Helly Hansen Introduces New Odin Backcountry Capsule Collection Designed With Professionals & Engineered For Ski Touring

Global technical ski and outdoor brand, Helly Hansen, launches its new Odin Backcountry capsule collection which includes three pinnacle pieces – the Odin BC Infinity Shell Jacket , Odin BC LT Insulator Hood and the Odin BC Softshell Jacket – which share a unified design and have been created to be worn together as a complete performance-driven system.

Designed as the ideal kit for professionals, the new Odin Backcountry capsule collection consists of highly technical, premium products, delivering durable, lightweight performance and protection, optimised for ski touring and powder days.

Inspired by ski patrollers and search and rescue volunteers who spend the most amount of time in the mountains, Helly Hansen’s designers created a collection that suits these professionals’ needs, both on the job and off. The design team worked closely with Stephen Larson and Izzy Holmes, who are part of the ski patrol team at Heavenly Mountain Resort in Lake Tahoe, California. When discussing what they like to do during their time off, both professionals expressed their passion for ski touring, an activity that demands gear where lighter weight, breathability, durability and temperature regulation are essential.

The Odin BC Infinity Shell Jacket is lightweight, protective, durable and loaded with technical features making it ideal for backcountry ski touring. Featuring responsible, professional-grade LIFA INFINITY technology, the jacket is constructed with an innovative waterproof/breathable LIFA INFINITY membrane, achieved without the use of chemicals, and includes a minimum of 50% recycled content and a PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) treatment. Meeting the extreme waterproofness and breathability of HELLY TECH Professional construction, the jacket delivers protection for deep powder days, while also being lighter in weight and better for the environment.

Based on feedback from the ski patrollers, the jacket’s front zip is offset, making the collar more comfortable without compromising weatherproof protection, and the hand pockets are elevated for convenient storage of backcountry ski skins. Additional features include a helmet, harness and backpack-compatible construction, mechanical ventilation under the arms for added breathability and temperature regulation, and RECCO® reflectors for added safety.

After putting the jacket to the test, ski patroller, Izzy Holmes, commented, “The cut and shape of the jacket is perfect. I’ve worn this jacket in heavy rainstorms and the fabric has kept out all the rain so far. 10 out of 10 for waterproof, windproof protection!”

Patroller Stephen Larson, adds, “I love the feel of the fabric. The jacket has a great weight and feels comfortable against the skin.”

Adding to the Odin Backcountry capsule collection, the Odin BC Softshell Jacket is purposefully designed and body-mapped with a hybrid of fabrics to provide optimal performance and protection on the mountain. For professional search and rescue teams and ski patrollers, their softshell is arguably their most important piece, preferring it over a shell jacket when the weather is less extreme, for maximum breathability and comfort during high levels of activity. With a water-resistant PFC-free softshell fabrication on the hem and cuffs, the jacket provides protection in areas most exposed when climbing and working in deep snow, and a lightweight, breathable stretch softshell on the sleeves, shoulder and chest make the jacket well-suited for high-intensity ski touring. Additional fabrication has been designed under the arms for added breathability as well as an adjustable and helmet-compatible hood.

Izzy Holmes, comments, “The fabric combination and fit of the jacket are great!” Stephen Larson adds, “The fabric weight is spot on – a perfect blend of a mid-layer and shell.”

Rounding out the collection, the lightweight, breathable two-layer Odin BC LT Insulator Hood is specifically engineered to provide consistent warmth while also allowing maximum breathability for touring the backcountry. With a lining constructed with a unique OCTA fibre, the insulator is highly breathable, quick-drying and lightweight, while also providing optimal warmth, and with a 20D partly recycled nylon stretch ripstop fabric, it’s also extremely durable, designed to deliver performance and protection during high activity levels. The Odin BC LT Insulator Hood also features a PFC-free DWR treatment and an elastic hood, cuffs and hem to retain warmth.

After testing the piece, Stephen said, “The fit and the insulation’s weight-to-warmth ratio are spot on. I love the
 elastic hem and hood solutions, and this is my favourite hood ever in an outerwear piece – it works without a helmet, with a climbing helmet, with a ski helmet or with a hat, and it doesn’t have a stiff structure that affects layering, yet somehow still has a brim. Fantastic!”

Izzy Holmes equally enjoyed the fit of the hood, finding it visually pleasing as well as functional in retaining warmth. She said, “The insulation fabric is comfortable and moisture-wicking – it’s unlike any other insulator I own.”

Optimised for ski touring, each Odin Backcountry jacket is also constructed with a specifically located zipper opening, which is placed in the same position on each of the three jackets, enabling the wearer to access their beacon even when wearing all three layers. The jackets are also loaded with technical features, including articulated sleeves for optimal mobility, an adjustable hem for a customised, protective fit, and multiple backpack-compatible storage pockets.

Sofia Jonsson, Category Manager for Outdoor at Helly Hansen, comments, “Innovation and our relationship with professionals are really at the heart of everything we do. No one else knows the mountains better than search and rescue teams and ski patrollers, and with this capsule collection, we wanted to give them everything they were looking for to support them both at work and play on the mountains. With their collaboration and feedback, we’re confident the Odin Backcountry collection will deliver for anyone looking to make the most of their time outdoors this Winter season.”

The Odin BC Infinity Shell Jacket, Odin BC Softshell Jacket and Odin BC LT Insulator Hood will be available in men’s and women’s specific styles alongside the Odin BC Infinity Shell Pant and Odin BC Softshell Pant. The Odin Backcountry capsule collection will launch in-store and online in September 2023.