High-spin states in neutron-rich 180 Hf and 182 Hf nuclei were populated through inelastic and transfer reactions with a 136 Xe beam incident on a thin 180 Hf target, and investigated using particle-γ coincidence techniques. New collective band structures were observed, and previously known rotational and vibrational bands in these nuclei were extended to higher angular momenta. No obvious nucleon alignment was observed in the ground state band of either nucleus up tohω = 0.43 MeV, a significant delay compared to lighter even-even Hf isotopes. Woods-Saxon cranking calculations were performed to predict the nature of the first band crossings and shape evolution in 180,182 Hf.