When it comes to ski/snowboard pants, the slew of choices borders on overkill. The good news is that with so many options comes the ability to find the perfect pant for any situation: whether it be resort riding or backcountry touring. A balance of comfort, style, performance and price is ideal, and the Helly Hansen Sogn Cargo pant makes a strong run at all four categories. I’ve been using these cargos since the snow started stacking, and have some thoughts on what’s good and what’s bad.
As far as style, I can’t complain. The Sogn Cargos have a modern look to them, and while the cut isn’t quite technical, it’s certainly not baggy. Helly Hansen dubs these a “relaxed fit”, but fear not, you won’t look like the G’d up mountain gangstas of yesteryear. These pants fit very true to size; I’d recommend going up a waist size to leave some room for layering. Dual hand pockets and one cargo pocket on the right leg provide stash spots for small gear items, and the color options are bold but simply executed. Comfort was great; the pants are very lightweight, have articulated knees, and a very secure zipper/snap system up front.
The performance of the Sogn pant is up to the Helly Hansen standard. Heavy, wet snow was no match for the fabric. HellyTech Protection, DWR finish and full seam sealing meant that elements (wind, snow and water) never got in. Even after full resort days with blizzard conditions, the pants remained dry to the touch. Warmth was never an issue, thanks to the 60 grams of PrimaLoft Black Insulation. One “gotcha”: because these are insulated, I would not use them as touring outerwear, except on the coldest of days.
The Helly Hansen Sogn Cargos handled weather like champs, and kept me plenty warm on zero degree days. However, there are a couple improvements that could be made to these pants. For starters, the thigh zips could be a bit longer. It’s nice that they are included, but the short zipper runs hamper them from being more effective. Another shortcoming is the lack of a zippered or button opening near the cuff area. While skiers should have no problem getting the pants over their boots, us snowboarder types will find it tricky at best. It was a constant problem for me when securing my bindings.
The final consideration is price, and at well under $200, these snow slacks hit the sweet spot. While the Sogn Cargos do have a couple weaknesses, the good far outweighs the bad. After a few months in the field, I have no problem saying that they check all four boxes when it comes to snow pant essentials.
The Good: Sogn Cargo pant stands up to harsh weather; fit and feel is right on.
The Bad: Lack of cuff zippers/snaps; thigh vents too small for much airflow.
The Verdict: Helly Hansen delivers a resort pant that will keep you warm, dry and stylish without a hefty price tag.