Helly Hansen has created a durable and water repellent three-layer fabric without the use of chemicals — it’s a technology coined by Helly Hansen as LIFA Infinity Pro. Combine that with the solution dye used to make the material gray, and you have an extremely hi-tech piece that is actually pushing the industry in the direction of long-term sustainability. Helly Hansen is the first to market with this amazing fabric featured in the Odin Mountain Infinity Shell Jacket and in an increasing amount of their technical pieces.
I am 6-feet tall, about 170 pounds and I typically wear a large. This shell is right on with the fit. There is enough room to layer without looking like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man when you bulk up your base and mid insulation on colder days. The Odin Mountain Infinity Shell Jacket has all the features I have come to expect from HH: a removable powder skirt, backpack friendly pockets, glove friendly zippers; it’s protective, yet breathable and has bomb-proof durability.
This shell is waterproof, windproof and breathable, yet there is no DWR (durable water repellent) coating so the fabric is less prone to abrasions from packs and everyday wear and tear. With no need to reproof this fabric, you are also saving on energy not having to tumble dry to reactivate the DWR. The hope of HH is for you to keep your jacket for many seasons that add up to years. It’s refreshing to see brands like HH agreeing with the premise that reducing waste and increasing sustainability needs to be present now to become a way of the future.
There is currently one choice of color when it comes the Odin Mountain Infinity Shell because HH has forgone the harsh dying process of other shells. This does make the piece even more sustainable, but is my least favorite detail. The light gray color easily shows dirt and grime, but a saving grace is that the piece is really easy to spot clean.
After months of testing the shell all I have to say is that it’s seriously impressive! It’s just as ideal for wet winter days as it is for bright bluebird afternoons in the spring.
