[Eivind så klart]

Funny how how people over seas look at HH etc as "big box ski brand"

Here we see it as a outdoors clothing company. I bet that 99,9% of Norwegians has grown up in HH clothes. From raincoats in kindergarden too workwear and outdoor clothes. Hell, all 3 of my kids got HH rainclothes bought at the local shop for cheap.

 

[Etienne]

I'm one to buy technical daddy backcountry gear too... But in that category HH never stood out, among let's say, Patagonia, TNF, Norrona, Arc'teryx. I don't kniw why, might just be a review thing. I had a few HH layers long ago and was super happy with them. I think Nico Droz ride for them au some point.

But lately I've been looking more into smaller tech brands, like Strafe, Trew, FW etc. I'm super happy with my FW gear. Brands like Vaude, Lagopede are making good grounds on the locally made Bd repaired stuff, but I can't stand their fit. Candides C3 is apparently pretty decent too, with nice fits. Penguin have a nice no bullshit line with dermizax EV.

BTW, snowcountry and openwear have remade a small batch for this season. Really great stuff, I love my jacket!

That's a lot of name dropping, just to say that even if HH is technically real, I have so many other options that are just as good, with more style, ethic etc.

Envoyé de mon H8324 en utilisant Tapatalk

 

[lab49232]

I'm not averse to wearing non-snowboard brands but if I have the choice then its nice to put some money back into it. If I was riding in the backcountry a lot, maybe I'd be focused more on tech and fit.

Let me say my marketing side got a little wet just reading this

 

[Needmoresnow]

I've been wearing the HH Sogn 3L bib pants and the HH Odin infinity shell jacket. Been really happy with both. I did however remove the obnoxious orange HH logo from the bib pants with a bit of acetone.

I get a pretty decent discount through HH, and their Ski Free program gives me a free lift pass when I buy their gear.

At the end of the day, performance/fit/cost far outweigh the brand name for me.

 

[kimchijajonshim]

We debate this a lot on ezlounging. 686's GLCR line and AK are both great build qualities with lifetime warranties. The HH/Haglofs/TNF/Norronna/Arcteryx/whatever are typically made in the same factories as tons of other brands. Those brands' stitching and seam sealing don't have any magical properties going on haha. I mean sure, if you're comparing a top-of-the-line HH jacket to a bottom tier Quiksilver jacket or something, there will be a difference. But if I'm gonna shell out the cash for a 2L or 3L jacket, I'd rather buy from a snowboard brand.

Just picked up this season's Cyclic jacket. The entire AK line recently trimmed up a bit in their fit, it's not as baggy as it used to be but still keeps the length (which I like).
View attachment 164695

The bolded is basically regurgitating one particularly toxic, vocal asshole's opinion, one I don't bother engaging because I have better shit to do with my time than yell into the void at argumentative jackasses on the internet (note: I am not calling you the toxic asshole, you know who I'm talking about). But I'll address it here.

Even if the garments are built in the same factory, Arc'teryx demands a high spec and tighter tolerances, and charges a premium for it-- e.g. an Arc'teryx Rush retails for 10% more than the roughly equivalent Hover jacket. Talked at length over how they use a narrower and lighter seam tape... we can debate as to how much that design choice actually matters, but pretty incontrovertible that the material is harder to work with and requires additional time and cost.

My impression is that Helly Hansen isn't built to the same spec as Arc'teryx and Norrøna, and is in a lower tier probably more comparable to AK and Patagonia. The only snowboard company I know of that plays in that super, super high-end range is the Burton AK457 stuff and the most expensive 686 pieces. Haven't seen the highest end stuff, but I keep eyeballing 686 stuff and I'm just... really unimpressed. I want to like that company because they're snowboarder-owned but the fits and insistence on using insulation in everything turns me off.

That said, the new [ak] release looks promising. I just warrantied a crap ton of Burton outerwear and have a bunch of credits to use. I've tried on the new Cyclic jacket and the new fit seems pretty dope. I'm leaning towards the same Limeade shade color top and the Jake Blue Ossicone bib.

