December is finally upon us, which means the holiday shopping season has officially kicked into high gear. We know how difficult it can be finding the perfect gifts (both for yourself and for your family and friends), so to help make your decisions a little easier, we’re going to be bringing you some of our favorite gear throughout the month. Style, food, gadgets, sports gear – we’ve got a little of everything planned, and you can’t go wrong with any of it. Kicking things off, we’ve got some great early winter wear for you from one of our favorite outerwear brands: Helly Hansen.
Here in the Midwest, selecting winter gear can present somewhat of a challenge. Winter starts out cold, and then it gets ridiculously cold come January and February. As such, I typically tend to have to two winter wardrobes – one for the cold, and one for the extreme cold. For normal cold, I love the new Helly Hansen Chill Jacket and W Embla Wool Jackets. They’re both warm and super comfortable, but they’re not too bulky either. In addition to the coats, I’m a huge fan of the Helly Hansen Arctic Boots (to help withstand the cold and snow that’s just on the horizon), while for the women, the Stoneham Midlayer is a perfect compliment to the W Embla Wool Jacket.
Here’s a closer look at each.
Helly Hansen Chill Jacket ($300)
For a winter jacket, the Helly Hansen Chill is perfect if you’re looking for a slightly more casual, warm coat that’s not overly bulky. Available in navy, smoked pearl (a gray color) or black, the Chill jacket is reminiscent of a classic tweed, but with Helly’s leading cold weather technology built in. Outside, Helly Tech’s waterproof layer keeps the cold, water and wind out, while still allowing moisture to escape, meaning you won’t overheat while wearing it. Inside, Warmcore by PrimaLoft provides an added layer of insulation with ultra-fine microfiber technology, again keeping you warm while still offering breathability during high performance activities. As for the style, the Chill Jacket boasts raglan sleeves and diagonal pocket flaps, offering a classic look that still notes an air of sportiness.
For more info on the Helly Hansen Chill Jacket, head over to the official Helly Hansen online store.
Helly Hansen Arctic Boot ($150)
When it comes to trekking through the snow and ice of winter, nothing beats a quality pair of boots to keep your feet dry and warm. One of my new favorites is the Helly Hansen Arctic Boot, gorgeously constructed from premium quality waterproof full-grain leather and naturally waterproof. Inside, a natural felt lining and a suede collar at the ankle both make Helly’s Arctic Boot incredibly comfortable, while outside, a moc toe and Helly Wear Rubber outsole with welted construction ensure the Arctic Boot will withstand the harshest winter environments. I’ve worn mine for a few weeks now, and they’re not only remarkably warm, they’re comfortable enough to wear day-in and day-out in virtually any environment.
For more info on the Helly Hansen Arctic Boot, head over to the official Helly Hansen online store.
Helly Hansen W Embla Wool Coat ($650)
For women, the current staff favorite when in comes to Helly’s winter gear is the Helly Hansen W Embla Wool Coat, available in either grey melange or off-white. Featuring a gorgeous wool and polyester blend construction that feels great and is naturally water-resistant, the W Embla Wool Coat notes the same brilliant styling and innovation found in all of the W Embla line. On top, the over-height collar boasts a detachable hood, while a mesh-lined ventilated wind screen provides protection for your lower face from the cold and winter elements. Another welcome addition to the W Embla Wool Coat is the inclusion of hand warmer pockets that not only keep your hands warm, they zip closed when needed, keeping stored contents shielded from the cold air. For your arms, articulated sleeves help avoid stiffness commonly associated with winter coats, eliminating bulkiness and increasing comfort, while zips in the lower sleeves allow them to expand, perfect when wearing larger mittens. And as for style, the W Embla Wool Coat looks incredible, boasting a classical Scandinavian inspired design, including a two-layer yoke detail in the back and Embla detailing on both the hood and lower sleeves. The W Embla Wool Coat not only looks great, it’s built to perform flawlessly in harsh winter environments – exactly what you want when picking the perfect winter coat.
For more info on the Helly Hansen W Embla Wool Coat, head over to the official Helly Hansen online store.
Helly Hansen W Stoneham Midlayer ($170)
Paired with the W Embla Wool Coat, the Helly Hansen W Stoneham Midlayer (available in red, black or white) makes a brilliant addition to your winter wardrobe. Featuring a half zip construction with rib-knit mock-turtle collar and stunning contoured styling, the Stoneham Midlayer notes the look of a classic knit sweater, with the sportiness of Helly built in. Thanks to its uniquely contoured fit, the Stoneham does an incredible job wicking away moisture while still keeping you warm in colder temps. Rib-knit bands help define the hem and cuffs, and Helly’s trademark Lifa stripes highlight the sleeves.
For more info on the Helly Hansen W Stoneham Midlayer, head over to the official Helly Hansen online store.
