Reviews You Can Rely On

Helly Hansen Odin Mountain Review

This ski-inspired softshell jacket is built for long days on the chairlift or big lines in the backcountry
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Helly Hansen Odin Mountain Review
Credit: Helly Hansen
Price:  $325 List
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Manufacturer:   Helly Hansen
By Ryan Huetter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 24, 2022
67
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Weather Protection - 30% 9.0
  • Breathability - 30% 5.0
  • Mobility - 25% 7.0
  • Weight - 10% 5.0
  • Versatility - 5% 4.0

Our Verdict

The Helly Hansen Odin Mountain is a burly softshell jacket designed for exceptional protection in backcountry environments. It has one of the highest ratios of elastane to nylon of any jacket we have tested, making it exceptionally stretchy, a good thing in a softshell jacket meant for high-output activity. With generous sizing, heavy material, and lots of features, the Odin is best suited for backcountry and resort-based ski and snowboarding. This might also be a great choice for taller users who struggle to find a long enough hem.
REASONS TO BUY
Great weather protection
Lots of coverage
Warm
REASONS TO AVOID
Bulky
Heavy
Oversized fit might not be for everyone
Expensive

Our Analysis and Test Results

We used this jacket on backcountry ski objectives, trail hikes, and around town. We enjoyed the larger sizing, providing plenty of freedom of movement as well as the ability to layer underneath on colder days. Weather protection is definitely the strongest suit of the Odin Mountain, though some of the other metrics suffer for it.

Performance Comparison


helly hansen odin mountain - long coverage in the rear makes this a perfect ski jacket
Long coverage in the rear makes this a perfect ski jacket
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Weather Protection


One of the things we like the most about the Odin Mountain is its ability to protect us from the weather. Using a four-way stretch softshell fabric coated with a DWR water-resistant treatment and backed by a grid fleece inner fabric, we found that the wind and water blocking properties were top-tier for a softshell. A large hood easily accommodates a ski helmet and has a three-way adjustment to seal out icy drafts.

The most noticeable difference between this jacket and most of the others we reviewed is the length of the hem. Ending well below the waist, this longer cut helps to hold in warmth and provide extra protection during transitions. Adjustable cuff closures are easy to use with gloves, and large zippered handwarmer pockets give you a chance to get our mitts out of the elements if not wearing gloves.

helly hansen odin mountain - a rainy day in the pnw? the odin has us covered.
A rainy day in the PNW? The Odin has us covered.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Breathability


The Odin was an average performer when it came down to breathability. Comparing this jacket to one of the ultralight, unlined jackets would be unfair, though. This softshell is equipped with a fleece backing, which gives it extra warmth and wind protection but also affects its ability to shed perspiration.

We used this jacket on a cold and windy day in the Sierra Nevada, hiking up 2,000 feet with our skis on our packs, and found that at a moderate pace, the Odin was able to breathe well enough that we didn't get overly sweaty. But hiking quickly uphill with a base layer on underneath was too much, and we felt overheated.

Mobility


With its large sizing (at least compared to many of the slim-fitting technical jackets that are becoming more common), there is ample room for movement in the Odin. The combination of the large sizing and the stretchy fabric kept us from feeling constricted, and the long cut stayed put underneath a climbing harness.

Although the extra room allows for layers and freedom of movement, we found ourselves wishing for a slimmer fit in many applications. While climbing and hiking, the Odin feels a bit too baggy, and for casual, around-town use, it looks like you're almost wearing a trench coat.

helly hansen odin mountain - the odin softshell fabric is incredibly stretchy.
The Odin softshell fabric is incredibly stretchy.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Weight


The Odin Mountain is one of the heaviest jackets in our review. This weight comes from the stout fabric and the fleece backing, as well as the fact that it is cut so generously. This extra weight can be forgiven if you plan on using this jacket for mostly downhill skiing, especially if it is lift-accessed. We feel that it is too heavy and bulky to bring along on days where it might end up in your backpack — in these instances, we'd rather have a lighter shell with a fleece layer.

helly hansen odin mountain - large pockets high on the torso give us a place to warm our hands...
Large pockets high on the torso give us a place to warm our hands, and don't interfere with a backpack strap.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Versatility


We find the Odin Mountain to be an overall good choice for mountain activities, though it really shines for skiing and snowboarding. It is a bit on the heavy side for ski touring at an aerobic pace because of its diminished breathability, though for many sidecountry ski and splitboard tourers, this might be a great jacket. For inbounds riding, we really like how much coverage we get from the longer hem, keeping our backsides off the chairlift. It is a bit too baggy for casual use, and most hikers and climbers will prefer a trimmer fit.

helly hansen odin mountain - helmet-friendly, with lots of room for layering, the odin is built...
Helmet-friendly, with lots of room for layering, the Odin is built for the mountains.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Value


This is a nice jacket that offers a lot of weather protection, but it feels too expensive to be justified at its list price. Similar offerings can be found at a lower price point and a better value.

Conclusion


This specialized backcountry-oriented softshell gives excellent protection from wind and wet weather, and we find it to excel in cold and snowy environments.

Ryan Huetter