If you’re an outdoor enthusiast looking for high-quality gear for any weather conditions, two brands from Scandinavia come in your help!
Haglöfs, Swedish, and Helly Hansen, Norwegian, are two popular brands in the outdoor gear market, each with its unique strengths and offerings.
Today, we’ll explore and compare them to help you decide which one should you choose.
So, let’s find out which is better for your needs!
Comparison Table:
| Haglöfs | Helly Hansen | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1914, Sweden | 1877, Norway |
| Product Range | Jackets, backpacks, shoes, and other equipment for hiking, mountain, and lifestyle activities. | Jackets, footwear, backpacks, and other gear for water, mountain, and lifestyle activities. |
| Materials | Nylon and Polyester (some of it recycled), Organic cotton, RDS down insulation, Mimic synthetic insulation, Gore-Tex membrane, etc. | Nylon, Polyester, and Wool (some of it recycled), RDS down insulation, PrimaLoft synthetic insulation, Helly-Tech membrane, etc. |
| Sustainability | Focuses on reducing carbon footprint, utilizes sustainable materials and renewable energy, prioritizes animal welfare for animal-based materials. | Committed to sustainability and environmental protection. |
| Production Locations | Asia (China, Vietnam, etc.), Europe (Poland, Romania, etc.). | Asia (China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, etc.), materials from Europe and Asia. |
| Prices | Mid to high: jackets $100 – $600+, backpacks $60 – $300. | Mid to high: jackets $75 – $2000, backpacks $50 – $250+. |
| Decision | Better for those who prioritize lower prices and functionality. | Suitable for those who want premium quality and for water activities. |
1. Haglöfs Outdoor Gear
History of the Brand
Haglöfs official website
A carpenter named Wiktor Haglöf established the Haglöfs brand in 1914 in Sweden. His goal was to produce a backpack that could withstand any travel conditions within the country.
Since then, the brand has expanded its product collections and remains dedicated to innovation and setting new standards in manufacturing.
Haglöfs is passionate about preserving the environment for future generations to enjoy and encourages exploration of the outdoors, both physically and mentally, in any weather conditions. The brand firmly believes that anyone can appreciate nature.
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Materials, Fabrics, and Production Process
Haglöfs has a goal of decreasing its carbon footprint by 50% before 2030. They are achieving this by utilizing sustainable materials and renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency, and collaborating with consumers to reduce their environmental impact.
The company is incorporating recycled and organic materials, such as cotton, hemp, and lyocell/tencel, into their outdoor and sports products. Haglöfs is also utilizing eco-friendly dyeing methods and minimizing the use of plastic bags.
The brand is dedicated to responsible management of water, energy, and chemicals in their factories. They use the Higg Index to measure the sustainability of their products throughout their life cycle.
When it comes to animal-based materials, Haglöfs is committed to sourcing from suppliers that prioritize animal welfare and ecosystem and biodiversity protection. For instance, their natural down insulation is certified by the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), ensuring that no live-plucking or force-feeding has occurred in the supply chain.
Haglöfs also incorporates various technologies and materials in their products for warmth, breathability, and protection. Their jackets, for example, feature Recycled Polyamide (Nylon), Recycled Polyester, Mimic PLATINUM Ultracluster Graphene insulation, and Gore-Tex membranes.
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Read also:
Haglöfs vs Patagonia Outdoor Gear: Which Brand is Better?
Haglöfs vs Arc’teryx Outdoor Gear: A Comparison
Where is Haglöfs outdoor gear made?
Haglöfs items are predominantly produced in China and Vietnam in Asia, as well as in Poland and Romania in Europe. The brand’s emphasis on maintaining high-quality standards has played a significant role in its widespread popularity, particularly in Scandinavia.
Recommended Products
Haglöfs L.I.M GTX Active Men’s Jacket
Image: haglofs.com
Check it out at Haglofs.com
The lightweight technical shell, the Haglöfs L.I.M GTX Active Jacket, is perfect for summer activities, offering both weather protection and breathability. This jacket is made of a durable mix of GORE-TEX Active 3-layer and GORE-TEX Paclite® Plus 2.5-layer fabric, ensuring comfort during outdoor activities.
With an athletic fit, adjustable hood, reflective trims, elastic cuffs and bottom hem, and two zippered hand pockets with mesh ventilation, this jacket is ideal for trekking and hiking. It is also easy to maintain as it can be machine washed.
Haglöfs L.I.M 35 Hiking Backpack
Image: haglofs.com
Check it out at Haglofs.com
The lightweight Haglöfs L.I.M 35 Hiking Backpack is perfect for hiking and trekking, weighing just 920 grams and offering a 35-liter volume. Its Airback suspension system ensures comfort during intense activities by promoting airflow and ventilation through the back contact zone.
The backpack also includes zippered elastic hip belt pockets, elastic side pockets, and an elastic cord for compression and gear attachment. It is compatible with hydration systems and features a fixed top lid with a pocket, padded hip belt, adjustable sternum strap, and load lifters.
The backpack is crafted from 70D*140D Diamond Rip-stop Polyamide, which is bluesign® approved.
