Helinox Great Outdoors S/S 2026 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Great Outdoors S/S 2026 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Helinox
Interviewee: Marketing Team

What trends do you see currently shaping the outdoor industry?
The outdoor industry is undergoing a major cultural shift. What was once centered only around nature and function has now become increasingly design-driven, hybrid, and connected to urban culture. We see a merging of categories: outdoor and fashion, performance and lifestyle. People want functional products that also speak to who they are. At Helinox, we see growing interest in portability, modularity, and objects that transcend traditional contexts.

How is your brand responding to the increasing demand for sustainability and ethical production?
We come from a manufacturing legacy in South Korea. This means quality, traceability, and long-term thinking are at the core of everything we do. Rather than outsourcing, we’ve chosen to control our production from A to Z. That gives us the ability to improve constantly, to reduce waste, and to ensure ethical labor conditions. Our latest initiatives include exploring recycled materials and product longevity through thoughtful design.

What challenges are you seeing in the outdoor market today—retail, consumer behavior, or otherwise?
The biggest challenge is to overcome the traditional perception of what “outdoor” means. We often get boxed into the idea that outdoor equals camping. But that definition is evolving. People use our chairs in art studios, patios, music festivals, and more. Our challenge is to tell that story clearly and visually, to educate and inspire a broader audience.

How are the latest U.S. tariffs and customs regulations affecting your business strategy and supply chain?
As a brand rooted in Korean production, we are used to navigating international logistics. But increased tariffs and changing customs rules require us to stay agile. We’re optimizing our supply chain, building stronger logistics hubs in key markets, and ensuring our pricing strategy remains viable without compromising on quality.

About the Brand

What is your brand’s core mission or philosophy, and how does it influence your product development?
Our philosophy is simple: create objects that improve daily life through utility, beauty, and longevity. We don’t chase trends. We ask: does this make life easier? Does it solve a real need? If yes, we design it to last and adapt over time. Our background in engineering means we constantly push materials and functionality without compromising on form.

How has your brand evolved in the outdoor market over the last few years?
We’ve grown beyond the outdoor niche. While we were first embraced by campers, vanlifers, backpackers and outdoor athletes, our audience has expanded to include designers, collectors, and urban explorers. Our evolution is visible through key collaborations with brands like Nike ACG, Supreme, Stüssy, and Maison Kitsuné.

Who is your target customer today, and how has that profile changed over time?
Our customer today is curious, design-aware, and open-minded. They’re not defined solely by outdoor expertise, but by a desire for objects that support movement, creativity, and a life in motion. Helinox was born from the outdoor world, and that DNA remains at the core of everything we do from ultralight technical performance to materials engineered to thrive in demanding environments. Whether they live in Tokyo, Berlin, Los Angeles or London, our customers value products that merge outdoor heritage with design excellence, offering both trusted functionality in nature and refined utility in everyday life.

Which items should every nature lover take with him on the next outdoor adventure?
The Chair One remains a timeless icon: lightweight, compact, and incredibly strong, born from materials and engineering proven in the most demanding outdoor conditions. Our Table One complements it perfectly, offering a stable surface wherever you set camp, from mountain ridges to city rooftops. And for those seeking full comfort under the stars, our Cot One delivers off-the-ground rest with the durability to handle extreme terrain. Every piece is designed to perform in nature’s toughest environments while fitting seamlessly into any setting, anywhere.

Take us through your brand line in detail for SS26
SS26 is all about versatility and hybrid use. We’re introducing lighter materials, new compact formats, and color stories inspired by both nature and city life. At the heart of the season is the evolution of one of our most iconic products : the Chair Zero. Completely re-engineered, it maintains its signature ultralight weight and comfort while delivering even greater versatility and ease of use in extreme outdoor conditions. Whether it’s a high-altitude trek, a weekend at the beach, or a rooftop gathering in the city, the new Chair Zero adapts seamlessly.

Key Products:

Chair Zero LT:
The lightest Helinox chair ever at 509g trail weight, using Ghostgrid™ fabric and DAC 7000 aluminum. It includes a ground strap for improved stability and a foldable case for better portability and merchandising. Perfect for ultralight hikers and compact living setups.

Chair Zero Black_ Melon 2026

Table Zero LT:
A minimalist table at only 237g, engineered with the same ultralight design principles as Chair Zero LT. It packs down to 39% less volume than Table One, yet offers full functionality for dining, working, or gear setup on the go.

Table Zero Black

(re) Line – Sunset (re) & Beach (re):
A future-facing rework of Helinox classics with a focus on sustainability and comfort: Recycled, bluesign®-certified, PFAS-free fabrics Wider, more ergonomic seat angle TPU-reinforced corners for increased durability Stronger, reformed DAC aluminum frames Designed to meet the expectations of eco-conscious consumers without compromising performance.

Sunset Chair (re) Coyote Tan 2026

New SS26 Colors:
The color palette evolves with two bold, emotionally driven colorways:

Biscay Green: a bright, fresh mix of green and aqua ideal for beachside vibes and summer appeal.
Heritage Multiblock: a reissue of the 2021 classic OG color block, instantly recognizable and already a best-seller.

These new tones bring both nostalgia and vibrancy, helping to broaden aesthetic appeal across performance and lifestyle consumers.

Heli Toss:
A completely new category: a packable, lightweight tossing game made from recycled fabrics and DAC poles. Heli Toss is designed to activate communities, campsites, and events with a fun, portable experience that fits perfectly into Helinox’s social and mobile design philosophy.

HeliToss