About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the pants, which I purchased with my own money in December 2021.

My take

Helly Hansen Men’s Garibaldi pants are great everyday ski pants with just enough warmth and a variety of features that make them suitable for all conditions.

About the pants

• Brand: Helly Hansen
• Model: Men's Garibaldi Pants
• Size Fit: True to size

About me

• Height: 6’5”
• Weight: 225 lbs
• Pant size: 35”x36” (XL in Helly Hansen)
• Experience: 18 years of snowboarding/skiing

Test conditions

• When I bought these: December 2021
• Days used: 40
• Where I’ve used them: Loveland Ski Area, Colorado; Copper Mtn, Colorado; Snowbird, Utah; Colorado backcountry.
• Weather conditions used in: Warm days, blizzards, wet snow, windy days.

How they perform

What I was looking for

I was looking for daily ski pants that would suit me for resort and backcountry skiing. They needed to be waterproof, lightly insulated, or lined for cold-day comfort on lifts and have generous pockets and vents. Oh, and they needed to look cool.

Why I chose this gear

Helly Hansen gear has always served my tall frame well, and these pants didn’t disappoint. I was also very pleased that they matched the color code (674 Bourbon) of the Sogn 2.0 Shell Jacket. I liked that I could pair these fleece-lined pants with a technical shell, and the colors would match, which is not always the case across different materials from the same brand. There are several large pockets and generous thigh vents. Another great Helly Hansen feature is the adjustable waistband, perfect for those who want a baggier look or longer pants but have a slimmer build.

I considered the Flylow Chemical Pant, but I had a harder time with length and color-matching with Flylow previously.

What I love about it

• Fit: They look like a classic pair of straight ski pants that can be baggy if worn long. I have long legs and often have a hard time fitting my thighs into pants that fit my waist. With the adjustable waistband and straight/baggy leg, I was able to get the comfy and stylish fit I was looking for.
• Comfort: These pants are super comfortable. There is plenty of room in the legs, and the adjustable waistband is really effective.
• Warmth: These pants provide just the right amount of warmth with a fleece liner. I layer with merino leggings.
• Waterproofing: These pants are waterproofed with HELLY TECH (Helly Hansen’s breathable, waterproof shell material). I never got wet.
• Breathability: These pants are impressively breathable for being fully waterproof.
• Durability: I abused these pants for over 40 days and was impressed with their durability.
• Weight: These pants are light and weigh just a bit more than a technical shell due to the fleece liner.
• Ease of movement: These pants didn’t impede my movement at all.
• Quality: I am always impressed with the quality and durability of my Helly Hansen gear.
• Special Features: I have a hard time fitting into pants in my everyday life. As a tall, athletic guy, I LOVE the fit of these pants, and the elastic, adjustable waistband really lets me dial in the fit.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Other: There are only some small scuffs on the insides of the legs, on the dedicated patches, where the most damage from skiing usually happens. But these might be perfect ski pants. To me, it’s no wonder they are Helly Hansen’s #1 seller.

Favorite moment with this gear

These pants were with me for all my great moments this season. I often talk about the day my brother and I skied spring powder on a whiteout April morning and followed it up with slushy sunset laps on Loveland Pass. These pants kept me comfy all day.

Value for the money vs. other options

Retailing for $300, these are expensive pants. However, compared with other pants seeking to deliver similar value to the Flylow Chemical pant, the Helly Hansen pants are $50 cheaper. I think Helly Hansen often delivers high-quality, durable gear at a better dollar value than almost anyone. Helly Hansen is always top-of-mind for my customers who spend a lot of days on the mountain or are thinking of buying a more premium kit and want to get their money’s worth.

Final verdict

Helly Hansen created a perfect recipe for these pants, and I plan to own a pair for years to come. The quality absolutely justifies the price point, especially as these pants suited me in all conditions this season.