Helly Hansen’s innovative H2FLOW™ sailing jacket wins German Design Award 2014

SOUTH PETHERTON, U.K. - Oct. 24, 2013 - PRLog -- The German Design Council has awarded Helly Hansen with the German Design Award 2014 for the women’s Crew H2FLOW™ Jacket. The award is further recognition of Helly Hansen’s innovative H2FLOW™ technology and its relevance in multiple outdoor and ski categories. By expanding the heralded H2FLOW™ technology into the sailing category, sailors can now regulate their body temperature across a wide variety of conditions and climates.

Warmer, Cooler, Lighter: H2FLOW™ is a groundbreaking design that combines an insulation layer, an airflow venting system and a protective waterproof breathable barrier. The innovative combination allows adventurers to regulate their body temperature in a wide variety of conditions and climates. The construction has become a cornerstone in Helly Hansen’s training, outdoor, ski and sailing designs.

“Based on decades of design, development and manufacturing knowledge we continuously strive to innovate, improve and exceed the needs of professionals on the water and in the mountains,” says Vice President Product, Richard Collier. “The H2FLOW™ technology is a perfect example of this. Insights gained from professional climbers and ocean sailors directly led to the invention of the H2FLOW™ Jacket, the biggest innovation in midlayers since the first fleece.”

Performance and versatility in a wider range of conditions

The Crew H2FLOW™ Jacket is a lot more efficient at regulating body temperature than standard sailing jackets, which makes it more versatile and wearable in a broader range of conditions. The Primaloft® insulation and the negative spaces trap air for insulation, whilst the sailors can cool down quickly by opening the large front ventilation YKK quality zippers allowing excess hot and moist air to be released. This enables quicker cooling and quicker drying for maintained insulation over time.

“On behalf of everyone involved in developing this technology, we are very proud to receive this recognition of the Crew H2FLOW™ jackets by the German Design Council,” says Vice President Brand, Erik Burbank. “Helly Hansen has brought innovative and purposeful solutions to the market for decades. It truly reflects our commitment to Scandinavian design and the unwillingness to compromise between design and performance.”

Solving sailing specific challenges

When developing the Crew H2FLOW™ Jacket the design and development team had to overcome a specific set of challenges found in sailing. Although not that different from the go-stop-go, on-and-off activity found when skiing at a resort, the sailing jacket would have to be way more protective whilst still insulating and ventilating as well as the best ski jackets.

“Even without considering unstable and changing weather, sailing is inevitably a mix of going upwind and downwind – leading to huge differences in temperature because of wind-chill. With the Crew H2FLOW™ Jacket we’ve created the first waterproof breathable jacket that provides the warmth needed beating upwind, whilst enabling quick ventilation and cooling when reaching downwind. The lightweight design is also highly beneficial when racing around the buoys or when packing for longer hauls,” says Kristoffer Ulriksen, Category Manager for Sailing.

Crew H2 Flow Jacket and W Crew H2 Flow Jacket features:

·      Helly Tech® Performance fabric

·      Waterproof, windproof, and breathable

·      2 ply fabric construction

·      Fully seamed seals

·      Durable Water Repellency (DWR)

·      H2FLOW™

·      Warmcore by Primaloft® insulation

·      Lined for comfort

·      Quick dry lining

·      Hip-length, regular fit

·      Water-resistant front zipper pockets

·      Polartec® fleece collar

·      Adjustable hood

·      One hand adjustable hem

·      Kill cord D-ring