Helly Hansen vs. Patagonia: Brand comparison [2026]

Helly Hansen is a Norwegian performance brand focused on creating technical, highly durable gear for extreme conditions like professional sailing and skiing. In contrast, Patagonia is an American outdoor company celebrated for its versatile, high-quality gear and pioneering commitment to environmental sustainability and ethical manufacturing.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right outdoor brand for your adventures and values.

Helly Hansen: The Leader in Extreme Weather Performance

Founded in Norway in 1877, Helly Hansen has built its legacy on protecting professionals who work and play in the harshest environments on earth. The brand is a favorite among sailors, skiers, and mountaineers who demand gear that delivers uncompromising weather protection, technical performance, and longevity. Their aesthetic is clean, functional, and distinctly Scandinavian.

• Product mix: Specializes in technical gear for sailing, skiing, and rugged workwear. Key products include waterproof shells, insulated jackets, durable bibs, and performance base layers.
• Price point: Mid to high-end, reflecting its focus on technical materials. Jackets typically range from $150 to $400, while specialized sailing or ski shells can be more.
• Quality &, Materials: Renowned for its proprietary technologies, including Helly Tech® waterproof/breathable fabric and LifaLoft™ insulation, designed for maximum protection with minimal weight. Construction is robust, with an emphasis on durability for professional use.
• Sizing/Fit: Generally fits true to size with an athletic contour. The cut is designed to allow effective layering without being overly bulky, prioritizing mobility for active use.
• Sustainability: The brand is increasing its use of recycled materials and responsible manufacturing processes, though its primary focus remains on performance and durability under extreme conditions.

Helly Hansen is the go-to choice for those who need field-tested gear to face severe weather, prioritizing technical function and durability above all else.

Shop Helly Hansen: hellyhansen.com

Patagonia: The Gold Standard in Sustainable Outdoor Gear

Patagonia is more than just an apparel company, it's a mission-driven brand that uses its business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis. They create high-quality, durable outdoor gear for a wide range of activities like hiking, climbing, and trail running, all while leading the industry in sustainable practices, supply chain transparency, and corporate activism. Their aesthetic is classic, versatile, and easily transitions from the mountain to main street.

• Product mix: Offers a broad selection of outdoor apparel and gear for climbing, skiing, hiking, and everyday wear. Known for its fleeces, waterproof jackets, synthetic insulation, and eco-friendly accessories.
• Price point: Mid-range to premium, with jackets ranging from about $100 to over $500. Prices reflect the quality of materials and commitment to ethical production.
• Quality &, Materials: A pioneer in using sustainable materials like recycled polyester, organic cotton, and responsibly sourced down. Their H2No® Performance Standard ensures waterproof products are durable and high-performing, and the famous Worn Wear program promotes repair over replacement.
• Sizing/Fit: Tends to be true to size with a comfortable, often relaxed fit that is ideal for layering and versatile use across different body types.
• Sustainability: This is the core of Patagonia's identity. The company is a certified B Corp, co-founded 1% for the Planet, and uses Fair Trade Certified™ factories, setting the industry benchmark for environmental and ethical responsibility.

Patagonia is ideal for the environmentally aware consumer who wants ethically made, long-lasting gear that performs well and supports a greater cause.

Shop Patagonia: patagonia.com

Helly Hansen vs. Patagonia Comparison

Price Comparison

Both brands operate in the mid-to-premium price range. A technical waterproof shell from Helly Hansen often costs between $150 and $400, directly competing with comparable jackets from Patagonia, which run from $100 to $500. Helly Hansen's pricing is justified by its specialized, highly technical designs built for professions that demand performance, like sailing crews and ski patrols.

Patagonia's pricing reflects its investment in high-quality, sustainable materials and Fair Trade Certified™ labor. While prices are similar, the value proposition differs. With Helly Hansen, you're paying for extreme weather technology. With Patagonia, you're investing in multi-functional durability and one of the most responsible supply chains in the world.

Quality &, Materials

Helly Hansen's strength lies in proprietary performance fabrics like Helly Tech®, which offers excellent waterproofing and breathability geared for demanding activities, and LifaLoft™ insulation, which provides impressive warmth without bulk. Their construction is exceptionally robust, designed to withstand saltwater, high winds, and constant abrasion.

