🏷️ What is Helly Hansen?
Helly Hansen is a Norwegian brand founded in 1877 by naval captain Helly Juell Hansen and his wife Maren in Moss, Norway. Faced with the extreme weather conditions of the North Sea, Captain Hansen developed his first waterproof oiled canvas to protect sailors from waves and sea spray — an innovation that quickly earned him an international reputation. Almost 150 years later, Helly Hansen has become one of the world’s most respected technical clothing brands in the fields of sailing, skiing, mountaineering and outdoor activities in general. Available in over 60 countries, the brand equips extreme sports professionals — sailors, sea rescuers, mountaineers — as well as millions of amateur sports enthusiasts who benefit from weather-protection technologies developed in the harshest conditions on the planet.
🌊 Does Helly Hansen specialise in a particular sport?
No, that is precisely what sets Helly Hansen apart: the brand covers several very different sporting worlds with the same technical expertise. In sailing, Helly Hansen is the undisputed leader in equipment — the brand has outfitted over 55,000 maritime professionals and supplies the teams competing in the most demanding offshore races (Volvo Ocean Race, America’s Cup). In alpine skiing and ski touring, Helly Hansen jackets and salopettes are highly sought after by ski patrollers, ski instructors and discerning freeride enthusiasts. For mountaineering and trekking, the technical range offers complete protection in all weather conditions. Helly Hansen also supplies professional teams in many Nordic countries, as well as partner ski resorts around the world.
💡 Good to know: Helly Hansen is the official outfitter for over 200 ski resorts worldwide — the mountain professionals (piste patrollers, rescue workers, instructors) who wear Helly Hansen every day are the best ambassadors for the quality of its technical clothing.
🧥 What is Helly Tech® technology and how do you choose your level of protection?
Helly Tech® is Helly Hansen’s patented system of waterproof and breathable technologies, available in several levels depending on the level of protection required. Helly Tech® Essential is the entry-level option — offering adequate waterproofing and breathability for light activities in wet weather. Helly Tech® Performance is the intermediate level, designed for sustained sporting activities in rainy or windy conditions. Helly Tech® Professional is the premium level, featuring a three-layer membrane offering maximum waterproofing and breathability for intensive activities and extreme conditions. Helly Tech® Ocean is the range specifically developed for sailing at sea, with particularly high resistance to seawater.
🎿 Is Helly Hansen clothing suitable for alpine skiing and freeriding?
Yes, skiing is one of Helly Hansen’s strongest categories. The ski range includes technical jackets and salopettes for all disciplines — downhill skiing, ski touring, freeride and backcountry. The most technical models — such as the Elevation range or the Odin range — feature high-performance waterproof membranes, underarm ventilation systems to wick away heat during ascents, waterproof taped seams and compatibility with avalanche harness attachments. Helly Hansen also offers a range of high-performance thermal base layers and mid-layers made from merino wool and synthetic materials, developed in collaboration with the Scandinavian national ski teams.
💡 Tip: for ski touring, opt for models from the Odin range featuring underarm ventilation — these will allow you to effectively wick away heat during ascents whilst remaining protected on descents without having to change your jacket.
🐑 Does Helly Hansen use merino wool in its collections?
Yes, Helly Hansen offers a range of base layers and merino wool garments under the LIFA® Merino label — a natural fibre that regulates body temperature exceptionally well, wicks away moisture and has unrivalled natural anti-odour properties. The Helly Hansen merino range is available in several weights — lightweight for intense aerobic activities, mid-season for cooler temperatures and warm for winter conditions. These garments are particularly popular for long-duration outdoor activities where regular washing isn’t possible — multi-day hikes, treks and ski touring.
⛵ Is Helly Hansen’s marine gear really suitable for the sea?
Yes, this is the brand’s original DNA and its historic area of excellence. Helly Hansen marine gear — deck jackets, overalls, wetsuits and accessories — is designed to withstand the most extreme conditions of offshore sailing. Jackets in the Ægir and Pier 3.0 ranges are certified to the strictest ISO standards for protective clothing for offshore sailing. Helly Tech® Ocean technology offers resistance to seawater, salt and abrasion far superior to membranes designed for land-based use. Integrated reflective strips, waterproof zips and fall-overboard protection systems are among the features specifically developed for safety at sea.
👕 Does Helly Hansen also offer lifestyle and casual clothing?
Yes, over the years Helly Hansen has developed a highly popular lifestyle range that draws on the brand’s maritime and mountaineering heritage to offer high-quality everyday clothing. Daybreaker fleeces, sweatshirts featuring the Helly Hansen logo, graphic T-shirts, lightweight jackets and accessories — beanies, gloves, socks — make up a casual range that is very popular in the Nordic countries and has seen a resurgence of interest in international streetwear culture in recent years. The brand also offers a collection of outdoor and casual footwear that competes with the major brands in the sector.
💡 Good to know: Helly Hansen’s Daybreaker fleeces are among the most durable on the market — very lightweight, very warm for their weight, with excellent wind resistance, they are available in dozens of colours and make a perfect mid-layer under a waterproof jacket.
📏 Are Helly Hansen sizes true to size?
Helly Hansen clothing follows standard European sizes, but the fits vary depending on the product’s intended use. The technical ski and water sports ranges are designed to be worn with layers underneath — the fits are often slightly roomier to allow for layering without restricting movement. The lifestyle ranges have a more fitted cut and are closer to standard sizes. For technical clothing, if you’re unsure between two sizes, Helly Hansen recommends choosing the larger size to ensure full freedom of movement.
🌿 Is Helly Hansen committed to the environment?
Yes, Helly Hansen has incorporated significant environmental commitments into its production strategy. The brand is committed to using more sustainable materials in its collections — recycled polyester from plastic bottles, ZQ-certified merino wool, and RDS (Responsible Down Standard)-certified down. Helly Hansen has gradually phased out PFAS (perfluorocarbons) from the water-repellent treatments used in some of its ranges, replacing them with more environmentally friendly alternatives. The brand has also set targets to reduce its carbon footprint and industrial waste by 2030.
❓ My Helly Hansen promo code isn’t working – what should I do?
Helly Hansen codes generally exclude items already on sale, recently launched new collections and certain premium technical ranges. Some codes are reserved for newsletter subscribers or new customers. Check the terms and conditions on our page and ensure the minimum order value is met. Helly Hansen customer service can be contacted via live chat or the contact form on the hellyhansen.com website.
🛍️ Are there any special Helly Hansen offers during Black Friday?
Yes, Black Friday is one of the best times to shop at Helly Hansen, with discounts on ski jackets, snowsuits, marine clothing and fleeces. It’s an excellent opportunity to invest in high-quality technical gear ahead of the winter season or to treat yourself to one of the brand’s iconic lifestyle pieces at a reduced price. Subscribe to notifications on our website to be alerted as soon as the offers go live.
