Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated Review

These pants don't compromise in any particular metric and perform better than most ski pants on the market in every category. They don't excel anywhere in particular, but for the price, they are a solid choice.

Performance Comparison

Weather Resistance

The Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated uses a proprietary waterproof and breathable membrane called Helly Tech, which we have tested in other ski products over the years. These pants keep snow, wind, and rain at bay, though extended soaking in wet snow or rain will cause the fabric to wet out, especially after the DWR treatment wears off. That said, these pants are plenty weather-resistant for most skiers and snowboarders.

The two side pockets have waterproof zippers, and the seams are fully sealed, creating a water-tight package. The shell fabric itself is soft to the touch and occasionally wets out when subjected to extended soaking, but overall, we were impressed by its weather resistance.

Fit and Comfort

These pants are surprisingly comfortable. The Legendary Pants have an articulated fit that has a bend in the knees sewn into the cut. The pants are not too tight and not too loose through the waist and seat and have enough room in the thighs to allow for a wide range of motion without feeling too baggy.

The shell material is softer than other hard shells, which isn't great for weather resistance, but it makes for a comfortable user experience. The waist has two hook-and-loop straps to adjust the circumference, along with belt loops if you want to wear one.

Ventilation

If there is a weak spot in the performance of the Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated, it's ventilation. These pants have two small internal thigh vents, one on each leg. The openings are covered by mesh, which keeps snow out but also prevents some air motion. The vents aren't long enough to allow for much ventilation.

The shell fabric seems relatively breathable, but the thin synthetic insulation and liner fabric counteract the breathability of the pants. They aren't breathable enough for extended ski touring, but they are ventilated enough for short uptracks and bootpacks.

Warmth

These pants have some synthetic insulation, but not as much as most insulated ski pants. We think they have the perfect amount of insulation to provide maximum versatility, and any more insulation would relegate them to use on only the coldest days of winter. That said, the Helly Hansen Legendary is warmer than any ski pants that don't have any insulation material.

In general, we prefer pants without insulation because it allows us to customize our warmth by wearing various thicknesses of long underwear, depending on the weather. The Legendary provides some insulation, but it also preserves our ability to customize the warmth of our lower body because the insulation it provides isn't very thick. The net result is a slightly insulated pair of pants that elevates our lower body warmth without controlling it outright.

Features

The Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated has enough features for a full day at the ski resort without being overburdened by them. There are two side pockets, each with a waterproof zipper, that allow the user to stash small items. There is also one rear pocket that can hold a wallet or similar small object. There are scuff guards around the inner parts of the ankles and internal elastic powder cuffs that prevent snow from entering the bottom of the legs.

Some pants have more features, but the set of extras on the Legendary is completely adequate and very similar to the features on the best pants on the market. Sure, some pants have more pockets, but in our experience, our pants don't need to have many pockets to be useful. If the pockets are in the right place, it's a major advantage, and the Legendary gets this part right.

Style

The Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated has a decent style that isn't too basic nor too showy. It has a solid, above-average look thanks to its articulated cut and lack of baggy material. That said, it isn't anything special.

Most skiers like their ski pants to be relatively understated since they don't want their pants to be the center of attention on the slopes. These pants fit that description perfectly while looking good enough to blend in with any context. They aren't the best-looking ski pants on the market, but they are stylish enough, especially so given their low price.

Should You Buy the Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated?

The Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated provides excellent value to the average user in a world in which the price of ski apparel continues to skyrocket. These pants provide excellent performance for most recreational skiers who spend weekends (and the occasional holiday week) at the ski slopes. Unless you ski in the worst winter weather on a regular basis, these pants are all you'll ever need. That said, if you are a ski town local and spend most days on the hill or need a more protective pair of pants for intense winter storms, we'd recommend something with more weather protection.

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