I’ve lengthy been a shell man in terms of outerwear for ski touring however as I’ve picked up my tempo on uphills and toured longer and longer into spring and summer time, I’ve discovered myself trying to find lighter layers that don’t instantly flip right into a sauna.
It doesn’t matter what advertising and marketing copy would possibly say in regards to the breathability of Gore-Tex and competitor membranes, they’re merely an excessive amount of for high-output touring (for me, anyway) in something above about 25 levels, regardless of how large the air flow zips are.
So I jumped on the prospect to check an early prototype of Helly Hansen’s Odin BC Softshell Bib and Softshell Jacket combo final spring and I’ve continued sporting it all through the season this 12 months. I used to be excited partially as a result of I used to be typically “softshell-curious” but additionally as a result of I had but to discover a softshell bib and, effectively, I’m a bib man. A number of firms are making backcountry outerwear today, nevertheless it’s principally light-weight variations of resort gear with beacon storage. Fortunately, Helly Hansen didn’t trouble with one other “me too” launch and that is the one package I’ve seen with a softshell bib.
What I’ve discovered (considerably to my shock) after 30-plus days touring within the package in all types of circumstances is that whereas they’re not markedly extra breathable, there aren’t many drawbacks to the softshell building as in comparison with my trusty 3-layer shells and there are a number of benefits which have me reaching for the Odin BC Softshell package as my new go-to touring outerwear.
Specs & Options
PFC-free DWR
3 completely different shell supplies, body-mapped
Elastic wrist cuffs
Articulated sleeves and knees
D-ring for beacon pocket carry in bibs
Beacon entry pocket in jacket (for harness carry)
Boot gaiters and boot cuff zips
RECCO reflectors
Facet air flow zips on bibs
Weights (measured): Jacket (574g), Bibs (817g)
Price: Jacket ($280 at Backcountry), Bibs ($320 at Evo)
Grid fleece-backed softshell transitions to a extra sturdy single layer above the wrist on Helly Hansen’s Odin BC Softshell Jacket
Development
Whereas Helly Hansen precisely describes the jacket and bib trousers as “softshell”, they’re not precisely a standard softshell which I consider as a thicker, singular layer of spongy polyester or nylon with DWR. Each bib and jacket use three completely different supplies in a body-mapped patchwork.
The slate-gray patches are a four-way stretch materials made up of polyester, polyamide, and elastane that goes heavy (10%) on the elastane for stretch. The face is as sturdy as a light-weight 3-layer shell however there’s a skinny grid fleece on the within for preserving again, again of legs, and abdomen hotter.
A skinny strip of a special black cloth runs beneath the arm virtually all the way in which from wrist via armpit to waist and it’s a really skinny and even stretchier (24% elastane) mix of the identical supplies that maximizes mobility and breathability. The identical cloth seems on the high of the bib for a similar causes.
The third (additionally black) cloth is the least stretchy (7% elastane) however nonetheless extra forgiving than 3-layer that makes up a lot of the black patches on each bib and jacket. It’s a bit extra stiff and sturdy and includes the higher-wear areas on the backside of the jacket under the waist, the sleeve cuffs, components of the hood, and a lot of the legs of the bibs from above the knee on down. Beneath the calf, the seams are taped however elsewhere are principally not. The insides of the boot cuffs are bolstered with a rubberized coating.
After 30-plus days of touring, the sturdiness appears reliable because the package seems to be like new and I’ve had no points with zippers (apart from a misplaced pull described under) and the materials have endured frequent run-ins with tree branches punching via tight sections of bushes. In contrast to my lighter-colored 3L outerwear, the sunshine grey cloth hasn’t attracted stains from bumping up in opposition to my filthy truck.
Total, the construct is streamlined. Zippers are gentle gauge and pockets are backed by a skinny mesh, so each clothes pack down about as small as a light-weight shell. As a result of they’ve much less of the bulkier grid fleece, the bibs truly pack down practically as small because the jacket. There’s no packability benefit over a light-weight shell right here, however they’re actually much less stiff so you’ll be able to shove them in round different gadgets in a pack a bit extra simply.
The jacket weighed in at 574g and the bibs 817g. For context, my ultralight Trew Capow jacket and bibs weigh 611 and 927 grams, respectively. Different shell bibs on this class: Image Natural Lassen Xpore 3L Bibs: 667g, Outside Analysis SkyTour AscentShell Bibs: 794g. The weights and packed sizes fall within the vary of touring-oriented shell outerwear, so the comparability is generally a wash on that metric.