I still like my Arc'teryx stuff, but I'll probably save it for splitboarding, days I'm planning on hiking a lot, or traveling when I want to minimize luggage bulk.

 

[eleveneightnate]

I've tried on the new Cyclic jacket and the new fit seems pretty dope. I'm leaning towards the same Limeade shade color top and the Jake Blue Ossicone bib.

Can confirm, the Cyclic fits reallllllly well. It’s slightly longer and narrower than my 686 stuff which always seems to be shorter and wider.

 

[kimchijajonshim]

Can confirm, the Cyclic fits reallllllly well. It’s slightly longer and narrower than my 686 stuff which always seems to be shorter and wider.

Yep. I lifted my arm and the bottom hem basically did not move. Only jackets I've ever experienced that is Arc jackets. If I can get the same out of an endemic company, I will. Maybe Burton is stepping up game with the ice axe company muscling in on their turf lol.

 

[money4me247]

I really like Helly Hansen! I got the Helly-Hansen Alpha Lifaloft jacket at ~$400 during a sale (which was a really competitive price point for a nice snowsports jacket with all the features and pockets that I needed). It's my 3rd season using it, and no issues at all.

From my research, I don't think dedicated snowboard brands offer better pricing or more features on their gear. The pricing from Burton AK for example seems much higher than other brands. If I was spending that type of money, I would likely go with Arc'teryx gear that has really great build quality (but sadly usually not as many pockets) and a jacket with styling that I can use off-the-slopes for more bang-for-buck. For me, I want something that is long-lasting and durable so willing to spend a bit more if I think the gear has good build quality. Thinking back on my prior gear, some of my snowboard-brand gear wore out really quickly compared to the gear I have now.

More generic outdoor brands seem to have more frequent sales and more sizing availability compared to snowboard brands. For example, I got my main bib, the North Face freedom bib for ~$130 (during the winter season at very competitive price on sale and it has nice features and tons of pockets!). I wasn't able to find a nice bib with lots of pockets at that price point from a snowboard brand mid-season.

When I shop, I research a lot by reading lots of reviews and trying to find the gear in store to try on and monitoring for sales. Many non-snowboard brand gear are highly reviewed for snowboarding, easy to find in store to check out, and pricing is usually more competitive from what I've seen. I think targeting end-of-season sales for snowboard brands can be helpful, but limited color and sizing.

I am actually brand-apathetic, primarily looking at pricing and features and nice color/style that I like. I didn't even realize that Helly Hansen is more of a 'ski-brand' until reading this forum, but that actually makes lots of sense as I see a ton of skiers wearing it.

 

[denkigroove]

Yep. I lifted my arm and the bottom hem basically did not move. Only jackets I've ever experienced that is Arc jackets. If I can get the same out of an endemic company, I will. Maybe Burton is stepping up game with the ice axe company muscling in on their turf lol.

That was the big reason I was drawn to the HH elevation infinity jacket when I tried it on, I was pleasantly surprised by the articulating cut allowing me to lift my arms and the jacket didn’t lift. My Volcom Guch jacket with the added stretch gives great articulation but I felt the cut was better in the HH elevation for my Dad-frame.

 

[El Cholo Rojo]

686 Goretex shells keeps me warm and dry in wet and windy Sierras.

the North Face freedom bib

These rule. Great do it all and has velcro front cargo pockets. Perf for early morning uphill workout.

I didn't even realize that Helly Hansen is more of a 'ski-brand' until reading this forum

Their website is pretty clear about it. Looks best on a sail boat.

 

[deagol]

I had a Helly Hansen rain jacket (nothing to do with snowboarding) years ago and it didn't last long at all.... I had the same problem with one from Marmot. I am not sure I have enough data to make a statement about the company based on that.

 

[kimchijajonshim]

I had a Helly Hansen rain jacket (nothing to do with snowboarding) years ago and it didn't last long at all.... I had the same problem with one from Marmot. I am not sure I have enough data to make a statement about the company based on that.

