The 66°North Helgafell Collection just arrived to shake up trail running apparel, and it is positioned squarely as a challenger to Salomon’s long-running dominance in the space. This 14-piece unisex capsule, named after Helgafell mountain on Iceland’s Snæfellsnes Peninsula, blends Icelandic performance heritage with UK fell running culture in a way that feels genuinely different from what the market has seen.
Key Takeaways
- 66°North Helgafell Collection is a 14-piece unisex capsule designed for trail running and mountain exploration.
- Developed with London-based photographer and trail runner Rory Griffin, bringing UK fell running influence to Icelandic gear.
- Features stuffable pockets, 2-in-1 shorts/skirts, reflective detailing, and packable designs eliminating backpack need.
- Prices range from $20 for running socks to $260 for the ultra-packable windbreaker; merino wool zipneck at $150.
- Available now through 66north.com with SS26 launch run event at London flagship store on April 24th.
What Makes the 66°North Helgafell Collection Stand Out
The 66°North Helgafell Collection strips away the assumption that trail runners need bulky backpacks and traditional layering. Instead, the collection prioritizes stuffable pockets and integrated storage that let you move light across technical terrain. This is not just aesthetic repositioning—it is a functional philosophy rooted in how Icelandic landscapes demand adaptability and how UK fell runners navigate changeable mountain weather.
The collaboration with Rory Griffin, a London-based photographer, director, and trail runner, brought UK fell running DNA into the design process. Fell running, which originated in the North UK and emphasizes navigation over pure speed across upland terrain, informed every piece. The result feels less like a gear company copying a sport and more like designers who actually understand the sport’s demands.
Technical fabrics handle the core job: breathable, quick-drying, durable, sun-blocking, and wind-resistant materials that work across multi-hour explorations and wild weather shifts. The Grettir and Logn Leggings include quick-drying construction, adjustable waistbands, reflective detailing, and sun-blocking properties—practical details that tell you this was designed by people who have actually run in changeable conditions.
How the 66°North Helgafell Collection Compares to Salomon
Salomon has owned trail running apparel for years through sheer volume and established retail presence. But the 66°North Helgafell Collection takes a different angle: instead of trying to out-Salomon Salomon, it is leaning into specificity. Where Salomon builds for global trail markets, the Helgafell Collection is rooted in Iceland’s rugged terrain and UK fell running culture, creating a product with genuine geographic and cultural authenticity.
The backpack-free design philosophy is where the real differentiation lives. Traditional trail running gear assumes you will carry a pack. The 66°North Helgafell Collection assumes you won’t, building storage and functionality into the clothing itself through stuffable pockets, 2-in-1 shorts that double as skirts, and packable pieces that compress small. For runners who hate carrying extra weight, this is a meaningful departure from the Salomon playbook.
Helgi Óskarsson, CEO of 66°North, positioned the collection as rooted in innovation and quality, stating that the partnership with Rory Griffin brought unmatched insight into UK fashion and sport culture. Whether that translates to market share is another question, but the specificity of the vision—Iceland plus UK fell running, not generic global trail—gives the collection a fighting chance against established players.
Pricing and What You Get in the 66°North Helgafell Collection
The collection spans a wide price range, making it accessible without feeling cheap. Running socks start at around $20, while the ultra-packable windbreaker sits at $260. The Men’s Helgafell Longsleeve is priced at $140, and the Básar Merino wool zipneck at $150. These are not budget prices, but they are not premium-tier either—they sit in the middle of the performance apparel market where most serious trail runners actually shop.
The 14-piece structure means you are not forced to buy the entire collection. You can grab a pair of leggings and a jacket, or build a full summer kit depending on your needs and budget. The packable designs mean pieces do not take up much room in a kit bag, which matters for runners who travel to races or multi-day trail events.
Availability and the Launch Event
The 66°North Helgafell Collection is available now through 66north.com, with dedicated men’s and running collections live on the site. The official SS26 launch includes a social-paced 6.6 km run at the 66°North Regent Street Flagship store in London, scheduled for April 24th. This is not just a product drop—it is a deliberate attempt to build community around the collection and position 66°North as a brand that understands trail running culture, not just outdoor gear.
Is the 66°North Helgafell Collection worth buying?
If you hate running with a backpack and spend time on technical trails where weather changes fast, yes. The stuffable pocket design and packable pieces solve a real problem that traditional trail gear ignores. If you are looking for a complete rebrand of your running wardrobe, start here—the collection is cohesive and thought-through.
How does the 66°North Helgafell Collection compare to Salomon trail gear?
Salomon focuses on breadth and global accessibility. The 66°North Helgafell Collection focuses on specificity—Icelandic craftsmanship meets UK fell running culture. Both are legitimate approaches. Salomon wins on retail presence and brand recognition. The Helgafell Collection wins on design philosophy and the backpack-free functional angle.
Where can I buy the 66°North Helgafell Collection?
The collection is available through 66north.com, with dedicated sections for men’s Helgafell pieces and running gear. Prices range from $20 for socks to $260 for the windbreaker, with most core pieces falling between $140 and $150.
The 66°North Helgafell Collection is not trying to dethrone Salomon overnight. It is trying to prove that trail running apparel can be smarter, lighter, and more culturally rooted than the mainstream assumes. Whether it succeeds depends on whether runners are ready to abandon backpacks and embrace a different philosophy. For those who are, this collection feels like it was designed specifically for them.
This article was written with AI assistance and editorially reviewed.
Source: T3
