Helly Hanson
Helly Hansen is a Norwegian outdoor and workwear label founded in 1877 in Moss by sea captain Helly Juell Hansen, now headquartered in Oslo. It builds sailing, ski, mountain and professional workwear lines around proprietary technologies including LIFA base layers and the PFC-free LIFA INFINITY PRO waterproof membrane, seen in Odin and Verglas shells alongside the long-running Crew jacket. Kontoor Brands, owner of Wrangler and Lee, completed its purchase of the business from Canadian Tire on May 31, 2025 for roughly CAD 1.3 billion, and is pushing US expansion. Sister lines include Helly Hansen Workwear and Musto.
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| Category | Runs | Shape | Length | Size advice | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoodies & sweatshirts | slightly small | regular midlayer cut, closer to the body than typical streetwear fleece | regular | Consider sizing up if you want a relaxed hoodie feel rather than a layering midlayer fit. | low |
| Shirts & overshirts | true to size | regular outdoor cut, neither slim nor boxy | regular | Order your usual size; the fit is intended to layer over a base layer. | low |
| Trousers & pants | true to size | regular to slightly relaxed, with ski and work pants cut for movement | regular to long inseams on ski styles to sit over boots | Take your normal waist size; ski shells already allow room for a base layer underneath. | low |
| Jackets | slightly small | regular technical cut, trim through chest and waist with articulated arms | regular to slightly long body and sleeves | Stay true to size for a shell worn over a fleece, but size up if you want heavier midlayers underneath or have broader shoulders. | medium |
| T-shirts & graphic tees | runs small | close-fitting, especially LIFA base layers which are deliberately body-hugging | regular with reasonable tail coverage | Size up one if you dislike a compressive next-to-skin feel; casual cotton tees run closer to true to size. | medium |
Does Helly Hanson run big or small?
Helly Hanson fits slightly small. Take your usual size for a trim technical fit, but size up if you are between sizes, broader through the chest, or plan to layer under a shell. Most shoppers find Helly Hansen cut on the trimmer European side, with many taking their normal size but a sizeable minority sizing up for layering room or a broader build.
How does Helly Hanson fit?
Most shoppers find Helly Hansen cut on the trimmer European side, with many taking their normal size but a sizeable minority sizing up for layering room or a broader build. Overall shape: regular to slightly slim, Euro-cut through chest and waist with articulated sleeves.
How do Helly Hanson hoodies & sweatshirts fit?
Helly Hanson hoodies & sweatshirts fits slightly small. Consider sizing up if you want a relaxed hoodie feel rather than a layering midlayer fit. Shape: regular midlayer cut, closer to the body than typical streetwear fleece.
How do Helly Hanson shirts & overshirts fit?
Helly Hanson shirts & overshirts fits true to size. Order your usual size; the fit is intended to layer over a base layer. Shape: regular outdoor cut, neither slim nor boxy.
How do Helly Hanson trousers & pants fit?
Helly Hanson trousers & pants fits true to size. Take your normal waist size; ski shells already allow room for a base layer underneath. Shape: regular to slightly relaxed, with ski and work pants cut for movement.
Directional fit consensus summarized from public sources with AI — a starting point, not a guarantee. Confirm with the product's own measurements before buying.
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