Patagonia emphasizes sustainable innovation. Their H2No® waterproof membrane is rigorously tested and made from recycled materials, and their insulation technologies increasingly use post-consumer recycled content. The brand's legendary durability is backed by its Ironclad Guarantee and the Worn Wear program, which encourages customers to repair their gear, highlighting a commitment to quality that extends far beyond the initial purchase.

Fit &, Sizing

Helly Hansen generally offers a more athletic, "European" fit. The garments are cut closer to the body to improve mobility and reduce bulk when layering, making it ideal for high-output sports like skiing and mountaineering. If you are between sizes, you may consider sizing up, especially if you prefer a looser fit.

Patagonia typically has a more relaxed, "American" fit that focuses on comfort and versatility. This sizing provides ample room for layering underneath and suits a wider range of body types. Their size guides are detailed, but the general rule is that their fit is quite forgiving and true to size for most shoppers.

Sustainability &, Ethics

This is the most significant point of difference. Patagonia has built its entire brand around environmental responsibility. From pioneering the use of recycled soda bottles for fleece in the 90s to donating 1% of sales to environmental nonprofits, their commitment is embedded in their DNA. They are transparent about their supply chain and actively campaign for environmental protection.

While Helly Hansen has made positive steps in sustainability by using bluesign® approved fabrics and recycled materials in some products, its brand identity and primary focus remain on technical performance. It is a responsible company, but it does not lead with an activist mission in the same way Patagonia does.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your primary activities and personal values. Both brands produce excellent outdoor gear, but they serve different core purposes.

Choose Helly Hansen if:

• Your activities are primarily skiing, sailing, or mountaineering in potentially severe weather.
• You need professional-grade durability and technical features that are proven in extreme conditions.
• You prefer a more streamlined, athletic fit for high-motion activities.
• Proven technical performance is a more important factor for you than a brand's environmental activism.

Choose Patagonia if:

• You participate in a wide variety of outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, backpacking, and fly fishing.
• Supporting environmental causes and ethical manufacturing is a major factor in your purchasing decisions.
• You value versatility and want gear that performs on the trail but doesn't look out of place in town.
• You believe in repairing gear to extend its life and want a brand that supports that with programs like Worn Wear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Helly Hansen or Patagonia more expensive?

Their price points are very similar. A mid-tier insulated jacket from both brands will likely fall in the $250-$350 range. The final cost depends on the specific product's technical features, with highly specialized jackets from either brand reaching over $500.

Which brand is better for skiing?

Helly Hansen is deeply rooted in the ski industry and is the professional's choice at over 200 ski resorts. Their gear is purpose-built with features skiers need. However, Patagonia also offers an excellent range of high-performance ski and snowboard shells and insulated jackets that are highly regarded for their quality and sustainable construction.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Patagonia is the undisputed leader in sustainability and ethical business practices in the outdoor industry. While Helly Hansen is taking positive steps, Patagonia's entire mission and business model are built around environmental responsibility.

Does Patagonia or Helly Hansen have a better warranty/repair policy?

Patagonia's Ironclad Guarantee is well known, and their Worn Wear program is exceptional, offering repairs on their products for a reasonable charge to extend their lifespan indefinitely. Helly Hansen also offers a standard warranty against manufacturing defects, but Patagonia's focus on lifetime repair is part of its core identity.

How does the fit compare between Helly Hansen and Patagonia?

Helly Hansen typically has an athletic, trimmer fit designed for layering and active performance. Patagonia generally uses a more relaxed, comfortable fit suited for all-around use. Always check the specific product's sizing chart, as fit can vary between different collections.

Are Helly Hansen products fully waterproof?

Yes, many Helly Hansen jackets use their proprietary Helly Tech® membrane, which comes in different levels (Protection, Performance, and Professional) to provide excellent waterproofing and breathability for various conditions.

Is Patagonia's gear as tough as Helly Hansen's?

Yes, Patagonia's gear is known for its durability. However, the brands often focus on toughness for different scenarios. Helly Hansen builds gear to withstand consistent, professional-level abrasion (e.g., on a sailing yacht). Patagonia designs for long-term trail durability, with a focus on materials that can be reliably repaired over many years.

Which brand offers better insulation?

Both brands offer excellent insulation technologies. Helly Hansen's LifaLoft™ is praised for its exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio. Patagonia offers a variety of class-leading options, from traceable goose down to its proprietary Plumafill and PrimaLoft® synthetic insulations, which are often made with recycled materials.