Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated Ski Pant Review
Updated:
Nov 04, 2025Helly Hansen’s Legendary Pant ($205) hits a sweet spot in terms of comfort, warmth, protection, and price for resort use. The pant has mapped insulation in key areas, including the seat and thighs, to fend off the cold, features built-in stretch for good mobility, and the regular fit is just that—not too baggy but not too trim. You sacrifice a little durability and wet-weather protection at this price point, but the Legendary is still well-equipped for season-long downhill skiing.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
Best for
Resort
Waterproofing
2-layer Helly Tech Performance
Insulation
60g synthetic
Fabric
Polyester
Pros
Cons
Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Ski Pants.
Budget-oriented ski pants often compromise on weather protection, and while the Helly Hansen Legendary doesn’t offer top-of-the-line performance, it’s still a capable layer. Helly designers kept the waterproofing in-house, and the Legendary utilizes its mid-range, 2-layer Helly Tech Performance construction. With full seam taping and a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating that blocks out wind and sheds snow, you get solid all-around protection in winter conditions. However, the shell fabric will start to absorb moisture in extended periods of warm and wet conditions and is thinner than average, so the Legendary does not quite match the high waterproofing standards set by more expensive competitors.
If you anticipate skiing in heavy, wet snow or similarly soggy conditions, we’d recommend a non-insulated ski pant with an upgraded membrane. A burly Gore-Tex build like the Arc'teryx Sabre is a far better alternative in those cases. However, the price for that performance takes a bit of a leap—the Sabre retails for $600—and we think the Helly Hansen Legendary’s level of protection should do the trick for many resort skiers.
Insulated ski pants can be polarizing for season-long use, as the benefit of warm legs on a cold day can be offset by sweaty legs on a mild one. The Legendary, however, threads the needle between warmth and ventilation better than most, with strategic placement of lightweight PrimaLoft synthetic fill in the seat, upper thighs, and knees. The warmth it provides, even with insulation in just those areas, is fantastic for when you sit on a frigid chairlift, find yourself waist-deep in powder, or face strong gusts as you cruise down the hill. Paired with a heavyweight base layer, I’ve felt warm and comfortable wearing the Legendary on days that dip into the single digits Fahrenheit. On the other end, I didn’t immediately overheat and reach to open the vents on a late-season day with temperatures creeping into the high 30s and the sun out in full.
If all-out warmth is a priority, you can certainly find warmer and more insulated options—Helly Hansen’s Alpha LifaLoft Insulated offers thicker synthetic insulation that fully wraps your legs. On the other end of the spectrum, if you’re prone to running hot or ski plenty of days with the temps hovering around freezing, it may be wise to forego insulation altogether and select a shell pant. But as single-pant solution for those who like a little warmth, we think the Legendary lands in a good middle ground.
One reason the Legendary has earned its best-seller status is the impressive levels of comfort you get for the price. The soft taffeta interior feels cozy against your legs, and the smooth fabric makes the pant easy to take on and off. The Legendary’s shell material also incorporates two-way stretch with articulated knees, which is noticeable and appreciated when you bend down to secure a boot buckle. Tack on the regular fit (it’s less baggy than most alternatives in the budget ski pant category), and the Legendary is about as good as it gets among $200-and-under ski pants. One small nitpick of the design is that the waist will bunch slightly if you need to substantially tighten the waist adjusters.
Unsurprisingly for an insulated 2-layer pant, the Helly Hansen Legendary doesn’t offer much breathability: The PrimaLoft insulation, smooth interior, and mid-range waterproof membrane trap a fair amount of heat. If you find yourself in warm weather or plan to hike to in-bounds terrain, you’ll quickly turn to the vents, located along the inner thigh. Lined with mesh and measuring about seven inches in length, they only do an adequate job of releasing heat (although the mesh helps keep out snow). For most resort skiers, this is expected news and far from a dealbreaker. But if you plan on hiking a lot in the resort or tend to run warm on the mountain, you may want to pick up an uninsulated, more breathable pant instead.
Although the Legendary offers standout value with its reliable protection and impressive comfort, its durability leaves something to be desired. I’ve found the thin shell fabric will show signs of wear rather quickly—we’d recommend opting for a darker color than the gray we tested—and it lacks the burly feel you get from budget alternatives like Columbia’s Bugaboo IV and The North Face’s Freedom. (Although it easily beats both models in comfort and mobility.)
For the rest of the design, it’s a mixed bag: The zippers all operate smoothly—and we especially like the coated zippers on the hand pockets—and the reinforced scuff guard is helpful for preventing damage around boot buckles and ski edges. But there are some signs of cheaper handiwork, including some loose stitching on the legs. Taken together, the Legendary is not the kind of burly ski pant that you’d want to reach for 50 times a season, but it’s serviceable for most resort-goers.
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Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
PFAS-Free DWR
Durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses a PFAS-free DWR, while a red X means the DWR contains PFAS.