Most of the big ice axe brands build some entry-level crap, same as most ski and snowboard brands. TNF, Marmot, Helly Hansen, Outdoor Research, Mountain Hardwear, etc. all build some good stuff on the high-end, but most of them also make some lower tier garbage.

Flipside is you can get those brands at serious discount compared to the companies that are more protective of their branding (Arc'teryx, Norrøna, Patagonia namely). I've gotten 3L Goretex Pro jackets from the TNF Outlet for like $70. You can routinely find all those brands from the first paragraph on Sierra, Camp Saver, and various other outlet sites for dirt cheap.

 

[deagol]

My Marmot one crapped out, but they have a good warranty so I got a new one for free. Hope it lasts better than the previous one.

 

[cherrysours]

I had the odin infinity insulated jacket last season. I found their "lifa infinity pro" waterproofing interesting because it does not require any waterproofing chemicals to stay hydrophobic. It kept me warm on -30C days and it did not weigh anything compared to my 686 jackets. I had to sell it as I experienced problems with the zipper system when it's freezing cold. Like what people say on the reviews, they could have done better with the zippers considering it has a $1000 cad price tag. Back to 686 with hydrastash!

 

[Eivind så klart]

Most of the big ice axe brands build some entry-level crap, same as most ski and snowboard brands. TNF, Marmot, Helly Hansen, Outdoor Research, Mountain Hardwear, etc. all build some good stuff on the high-end, but most of them also make some lower tier garbage.

Flipside is you can get those brands at serious discount compared to the companies that are more protective of their branding (Arc'teryx, Norrøna, Patagonia namely). I've gotten 3L Goretex Pro jackets from the TNF Outlet for like $70. You can routinely find all those brands from the first paragraph on Sierra, Camp Saver, and various other outlet sites for dirt cheap.

Would go HH before Norrøna every time even at full cost. Norrøna is for mountain bikers with more money than iq and parkinglot trekers. Also perfect for casual friday at the office.

Ha! Funny how brands are known for different things around the world.

 

[Craig64]

We debate this a lot on ezlounging. 686's GLCR line and AK are both great build qualities with lifetime warranties. The HH/Haglofs/TNF/Norronna/Arcteryx/whatever are typically made in the same factories as tons of other brands. Those brands' stitching and seam sealing don't have any magical properties going on haha. I mean sure, if you're comparing a top-of-the-line HH jacket to a bottom tier Quiksilver jacket or something, there will be a difference. But if I'm gonna shell out the cash for a 2L or 3L jacket, I'd rather buy from a snowboard brand.

Just picked up this season's Cyclic jacket. The entire AK line recently trimmed up a bit in their fit, it's not as baggy as it used to be but still keeps the length (which I like).
View attachment 164695

"Limeade"....., looks hell of a lot nicer out off the studio lights.

 

[Craig64]

Agree to disagree on the enlightened centrist take haha. Supporting snowboard brands that sponsor riders, put out edits for us to watch, donate to the community, sponsor terrain parks, host events, etc is a good thing. "Moving on" to buying big box ski brands like HH that don't even advertise their waterproof ratings for your $500 jacket is lame and just hurts good brands.

And yeah, there is definitely a fit difference... I guess some people think the HH ski fit looks good, and some freeski brands have copied snowboard fits, but snowboarding definitely created its own style/fit.
View attachment 164697 View attachment 164696

Gee pretty simple pick for the best looking fit for snowboarding from these 2 pic's.

 

[eleveneightnate]

"Limeade"....., looks hell of a lot nicer out off the studio lights.

Agreed! It's not pastel looking in person like the stock photos make it seem.

 

[HurtonBair]

Owned by Canadian Tire now.

 

[Phedder]

Well if anyone is looking for another 'Ski brand' to support, I'd highly suggest Flylow.

Baker bibs are absolutely bomb proof, they make my favorite flannels (fit and feel phenomenal) their gloves/mitts are incredibly durable and affordable, and they've just released simple merino base layers. When it comes to bang for buck I think they're one of the best out there now as an overall mountain culture/outdoors brand.