Helly Hansen

Helly Hansen is a Norwegian clothing and sports-equipment brand with roots in maritime workwear and a business that now spans sailing, skiing, mountaineering, outdoor recreation, workwear, footwear, and accessories. The company was founded in 1877 by Norwegian sea captain Helly Juell Hansen and his wife, Maren Margarethe, who began making waterproof jackets, trousers, sou'westers, and tarpaulins from coarse linen treated with linseed oil. The first products were intended for people exposed to harsh weather at sea and in industrial environments. Within its first five years, the company had sold approximately 10,000 pieces, and recognition at the 1878 Paris Exposition helped support early export activity. The brand's technical development has been central to its identity. During the twentieth century it introduced successive waterproof and protective materials, including Linox in the 1920s and Helox in 1949. Helox used translucent PVC in waterproof coats and hats and became a high-volume product, while the heavier Plarex material was adapted for demanding workwear. The company also developed Fibrepile, an insulating layer that became associated with cold-weather work and outdoor layering after Swedish lumbermen found it effective during strenuous activity in cold conditions. In the 1970s, Helly Hansen added LIFA, a polypropylene base-layer technology designed to move moisture away from the skin. LIFA, Fibrepile, and a protective outer layer formed an influential three-layer approach to outdoor clothing. The company also produced survival suits for offshore oil workers in the North Sea. In 1980, it introduced Helly Tech, a waterproof and breathable fabric system combining hydrophilic and microporous principles to allow water vapour to escape while limiting the entry of rain. Helly Tech remains one of the brand's best-known technology families. Helly Hansen expanded beyond traditional marine and industrial applications into mountaineering, skiing, sailing, and general outdoor clothing. Its Odin collection, introduced in 2008 as a three-layer system for mountaineers, received a Red Dot Design Award that year. In 2012, the company launched H2Flow technology with the H2Flow Jacket. The system was designed to help wearers regulate temperature by combining insulation with ventilation and air-management features. The brand also gained an unexpected cultural following in the late 1990s. Helly Hansen clothing became popular among urban youth in northern England and parts of United States hip-hop culture, helping move the company from specialist hiking and workwear outlets into broader sports and fashion retail. Its commercial identity continues to combine professional credibility with lifestyle appeal, especially in sailing, ski, mountain, and weather-protection categories. Corporate ownership changed several times. Orkla owned the company by 1995, then sold a stake to Resource Group International, which merged with Aker in 1996. Investcorp acquired Aker's stake and most of Orkla's remaining interest in 1997. Altor Equity Partners bought Investcorp's interest in 2006, and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan acquired a majority stake in 2012 before taking full ownership in 2015. Canadian Tire purchased Helly Hansen in 2018 for CA$985 million. In 2025, Kontoor Brands agreed to acquire the company for approximately US$1.3 billion, with the transaction reported as completed in June 2025. Helly Hansen is therefore an active wholly owned subsidiary of Kontoor Brands, while continuing to operate under its established name and technical-brand architecture.

