Helly Hansen

History

Helly Hansen dates way back to 1877, well before the phenomenon of outdoor sports and technical apparel. Longtime seaman Captain Helly Juell Hansen and his wife founded the company to create new clothing that would withstand the Norwegian Sea’s cold, wet climate. In their basement workshop, they developed warm, waterproof workwear by soaking coarse linen in linseed oil. These cutting-edge garments were so effective that they won an award at the 1878 World Exposition in Paris and were soon sold around the globe.

As people began to have more leisure time and new activities to fill it, Helly Hansen met the need with recreational sailing and camping gear. And nearly eighty years before technical outerwear would become everyday fashion (aka gorpcore), Helly Hansen began turning their foul-weather work gear into stylish rainwear and leisure apparel.

After the Second World War, the company explored using plastics and introduced Helox. This transparent PVC film made rainwear waterproof while letting the clothing underneath show through. In the 1970s, Helly Hansen created LIFA®, the first technical base layer to wick moisture and keep skin dry, forming the foundation of their three-layer system. In 1984, HELLY TECH® added waterproof, windproof and breathable performance trusted by sailors and mountain professionals.

Today, more than 55,000 mountain professionals, ski patrol teams, and elite sailors rely on Helly Hansen to face the harshest conditions. Still based in Norway, the company continues their legacy of innovation with state-of-the-art technologies.

Scandinavian Minimalism

Helly Hansen’s style reflects their Norwegian roots: clean, purposeful design built for challenging weather. Most pieces favour a single, solid hue—deep navy, black, forest green—or the bright safety colours, such as signal orange and vivid yellow, accented by subtle panelling and the bold HH logo. Technical details, such as high collars, storm flaps, and articulated hoods, are functional but understated, creating a look that’s professional, authentic, and refined. Helly Hansen gear feels equally at home on stormy seas, snowy slopes, or rainy city streets.

Key Helly Hansen Technologies

Helly Tech®
Helly Tech® is Helly Hansen’s weatherproof outer layer. Its advanced membrane blocks water while letting moisture escape, keeping you dry and comfortable. Each garment combines a durable water-repellent (DWR) outer fabric, a waterproof, breathable membrane, and a soft lining or mesh for comfort.

LIFA®
Introduced in 1970, LIFA® revolutionized outdoor sports as the first true technical base layer. Its lightweight mesh design pulls moisture away from your skin and moves it to the fabric’s surface, where it evaporates to keep you warm, dry, and comfortable. LIFA® provides dependable insulation and moisture management for cold-weather adventures.

H2Flow™
Developed with mountain professionals, H2Flow™ helps skiers stay comfortable as weather and activity levels change. Air pockets within the jacket trap and store body heat to keep you warm. Then strategically placed ventilation zippers allow you to let cool air in when you start to overheat. A protective, weather-resistant outer shell keeps rain, snow, and wind out as vapour escapes for adaptable comfort on the slopes.

LIFALOFT™
Developed with PrimaLoft® and built on Helly Hansen’s LIFA® fibre technology, LIFALOFT™ is warmer and lighter because of its unique fibre structure, which has more air pockets for insulation.

LIFA INFINITY PRO™
LIFA INFINITY PRO™ is Helly Hansen’s most innovative waterproof, breathable technology. Built with the brand’s lightweight, hydrophobic LIFA® fibres, it delivers the extreme protection of HELLY TECH® Professional construction without added chemical treatments or solvents.

Sustainability and Responsible Innovation

Helly Hansen builds gear to perform season after season, reducing the need for frequent replacement. The brand has introduced recycled materials across key collections and developed technologies, such as LIFA INFINITY PRO™, a waterproof-breathable fabric with a PFC-free water-repellent finish. Their goal is to lessen environmental impact while continuing to deliver professional-grade protection in tough conditions.

Helly Hansen at Oberson

Oberson carries a wide selection of Helly Hansen apparel, including technical ski jackets, snow pants, lightweight mid layers, down jackets, base layers, and accessories for men, women, and kids. Our team of passionate skiers and snowboarders knows the demands of mountain environments and can help you choose the right garment for your winter adventures. Get in touch online or visit our Laval and Brossard stores for expert advice.