Offshore oilskins from Helly Hansen

Helly Hansen has fundamentally revised its Ægir Ocean collection for demanding offshore sailors. The second-generation jacket and dungarees were developed in collaboration with experienced regatta professionals such as world record holder Thomas Coville. The focus was on improvements in comfort, freedom of movement and protection from the wet.

Modular collar and waterproof cuffs

The most striking new feature of the Ægir Ocean Jacket 2.0 is the three-part modular collar. It consists of a stowable hood with a transparent UV visor and a detachable extension with an integrated face mask for extreme conditions. This means that the neck and face are optimally protected in extreme conditions, but the high collar does not get in the way in good weather either, as the upper section can be removed. Latex cuffs on the wrists ensure absolute waterproofness.

The 2-way zip on the front does not require an additional cover strip. It comes from the specialist YKK and is of the AQUASEAL type, which is considered absolutely waterproof. A silicone loop for attaching smartphones completes the features.

Recycled materials and ergonomic details

Helly Hansen uses recycled nylon yarns from old fishing nets for the upper material. These are said to be particularly robust and hardwearing. Underneath, the company's own HELLY TECH Professional 3-layer construction is used.

The Ægir Ocean Bib 2.0 has also been completely redesigned. The dungarees now have individually adjustable straps for a universal fit. Ergonomic knee pads can be removed if required. Adjustable leg cuffs with Velcro fasteners allow for a customised fit.

Both the jacket and trousers are equipped with large reflective elements. These comply with the SOLAS standard for sea rescue equipment and are designed to maximise visibility at sea.

Helly Hansen does not provide any information on the weight or pack size of the clothing. There are also no specific measured values for water column or breathability. A direct comparison with products from other manufacturers is therefore not possible.

The Ægir Ocean Jacket 2.0 and Bib 2.0 will be available in stores shortly. Prices Helly Hansen not yet. The previous version, the Ægir Ocean Jacket, costs 1,400 euros. The new versions will certainly be priced similarly. The prices are very high, but it should not be forgotten that this is oilskin for regatta professionals. By way of comparison, the HPX Gore-Tex Pro Ocean Jacket from Musto costs 1,349 euros.