My go-to winter gear is almost exclusively from Helly Hansen. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, the brand is based in Norway, the ideal location to perfect cold weather performance wear for nearly every winter sport. What may surprise you however, is how adept Helly Hansen is at creating equally as impressive warm weather gear that’s functional, stylish and most importantly, extremely comfortable for even the most grueling of workouts.
Helly Hansen 2015 Spring Summer Training Collection Aspire Jacket, Torena VTR, VTR Printed 7/8 Capri
Helly’s newest collection for Spring/Summer ’15 is no exception, as they’re again pushing the boundaries of style and performance with their amazing new prints and and fabrics that are perfectly suited for training as the mercury rises and swimsuit season approaches.
One of my favorite pieces from the collection is the HH VTR Printed 7/8 Capri, which will no doubt become my go to pant for the gym. I opted for the navy pattern, a light and airy cloud-like color with geometric design that is, in a word, ethereal. I love the pants so much, however, that by the end of the summer, I’ll likely add the rest of the colors to my collection as well.
Whichever color you choose, the construction of the pants are the same. They’re cut slightly higher around the waist then your average athletic pant, which means you have no need to fear exposure as you go into downward dog or do a few sets of squats. The wider band at the waist also ensures that the waist does not dig in, creating an unflattering look – instead the band is distributed evenly for a flawless fit. The combination of the cut and the fabric is real key to the pants success, as it allows complete freedom of movement without any uncomfortable seams or tights spots. From yoga to running to weights, they’re so comfortable you forget the pants are there.
Helly Hansen VTR Printed Capri
If you’re training indoors or outside on a hot day, you won’t need to worry about swapping out your favorite pants for shorts either. The X-Cool quick dry fabric allows your body to breath, keeping you cooler as your body temperature rises. And, no matter how much you sweat, the pants dry very quickly, preventing any discomfort on longer workouts. $70
Also worth noting – and this is perhaps the coolest thing I’ve ever seen from a clothing company – Helly is running a new contest using their running app that allows you to design your own VTR Printed 7/8 Capri. The app uses your running data to generate a unique pattern based on your route. The more you run, the more intricate the design. It’s completely free to enter, and you can check it out on the Helly Hansen website.
Helly Hansen 2015 Spring Summer Training Collection Aspire Jacket, Torena VTR, VTR Printed 7/8 Capri
The second piece I’m excited for this Spring is the Aspire Jacket, an exceptionally lightweight running jacket for early morning runs or cooler days. The jacket is designed to repel the elements and keep you dry from the inside with its quick dry fabric. I was a bit skeptical at its abilities at first, as the jacket is very thin and very lightweight, but to my surprise it handled exactly as it was supposed to – it kept me warm at the beginning of my run by blocking the breeze but was lightweight enough that by the end of my run I was not overheating. The true test came during my cool down – the time when I seem to sweat the most – and the jacket stayed dry. So, despite the cool air, I didn’t get the chills.
Style wise, the jacket looks fantastic. It has a drawcord waist that adjusts on both sides individually for a fitted look as well as a hood. The inside of the jacket is covered in a shiny metallic print for a very space age, modern feel, and it’s good-looking enough you’ll probably find yourself wearing it even when you’re not working out. $100
Helly Hansen W Torena VTR trainers
Round the entire look off with the W Torena VTR trainers, and you’ll get a bright, super comfortable set of footwear that look great. The shoes, like the clothes, are the perfect combination of performance and style, with the design elements pulling double duty as functional elements as well. The near see-through mesh upper with contrasting banding keeps your feet cool and provides a support frame for the shoe. The pattered graphic heel provides added support to stabilize your feet and get you from squats to lunges and back without injury. And when you take them to the track, the overall lightweight body will keep you from feeling weighed down while the strategic cushioning will keep you comfortable. They’re a perfect go to shoe for nearly any gym activity, and they’re fun and bright at the same time. $95
You can check out these and the rest of the Helly Hansen Spring/Summer ’14 collection at the official Helly Hansen website.
