Hardshell jacket
Product 2022
Woman, Man
The Helly Hansen Odin Infinity Insulated jacket answers the dilemma faced by any skier: should you buy a shell plus an insulating layer to benefit from versatile textiles that can be used for other activities, or opt for a jacket that provides both waterproofing and insulation? Knowing that most ski shells are quite heavy because they have integrated snow skirts (not necessarily removable) and designed in three layers. This Helly Hansen Odin Infinity Insulated weighs just over 700 grams, so it can also be used for mountaineering.
The Helly Hansen Odin Infinity Insulated offers a solution with a lightweight jacket that provides great waterproofing. It is built constructed using the Lifa Infinity membrane and Lifaloft insulation whose weight/insulation ratio is very high.
We were therefore able to test it for many months with technical underwear, sometimes a mid-layer, and the thin Helly Hansen Lifaloft Insulator jacket.
The pants were the excellent Helly Hansen Elevation Infinity Shell 2.0 Pant, non-insulated.
In terms of warmth and protection, we can say that this Helly Hansen Odin Infinity Insulated fits the bill. The jacket is very comfortable to wear in more ways than one. You are warm, obviously, there’s optimal neck protection, the hood can go over a helmet (you lose a little mobility when you turn your head), the fabric doesn’t make a crunchy noise unlike the Gore-Tex Pro and the whole product is slightly stretchy (you don’t end up with a completely baggy jacket after a few weeks use).
The other point that we really appreciated is the fabric’s durability, insensitive to friction and ski edges. We carried armfuls of children’s skis under our arms, without any consequences.
What could be a problem? Well, there’s no snow skirt, maybe it’s because it’s not a necessary accessory when you have a good waist draw cord. Strangely, Helly Hansen opted for a thin cord, only adjustable on one side (the right). It is then necessary to distribute the tension to the left side with adjustment that is perfectible. The excess elastic must be hidden under the jacket because there is no system to hold it back.
The other point that could be improved is the central zip. If it provides a good seal and is tough, it has trouble sliding at the collar, it also tends to get stuck with the inside textile layer. Nothing serious but you need to use both hands. In this regard, Arc’Teryx does better or the Helly Hansen Elevation Infinity Shell Jkt.
Lastly, having a whistle on the chest-pocket zip is an excellent initiative in terms of security, it would’ve been better with a more powerful sound level.
We really like the cuffs: thin Velcro adjustment but very effective (does not open with frost and snow) and a comfortable fabric inner sleeve. Note the large underarm openings for added ventilation.
The pockets are wide, very practical, easily accessible, and waterproof. It’s missing a left-hand sleeve ski pass pocket.
The silhouette is very beautiful, and technical. Lastly, the jacket is equipped with the Recco system.
The Helly Hansen Odin Infinity Insulated is a ski jacket that incorporates a layer of insulation. Very lightweight, it provides great protection in bad weather. Tough and reliable against freezing weather. A great product.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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