Helly Hansen Clothing: Guaranteed to Keep You Warm, Dry and Safe

Helly Hansen is the global leader and innovator of technical sports, leisure and work-wear—offers more than 500 individual product lines for men, women and children. It provides technical clothing for all seasons, developed and tested for the extremes. Windsurfers, sailors, cyclists, anglers, skiers, boarders, and climbers benefit from more than a century of fabric knowledge and technology.

Helly Hansen clothing is used to sail the Whitbread Round the World races, compete in the Olympics, climb the world's tallest mountains, trek over Arctic wastes, and tackle the roughest of the North Sea. It will keep you warm, dry and safe too—even though your aspirations might not be as high.

Helly Hansen History

Helly Hansen Historical Overview

1877—Helly Hansen is officially formed by Captain Helly Juell Hansen.

1878—Helly Juell Hansen presents his collection of oilskin clothing at the Paris Expo, where he won a diploma for excellence and innovation.

1878—Helly Hansen is exported and sold in Sweden and Denmark, and a few years later to England, South Africa, and Chile.

1914—Helly Juell Hansen passes, and his son, Helly Hansen takes over the rains of the family business.

1920's—a new fabric called Linox is developed. The surface is glossy, attractive and non-sticky. Over the next 30 years, the name Linox would transfer to a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) application.

1931—another new fabric, Lin-O-Let, is launched. Very thin and light, it could be made in many colors and used in waterproof leisure clothing for women and children. The trend for outdoor clothing as fashion is born.

1938—Helly Hansen passes, and his son, Leiv Helly Hansen takes over the reins at his age of 24.

1949—A breakthrough for the brand came when Helox was developed. This very thin sheet of translucent PVC plastic was sewn into waterproof coats and hats to make a very comfortable wear. Plarex, a heavyer-duty version of Helox, was developed for work-wear.

1963—Italian researchers discovered how to spin yarn from polypropylene fiber, and were rewarded with a Nobel prize for their inventions. Helly Hansen utilizes the technology, and develops the 3 layer system.

1970's—North Sea oil drilling kicks into gear, and a new demand for technical work-wear arises. Helly Hansen becomes the leader in producing survival suits for offshore workers.

1984—Helly Hansen's own breathable, waterproof fabric system, called Helly Tech is introduced. A Unique coating that simultaneously releases perspiration moisture while preventing outside moisture from penetrating the fabric.

2000—Introduction of a breakthrough emergency breathing system, utilized within survival suits, that provides 2 – 3 minutes of underwater breathing space—enough time to escape from a submerged helicopter.

For 125 years, Helly Hansen has been at the forefront of product development and innovation. Since 1877, when the sea captain Helly Juell Hansen made his first "oilskin" waterproof jacket, the company has pushed the boundaries of fabric technology. Trust, protection and quality were the watchwords... the rest, as they say, is history.

Helly Juell Hansen had been at sea since the age of 15. At his age of 35 he was a respected captain, and he knew how it felt to be soaked to the skin, to be cold and miserable. He'd had enough—warmth for the workers was on the way. Helly and his wife Maren Magrethe gathered a stock of coarse linen and linseed oil. They designed and sewed jackets, trousers, and souwester hats for ocean use, then Helly applied oil to the garments and dried them before an open fire.

Helly Hanses's waterproofs were a great success. In their first year of production, they manufactured and sold 2000 items, from clothes to taupaulins. Within 5 years, the sales rose to 10,000 items. Helly Hansen company was born.

The business was officially formed in 1877. Helly Hansen was on the map, but his enquiring mind continually sought to diversify. He knew that the principle of lightweight waterproof fabrics must have multiple applications. The concept of supplying high quality, well priced clothing for outdoors use had become a triumph, and is what drove the company from being the innovator, to being the technological leader it is today.

Helly Hansen Athletes

Renata Chlumbska--Cute ain't she? The Helly Hansen team is out chasing the action, wherever that may lead them. The gear they ride, sail, hike and work in needs to protect them regardless of the intensity of the weather or the situation. These athletes and their experiences inspire Helly Hansen company to improve on what they have produced season after season. Thanks to them lies in the company's dedication to protection and comfort in the harshest environments on earth. Don't thank Helly Hansen company for making the best gear available, thank them.

