These trousers are a well-established favourite in Norwegian brand Helly Hansen’s Odin mountain collection, having been in the range (with a few tweaks and updates) for multiple seasons now. That’s no surprise: they’re some of the best walking trousers out there.
The latest versions, the Odin Huginn 2.0 (or Odin Muninn 2.0 for women), are warm and robust enough to work for winter, particularly if paired with baselayer tights, but are also perfect for ‘shoulder season’ use in spring and autumn.
Admittedly, the thicker fabric and lack of leg vents are drawbacks for high summer, making them a bit hot and heavy in warmer conditions. But year-round, especially at high altitudes and in UK weather, I've found them consistently reliable and comfortable as heck.
LFTO/Matt Joneswww.hellyhansen.com
Pros
- Excellent articulation and freedom of movement
- Robust and winter-ready construction
- Windproof, water-resistant, and breathable
- Packed with mountain-friendly features (e.g. RECCO reflector, scuff patches, adjustable hems)
- Comfortable waistband with adjustable fit
- Bluesign-approved fabric and PFC-free water repellent
Cons
- Too warm and heavy for summer use
- No leg vents for added breathability
- Only one leg length available
- Slightly slower drying than some competitors
- Heavier than many rival softshell pants
| RRP: | £160 / $200 |
| Weight: | 590g / 1lbs 5.2oz |
| Material: | Bluesign-approved 91% nylon, 9% elastane w/ PFC-free DWR |
| Men's sizes: | S - 2XL w/ 1 leg length |
| Women's sizes: | XS - XL w/ 1 leg length |
| Fit: | Regular, tapered |
Comfort and construction
But they score extremely well for features and comfort, thanks to four-way stretch softshell fabric, with pre-shaped knees and a gusseted crotch for even better articulation. Double-stitched main seams promise good durability too.
After a few months of regular use, we did experience some fabric pilling in high-wear areas, mostly around the waistband due to abrasion from a rucksack hipbelt. However, this didn’t affect performance.
Performance on the hill
On test they proved to be windproof, reasonably breathable and fairly water-resistant, though after getting a soaking in Snowdonia we noted that the fabric seemed to be slightly slower drying than some.
The regular cut is trim enough to layer underneath overtrousers but relaxed enough to fit over baselayer tights for snowy hillwalking too. They're excellent winter walking trousers, we've found.
Features
You get a soft microfibre lined waistband with belt loops and side Velcro adjustment. There are two hand pockets and a single thigh pocket, all fitted with chunky zip pulls.
The lower legs feature gusseted ankle zips, lace hooks, four metal press studs for a wide range of hem adjustment and a RECCO avalanche reflector, reflecting their winter-ready build. Use of this safety technology is more widespread in Europe and the US than the UK, although some Scottish MRTs are now using RECCO detectors. There’s also a double-layer section at the inner ankle with a tough scuff patch for added resistance to wear and tear.
Price and value
Premium build quality generally means a higher price, and like a lot of Scandinavian gear, the Odin Huginn trousers aren’t cheap. The £160 UK RRP is a hefty outlay for a pair of softshell pants, no matter how robust and fully-featured.
On the other hand, they undercut premium rivals like the Arc’teryx Gamma AR and arguably give you a bit more for your money.
Weight and comparisons
At 590g for a men’s size L, they’re not the lightest trousers around, especially for softshell pants. By way of comparison, they’re around 100g heavier than popular rivals like the Mountain Equipment Ibex, Montane Tenacity and Rab Torque Mountain.
But they’re burlier than all those pairs too. And they’re still considerably lighter than equally tough options like the Fjällräven Keb.
Sustainability and sizing
Currently, the Huginn 2.0 and Muninn 2.0 trousers come in just the one leg length for men and women. The main fabric (a nylon-elastane mix) is not recycled but is Bluesign-approved and finished with a PFC-free water repellent treatment, a plus for sustainability. Note, though, that these aren't waterproof walking trousers! Trims are made from 100% recycled polyester.
Verdict
Tough, comfortable, and packed with mountain-ready features, making them a top-tier choice for cool-weather hiking. Though a little heavy and warm for summer, they excel in shoulder seasons and winter conditions.
About the author
Matt Jones is a highly experienced gear tester and former editor of Walk and Scouting magazines. Now freelancing from his home in Snowdonia, he’s one of LFTO’s go-to experts for forensic kit analysis – and, being very tall, he’s great at testing extra-long tents, sleeping mats, and trousers. The man's practically all leg!