mens Odin 9 $725 CAD ($600 USD)
Womens Odin 9 $725 CAD ($600 USD)
LifaLoft Hooded Insulator Jacket
Thin insulator jackets are great for around town, on the trail and under a shell. Usually thin means less insulation. After 4 years of work, Helly and Primaloft have created LifaLoft, a warm insulation that’s lighter than most other synthetic insulation. It packs down smaller and thinner for the same warmth.
The LifaLoft fibres absorb less water and dry faster than other insulations. The whole jacket is bluesign approved and is covered with PFC-free DWR to keep water beading off.
Mens LifaLoft Hooded Insulator Jacket $270 CAD ($220 USD)
Womens LifaLoft Hooded Insulator Jacket $270 CAD ($220 USD)
Lifa Merino Midweight Half-Zip Base Layer
Under all these jackets, we need a good base layer and Helly Hansen knows those well. Their LIFA base layers have been around since 1970. To add some warmth to the equation, they add 100% merino wool to the outside on the Merino versions (used to be HH Warm). LIFA fibres on the inside wick moisture away from the skin. Merino on the outside prevents the stink and keeps you warmer.
Mens LIFA Merino Midweight Half-zip $120 CAD ($110 USD)
Womens LIFA Merino Midweight Half-zip $120 CAD ($110 USD)
Transistor Backpack
Every adventure needs a backpack and 30 litres is a perfect size. It can hold lunch and a couple layers when it’s colder for 1 or 2 people. Weighing only 900 grams, the Transistor won’t weight you down either. Bungies and trekking pole attachments on the outside holds extra gear if you need.
Transistor Backpack $210 CAD ($170 USD)
Check out more of the Helly Hansen Outdoors and Ski collections.