Helly Hansen began in 1877 in Norway when sea captain Helly Juell Hansen and his wife, Maren Margarethe, started manufacturing protective garments and tarpaulins for maritime use. Their early products were made from coarse linen saturated with linseed oil, producing jackets, trousers, sou'westers, and covers that resisted wet weather. The business sold roughly 10,000 pieces during its first five years and received an award for excellence at the 1878 Paris Exposition, after which it began exporting. Following Helly Juell Hansen's death in 1914, leadership passed to his son Leiv Helly-Hansen. The company continued to develop materials for waterproof clothing and industrial protection. Linox emerged in the 1920s and later became associated with PVC applications. In 1949, Helox introduced a translucent PVC sheet sewn into waterproof coats and hats; production reached approximately 30,000 coats per month. Plarex provided a heavier-duty, fabric-backed alternative for workwear. Helly Hansen's insulation and layering capabilities expanded through Fibrepile and LIFA. Fibrepile supplied warmth while allowing ventilation and became useful in outdoor and forestry work. LIFA, introduced in the 1970s, used polypropylene fibres to move perspiration away from the body. Together with an outer rain layer, these products helped establish a three-layer clothing concept. During the same period, the company developed survival suits for offshore oil workers in the North Sea. In 1980, Helly Hansen introduced Helly Tech, a waterproof and breathable fabric platform using hydrophilic and microporous methods. This technology helped the brand move from conventional rainwear toward technical outdoor clothing. The company subsequently expanded into sailing, skiing, mountaineering, hiking, workwear, and footwear. Odin, a three-layer mountaineering system launched in 2008, received a Red Dot Design Award. H2Flow followed in 2012, offering garments designed to help users manage body heat through controlled insulation and ventilation. The brand's audience broadened in the late 1990s when its jackets and other garments became popular among urban youth in northern England and within elements of United States hip-hop culture. Helly Hansen consequently developed a wider presence in sports and general retail, alongside its specialist outdoor and marine channels. The company was headquartered in Moss from its founding until October 2009, when its headquarters moved to Oslo. Ownership shifted from Orkla and associated investment interests to Investcorp, then Altor Equity Partners, and subsequently Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan. Canadian Tire acquired Helly Hansen in 2018. Kontoor Brands announced an acquisition in February 2025 and completed it in June 2025. The brand remains active and operates internationally as a wholly owned Kontoor Brands subsidiary.

• 2025

  Kontoor Brands acquisition completed

  [1]Helly Hansenen.wikipedia.org

  Kontoor Brands completed its acquisition of Helly Hansen, making it a wholly owned subsidiary.

• 2018

  Canadian Tire acquisition

  [1]Helly Hansenen.wikipedia.org

  Canadian Tire acquired Helly Hansen from Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan.

• 2012

  H2Flow introduced

  [1]Helly Hansenen.wikipedia.org

  H2Flow technology debuted in the H2Flow Jacket as a system for managing body temperature.

• 2009

  Headquarters moved to Oslo

  [1]Helly Hansenen.wikipedia.org

  The company moved its headquarters from Moss to Oslo.

• 2008

  Odin collection launched

  [1]Helly Hansenen.wikipedia.org

  The three-layer mountaineering collection was introduced and received a Red Dot Design Award.

• 1980

  Helly Tech introduced

  [1]Helly Hansenen.wikipedia.org

  Helly Hansen launched a waterproof and breathable fabric system for technical garments.

• 1970

  LIFA layering technology developed

  [1]Helly Hansenen.wikipedia.org

  The company developed a polypropylene base layer designed to move moisture away from the skin.

• 1949

  Helox waterproof material developed

  [1]Helly Hansenen.wikipedia.org

  Helox used translucent PVC in waterproof coats and hats and became a major product line.

• 1878

  Recognition at the Paris Exposition

  [1]Helly Hansenen.wikipedia.org

  The company received a diploma for excellence and began exporting its products.

• 1877

  Company founded in Norway

  [1]Helly Hansenen.wikipedia.org

  Helly Juell Hansen and Maren Margarethe began producing oil-treated linen garments and tarpaulins for maritime protection.

A premium-to-upper-mid-market technical outdoor and marine brand emphasizing weather protection, professional performance, layering systems, and Scandinavian heritage.

• Waterproof and breathable fabric system · 1980

  Helly Tech

  Helly Tech is Helly Hansen's principal waterproof and breathable technology family. It is used across rainwear, sailing apparel, ski clothing, and outdoor jackets. The system combines water-repellent protection with mechanisms intended to let moisture vapour escape, supporting comfort during active use in wet conditions.

• Base layers · 1970

  LIFA

  LIFA is a polypropylene technical-fibre platform developed for next-to-skin garments. Its purpose is to move perspiration away from the body while helping maintain warmth. It forms the base layer in Helly Hansen's broader approach to three-layer outdoor clothing.

• Insulation

  Fibrepile

  Fibrepile is an insulating mid-layer material developed for outdoor and workwear use. It became associated with cold-weather protection after adoption by Swedish forestry workers, who valued its combination of warmth and ventilation during physically demanding work.

• Mountaineering apparel · 2008

  Odin

  Odin is a mountaineering collection built around a three-layer apparel concept. It represents Helly Hansen's technical mountain proposition, combining a base layer, insulation layer, and weather-protective outer layer. The collection was recognized with a Red Dot Design Award in 2008.

