Helly Hansen has always managed to strike the right balance between innovation with legacy. The Norwegian brand has built a reputation on performance-driven outerwear – the kind of kit that professionals actually use, whether at sea, on the slopes, or deep in the mountains. But in recent years, it has also carved out a cult following away from the technical realm, particularly through its HH-118389225 line. This offshoot – equal parts archive revival and forward-thinking experiment – has been quietly building a reputation as one of the most interesting outerwear labels in the game. And for summer 2025, the brand is digging deeper into its own history with a capsule aptly titled reimagined icons.
An icon reimagined
At the heart of the collection is the u-205 sailing jacket, a style that embodies everything Helly Hansen has done best over its 147-year history. Originally designed as a high-performance sailing shell, it found an unexpected second life in the 90s, adopted by subcultures far removed from the open water. Music scenes and fashion circles took to its oversized proportions, bright colour-blocking, and uncompromising technicality, turning it into an unlikely streetwear staple. Now, it’s back – updated with modern fabrication, subtle tweaks to its silhouette, and a new olive brown colourway that shifts the look from statement making to something more adaptable.
The collection is built around modularity – a Helly Hansen signature that ensures these pieces are as adaptable in an urban setting as they are in extreme conditions. The arc modular sailing jacket epitomises this ethos, offering both cropped and full-length silhouettes in one garment, complete with a stowable hood and the ability to dock with the brand’s flagship storm hood. It’s a multi-functional, city-to-wilderness piece, made from Helly Tech waterproof/breathable fabric and designed with a host of utilitarian rigging elements.
Lightweight layering
Elsewhere, the arc storm cardigan and arc wind jacket 2.0 expand on the theme, bridging the gap between lightweight outerwear and technical layering. The former brings an unexpected softness to performance apparel, while the latter refines a familiar windbreaker silhouette with enhanced details and materials. Meanwhile, range staples like the arc pant fluid and arc hybrid crew neck sweater return in new colours, crafted from 4-way mechanical stretch and lightweight technical seersucker, reinforcing Helly Hansen’s commitment to functional tailoring.
This latest drop from HH-118389225 is further proof that Helly Hansen knows exactly what it’s doing when it comes to blending high-performance technology with cultural relevance. It’s a collection designed for movement – whether that’s across city streets or through the kind of extreme environments the brand was originally built for. Expect the usual limited numbers and high demand when the full collection lands on Monday 10th March on the Helly Hansen webstore.
Next up: Check out our complete guide to puffer jackets.
