Working with Helly Hansen Sizing Is Different From Most Outdoor Brands
Most outdoor brands you buy in your usual chest or waist measurement. Helly Hansen runs a different pattern. Their gear is cut for Norwegian body proportions and intended for active layering, which means the same label number feels like three different garments depending on which product line you are looking at. The Helly Hansen Size Guide lives on their website under every product page, but it is not consistent across categories. Start by opening the specific product's size chart rather than relying on a generic one. The numbers shift between their HPX workwear line, their sailing collection, and their snow sports gear. I learned that the hard way after ordering a size Large in HPX pants that fit like a small, only to realize those pants use a completely different measurement standard than their Lifa base layers. Here is what you actually need to measure and what to do with those numbers:
Chest measurement: Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, under your armpits, while breathing normally. Helly Hansen shells typically allow 2 to 4 centimeters of ease beyond your actual chest when you want a normal fit, or 5 to 8 centimeters if you plan to wear fleece underneath. If you are between sizes and wearing a mid-layer, go up. This is not a suggestion, it is a requirement for their jackets. Waist measurement: Measure at your natural waist, not where your pants sit. Helly Hansen workwear pants often run slightly narrow through the hip compared to standard US work brands. If your hip measurement is within 2 centimeters of your waist, size up. If they differ by more than 4 centimeters, you should look at the regular or tall fit options instead of forcing a size change. Inseam: Helly Hansen uses European inseam labeling that runs long. Their regular inseam is typically 32 to 33 inches on a medium label, and tall versions add another 2 to 3 inches. I once needed 34 inches and bought a Large regular, hoping to just hem it, but the jacket torso ended up too short and the sleeves were tight. I returned it and ordered the tall size instead. The fix was straightforward once I understood that their tall designation adjusts both torso and sleeve length, not just the pants inseam.
Height and weight: The height and weight columns in the chart are useful as a first filter, but they are not decisive. A 180 centimeter person weighing 80 kilograms could be a Medium in their slim-cut sailing gear or a Large in their workwear line. Treat these columns as a starting point, not a decision point. Check the product's specific fit description before committing to a size. Helly Hansen labels their fits as Regular, Slim, and Relaxed, and each one changes the size recommendation. A Slim Regular in a softshell is literally a different garment from a Regular fit in the same shell. I have seen people buy two different sizes for the same product line because they misread the fit label. It happens often enough that I flag it for anyone asking me directly. If you are buying for someone else, get their measurements directly instead of asking for their usual size. Helly Hansen sizing diverges enough from American workwear and recreational brands that "I wear a Large" is almost useless information. The conversion gap is widest when switching from Carhartt or Dickies into Helly Hansen workwear, where the chest room is noticeably less generous at the same nominal size.
Get the Full Details
The main downside to Helly Hansen sizing is that their online size charts do not always reflect the most recent pattern updates. A chart that was correct for the 2023 season may have shifted slightly by 2024, particularly on their newer recycled fabric lines. If you are purchasing close to a boundary measurement, order two sizes and return one. The exchange cost is usually less than the frustration of waiting for a reorder, and their returns process is straightforward if you keep the tags attached and do not wear the gear before confirming the fit. When the standard chart does not cover your measurements, contact their customer service directly with your chest, waist, and inseam. They will tell you which size works or whether a special order is possible. This takes about 48 hours and saves you from guessing.