• Temperature-regulation apparel · 2012

  H2Flow

  H2Flow is a garment ventilation and temperature-management system introduced through the H2Flow Jacket. Its design allows wearers to adjust airflow and insulation while active, supporting comfort across changing exertion levels and weather conditions.

• Waterproof workwear · 1949

  Helox

  Helox was a translucent PVC waterproofing material developed in 1949. It was sewn into coats and hats and became a high-volume product, helping establish Helly Hansen's reputation for practical waterproof protection.

• Marine and offshore protective equipment · 1970

  Survival suits

  Helly Hansen developed survival suits for offshore oil workers operating in the North Sea. These products extended the company's maritime workwear expertise into specialized protective equipment for cold-water and offshore environments.

• Far-right appropriation of the HH logo

  Australian neo-Nazi and far-right groups, including members of the now-disbanded National Socialist Network, have been observed wearing Helly Hansen jackets and using the brand's HH initials for extremist interpretations. The available reference describes this as appropriation by external groups and does not identify an affiliation with Helly Hansen.

  Source

Read more

• 2020The Ocean Race partnership

  International

  Helly Hansen partnered with The Ocean Race, reinforcing its maritime positioning and connection with international sailing.

  Outcome. Extended the brand's event and professional-sailing presence.

  Source
• 2015Canadian alpine and para-alpine ski partnership

  Canada

  Helly Hansen became the apparel partner for Canada's alpine and para-alpine ski teams.

  Outcome. Expanded the brand's association with high-performance Canadian winter sport.

  Source
• 2012U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association baselayer partnership

  United States

  Helly Hansen became the official baselayer provider for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association. U.S. Alpine Ski Team athletes wore Helly Hansen baselayers during competition in Sochi.

  Outcome. Established visibility for the LIFA and related technical baselayer proposition in elite skiing.

  Source
• 2011Mountain Madness technical apparel partnership

  United States · International mountain-guiding operations

  Helly Hansen entered a three-year partnership with guiding company Mountain Madness to provide technical apparel for its operations guides from the 2011 season through 2013.

  Outcome. Partnership announced for the 2011–2013 seasons.

  Source
• NOOD Regatta apparel sponsorship

  United States

  Helly Hansen has served as official apparel sponsor of the NOOD Regatta sailing races.

  Outcome. Supported brand visibility in recreational and competitive sailing.

  Source

• 2025

  Acquisition by Kontoor BrandsM&A

  Background

  Kontoor Brands pursued Helly Hansen as an addition to its branded-apparel portfolio.

  Action taken

  Kontoor Brands agreed to acquire Helly Hansen in February 2025 and completed the transaction in June 2025.

  Aftermath

  Helly Hansen became a wholly owned subsidiary of Kontoor Brands.

  Reported acquisition value. US$1.3 billion (2025)

  Source

• 2018

  Sale to Canadian TireM&A

  Background

  After Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan had acquired full ownership in 2015, Helly Hansen changed corporate owners again.

  Action taken

  Canadian Tire purchased Helly Hansen in May 2018.

  Aftermath

  Helly Hansen operated as part of Canadian Tire until its subsequent acquisition by Kontoor Brands.

  Reported acquisition value. CA$985 million (May 2018)

  Source

• 2012

  Introduction of H2Flow technologyProduct launch

  Background

  The brand sought to improve comfort during variable exertion and changing outdoor conditions.

  Action taken

  Helly Hansen launched H2Flow through the H2Flow Jacket, combining insulation and ventilation features for temperature regulation.

  Aftermath

  H2Flow became part of the brand's technical apparel proposition.

  Source

• 2008

  Launch of the Odin three-layer mountaineering systemProduct launch

  Background

  Helly Hansen was extending its maritime and weather-protection expertise into technical mountain apparel.

  Action taken

  The company introduced Odin as a three-layer system for mountaineers.

  Aftermath

  The collection received a Red Dot Design Award in 2008.

  Source

1. 1Helly Hansenen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Helly Hansen official websitehellyhansen.com