Helly Hansen (HH) approach waterproofing differently, and they have done since all the way back in 1984 when they first introduced Helly Tech®, a waterproof, windproof, and breathable fabric construction built in layers.

Today this protection comes in three forms across all of their collections. Helly Tech® Protection is designed for everyday use, Helly Tech® Performance caters to demanding outdoor activities in shifting weather, and Helly Tech® Professional is engineered for intense pursuits in the harshest of conditions. 

We’ve seen Helly Tech® in a range of HH products now and it’s consistently stood up to the UK’s weather. Most recently, the Outdoors Magic team have been testing the top-spec Verglas Infinity 2.0, a waterproof jacket with Helly Tech® Professional system – and it was deemed worthy of inclusion in our Outdoor 100 gear of the year list.

Buy The Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity 2.0: £325 at Hellyhansen.com

Jackets like the Verglas Infinity 2.0, it transpires, are the result of years of research, careful material innovation, and some of the most rigorous testing in the outdoor and sailing industries. We spoke to the team at Helly Hansen’s HQ to find out what it really takes to develop gear built for the world’s toughest conditions.

The Tests

Can you tell us a bit about the first stages of creating Helly Tech?

“Before we even get to field testing, we carry out thorough lab testing on the fabric,” says VP for R&D, Ski and Sailing Øyvind Vedvik. “This involves simulating the specific activity and wet conditions using customised tools like our shock box, which we designed in-house to replicate real-world scenarios and scientifically analyse the impact on our materials, across many of our collections and categories. The shock box rotates and can be filled with materials and liquids like saltwater to replicate friction and long-term wear.”

“Then we come to our field testing with our professionals,” adds Philip Tavell, VP for Outdoor. “For the Odin and Verglas ranges, we work closely with our Mountain Rescue Teams, such as North of Tyne, Assynt, Dublin & Wicklow and Weston Beacons, plus other international organisations including the Norway Mountain Guides and Mountain Madness.”

“For these specific partnerships, our kit undergoes additional testing and trials. For the UK mountain rescue teams, the prospective teams used our kit for a number of weeks, before sharing their feedback on its performance and any changes they would request to make their bespoke uniform the best it can be for their needs – such as moving or expanding pockets and adding radio slots. The process also involved our team shadowing their work, going into their environment and taking part in their exercises to understand the kit’s performance better.”

Buy The Helly Hansen Loke Shell: £120 at Hellyhansen.com

This rigorous process filters down into HH’s consumer lines too. A more accessible product like the Loke 2.0 jacket, which uses Helly Tech® Performance, also benefits from these demanding tests.

The Technology

Long-time Outdoors Magic readers know this is where we go full geek. 

Beyond the testing period, how exactly does Helly Tech work? And what are the key materials and construction techniques that make it effective?

“Our most advanced Helly Tech® uses a bi-component construction with two different PU layers, ensuring long-lasting waterproofing,” research and development manager Issam Yousef explains. “For extreme use, we’ve developed high-spec seam tape that can withstand water pressure three times greater than standard requirements.”

“Typical Helly Tech® constructions are 2-layer, 2.5-layer, or 3-layer. A breathable, waterproof film is placed between the outer textile and inner backing, with a durable water repellent (DWR) finish on the face fabric.”

“Thanks to the unique membrane in the middle,” Issam says, “sweat vapour escapes while water stays out. We use both microporous and hydrophilic materials, which manage moisture through a combination of physical and osmotic principles.”

“Microporous films let vapour escape directly through tiny holes, while hydrophilic membranes absorb and slowly transfer moisture through chemical diffusion.”

Take the Ascender Mid HT boots we tested earlier this year. Their Helly Tech® membrane sits between the waterproof shell and padded lining. When your feet get hot, the vapour pressure drives sweat through the membrane to the outside, keeping things dry inside.

Buy The Helly Hansen Ascender Mid HT Boots: £180 at Hellyhansen.com

Sustainability

One of the most forward-thinking elements of Helly Tech® is its ability to perform without relying on hazardous PFAS chemicals. PFAS – often used in waterproof gear – are linked to environmental and health risks.

Thanks to materials like LIFA INFINITY™ and LIFA INFINITY™ Pro, HH is able to offer fully waterproof garments without needing these PFAS chemicals.

LIFA INFINITY™ uses a solvent-free membrane with microscopic pores to allow moisture out while blocking rain. LIFA INFINITY™ Pro builds on that with a face fabric made entirely of hydrophobic Lifa fibres. This creates a water-repellent surface without the need for chemical DWRs. It also means no reproofing is needed – just the occasional wash with the right aftercare solution.