I have been testing the Helly Hansen Odin Backcountry Infinity Shell Jacket and Pants. They are aimed at backcountry skiers, an activity that includes skinning uphill as well as downhill skiing.
The “Helly Tech Professional” jacket and pants are made with the same fabric. This this is HH’s most technical and advanced fabric and features LIFA INFINITY PRO technology. The aim is to provide “professional grade waterproof/breathable performance” but without any added chemical treatments (this means no treatments like perfluorochemicals, PFCs, which have a negative impact on the environment).
More details about LIFA INFINTIY PRO
Using LIFA® technology, a proprietary Helly Hansen fibre that is lightweight and hydrophobic, the waterproof/breathable membrane and durable water repellent performance are achieved without the use of solvents or PFAS. LIFA INFINTIY PRO is a combination of LIFA INFINITY membrane and 100% LIFA® hydrophobic face fabric.
Features of Helly Hansen Odin Backcountry Infinity Shell Jacket
Three-layer waterproof, windproof and breathable fabric Shell: 100% Polyamide; Lining: 100% Polyamide; Lining 2: 90% Polyamide, 10% Elastane.
LIFA INFINITY™ fabric technology
PFC-free DWR
Fully seam sealed
Soft fleece in chin guard
YKK 2-way zipper – set off-centre
Ventilation armpit zippers
Adjustable cuffs and bottom hem
Helmet compatible hood
Vertical and horizontal hood adjustment, plus flat brim
Articulated sleeves
2 x rucksack compatible zipped pockets – 1 above where rucksack waistbelt sits and 1 below
Beacon specific pocket with D-ring
Open mesh pocket on the inside allow you to keep gloves warm while putting on and taking off skins.
Opening inside pocket to access mid-layer
RECCO reflectors so the wearer is searchable in an accident
Recycled content
SKI FREE eligible product – this offers a range of free ski days or ski 2-for-2 deals at more than 50 ski resorts worldwide
Weight; Around 400g for female jacket
Sizes F: XS to XL; M: S to 2XL
Price: £385 to £550 depending on colour
Colours: F: Terrazzo sand, dark creek; M: concrete, sand, dark creek
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Features of Helly Hansen Women’s Odin Backcountry Infinity Shell Pants
The pants are made with the same fabric and technology as the jacket.
3-layer construction with fabric – 100% Polyamide
LIFA INFINITY
Fully seam sealed
PFC-free DWR
RECCO
Adjustable snow gaiter at bottom leg
Reinforcement fabric on hem
Integrated belt with loops (removable if you wish)
Side zippers for easy on and off
Back thigh ventilation zippers (?)
Articulated knees
Gusset in crotch for freedom of movement
2 x thigh pockets
1 pocket with D-ring for beacon
Recycled content
Colours: Same as jacket
Size: F: XS to XL; M: S to 2XL
Colours: Same as the jacket.
Price: £315 to £450
See Helly Hansen
My thoughts: Helly Hansen Odin Backcountry Infinity Shell Jacket and Pants
I have been wearing Salewa backcountry ski jacket and pant shells for many years – probably at least eight years – but the waterproofing has started to reduce (despite reproofing) and the once vibrant blue and red hues have faded. They have also suffered various tears (one in the trousers due to attempting to climb over a barbed wire fence in Scotland!).
I wanted to replace this outfit with a high quality jacket and trousers but finding the right fit can be tricky. I am fairly tall, slim with long legs and narrow hips. Many brands design in wider hips and higher waists to their female-specific clothing to suit the more average physique. I also have long arms, plus I like a jacket that fits over plenty of layers.
While I am usually a small size, I ordered a medium size in both the jacket and pants. I had previously tried a small sized Helly Hansen jacket and pants, which fitted quite well but rather too neatly across my shoulders and at the waist. I really don’t like a very fitted waist above my hips, but rather I prefer something looser and lower slung.
The Helly Hansen Odin Backcountry Infinity Shell Jacket and Pants in a medium are quite loose fit on me but very comfortable and, brilliantly, I can fit plenty of layers underneath.