Prices
Haglöfs’ products are usually priced in the middle to high range. The jackets are available at a price range of $100 to over $600 for the most advanced designs. The bags and backpacks start at $60 and go up to $300 in price.
Are Haglöfs products worth the price?
We think that this brand is worth investing in due to its many innovative technologies, focus on sustainability, and wide range of outdoor clothing and gear.
Read next: 11 European Brands for Outdoor Enthusiasts: Our Top Picks
2. Helly Hansen Outdoor Gear
History of the Brand
Helly Hansen official website
Helly Hansen, a well-known Norwegian brand, was founded in 1877 by sea captain Helly Juell Hansen. The brand specializes in producing high-quality gear for water and mountain activities.
Helly Hansen’s founder aimed to create top-notch gear that would protect sailors from difficult weather conditions.
Over the past 140 years, the brand has undergone significant changes, expanding its product range to cater to a wider range of disciplines beyond sailing. Helly Hansen is a popular choice among skiing enthusiasts, and numerous ski resorts use the brand to equip their staff.
The brand is a global leader in sailing gear and apparel, and it is favored by professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Helly Hansen also places a high priority on the mountain gear sector, providing apparel and equipment for mountain activities such as mountaineering, trekking, skiing, and backpacking.
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Materials, Fabrics, and Production Process
Helly Hansen incorporates water-resistant treatments into its garments to guarantee the safety of fishermen and sailors in some of the most hostile oceanic conditions.
Helly Tech is the company’s most notable fabric technology, which is utilized in their jackets and other apparel. This membrane technology is both breathable and waterproof, which is a difficult combination to achieve. It behaves like Gore-Tex, which you may be familiar with. We have compared Helly Tech with Gore-Tex here.
The company’s other popular fabrics include Nylon, Polyester, Wool, and Fleece, many of which are recycled, and RDS-certified Down insulation.
Helly Hansen knows that the natural environment is the most important asset that we have. As a result, they prioritize environmental protection and the promotion of ethical production while manufacturing their products. You can find out more about their sustainability initiatives here.
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Read also:
Helly Hansen vs Patagonia: Which Brand is Better?
3 Best Norwegian Backpack Brands: Our Top Picks
Where is Helly Hansen’s outdoor gear made?
Helly Hansen produces its outdoor clothing and gear in China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, etc. They obtain their materials and fabrics from factories located in Europe and Asia. (more information here)
Recommended Products
Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity Men’s Shell Jacket
Image: hellyhansen.com
Check it out at HellyHansen.com
The men’s Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity Jacket is designed with the assistance of professionals who face unpredictable weather conditions in mountainous regions for extended periods.
The jacket is perfect for backcountry skiing, trekking, and mountaineering, and boasts the brand’s highly efficient LIFA INFINITY™ technology, which is both waterproof and breathable without the use of chemicals.
The jacket is also environmentally friendly, with a recycled face fabric and PFC-free durable water repellent treatment. This hard shell jacket is designed to offer maximum protection and is compatible with helmets, backpacks, and harnesses.
Additional features include pit zips for ventilation, a RECCO® transponder, and a waist drawcord for added warmth in windy conditions.
Helly Hansen Transistor Backpack Recco®
Image: hellyhansen.com
Check it out at HellyHansen.com
The 30L Transistor backpack is a perfect option for outdoor enthusiasts due to its lightweight and versatile design. It offers all the features of a larger hiking backpack in a more compact size, making it ideal for any outdoor activity.
The backpack includes full hydration compatibility, multiple pockets, 3D air-mesh ventilation on the back, and a RECCO® reflector to enhance safety.
Prices
Helly Hansen is another brand that offers products in the mid to high-price range. Their jackets are priced between $75 and $2000, while their backpacks range from $50 to over $250.
Are Helly Hansen products worth the price?
If you’re looking for high-performance outdoor gear, it can be difficult to find anything cheaper with comparable quality and durability, even though Helly Hansen may seem expensive and out of reach for some. For this reason, we think it’s worth it.
Learn more: Why is Helly Hansen so Expensive and Popular: Is It Worth It?
3. Which is Better? Haglöfs or Helly Hansen?
Both are excellent outdoor gear brands and very similar.
Haglöfs is ideal for hiking, backpacking, and other outdoor and mountain activities. They offer a wide range of jackets, backpacks, shoes, and other equipment.
On the other hand, Helly Hansen is great for high-performance gear for water and mountain activities. They are a global leader in sailing gear and apparel and are favored by professionals and enthusiasts alike. They offer jackets, footwear, backpacks, and other gear.
The prices are similar in general, with Helly Hansen being more expensive for some highly insulated jacket designs suitable for professional expeditions.
As for sustainability, both brands have their environmental protection programs in place.
In addition, both have lifestyle products too, so you can also get your city outfits at their stores.
In the end, the choice will depend on the specific piece of gear you’re looking for and on your style and design preferences. We’d personally choose Helly Hansen for water activities and for some of their high-end jackets because for the rest we don’t see any difference.
Read next: 9 High-End, Expensive Hiking Brands for Clothing and Footwear