I have been wearing the Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds Infinity Shell Pants with the Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds Infinity Shell Jacket. This is my review of the waterproof trousers, which can be worn for skiing or mountain hiking.
Features include:
- LIFA® INFINITY PRO™ technology
- Solution-dyed
- PFC-free DWR
- Fully seam sealed
- Reinforced in-step
- Adjustable lower leg width
- YKK® zippers
- Full length side ventilation zipper
- 2-Way zipper
- Water resistant zip thigh pocket
- Boot hook at front hem
- Belt loops and adjustable waist
- Articulated fit
- Weight: 535g
- Price: £360
- See Helly Hansen.
On test: Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds Infinity Shell Pants
There are two colours for these trousers. I have the lighter colour and after only a few wears they are starting to look grubby. It’s possible to wash the producty but I think that while the colour looks nice and bright, it is probably better to buy a darker hue.
The fit is larger. While the medium jacket is a neat fit, the medium trousers are roomy. I would recommend you go down a size.
The fabric is hard-wearing and thick. It is made with Helly Hansen’s own waterproof and breathable membrane, which is commended as being a “groundbreaking waterproof/breathable technology without the use of chemicals”.
I like that the fabric is kinder on the environment and there is no use of PFCs, which are also known to be harmful to the planet, as well as to people and animals.
Helly Hansen products made with LIFA® INFINITY PRO™ technology are not cheap, however. I guess part of the cost is the manufacturing of a fabric that is made in a more environmentally friendly way – and also the durability of the fabric.
The trousers are easy to wear – and to like. There is an adjustable waist and side zips that open from top to bottom, both ways. If you get hot while skiing, you simply unzip the sides as much as you want.
There is a useful zipped thigh pocket as well.
All in all, these ski trousers look like they are made to stand the test of time. They keep out the wet and wind and if you start to feel too hot, you can open the vent side zips.
They are usefully reinforced at the lower leg where there is likely to be greater wear due to ski boots.
One quibble is that the lower leg doesn’t fit over my ski boots. I can open the zip a bit to allow most of the lower leg to fit over the top of my boots but I’d rather the lower hem was a bit wider.
The price will seem like a lot to many people, especially if you buy the trousers to go with the jacket, but I think these shells will be highly durable.