Efficiency
The mix of materials makes me consider the Odin package extra as a hybrid of softshell and skinny non-membrane shell than wholly a standard softshell. All three materials do an honest job of blocking wind and shucking off gentle moisture, however the grid fleece-backed grey sections are noticeably hotter and Helly Hansen did an amazing job inserting them the place you’d be extra more likely to really feel the chilly: across the chest, neck, again of the arms, waist, and again of the thighs.
I’ve heard it said like a regulation of nature that softshells are extra breathable than hardshells, however I run scorching typically and if I’m operating scorching sufficient to steam out an ultralight touring-oriented 3-layer jacket, I’m going to do the identical within the Odin BC Softshell Jacket. The looser match helps, however there aren’t any pit zips right here, so if temps and solar publicity dictate, typically the jacket has to come back off. On hotter days about 25 levels and up, I begin with the jacket within the pack simply as I’d with a shell and solely pull it out on windy ridges and for the descent. Likewise, the bibs are gentle, however the grid fleece sections maintain physique warmth which is nice on chilly days however has me lunging for the facet zips on hotter days.
So why go softshell if it’s not considerably extra breathable? For me, it’s the consolation and suppleness in comparison with stiffer softshells. Whereas I’ve 3-layer shell bibs and jackets (Trew Capow are my favorites) which are ultralight and far softer than a resort-oriented Gore-Tex Professional shell, they nonetheless can’t examine to the softness and stretch of the Odin BC Softshell package. The flipside right here is that in the event you like light-weight shells and are wanting on the Odin for large breathability enhancements, look elsewhere.
I’ve by no means felt consciously restricted sporting shell outerwear within the backcountry, however when switching to the Odin package, the moment feeling of freedom of motion was palpable and it’s the primary purpose I attain for it anytime circumstances allow.
Talking of circumstances, it’s value noting that I ski principally above 10,000 ft within the Colorado Rockies the place snow falls gentle and dry and spring rain isn’t greater than a light-weight spritzing. Whereas 3-layer shells work nice all through the winter for stopping wind and shedding snow, they’re not as important as in wetter, hotter areas. In additional than 30 days touring within the Odin package in winter and spring, I by no means felt the constraints of the weatherproofing, however I change to a 3L shell if nasty climate threatens, and your expertise could also be completely different relying on the place you tour.
The Odin BC Softshell Jacket and Bibs feel and appear like a uniform. Or tracksuit?
Match & Aesthetics
The reduce of the jacket is refreshingly ski shell-like. My gripe with different softshell jackets and touring shells I’ve examined is that they’re usually a slim match and a shorter size that appears higher suited to climbing than snowboarding. The Odin BC Softshell Jacket hangs effectively under the waist so there’s no concern of the jacket sneaking out above the hip belt of your pack.
In comparison with another shell bibs I’ve examined, the bib match is extra tailor-made however not practically as comfortable as most softshell touring pants from the European manufacturers equivalent to La Sportiva or Ortovox. In case you’re used to a baggier shell pant or bib, the crotch will really feel excessive, however I discovered that the fabric is stretchy sufficient that I by no means really feel constricted by it and it’s truly welcome when touring since cloth isn’t bunching or creating pointless friction on each stride.
Whereas the Odin BC Softshell Bib Trousers are positively bibs, they don’t attain as excessive as most, stopping a number of inches above my bellybutton and so they fall someplace between a full overall-style bib and pants with suspenders. I typically miss the chest pocket discovered on most taller bibs, however the decrease reduce helps with overheating whereas nonetheless avoiding the conflagration of supplies on the waist I detest when sporting ski pants with a belt on the identical top as my baselayer waist, underwear, and pack hip belt.
When it comes to seems to be, that is positively a package within the European spirit of color-coordinated high and backside. As talked about, the jacket is a extra North American tailoring, however the snugger bibs shall be a departure for these used to the usually dishevelled reduce of most shell-style ski bibs. The primary time I wore the Odin BC Softshell package with an everyday touring associate, he deadpanned, “You look quick.”
