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HELLY HANSEN ODIN HYBRID PANTS
TEST SERIES BY FRANCES PENN
LONG-TERM REPORT
August 27, 2013
CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE FIELD REPORT
CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE LONG-TERM REPORT
TESTER INFORMATION
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NAME:
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Frances Penn
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EMAIL:
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oldhikergirl AT yahoo DOT com
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AGE:
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57
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LOCATION:
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Santa Ana, California
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GENDER:
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F
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HEIGHT:
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5' 9" (1.75 m)
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WEIGHT:
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130 lb (59.00 kg)
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I have been backpacking for six years mostly on long weekends in Southern California with two or more 5-day trips per year in the Sierras. My total daypack weight, including food and water, is usually 15 lb (7 kg) and my total backpack weight, including food and water, is usually 26-30 lb (12-14 kg) depending on the need for a bear canister. I have recently converted to a tarp, bivy and quilt sleeping system instead of a tent. I have experienced all night rain, hail, heavy winds, camping in snow once, but mostly fair weather.
INITIAL REPORT
PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: Helly Hansen
Year of Manufacture: 2012
Manufacturer's Website: www.hellyhansen.com
MSRP: US $130.00
Listed Weight: 15.7 oz (430 g)
Measured Weight: 15.3 oz (434 g)
The Odin Hybrid pants are constructed of a highly breathable softshell material with a panel of quick dry stretch nylon fabric. The nylon stretch panel runs from just below the zippered cargo pockets on the front of each thigh and stops just below the knee. The pants also have belt loops on the waistband. Each bottom leg hem has adjustable cinchers and stretch cords to act as gaiters around the tops of hiking boots. There are no pockets on the rear. The back of the pants just below the waistband are shaped using a flattering half circle design. There are two sturdy snaps just above the front zipper with a hook inside the two snaps. All three zippers have small pulls.
 | | front |
 | | back |
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
The pants have a close fit around the hips and thighs. I find this comfortable and unlike most baggy hiking pants I have worn. The reviews on the Helly Hansen website indicate the sizing runs small. I find this to be true for the inseam but not the waist measurement. My size medium pants have a 31 in (76 cm) waist and a 31 in (76 cm) inseam. The size chart on the website indicates a medium should fit a 30 to 31 in (76 to 78.5 cm) waist and have a 34 in (86 cm) inseam. The tag indicates the pants are constructed in China.
READING THE INSTRUCTIONS
The washing instructions on the website indicate that all breathable garments should be washed in warm water with a technical wash, do not use fabric softener and do not tumble dry, dry clean or iron.
The pants contain Bluesign approved fabric that is skin-friendly and low-contaminant. Bluesign stands for resource-conserving, environmentally friendly production and uncompromising functionality.
SUMMARY
These pants fit me well and feel comfortable. I wore them for a short hike in the local hills on a warm evening. I was concerned the pants would be too warm, but was happy to find the perspiration quickly dissipated through the breathable material. I can't wait to get these pants out on the trail during my upcoming trips and see how they perform.
FIELD REPORT
FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
My first testing opportunity occurred in the form of conditioning hikes at Turtle Rock in Irvine, California. These are regularly scheduled two evenings each week to help us stay in shape for our many backpack trips. I wore the pants for six evening hikes over a span of three weeks.
Trip #1:
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California USA
Elevation: 6,000 ft (1800 M)
Trip duration: 2 days, 1 night
Trail Conditions: sandy desert terrain off trail
Temperatures: 40 to 60 F (4-33 C)
Weather: slightly cloudy and windy
Trip #2:
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California USA
Elevation: 5,000 ft (1500 M)
Trip Duration: 5 days, 4 nights
Trail Conditions: sandy desert trail with some rocky portions
Temperatures: 40 to 60 F (4-33 C)
Weather: winter desert weather, few clouds, a little wind, with cold nights
Trip #3:
Location: Starr Ranch, Orange County, California USA
Elevation: 4,000 ft (1200 M)
Trip Duration: 2 day hikes
Trail Conditions: Dirt trails with some steep sections
Temperatures: 50 to 60 F (10-33 C)
Weather: cool and windy
Trip #4:
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California USA
Elevation: 5,000 ft (1500 M)
Trip Duration: 2 days, 1 night
Trail Conditions: sandy desert partial use trail and partial off trail with some rocky portions
Temperatures: 50 to 85 (10-29 C)
Weather: partly cloudy with increasing wind the first day, total clouds the second day
Trip #5:
Location: Cedar Glen campground in the Baldy area, California USA
Elevation: 6,000 ft (1800 M)
Trip Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
Trail Conditions: dirt trail with some steep rocky sections
Temperatures: 50 to 85 (10-29 C)
Weather: partly cloudy with light drizzles and fog the first night, sunny then cooler and windy the second day
Trip #6:
Location: Delamar Mountain, Big Bear area, California USA
Elevation: 7,000 to 9,000 ft (2100-2700 M)
Trip Duration: 1 day hike
Trail Conditions: dirt trail with steep off trail forest containing lots of brush and downed trees
Temperatures: 70 to 80 (21-26 C)
Weather: warm sunny summer day
 | | close-up |
PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
I must admit that when I first received these pants, the shell material looked like it might be too hot to wear in the warmer summer months. After testing them on a few hot day hikes, their moisture wicking and breathability won me over.