PFAS-Free Waterproof Membrane
The membranes used in waterproof products such as rain jackets, ski jackets, and shoes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are valued for their resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product’s waterproof membrane is PFAS-free, while a red X means it contains PFAS.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
Waist Adjustment
The Helly Hansen Legendary’s waist adjustment is a standard design, with hook-and-loop tabs along each side that offer a fair amount of adjustability. Simply peel the tab open and reattach to the sticky material on each side to adjust the fit. Some cost-cutting is apparent here: The sticky side loop doesn’t feel very durable, even though it remained intact and hasn’t required any readjustment due to loosening during a ski day.
Pockets
The organization on the Legendary sticks to the basics: two zippered hand pockets at the front and a small zippered back pocket on the right backside. The hand pockets are plenty large for gloved hands and placed low enough to avoid uncomfortable pinch points when sitting down. Additionally, you get coated zippers on the hand pockets—a premium detail not typically found at this price. I don’t rely heavily on my pants for storage at the resort—I prefer to use the pockets on my jacket for most items—and have zero complaints about the Legendary’s simple design.
Tester: 5’10” 155 lb.; 31" waist; 31" inseam
Size tested: Men’s medium
I’m perpetually caught between small and medium sizes, and I opted to test the Helly Hansen Legendary Pant in a size medium based on Helly Hansen’s online fit calculator. A medium proved to be the right choice and felt true to size: The length was good with coverage over my boots and the waist fit well, although I nearly maxed out the waist adjustment. The pant’s fit around the legs is not baggy (the “regular” designation is accurate), which matches my preferences, and its stretchy shell fabric means the cut doesn’t hinder mobility. Helly Hansen also offers the Legendary in a nice range of available sizes (S to 4X), but unfortunately it lacks multiple inseam options for skiers who need shorter or longer variations.
The North Face Freedom Insulated ($220): Another Legendary Pant
The North Face’s Freedom Insulated pant is a classic resort model that has been a best-seller for years. The pant is durable, filled with 60-gram synthetic insulation, and comes in a wide array of color options, waist sizes, and varying inseam lengths (regular and long). Compared to the Legendary, you get an upgrade in fabric toughness and warmth, although weather protection is similar between the two. For fit, the Freedom has a baggier cut compared to the moderately trim Legendary. However, the Legendary gets the edge in price (by $20) and comfort with its stretchy construction. It’s a close call between these two models, and a decision will likely come down to preference on fit and style. For more information, see our in-depth Freedom Insulated review.
REI Co-op Powderbound ($159): Save a Few Dollars
REI’s in-house brand offers serious bang for your buck, and that’s particularly true with its popular Powderbound pant. For about $50 less than the Helly Hansen, the REI matches its general construction: 2-layer waterproofing with synthetic insulation and important features like hand pockets and leg vents. While the Powderbound has a more generic fit and you miss out on a stretchy shell fabric, the differences are subtle. Unfortunately, the Powderbound has a poor track record in the quality of its seams, with enough reports of rips to raise a few red flags. We haven’t had the same issue with our Powderbound, but it’s enough for us to hesitate to recommend the REI for more than casual use. For more, read our review of the Powderbound Insulated.
Patagonia Powder Town Insulated ($269): Warmer but Less Mobile
Like the Helly Hansen Legendary, Patagonia’s Powder Town Insulated Pant uses a 2-layer waterproof build with synthetic insulation, but it ups the ante with more warmth throughout. This makes it a nice choice for especially frigid days or skiers who tend to run cold. However, the trade-off is a slightly bulkier feel and less mobility compared to the Legendary’s lighter insulation and stretchy shell fabric. Both pants are cozy, well-equipped, and solid resort performers, but the Legendary gets the edge in comfort and freedom of movement, while the Powder Town wins out in outright warmth. For more, see our Powder Town review.
The Legendary just makes sense: the insulated pant is warm enough, waterproof enough, and stylish enough for most resort-goers. It’s also priced right, although skiers who are particularly hard on their gear may want to consider a more durable alternative.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
A staple in TNF's lineup, the Freedom is a solid budget-friendly option. You won't find flashy features or style here, but the pant delivers decent warmth, weather protection, and durability for casual resort skiers. However, not everyone will want such an insulated pant.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
The Powderbound is your standard entry-level insulated ski pant. The fit isn’t super refined, the waterproofing will get overwhelmed in truly wet conditions, and the inner thigh vents are small, but for casual resort skiers they get the job done at a lower price point than most.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
Is the HH Legendary for You?
Helly Hansen is having a moment in the ski apparel space, and the Legendary is a key driver of their recent success. Unlike most ski pants at this price point, the Legendary has a refined fit and its thin, stretchy fabric gives it class-leading mobility and comfort. Some burlier alternatives like The North Face’s Freedom might indeed last a little longer—especially if you’re hard on your gear or spend a fair amount of time in the trees—but otherwise, we find little reason to complain. If you’re looking for a good value, versatile warmth, and a comfy fit, we’ll steer you to the Helly Hansen Legendary.
pray for snow
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