Helly Hansen Women’s Awe Softshell Hike Overalls

Review by Erin Trail

The Helly Hansen Women’s Awe Softshell Hike Overalls are a comfortable and versatile option while out on the trail, traveling, or hanging out.

Features

• Stretch Softshell Fabric
• Lightweight Fabric
• Belt loops
• Side zipper for easy on and off
• Adjustable elastic suspenders
• Adjustable bottom leg
• Chest pocket with secure zipper closure
• Hand pockets
• Back pockets
• 88% recycled Polyamide / 12% Elastane
• PFC-free DWR

I started wearing active overalls last year.  A few of my friends had them and I was envious of their casual style and function.  Helly Hansen had the Awe Softshell Hike Overalls on display at the July 2025 OMA, which previews 2026 items and I was lucky enough to get a pair this summer to review.

TLDR: they’re fantastic.

Detailed Review

The Women’s Awe Softshell Hike Overalls are purpose built for hiking, taking from Helly Hansen’s winter ski bib designs and creating a summer version.

The fabric is stretchy and feels good, not quite soft, but definitely smooth and light.

I’m a size medium on the Helly Hansen size guide and I found the Awe Softshell Hike Overalls to fit true to size.  I also found the leg length to be just right and in line with most pants that I wear that are regular in length.

The suspenders are great.  They skipped the traditional (and heavy) metal buckle and went with a light weight clip.  This gives the overalls a bit more lightness up top, while the clasp mechanism secures the suspenders with an easy click that can be done one-handed. I also like that the elastic suspender straps are the same width across the extent of the straps.  I have long legs and a short torso, so I need to shorten overall straps a good amount.  Traditional overall straps are tapered, which limits how much you can adjust straps to shorten them. The uniform straps are easy to tighten or lengthen and the elastic material gives the straps a nice amount of play when you’re wearing them.

Thanks to the side zipper, you really don’t need to use the suspender buckles to take the Awe Softshell Hike Overalls on or off, making for easy bathroom breaks (which, lets be honest, bathroom breaks are what give most people pause when considering wearing overalls).  Similar to their ski bibs. you just unzip the side and the overalls are easy to manage. I do wish that the side zipper was on the right hip, but I supposed left handed people can rejoice that a garment is finally designed to function for lefties.  The side zip is easy to operate one handed (up or down).

The chest has a zippered pocket that’s large enough to fit a cell phone, snacks, or your wallet / passport.

The side and rear pockets are drop in pockets without zippers, but are also well sized and placed.

I also appreciate that the bottom hem can be cinched with an elastic pull cord.  You can wear the pants with the hem open for a more traditional pant leg fit or you can cinch them down.  You can also pull the legs up and cinch the hem tight for water crossings when hiking.

I’ve worn the Helly Hansen Women’s Awe Softshell Hike Overalls hiking, traveling through airports, and to a professional baseball game during my gear testing.

As hiking active wear, the Helly Hansen Women’s Awe Softshell Hike Overalls did great.  I have a loop that I like to do with approximately 130 steep stairs and a steep return trail.  The stretch in the fabric was fantastic for steep uphill steps, never limiting my movement or range of motion. The fabric also breathes nicely; I did get sweaty but the fabric dried quickly and allowed air movement.

I loved wearing the Helly Hansen Women’s Awe Softshell Hike Overalls on a recent trip to St George, Utah (by way of Las Vegas).  I wore the overalls on my travel day, going from my car, to shuttles, to the train, on an airplane, then back to a shuttle and a rental car. It was snowing in Denver and 90 degrees in Las Vegas; I also almost always get chilled on airplanes and prefer wearing pants.  I wore a t-shirt under the overalls and layered a quarter-zip pullover on top for warmth and I was comfortable for my entire day of travel.  I also love the zippered chest pocket, making for the perfect – and secure – spot to store your phone and IDs while still being easy to grab on demand.  And once I arrived in Vegas, the zippered pocket was perfect for storing valuables as I wandered around the strip.

They were also the perfect thing to wear to an afternoon baseball game.  I didn’t have to worry about sunscreen on my legs.  The overalls again had the perfect amount of stretch for moving around and weren’t too hot, even with temperatures near 80 degrees.

Closing Thoughts

The Helly Hansen Women’s Awe Softshell Hike Overalls are a really great option for someone that wants one piece of clothing that can serve many purposes – all while performing and looking great.  While the purple color I tested isn’t available for sale (I’m a lucky person), the overalls are available in a dark midnight color.  These are available only for women.

Erin Trail

Trail Boss of Stoke

Erin Trail on her mountain bike at the World Tri Cross Triathlon World Championship race

Erin Trail on her running at the World Tri Cross Triathlon World Championship race