During the evening conditioning hikes at Turtle Rock, perspiration built up at my lower back under my fanny pack. Once I removed the fanny pack, there was perspiration under the pants on my skin above my underwear, but I checked and found the pants were not damp. Within two minutes, I forgot about any feeling of dampness.
On Trip #1, the weekend trip to Joshua Tree, the pants were comfortable to wear. There was no dampness from perspiration in the cool windy conditions.
On Trip #2, the 5-day, 38 mile through hike in Joshua Tree, the pants eventually picked up some dirt on the outside from the dusty desert trail which affected the appearance but not the performance. They continued to keep me warm and comfortable in the cool windy weather. When the daytime temperatures warmed, the pants continued to dissipate any perspiration that would occur.
On Trip #3, the Starr Ranch two day hikes, I noticed the pants kept me warm in the cool windy weather. It felt like I was wearing rain pants because they blocked the cool wind.
On Trip #4, the weekend trip to Joshua Tree, the pants were comfortable and kept me warm during the cooler windy portion of the day. What little perspiration occurred during strenuous activity climbing the peak to Quail Mountain was quickly dissipated. The stretchy panels on the thighs allowed for larger steps up the rocks without being inhibited by tight pant legs. I received many compliments from the ladies on the stylish design of the pants.
On Trip #5, the long weekend trip to Cedar Glen, it began to drizzle lightly on the hike in to camp. The breathable panel on the front of the thighs kept the rain water from soaking in. During the water filtering process the next day, a few drops of water dripped on the pants. I was surprised and happy to see the beads of water run off the pants and not soak in like on my other hiking pants.
On Trip #6, the day hike to Delamar Mountain, the pants picked up dirt from the dusty forest trail and off trail portions. I don't recall my other hiking pants attracting dirt like these pants. The dirt accumulates on the lower portion of the shell material below the knees. The dirt does not collect on the quick dry breathable panels on the thighs.
 | | On the way to Cedar Glen |
SUMMARY
The pants are stylish and comfortable to wear. With the fit being tight, it has encouraged me to maintain my weight and conditioning. I have received many compliments from my hiking partners on how attractive the pants fit. They fit my female shape in a flattering way. I have enjoyed wearing these pants in all conditions. I have noticed the pants show dirt more than my other hiking pants, but this does not affect their performance.
LONG-TERM REPORT
LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
Trip #7:
Location: Cottonwood Lakes area, California, USA
Elevation: 11,500 ft (3,500 M)
Trip Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
Trail Conditions: dirt forest trail with steep rocky portions
Temperatures: 40 to 60 F (4-15 C)
Weather: mostly sunny with one afternoon rain storm that produced pea sized hail for 5 hours, cool nights
The breathable quick dry stretch panels on the front of the thighs are not waterproof, but they are water resistant in light mist and drizzle. On Trip #7 when I was caught in an afternoon rain storm about a mile from camp, I decided it was a great opportunity to see if these pants were waterproof. I put on my waterproof rain jacket which covered the waistband of the pants. After standing under a tree in the rain and hail for an hour waiting for the rain to stop, I felt water running down my legs under the pants. Once I decided the rain wasn't about to stop any time soon, I put on my waterproof rain pants and walked back to camp. Once the rain stopped three hours later and the sun returned, I hung the pants on a tree limb and they were completely dry in about an hour.
PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
These pants continue to be functional and comfortable to wear. They continue to perform well in the Long-Term Report portion of the test. The pants look like they did when they were new. The only thing I noticed on these pants is their ability to attract dirt while hiking. The lower portion of the pants where my boots scuff them during hiking were usually full of dirt. I have not had this happen on any of my other hiking pants and I am not sure why it happens with these. This dirt attracting feature does not affect the performance of the pants. They work great, fit good and feel comfortable to wear in all temperatures.
SUMMARY
I have enjoyed wearing these stylish and nice fitting pants that are also very functional. I look forward to many more years of wearing these comfortable pants.
This test series is now concluded. Many thanks to Helly Hansen and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test these stylish and comfortable pants.
This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1.
Copyright 2013. All rights reserved.
Read more reviews of Helly Hansen gear
Read more gear reviews by Frances Penn
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