Helly Hansen knows a thing or two about outerwear. For the last 133 years, the Norwiegan founded company has been developing gear to protect both mountain and oceanic professionals from the elements. Tested in Scandanavian winters and trusted by teams around the world including Aspen Ski Patrol and Virgin Oceanics, Helly Hansen has the reputation of standing up to the harshest environments on Earth. Helly Hansen recently introduced their Odin line that is developed with mountain athletes and professionals in mind. A mix of performance outerwear and insulated down layers, the Odin line is perfect for those who spend more time bootpacking and less time at the lodge.
As a snowboarder who has been spending more and more time in the backcountry year after year, I have trouble finding outerwear that fits all my needs. Snowboarding specific brands tend to focus too much on style and not enough on quality and fit. Baggy and flashy, they might be good for catching eyes at the resort, but don’t get the job done on skintracks and bootpacks. More and more, I find myself turning to higher quality active outerwear, which in my opinion is developed more with skiers in mind. The extra durability, breathability and water resistance is exactly what I am looking for, but can’t quite find the ‘perfect’ fit. I am just under 6 foot, fluctuate right around the 200 pound mark and fall between the large and extra large size range. Larges in these ski specific brands are the right arm and torso length but tend to fit a little tight across my back, shoulders and elbows, which I feel I throw around a little bit more on a snowboard.
In steps the Helly Hansen Odin Superstrech shell. Their four-way superstrech fabric and unique seam pattern across the back of the jacket provides the right amount of leeway in the fit. It didn’t resist a little pull the first time I bent over in the Teton Pass parking lot to tighten my boots. Both on the bootpack up Glory, and the turns on the way down my shoulders and elbows felt free, without pulling the cuffs off my gloves and up my wrists. On a day like that, partly cloudy, mid 20s, slightly breezy, I would normally burn up wearing a shell on the 45 minute bootpack. But with the pit-zips open, the jacket breathed well and kept me cool enough to keep hiking without having to stop and take it off. Even with a pack on, this jacket didn’t bunch up strangely and stayed taut under the straps.
It is hard to speak on the durability of the jacket after only a few days of use, but taking a closer look at the construction inside with the heat taped seams, I trust it is going to withstand the beating I will give it over the next few years. The YKK Aquaguard zippers and 10,000mm waterproof rating could probably stand up the the pressure of a fire hose, so I think it will cover falling snow and chest deep pow turns. This is a lighter shell, definitely best suited for warmer conditions, but with a good insulated layer underneath (like the Odin Insulator), it would do the job in colder winter weather.
YKK Aquaguard water-resistant front and pocket zippers
Helmet compatible adjustable hood
Armpit zippper vents
Weight 570 g
Price: $400
Plus Side: Ease of movement, even with a backpack on. This jacket is meant for active sports like climbing, skinning, snowboarding, skiing and whatever else requires the combination of protection and freedom of movement.
Down Turn: It is hard to find any flaws with this jacket but I have a big melon, and my size XL helmet didn’t fit under the hood. A climbing helmet might be able to fit, but an average ski/snowboard helmet would be a squeeze.
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02/18/14 - A break in the storm reveals the sight that never gets old, a breathtaking sunset in Grand Teton Nation Park. Photographer: Stephen Williams
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The 43rd Annual Shriner's Cutter Races
Previewed By: Adam Glos
Saturday, February 15th // Sunday, February 16th
Melody Ranch // Jackson, WY
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
General Admission: $15
This weekend, give your ski ...
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The 2014 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
Sponsored By: Skinny Skis
Previewed By: Adam Glos
Saturday, Feb. 8th / 8 pm // Sunday, Feb 9th / 7 pm
Jackson Hole High School ...
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2014 Coldsmoke Awards
Previewed By: Stephen Williams
Saturday January, 18th
Emerson Cultural Center, Bozeman MT
North of the Sun - Filmhuset AS
Never Not Part 2 - Nike
Valhalla - Sweetgrass Productions
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Avalanche Awareness Night
Thursday 12/05 - 6:30 to 9:30pm
Jackson Hole Center for the Arts
$5 Donation benefits Teton County Search and Rescue
Previewed by: Stephen Williams
From the time that Powder Magazine's annual Buyer's ...
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03/20/14 - Spring is right around the corner and with such a high snowpack in Jackson Hole, the touring season will be awesome. Doug Hayden, Kevin Salys and Tyler ...
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03/15/14 - What a perfect day to be in the mountains. Fresh snow, clear sunny skies and just a little wind. Alex Howell takes a moment to take in ...
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03/11/14 - Springtime pow surfing with Kyle Martin from Dragon Alliance as he rips into 13" of new snow under bluebird skies at Grand Targhee Resort. Photographer: Kevin Cass ...
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Canyon Kids Release Double EP
Written By: Adam Glos
Photos by: Christie Quinn
In case you missed it, the debut album from Canyon Kids hit the electronic shelves recently, proving once again ...
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Head for the Hills
Previewed By: Ellie Stratton-Brook
Thursday March, 6th
Town Square Tavern // Jackson, WY
9:00pm // Tickets: $10 // Buy Tickets Online
Although you may have seen many bluegrass bands around ...
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03/02/14 - Mark Byall slashes a line in the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort backcountry as the consistent flow of snow continues into March. Photographer: Stephen Williams
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02/23/24 - A skier flies off a jump being pulled behind a horse racing down a track at Melody Ranch just south of Jackson for the 2nd Annual Ski ...
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02/22/14 - February has been incredible in Jackson Hole and it's not quite over yet. Marian Herbick digs into the bottom half of Four Pjnes with more fresh snow ...
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02/21/14 - Nick Grenoble left his snorkel at home and had to come up for air between trips to the whiteroom. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort was unbelievably deep today ...
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The 2nd Annual North American Skijoring Championships
Previewed By: Adam Glos
Saturday, February 22nd - 12:00pm
1 Sunday, February 23rd - 11:00am
Melody Ranch // Jackson, WY
General Admission: $10 // Kids 12 and ...
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02/15/14 - The recent storm has brought in a lot of heavier snow and Adam Glos enjoys the surfy conditions earlier this week. Photographer: Stephen Williams
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