Renata Chlumska

Renata Chlumska is kayaking coastlines, trekking over mountains and across deserts as she pushes Helly Hansen gear to new levels on her expedition around the contiguous forty-eight states of America. Athletes of her stature require the most progressive outerwear on the planet. She needs clothing that works as hard as she does and that's why she's wearing Helly Hansen gear—the whole long way.

Helly Hansen 3 Layer System

Helly Hansen Three Layer System... Layering is about keeping you comfortable and dry all day while increasing performance by utilizing base layers, thermals and a protective shell in unison to provide the body with ideal conditions for optimal functionality.

Three separate layers of clothing designed to work together to form an ideal environment for the body during outdoor activity. Helly Hansen develops its own fabrics for all three layers, ensuring that every product is individually designed and built to deliver optimal dryness and warmth:

The Base Layer moves perspiration away from the skin keeping it dry and warm. The Thermal Layer form an insulating layer. The movement of moisture away from the body, which starts with the Base Layer, continues through this layer. The Protection Layer combines weather protection, comfort and durability.

Layer 1: Base Layer

The base layer in the 3-layer system functions as a second skin and base layers with LIFA Stay-Dry Technology transport moisture away from the skin and dries quickly. First layer, second skin—your outer layers are useless without a good base, one that promotes both warmth and moisture transfer. This is exactly what advanced LIFA technology does—it's the base of good performance.

Helly Hansen use advanced polypropylene technology with a breakthrough filament yarn that offers the feel and durability of polyester, yet delivers the moisture transmission of polypropylene—moving moisture 40 times faster than polyester. The new LIFA product range is a total product program with a base layer for every application, no matter how specific. A highly versatile performance base layer using Stay Dry Technology, LIFA acts as a second skin to keep you dry and maintain an optimal body temperature range—choose from LIFA Versa, LIFA Prowool or LIFA Sport.

LIFA VERSA (H/H COOL): LIFA Versa designed for high intensity activities in warm weather. Maximum moisture transfer with a looser fit means excess heat is vented away quickly, ensuring you're kept dry and cool, meaning you perform at your best for longer.

LIFA PROWOOL (H/H WARM): This thermal base layer for cold weather combines LIFA Stay-Dry Technology with Merino wool for moisture transport and warmth. Designed for the coldest conditions, LIFA Prowool is the perfect base layer choice for a great range of activites with varying intensity levels. It will keep you dry and extra warm during the course of your activity resulting in a higher and more prolonged performance level.

LIFA SPORT (H/H DRY): This performance base layer with LIFA Stay-Dry Technology offers exceptional moisture control for all sports, all year round. The perfect year-round base layer choice, LIFA Sport was designed with high intensity activities in mind, and will keep you dry and comfortable in any of your active pursuits. The result is a higher and more prolonged performance level.

Layer 2: Thermal Layer

The thermal layer insulates and transports moisture from the base layer to the outer layer. The Thermal Layer, Part 2 of the 3-Layer System, ensures enhanced insulation and moisture movement from the body. If this layer is not performing properly, neither are you.

PROSTRETCH: Low pile stretch micro fleece that is ideal for high activity in cool and cold weather conditions. Prostretch offers exceptional mobility and easy layering. ProStretch is a short pile stretch micro fleece offering a low bulk thermal layer. Used both in a soft double-sided form and the slick hard-faced single-sided construction, freedom of movement is the result, and warmth and comfort on chilly days is something you'll find very appealing.

PROFLEECE: Mid-loft, pill-free fleece that offers thermal insulation and breathability ideal for athletes who need a low-bulk thermal. Warmer than ProStretch, Helly Hansen's ProFleece is a mid-loft fleece that is designed to keep you comfortable over a broad range of temperatures. Either on its own, or as part of your layering system, its resilient filament fibres and double-sided construction will never let you down or pill, even after years of hard-core usage.

Layer 3: Protective Layer

The protective layer provides weather protection and regulates moisture transport via breathable fabrications or venting features. The final stage and of our 3-Layer System—the outer, or Protective, layer serves as the face of the 3-Layer System; it keeps external moisture out, while allowing water vapor close to the body to escape.

HELLY TECH: The revolutionary breakthrough that set the standard for waterproof and breathable outerwear. Designed for all season use and most weather conditions, Helly Tech sets the standard for waterproof breathable outerwear technology.

HELLY TECH XP: Heavy-duty Helly Tech with increased breathability and waterproof protection. Designed for hardcore activities in cold and wet conditions, Helly Tech XP offers double the water resistance and 25% more breathability than standard Helly Tech.

INTERFACE: InterFace is a soft-textured, stretch-woven fabric that's perfect for any high-energy activity. It's a dynamic stretch and non-bulky layering option for chilly mountain days. Wind and water-resistant, and highly breathable, InterFace also offers the best in mobility for those sunny days as well.

Helly Hansen Jackets

Helly Hansen jackets are in the category of their own—they are perhaps the most recognized product Helly Hansen has to offer. Helly Hansen jackets are manufactured in various styles and are designed for many different purposes: starting from light mountain trekking to heavy ocean sailing. Helly Hansen's jacket collection includes packable jackets, hooded jackets, parkas, ski jackets, snowboarding jackets, sailing jackets and more—all of them featuring the materials and technologies that are result of over 125 years of experience.

Helly Hansen Watersports

Reflecting the wide range of activities that occur on the ocean and rivers of the world, the Helly Hansen Watersports collection is designed to allow you to get on without worrying about the wind, rain, heat or cold. Helly Hansen seagear is inspired by experience and knowledge built from involvement in the famous World Volvo Ocean Race, and designed to protect you against the rough and rapidly changing weather conditions at sea.

Helly Hansen Outerwear

Helly Hansen outdoor garments are designed to provide protection and durable comfort across the full range of conditions encountered in the great mountain ranges of the world. Whatever your outdoor sport, from mountain biking and trial running to backpacking and expedition climbing, Helly Hansen garments provide the appropriate protection while keeping the weight and bulk of your load to a minimum.

Rainwear

Helly Hansen have been producing a large line of products in the rain wear category for 125 years. From PVC total storm protection to some of the lightest weight waterproof/breathable garments available on the market. Helly Hansen offers a wide range of products—manufactured based on quality, durability and comfort, to keep you warm and dry.

High Alpine

The world above tree line is one of the harshest environments on the planet. Glaciers, exposed ridges, and windswept summits characterize this region where humans and the clothing they wear are put to the ultimate test of endurance while ice climbing, alpine climbing, expedition and mountaineering. In winter and summer, conditions often range from bright sun to full storm within minutes, so garments must provide the wearer with the ability to go from the maximum ventilation to total coverage at a moments notice.

Back Country

From meadows at the upper reaches of tree line down through the heavily wooded lower ramparts of high mountains, this is the segment of the mountain environment where we back-country ski, hike along trails, camp on the shores of alpine lakes in the summer, and snowshoe the white world of winter. In summer, wind, rain and heat are common, and as in the high alpine region, conditions are highly variable and demand fully featured garments. In winter, this environment demands fully prepared enthusiasts due to the rapidly changing conditions so often encountered.

V-Concept

Is an ethic and attitude rather that a specific region of the geography. V-Concept is an approach to the mountains that is lighter, faster and often represents a fresh look at traditional ways of taking on mountain adventure. Doing in one day what typically takes two ro three, and removing motor powered approaches, are just two examples of how the V-Concept athlete puts a new spin on an old activity. Helly Hansen V-Concept garments provide high breathability, water resistance, wind-proofness, close-fitting designs, stretch fabrics, and excellent compressibility to ensure outstanding performance in high-energy pursuits. From mountain trails and ridgeline singletracks to Nordic ski trails, V-Concept products are the answer to the needs of the athletic, multi-sport outdoors enthusiast.