Most waterproof/breathable clothing is created using a durable water repellency (DWR) treatment. However, there are two main downsides to using DWR: it contains chemicals that can be harmful for the environment, and because it wears off over time, it needs to be reapplied to reproof garments.

When a DWR treated jacket gets dirty, it must be cleaned and reproofed in order to maintain its waterproof quality. For professionals who wear their gear every day, this can be a huge challenge. Maintaining the performance throughout a long season of rescue missions is a mission in itself. The Odin Infinity Insulated Jacket never needs reproofing (more on why later!).

An important mantra among outdoor enthusiasts is to leave no trace behind. And while that includes litter, there is an invisible problem that is gaining visible attention: PFCs in DWR.

Since the 1950s, the outdoor industry has relied on perfluorinated compounds (PFC) for DWR (durable water repellency) treatment. DWR gives the gear its water resistant properties, but it wears off over time. 

When Norway enforced restrictions in 2014 on long-chain compounds [C8] due to their toxic by-products, we had already identified a need to eliminate them. The restrictions, however, accelerated our transition to shorter-chain compounds [C6]. Despite the transition, we recognize that there is still work to be done to minimize the environmental impact of our gear, which is why we are now targeting to be 100% PFC-free [C0] within a couple of years. As of the 2021 season, more than 70% of our sportswear is PFC-free, and the 2022 spring/summer line will be more than 80% PFC-free.

Yet still, even PFC-free DWR requires reproofing, so we looked for an alternative option to keep search and rescue professionals focused on their missions, not their gear. Thanks to LIFA INFINITY PRO™ technology, we’ve addressed both DWR challenges.

Challenging the industry norm, LIFA INFINITY PRO™ is our most responsible waterproof/breathable technology to date. Launched with two shell jackets for the 2020/2021 season to worldwide acclaim, LIFA INFINITY PRO™ is key to the magic in the Odin Infinity Insulated Jacket.

At the heart of LIFA INFINITY PRO™ is the microporous polypropylene membrane. This highly breathable membrane consists of nearly 75% air by volume with nanoscale pores (very lightweight 4 g/sq.m.). This unique structure is formed through extrusion in a solvent-free, ‘melt-blown’ or ‘dry’ process. The membrane is then stretched in different directions through a series of different temperature zones. This unique membrane is responsible for the waterproofness, wind resistance, and the great breathability you feel in the jacket.

The other innovative component in LIFA INFINITY PRO™ is the LIFA® woven face material with its inherent water repellency properties. The purpose of a face material is to protect the membrane from mechanical damage and also keep it dry. To achieve this repellency, standard materials are treated with perfluorinated compounds (C6) or hydrocarbons (C0). In LIFA INFINITY PRO™, the face is made of LIFA® fibers which, compared to polyester and polyamides, have a much lower surface tension, lower moisture absorption, and low water retention. These factors enable long-lasting and high-performing repellency with no added chemical DWR finish.

Both the fabric and yarn structure (such as yarn count and density) are designed to enhance performance. The face material is also solution-dyed, which requires no water during the coloring process and uses approximately 90% fewer chemicals, 50% less energy, and 60% less CO2 emissions compared to conventional dyeing.

When we spoke to the search and rescue team in the Pacific Northwest, the missing piece in their kit was an insulated AND protective jacket. Most kits consist of a hardshell jacket and midlayer, but that system wasn’t tailored enough for the PNW climate. In this operational area, summers are short-lived and missions are long, so a shell jacket is almost never enough. LIFALOFT™ insulation delivers instant lightweight warmth as the temperature drops.

Like LIFA INFINITY PRO™, LIFALOFT™ uses LIFA® technology to create professional grade performance. First introduced in the 70’s as a base layer technology, over time we’ve expanded its use to other applications, maximizing it’s unique fiber structure and hydrophobic properties. 

With this unique and lighter fiber structure, LIFALOFT™ insulation is lighter and warmer than standard insulation - allowing for maximum comfort and agility. The unique LIFALOFT™ insulation creates more air pockets giving more warmth at lower weight, making it ideal for search and rescue professionals. Beyond these rescue professionals, for mountaineers and ski tourers looking to delay the onset of fatigue, lightweight and efficient gear is key.

In the world of search and rescue, there can never be enough pockets. The jacket comes with multiple storage options, including two large internal pockets. Maps and other navigational equipment can easily be stored and accessed. Thanks to the articulated elbows, range of movement is eased for rigging and steep climbing. 

Not compromising on safety, the jacket is compatible with both a helmet and harness. A Recco® reflector is fitted on the hood brim, ensuring your gear is searchable by over 900 organizations worldwide. Learn more about how the search & rescue team, Air Zermatt, uses Recco® to locate lost individuals.

Any signals of distress can be relayed with the integrated whistle. It is strategically attached to the zipper puller on the chest. Louder than the human voice, whistles have long been effective for quick communication in the mountains.

Female rescue professionals carry out the same work as their male peers, yet their temperature requirements are different; they require more insulation than men. With that in mind, the women’s Odin Infinity Insulated Jacket features additional LIFALOFT™ insulation at 100-grams (vs. 80-grams for men). And with such bulky equipment, the pocket placements are slightly different, yet deliver equal capacity in terms of storage.

This is the third time a jacket from the Odin Collection has won the Gear of the Year Award by Outdoor Magazine – originally winning in 2011 and again in 2017. In addition, the Odin Infinity Insulated Jacket has been honored with three other industry-leading awards: Innovation Award (Outdoor Retailer), Product Design (Red Dot) and best product in the Insulated Apparel Category (ISPO). 

Gear of the Year (Outside Magazine):

“[The Odin Infinity] held strong shouldering skis and hitching snowmobile trailers. Meanwhile the 80-gram synthetic insulation (100-gram on the women’s version) was just enough to keep testers toasty but not clammy during intense exertion.”

Red Dot (Award Winner, Product Design)

“The Odin Infinity Insulated Jacket impresses with outstanding wearing properties as well as the consideration of various sustainability aspects”

ISPO (Gold Winner, Insulated Apparel Category)

 “Sustainable down to the last meter of sewing yarn. Helly Hansen redefined the build-up and use of sustainable materials with this new fabric made from dope dye polypropylene (LIFA®) that cuts the CO2 emission to almost half compared to PES [polyester]. A perfect mixture of hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials processed into a jacket to avoid the use of chemicals. Thanks to the chemical properties of the fabric, it’s totally water repellent without DWR treatment. Even the dope dyeing process is well considered to act sustainable and save our planet.”

Among the ISPO jury was Niko Shulz, Category Manager at Sport 2000, who said:

"Such a high quality jacket by HELLY HANSEN with LIFALOFT insulation. The concept behind and the safety aspect with RECCO are a perfect match and on top the Odin Infinity Insulated Jacket comes with a nice silhouette. I can definitely say it's a top product for the next mountain tour!"

Whatever your mission, whatever the weather, the responsibly-designed Odin Infinity Insulated Jacket will protect you and your surroundings every step of the way.