Celebrating More Than 140 Years
of Innovation
This is the story of Helly Hansen
From our home in Norway, Helly Hansen has been making professional grade gear to help people stay and feel alive for almost 140 years. It all started in 1877 when sea captain Helly Juell Hansen found a better way to stay protected from the harsh Norwegian elements. Soon thereafter, Captain Hansen and his wife Margrethe launched a business producing waterproof oilskin jackets, trousers, sou’westers and tarpaulins made from coarse linen soaked in linseed oil – and the legend was born!
Helly Hansen gear is worn and trusted by professionals on oceans, mountains and worksites. As the #1 apparel brand for Ski Professionals, you’ll find HH at more than 200 ski resort and guiding operations around the world, and worn by more than 55,000 ski professionals. Our sailing gear is worn by world-class sailors across all five oceans, and we’re proud to partner with and participate in some of the sport’s most iconic regattas and sailing associations. As a leading Scandinavian workwear brand, you’ll see us at work-sites where performance, protection and safety matter most. We continue to support Captain Hansen’s legacy through a long list of first-to-market innovations developed through insights from those working and recreating in the world’s harshest.
1877
CAPTAIN HELLY JUELL HANSEN LAUNCHES A LEGEND
Norwegian captain Helly Juell Hansen wanted to find a better way to protect his sailors from the harsh, Nordic weather. By applying linseed oil to cotton canvas, he created supple, water-proof apparel. Soon after, he and his wife Margarethe started producing “oilskin” jackets and pants in Moss, Norway. Their waterproof gear was an immediate success, landing our first product award at the World Expo in Paris in 1878.
1949
HELOX - THE NEXT EVOLUTION IN WATERPROOF
Helox waterproof fabric featured a thin sheet of translucent PVC plastic that was sewn into coats took to make them waterproof. It was a revolutionary technology that became the must-have protection for outdoor use. With a production of 30,000 coats each month, the success was almost immediate and was used by the Norwegian delegation at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki.
1961
FIBERPILE - THE TECHNICAL MIDLAYER IS INVENTED
Helly Hansen partnered with Norwegian Fiber Pile Inc. and developed the original Fiberpile – the first fleece. It featured a high warmth to weight ration and maintained its thermal qualities even when wet, making it a favorite of lumberjacks and outdoor enthusiasts. The concept lives on and the modern version of ProPile is still in production today.
1970
LIFA® – THE BIRTH OF TECHNICAL BASELAYER
HH’s LIFA® revolutionized the industry with the introduction of the first technical baselayers. LIFA moves moisture away from the body allowing users to stay warm and comfortable. It has been used by professionals on every ocean, many of the world’s tallest peaks and was included in Outside Magazine’s list of The Most Influential Gear of All Time in 2012. LIFA® remains the cornerstone of what we believe is the best technical baselayer available today.
1984
HELLY TECH® - THE WATERPROOF AND BREATHABLE SOLUTION
Helly Tech® waterproof and breathable fabric was launched in the 1980’s, winning awards and setting the new standard for performance and protection. It also provided the final layer for the 1986 introduction of the Helly Hansen 3-Layer System™, an industry-first program educating people on how to dress for the outdoors. Today, Helly Tech fabrics are engineered to deliver the specific demands of professional’s skiers, sailors, and at workplaces around the world.
1990
PROWOOL - THE PERFECT BLEND OF LIFA AND MERINO
The Prowool (renamed HH®Warm™) baselayer for cold weather conditions was launched in the late 90’s, combining Lifa® Stay-Dry Technology™ with Merino wool for both moisture transport and added warmth. Designed for professionals facing the coldest conditions it quickly became the go-to piece for performance, warmth and comfort in extreme environments.
2004
FOOTWEAR - EXPANDING INTO PROFESSIONAL GRADE FOOTWEAR
In response to demands from professionals around the world, footwear was added to the product line. One of our first efforts was an award winning sailing boot. Today, Helly Hansen broad range of shoes and boot are worn by professionals and enthusiasts on mountains, oceans, streets and workplaces around the world.
2008
ODIN - AN AWARD WINNING, 3-LAYER APPROACH FOR MOUNTAINEERS
Launched summer 2008, the Odin gear is the materialization of our 3-Layer System™. Made for serious mountaineers and athletes, it’s a complete, technically evolved checklist for all high-altitude environments and conditions. The Odin collection won the Red Dot Design Award the same year.
2012
H² FLOW™ - A BETTER SOLUTION FOR TEMPERATURE REGULATION
Helly Hansen introduced the new H2 Flow™ Technology in 2012 with the H2 Flow™ Jacket, which won an Award for Design Excellence from the Norwegian Design Council. The patented H2 Flow™ Jacket features an airflow venting system and a protective barrier. It allows adventurers to efficiently regulate their body temperature.
2015
MAGNI - SETTING A NEW STANDARD FOR PERFORMANCE AT WORK
Inspired by the son of Thor in Norse Mythology, the Magni line was introduced and immediately set a new standard for protection, durability, and performance in the workplace.
2016
ELEVATION JACKET - THE ULTIMATE FREERIDE JACKET
The Elevation is our most award winning jacket ever! It is a durable shell designed, developed and tested with professional freeride skiers. It combines a new Helly Tech® Professional fabric with an unparalleled level of breathability and protection, and our innovative H2Flow™ temperature regulating system which dramatically improves your comfort.
2017
THE 140 COLLECTION
In commemoration of our 140 Year Anniversary, we introduced The 140 Collection. The collection tells the story of Helly Hansen by featuring the key technologies of our history. The retro stylings and signature Helly Hansen technologies make this collection a favorite amongst Helly Hansen aficionados. Explore the 140 Collection.
