Helly Hansen Fall 2023 Apparel Review: Diving In

What You Need To Know

Intro to Helly Hansen’s Fall 2023 Apparel Collection

SAM: I’ve spent vast swaths of my life, including the past 10 years, working or living in Maryland’s bayside capital, Annapolis. The city is squeezed onto the end of a peninsula between two main tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay and then run through by several creeks. Downtown is dominated by the historic State Capitol Building and the United States Naval Academy. This all makes Annapolis a boating town, the “Sailing Capital of the World,” if you will. I know the Nordic apparel brand Helly Hansen only through its presence here in Naptown.

To me, it’s a sailing brand, ubiquitous on the brick and cobble streets of a town awash in sailing, history, and the United States Navy, and where they maintain a thriving storefront among the bars and tourist shops. I didn’t know they made running clothes, but I probably should have figured.

MELISSA: I was unfamiliar with Helly Hansen prior to reviewing it. However, I’ve since started seeing HH logos everywhere. I guess it’s always been around, and I’ve yet to notice. Go figure. Helly Hansen is a Norwegian brand that’s been around for a long time and is mostly known for offering a wide selection of ski, sailing, and outdoor apparel. Overall, I am really impressed with the apparel, so much so that I’m surprised I haven’t seen more of it in the trail running community. Let’s get right to it.

Roam Wind Jacket

MELISSA: It didn’t take long for me to become a huge fan of this jacket. It’s lightweight and breathable yet provides ample protection from the elements. I also happen to love this earthy orange color- it’s perfect for fall running! I can appreciate some of the added details of pockets, elastic wrist cuffs, and fitted hood. Overall, this is a great windbreaker for a great price.

PRICE: $100

LIFA Active Solen Long Sleeve T-Shirt

SAM: My day job is in coffee. There, spent coffee grounds are a bottomless resource mainly destined for the trash, and it’s always nice to see them used in forward-thinking ways. Here, they’re added – HH uses the word “infused” – to the polyester weave as natural UPF 50+ sun protection. This shirt is cut loose through the chest and arms for a soft, relaxed fit that’s great for cruising in the mid-temps. I like that the LIFA Active Solen LS sits easily and doesn’t bind around the neck or under the arms, even when wearing a vest.

PRICE: $80

Tech Trail T-Shirt

SAM: This technical tee has everything I’m looking for — it’s lightweight, fast-drying, comfortable, and flattering. Also, some added perks include UPF50+ material made with recycled coffee grounds — that’s pretty cool!

MELISSA: Made of thinner fabric than the LIFA Active Solen LS, the Tech Trail T-shirt is better suited to hotter days under the sun, especially with the S.Cafe sun protection Melissa mentioned above, and that is also found in the LIFA Active Solen LS. A perforated breathable panel that spans the shoulders helps to prevent overheating, which is one of my personal pet peeves in tech shirts. This shirt is also cut loosely and a little long for coverage and comfort.

PRICE: $60

Tech Trail Shorts

SAM: These unlined shorts are built from an airy 4-way stretch poly/spandex blend that feels ultra-light and comfy with plenty of room for motion. They have two unzippered hand pockets and a single zippered rear pocket in wallet position, not center mounted. None of these pockets are very useful for running, but these are great shorts for someone who wants the extended coverage of a longer inseam for hiking or walking with the light weight of a running short.

PRICE: $85

Blaze Trail Leggings

MELISSA: I was able to try these leggings for a few runs, and they proved to be a great fall/winter running option. They’re breathable, comfortable, and very flattering — so much so that I’ve received several compliments and inquiries about them. It appears that other Helly Hansen tight offerings include a built-in pocket in the waistband. If that’s the case, then they’ve traded the waistband pocket for zippered pockets along the thigh that are only large enough for a gel or car key. I wish that this would include waistband storage — it would be perfect for holding a phone and an extra gel or two.

PRICE: $75