The fabric is what I would call mid-weight. I have worn the jacket and pants in a range of conditions, including rain, snow, wind and while uphill “skinning”, as well as downhill skiing. I have been impressed by the performance. The fabric is similar to Gore-Tex but Helly Hansen’s own invention – the LIFA INFINTIY PRO – and it seems to work well on all three properties of waterproofing, windproofing and breathability.
In very cold conditions, I needed to add layers of clothing underneath to stay warm but the only alternative for greater warmth with fewer layers is a more traditional downhill ski jacket, which would not suit the activity of backcountry skiing where good breathability is also important for more energetic uphill skinning.
I like that I can wear the jacket and pants for all types of skiing and simply adapt to the conditions by adding or removing layers underneath.
I also like many of the features and details, especially the two pockets located above and below the waistband of my rucksack. The positioning allows me to access the pockets without undoing the waist strap.
I was able to reach inside the lower pocket and through an elasticated netting opening to also access my midl-layer garments. This was useful, for example, when I wanted other gain access to the jacket pocket of the layer below.
An alternative would be to unzip the two-way front zip form the base. I really like a two-way zip for access, as well as added ventilation when needed.
The toggles on the zips are sturdy and large enough to be useful when wearing gloves. The zips are waterproof and chunky and I hope (expect) they will be long lasting.
I am not entirely sure what about the benefit of an off-centre front zip but it looks quite cool! Helly Hansen reckon it gives a “less cluttered” jacket front but I have never really found the front zip of a jacket “cluttered”. Perhaps it’s helpful to have the zip away from my pack wasitband buckle, but I am not convinced. One benefit is that when fully zipped the top of the zip sits to the side of the face, rather than on the chin.
The pit zips are really useful for venting when working hard on the uphills or when conditions are warm and sunny.
The hood is roomy enough to fit over my ski helmet, which is useful when conditions are horrid and you want more protection from the cold and wet.
The trousers fit really well. They are long enough and comfy at the waist and the hips. Plus-points include the full-length outer zips – for venting and also for accessing ski boots – the snow gaiters, the reinforced really good quality reinforcing fabric on the inside of the lower part of the trousers and the integrated/removable belt and two handy zip pockets.
The waist has several types of fastening: a hook and eye and then two press stud buttons and also the clip on the belt. I found the hook-and-eye fiddly to use and I also got stuck opening the belt clip to start with. The clip seemed to work in the opposite way to how my brain thought it should work. These are small criticisms for a waist securing system that is robust.
The features include “back thigh ventilation zippers” but I am not sure what these are. There are long outer zips that serve to give venting options but I don’t see anything at the back of the thighs.
The jacket and trousers match, which I like. I would normally choose much brighter colours and the dark creek colourway is a dark green and black combo, which is muted for me, but I warmed to the look.
I combined it with the magenta Helly Hansen Odin Everdown Hooded Jacket so I still felt like I was wearing something bright and snazzy.
A negative is that these products are very pricey with a total of £950 for my colourway for the jacket and trousers. These prices are eye watering and I am wondering how many people will be able to consider this outfit as a possibility. Yes, they seem durable and they are versatile across a range of skiing activities but it’s almost £1000 for a jacket and pants and that is a lot.
A word about eco credentials
HH report that sustainability matters to them. They detail a couple of environmental positives with the Odin Backcountry Infinity Shell Jacket and Pants, such as no added chemicals for water repellency. They also state that the jacket and trousers have “recycled content” but this is vague. Is it 1% or 99% and what is the recycled content?
Consumers need to be aware of greenwashing with all clothing because it is very difficult to know how well each company is performing overall on reducing their environmental impact, whether this is using fewer toxic chemicals or paying attention to their carbon emissions.
Of course, any brands that do something to reduce environmental impact is a good thing but there is always more to be done. From what I see on the website – and the info is scant and a bit vague – I think HH could do more to reduce their environmental impact but this is the same as many other companies.
- I was sent the jacket and trousers to test and I have offered my honest and experienced opinion. Note that I have not tested the products for longevity but I will edit this review over time if I find any failings.