Helly Hansen

Helly Hansen, a sea captain, founded the company in 1877 to protect himself from the harsh Norwegian weather. The original company's brand is still unquestionably the best in waterproofing technology and technological materials. Long a favorite, its Lifa fabric combines exceptional comfort with moisture-wicking properties for active use and is present in several of their top baselayers. Their Helly Tech waterproofing membrane performs similarly to Gore-Tex in terms of overall performance for challenging mountain operations. Their Odin 9 Worlds 2.0 hardshell, which costs about $350 less than Arc'teryx's identically constructed Alpha SV described above, features the top-tier "Professional" version of the membrane paired with a durable, 70-denier face cloth for steadfast protection in rough and turbulent conditions.

Helly Hansen is beloved by lefties, guides, and other serious mountaineers who want top-notch performance. It has become the de facto brand for ski pros and patrollers around the world. Faithful to its heritage, the company has still kept a good assortment of performance-ready sailing clothing and equipment. The prominent branding on most of their garments produces a rather divisive aesthetic and makes their outerwear less wearable every day than much of the competitors. It is a major drawback (their casual offerings are also fairly limited).

Founded: Helly Hansen
Headquarters: Oslo, Norway

Website: https://www.hellyhansen.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellyhansen/