With colder temps blanketing much of the country, staying fit outside means you need to be sporting quality fall training gear to keep you both warm at the start and dry when your body heat rises. And when it comes to regulating body temperature and keeping you dry, you can’t get better than Helly Hansen’s Fall 2014 training gear lineup.
I picked up numerous pieces of Helly’s training gear just before the cold weather hit, and I can say already that Helly Hansen is my new favorite gear for anything under 50 degrees. Here’s some of my favorite Helly training gear for Fall and what I love about the pieces.
Helly Hansen Fall 2014 Training Gear
HH Warm Run LS
The HH Warm Run LS is a 1/2 zip top that’s perfect alone on cool training days or layered with the Challenger Training Jacket 2 for colder runs. Combining Merino Wool and Lifa technology, your core is kept warm while starting out. As you begin warming up, the Lifa technology transforms into a cooling system, drawing the sweat and excess heat away from your body to help you maintain a comfortable temperature and just as importantly, keeping you dry. Another standout feature of the HH Warm Run LS is the stretch jersey fabric around the elbows and shoulders – this allows full freedom of movement. Performance wise, I simply love it.
The HH Warm Run LS, like other Helly Hansen gear, is not just pure performance – it’s stylish as well. I have a longer torso and often find that women’s running tops are cut too short – leaving me to either constantly pull it down or run with a cold mid-drift. The HH Warm Run LS is cut long in the torso, preventing it from creeping up as I run and keeping my mid-section warm. It comes in either magenta, light blue or dark purple with contrasting accents for a pop of color. And, regardless of what color you choose, it is designed with 360 -degree reflectivity, ensuring that, despite the early sunset, you will be easily seen.
Helly Hansen Fall 2014 Training Gear
HH Challenger Jacket 2
For additional warmth protection during cold weather running, nothing beats the HH Challenger Jacket 2, a training jacket that’s equal parts performance and style. I can’t speak highly enough of this jacket and the way it handles inclement weather. My first time out wearing it, there was an icy cold rain and a tremendous wind that seemed to hit me head on no matter which way I turned. Thankfully, the Challenger Jacket 2 uses a windproof/waterproof front shield fabric that handled the wind and rain with ease. Even while stopped, the rain seemed to pool slightly and then run off instead of absorbing into the material. On the inside, the jacket ensures you stay dry by using a technology called H2Flow, a system that allows for venting from within the jacket that helps to regulate temperatures – it keeps you dry and warm, and when needed it helps you to cool down by letting the air circulate. When I took off the jacket after my workout, despite the rain from the outside and sweat from within, my jacket was almost completley dry.
Like the HH Warm Run LS, the design of the jacket is made specifically to allow freedom of movement as well. While the jacket has a slender silhouette to make you look great while running, the back of the jacket is made from exceptionally stretchy fabric that allows full range of motion without any pull. There’s ample pocket space for your phone, keys, etc. with seamlessly integrated zippers that add to the clean design. You can choose from a bright magenta color with yellow accents (the color in my personal collection) or ebony with blue and white accents (soon to be added to my collection). For safety, both colors use 360-degree reflectivity ensuring you are easily seen in low-light conditions. Overall, the jacket is lightweight and the materials are soft and pliable, it is not only an ideal training jacket but perfect for everyday wear when a light jacket is needed.
Helly Hansen Fall 2014 Training Gear
Charger Windblock Tights 2
As an alternative to looser fitting running pants, check out the Charger Windblock Tights 2. In cold weather, these pants truly shine, as unlike other running tights, they completely block the wind in the front and impressively block any water from getting through. Just like the Challenger Jacket 2, the tights repel water and stay perfectly dry even after prolonged running in the rain. Don’t let the fact they’re windproof and waterproof make you think they’re uncomfortable, however, as the inside is lined and they’re actually quite soft and comfortable to wear. Adding to the comfort of the tights is the supportive yet stretchy fabric in the back (and unlike yoga pants, you can’t see through these pants from any angle no matter what position you put yourself in). When I first tried them on, I was a bit hesitant to run with them as they seemed on the tight side, and while I debated going up a size, was pleasantly surprised at their ability to bend at the knee without feeling stressed or bunching in the back. I also preferred the support they offered compared to my other looser fitting running pants that tend to rub on run over 10 miles.
The Charger Windblock Tights 2 come in black with magenta accents or black with blue accents, both featuring 360-degree reflectivity. There are zippers at your ankles for easy on/off and there is also a sweat proof pocket if you need to pack your phone or anything else electronic.
Bottom line, Helly Hansen is a brand that never disappoints when it comes to performance and style. If you’re a cold weather runner, whether you’re a guy or girl, you’re simply not going to find a better mix of performance, comfort and style. You can find all of Helly Hansen’s training gear on their official website or by clicking here.
Helly Hansen Fall 2014 Training Gear
