Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated Ski Pants review: reliable and comfortable leg protection for a fun day on the slopes

Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated Ski Pants: first impressions

Calling any piece of kit "legendary" is a bold move, but we have to admit we're pretty impressed with these ski pants from Helly Hansen. The bestselling Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated ski pants have enough Primaloft insulation to keep you warm in sub-zero temps (over thermals, that is) but they're not bulky at all.

They're made from a soft, comfortable shell material that's not too swishy when you're walking from the parking lot to the gondola and will keep the wind and wet snow at back.

With lots of stretch, articulated knees and opportunities to adjust the waistband, it's easy to find a really comfortable and flattering fit with these pants where you can walk, ski and adjust your bindings. They're not loose and baggy, but there's still plenty of room for layering and, remarkably, they're really easy to fit over ski boots even without ankle zips.

Worn without thermals, it's quickly clear that these pants could be more breathable, but that's not something you're likely to notice when you're skiing with base layers, and if you do, they have inner thigh zips for cooling off.

Even though they're soft and light to the touch, the ankle/calf area is reinforced so the area that comes most into contact with your ski boots and skis is protected, meaning they're more rugged than they appear.

Four zipped pockets are adequate for stashing gear, though for ski pants we tend to find a thigh pocket is handier for a phone, but let's be honest, most gear is going in your ski jacket pockets anyway. We're glad to see that these pants are Bluesign-approved and for such a versatile and high-performing piece of kit think they're quite reasonably priced, too.

Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated Ski Pants: in the field

After a couple of seasons of skiing in the Helly Hansen Powderqueen Bibs, it was time for me to test something new so I brought these ski pants along for a five-day trip to Chamonix where I got to ski all five ski areas in whiteout conditions and bluebird days.

Here’s how they performed:

Sizing, fit and comfort

I’ve been testing a women’s small which is my normal size and while a lot of ski pants (and Helly Hansen pants) tend to run a bit big on me, I'm happy to report that these are perfect and fit true to size.

When I first pulled them on, I was a bit worried they were too big around the waist which meant the knees were in the wrong place, but I quickly discovered two hook-and-loop pull tabs that cinch the waist tighter (there are also belt loops if you need them) and that solved the issue.

They're not loose and baggy at all but are soft and tailored so that I can move freely in them and easily plop down in the snow to watch a ski racing competition thanks to the added stretch. They're really comfortable which isn't always the case with ski pants. I don't quite understand how they've done it, but even though there aren't any zips on the ankles they still fit really easily over my ski boots without appearing loose.

Weather protection and breathability 

These pants use Helly Hansen's proprietary Helly Tech Performance waterproof membrane instead of Gore-Tex and they're built to be waterproof, windproof and warm but also breathable. That's a tall order.

Luckily, I've been able to test them in pretty cold weather, one whiteout and in mild, sunny conditions to see how they hold up across the board. For skiing, I've always worn them with a pair of merino wool long underwear underneath them and they've always been warm enough. On the mildest day, I did unzip the thigh vents which let me stay comfortable, and they're treated with DWR which so far has been able to handle all moisture though I expect it will need to be reapplied at some point.

As for breathability, I've never had any issue on milder days thanks in part to the ventilation zips, but I must say that I threw them on without Long Johns to go down for breakfast at the hotel one morning and that did reveal to me that their breathability may be somewhat lacking.

Honestly, I'd never wear these for alpine skiing without an underlayer, but if you tend to ski without thermals it may be good for you to know. As I said, I was indoors in a heated space, and I don't think it would be an issue for alpine skiing, but it might present a slight problem for ski touring.

Weight, packability and storage

When compared to other ski pants we’ve tested, these are midweight at around 540 grams for women's and they definitely don't feel heavy on. For packing, I had a checked bag for the trip but I still wanted to travel light on transfers so I used my Fjallraven High Coast Duffel 36. I was able to roll these up to about the size of a Nalgene and they packed away neatly.

These pants have two zipped hip pockets plus one rear pocket, and while I just used my Helly Hansen Kvitfjell Race jacket for storage, I must admit I did miss having a thigh pocket for my phone, which I have on my Powderqueen bibs. Yes, I know it's better to keep my phone in the Life Pocket closer to hand, but the thigh pocket is really convenient.

Durability and value

As usual, there are a well-built pair of trousers from Helly but I did realize when I got home that I already have a small slash at the ankles, probably from a ski edge. This is a common occurrence and these pants have reinforced ankles to help with this so perhaps the reinforcements need to go up higher or perhaps I just need to be more careful. Other than that, they're looking great and I expect them to hold up for a while.

Often, a high-peforming and well-constructed pair or ski pants like this will set you back a pretty penny and Helly Hansen gear can be fairly pricey, but these ski pants are really reasonably priced and you get lots for your money.

Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated Ski Pants: the bottom line

Overall, these aren't the toughest or most technical ski pants on the market, but for most of us, they provide just what we need at a very fair price. They excel in comfort, are well-fitting and warm enough for more resort days. The only reason I wouldn't choose them is because I prefer bibs, and for that reason my Powderqueen bibs will win out most days, but I think there's a good reason why the Legendary pants are a bestselling item from Helly Hansen's catalog.

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