I personally like the virtually tracksuit-like aesthetic and I truly really feel like I must be going quicker uphill sporting it than after I’m in a Gore-Tex shell combo that’s clearly simply alongside for the descent. Nonetheless, within the broader panorama of softshell touring choices, it’s a lot much less skimo than most.
In case you just like the coordinated package theme and need extra choices, Helly Hansen additionally makes a shell jacket and pants (no shell bibs) in the identical colorways within the Odin BC line in addition to an identical energetic insulation Insulator jacket that may be worn alone or as a midlayer beneath the shell or softshell.
Double chest pockets on the Odin BC Softshell Jacket.
Pockets & Options
There are a number of backcountry-specific design cues right here, led by beacon storage and entry choices. On the bibs, there’s a thigh pocket with D-ring for pocket carrying a beacon, a lot to the dismay of many Europeans, although it’s primarily the place I retailer mine in avalanche terrain when sporting the Odin BC package.
In case you harness-carry your beacon, there’s a pass-through zipper opening under the chest on the jacket for straightforward entry. My solely gripe together with your choices right here is that in the event you retailer your beacon within the devoted thigh pocket and take the jacket off, it may be tough to take care of the beneficial 20cm of distance between telephone and transceiver utilizing simply the pockets obtainable within the bibs.
There are two zippered hand pockets on the bibs about the place you’d discover them on a pair of denims that are nice for preserving smaller gadgets like lip balm away out of your knees. Outdoors of the beacon-access pocket, the jacket retains it easy with two mesh-backed chest pockets accessible whereas sporting a pack and a small mesh internet pocket on the within of the jacket for stashing a beanie or gloves.
D-ring inside thigh pocket for heathens that pocket carry their beacon.
If I may make one tweak to this structure it might be to create a spot to carry skins in the event you’re transferring rapidly and don’t wish to take your pack off. Certain, you’ll be able to simply stuff the skins contained in the jacket and let your pack’s hip strap hold them from sliding out, however greater than as soon as, I’ve accomplished that and had my skins fall out after I took off my hip belt when stopped. Including one other inside mesh pocket and making them a bit bigger wouldn’t add a lot materials or weight and it might at the least provide the choice to have a devoted stash for skins.
Essentially the most strong zippers in the entire package seem on the surface of the thighs within the type of substantial air flow openings and fortunately they’re straightforward sufficient to function with one hand so you’ll be able to throw them open with out breaking stride. Sadly, there’s no corollary on the jacket and I’d cope with a bit additional bulk to have the choice after I’m on the fence about needing to take away the jacket fully.
A lot of the zipper pulls include plastic tabs in order that they’re simpler to function with gloves and they also don’t inevitably untie and fall off like most string-only pulls. Oddly the fly zipper doesn’t have a tab and mine disappeared within the first few weeks of use. Straightforward sufficient to make a brand new one with paracord (gently soften the knot to keep away from repeating the loss), however I’d take a plastic tab there sooner or later.
It’s value a nod to the elastic sleeve cuffs on the jacket which keep roomy all the way down to the wrist and could be pulled over gloves or clamped beneath a gauntlet cuff. Many different touring jackets I’ve examined haven’t any cuff adjustment or elastic in any respect which go away you with an annoying hole for wind, or in the event that they do have adjustment it’s usually frustratingly slim as in the event that they borrowed the size from a operating windbreaker.
Rubberized gaiter reinforcement on the within, zippered growth for uphilling on the surface.
Backside Line
I first donned the Odin BC Softshell package hoping to discover a maximally breathable warm-weather outerwear resolution, however ended up loving it for a lot completely different causes. Whereas I discovered the breathability enhancements over an ultralight 3-layer shell minimal, the consolation and stretch are what hold me coming again on all however the coldest days within the backcountry.
This package is a extra comfy various to stiffer shell outerwear for folk who’re blissful to commerce off some climate resistance for a quieter, extra comfy, and extra cellular outfit. However in the event you’re a high-output racer sort on the lookout for one thing with drastically higher breathability than shells, hold wanting.
Justin Park is the Editor of Wild Snow. In 2009 whereas dwelling in Hawaii, he bought invited on a hut journey in Colorado. He had no backcountry gear, discovered Wild Snow, learn up on backcountry snowboarding and purchased some body bindings for a pair of G3 Reverends so he didn’t have to purchase touring boots. He moved to Breckenridge, CO a 12 months later and right this moment he skis 100+ days a 12 months, most of them backcountry.
