Helly Hansen: From our home in Norway, Helly Hansen has been making professional grade gear to help people stay and feel alive for more than 140 years. It all started in 1877 when sea captain Helly Juell Hansen found a better way to stay protected from the harsh Norwegian elements. Soon thereafter, Captain Hansen and his wife Margrethe launched a business producing waterproof oilskin jackets, trousers, sou'westers and tarpaulins made from coarse linen soaked in linseed oil – and the legend was born! Helly Tech Protection REPELLENT Helly Tech is constructed with Polymer Polyurethane (PU ) based membranes and coating technologies. The PU membrane gives softness and stretch to the fabric, while the coating allows waterproofness and breathable qualities. Helly Tech is made either with Hydrophilic barrier membranes or micro-porous membranes, depending on the end-use purpose of the fabric. BREATHABLE The Hydrophilic barrier works on an osmotic principle, keeping salts from entering and blocking the pores. The Micro-porous PU membranes are hydrophobic- “water hating” polymers. This membrane construction is responsible for the waterproofness of Helly Tech, making the pores up to 20.000 times smaller than water droplets, while allowing breathability since the pores are up to 700 times larger than a water vapor molecule, allowing the evaporation of sweat and heat. SEAM SEALED Helly Tech is actually more than just a fabric – it is a combination of a DWR-treated outer fabric, a highly breathable and waterproof membrane, fully sealed seams and often a highly breathable inner fabric, mesh or lining. The seams of the products are taped over with a waterproof ribbon and glue, preventing any water from entering the small gaps between the stitches of the seams.