Looking for fashionable outdoor clothing? Gear that works on the trail, at a campsite and in town? Then check out this Helly Hansen Fjord Til Fjell range review.
Helly Hansen are a Norwegian outdoors brand specialising in technical gear for sailing, skiing, hiking and other activities. They have been around since 1877 so have plenty of pedigree.
Fjord Til Fjell is their latest clothing range that aims to cross the bridge between technical and fashionable clothing. Translated, it means from fjord to mountain, which in Norway means from sea level to way over 2,000m.
Helly Hansen Fjord Til Fjell range review
I have tested five products from the Fjord Til Fjell range hiking in the Lake District, camping in Sussex, visiting Morocco and in everyday life. For each item I not only reviewed it but considered whether it is fashionable outdoor clothing.
Review of Verket Reversible Pile
Every outdoor enthusiast needs a good fleece, and a comfy hoodie is a go to item for many. So Helly Hansen have combined the two into a reversible zipped top.
On one side you’ll find a slick face mélange. But turn it inside out you’ve got a soft and cozy pile fleece with waterproof panels across the shoulders.
I have worn it both ways but I prefer the slick face outside as it looks smarter. I have worn it to the pub, camping, to Brighton food festival and various trips out and around town. With the pile fleece outside it looks like a traditional outdoors fleece so not particularly fashionable.
Overall it is very comfy and a lovely top that looks good. However, it is not as warm as it looks. The slick outer is not windproof and it is not much warmer than a normal mid-thickness fleece.
Personally I found it a little too heavy (780g) and bulky for hiking – it would take up most of my pack. However, it is great for camping, around town and as a post activity top.
Is it fashionable outdoor clothing? Yes. The Verket Reversible Pile fleece looks good and functions well as zipped jumper. It’s not great for intense activities as you’ll end up carrying it, but it would probably make a good midlayer for winter activities.
Verket Reversible Pile: Features
- 100% Bluesign® Approved fabric
- Waterproof-by-construction fabric panels with DWR
- Reversible construction and design
- YKK® front zipper
- Weight: 780g
- Price £140
- Link: www.hellyhansen.com/verket-reversible-pile
Review of Maridalen Shorts
As a home worker, throughout the summer I live in shorts. I prefer technical outdoor shorts to jean or cotton combat shorts because they are more breathable and so comfortable in the heat.
The Maridalen are a durable pair of cargo shorts. Made from a quick dry, slightly stretchy material they are comfortable and non-restrictive.
The length is just above the knee when standing. I usually prefer just below the knee but having worn these and loved them I am now a convert to shorter shorts.
They come equipped with deep hand pockets – it is amazing how many shorts fail to have deep enough pockets. But also have discrete cargo pockets that close securely.
I wore these shorts for a couple of days in Marrakech. Temperatures were in the high thirties but I didn’t get overly sweaty. Furthermore, the secure pockets where perfect for the busy markets where pickpockets have been known to operate.
The dark grey colour is easily smart enough to wear down the pub, but also outdoorsy enough for the trail. As fashionable outdoor clothing goes they are the perfect crossover shorts and have become my summer shorts of choice.
Maridalen Shorts: Features
- Durable quick-dry stretch rip stop polyamide 140 g/m²
- 100% Bluesign®approved fabric
- Zip fly with single flat button waist closure for minimum bulk
- Two cargo pockets with hidden snap closure
- Discrete zip cargo pocket
- Back flap pocket
- UPF 40+
- Weight: 240g
- Price: £65
- Link: www.hellyhansen.com/maridalen-shorts
Review of Movatn Wool Ins Vest
I have always liked bodywarmers. They are not something I wear very often but they perfectly bridge the gap on these days where you need some extra insulation but don’t want to wear a jacket. The Movatn is warm comfy and has a fitted look.
It is insulated with 100% Norwegian Lavalan wool. This gives a surprising amount of warmth for a thin jacket. The shoulder and chest panel are wind and water resistant providing useful protection from the elements.
In terms of outdoor clothing that is fashionable the Movatn is more suited to the mountain or trail than the pub or shops. In my opinion, all three of its colour options are fairly outdoorsy, but wouldn’t be out of place around town.
Movatn Wool Ins Vest: Features
- 20D lightweight nylon quilted main fabric
- Lavalan 100% Norwegian wool insulation
- Bluesign®approved fabric
- Technical shoulder and chest panels with DWR for extra weather protection
- YKK® center front zipper closure with additional exposed snaps
- Weight: 320g
- £ 160
- Link: www.hellyhansen.com/movatn-wool-ins-vest
Review of Campfire Pants
I was away camping at the end of June in glorious weather. But despite hot temperatures during the day it was still cold enough for trousers in the evening. So I was glad I had packed the Campfire Pants.
I also took them away hiking in May. However, with warm temperatures I wore the Maridalen Shorts when on the trail instead. I expect the elasticated ankles would have annoyed me when wearing hiking boots.
These are very lightweight trousers, so they hardly take up any room in your pack. They are very soft, stretchy and consequently super comfortable. Made from a quick-dry material with useful cargo pockets they are very practical.
Although HH claim they have a fashionable fit I would say they are like a cross between tracksuit bottoms and hiking trousers. So they are great to wear at home, camping or post activity. Personally, I wouldn’t wear them to the pub or around town.
Helly Hansen Campfire Pants: Features
- 4-way stretch quick dry fabric with DWR
- 100% Bluesign®approved fabric
- Two hip pockets
- Left thigh cargo pocket
- YKK® zipped back pocket
- Weight: 320g
- Price £80
- Link: www.hellyhansen.com/campfire-pants
Review of Skog Graphic T-shirt
Last in this Helly Hansen Fjord Til Fjell range review is possibly the most important item for fashionable outdoor clothing. The humble t-shirt.
Getting technically functionable t-shirts that don’t look like a sport top is not easy. Many companies seem to think you will only wear a t-shirt for one or the other, not both.
Fortunately Helly Hansen have a lot of t-shirts that look good, are not overly branded and are technical without looking sporty. The Skog Graphic T-shirt comes in nine different colour and style options.
Despite being made from recycled polyester, it looks and feels like cotton. But the polyester has wicking and breathability properties, so your sweat escapes leaving you more comfortable.
I have worn it travelling, camping, hiking and a day walking around Marrakech in 35°C. It is comfy, looks good and helps to keep you from getting too sweaty.
Skog Graphic T-shirt: Features
- Recycled polyester fabric
- Versatile tee for all conditions
- 100% Bluesign® approved fabric
- UPF 30
- Various custom graphic print designs
- Price: £30
- Link: www.hellyhansen.com/skog-graphic-tshirt
Fashionable outdoor clothing
The majority of outdoor clothing has a certain look that is not that compatible to most peoples style. Likewise most normal clothes are not suited to being active.
But in this Helly Hansen Fjord Til Fjell range review I have found that clothing can crossover between the two. Not only can clothes be fashionable and technical but they can also fulfil many different roles.
While I would not wear everything in this review for an evening to the pub, a lot of it I would. All of it was great for camping and most is good for general travel. Plus the technical nature of the clothing makes it suited to many different outdoor activities.
There are 19 items in the Fjord til Fjell range. This includes everything from shirts to shorts, jackets to jumpers and trousers to tracksuit style bottoms. So there is bound to be something that suits your style and needs.
We hope you enjoyed this Helly Hansen Fjord Til Fjell range review. You can check out the full range here: www.hellyhansen.com/fjord-til-fjell
