HELLY HANSEN

Helly Hansen is a Norwegian brand with over 140 years of history, trusted by professionals on oceans, mountains, and worksites. They are famous for inventing the first supple waterproof fabrics in the 1870s and, more importantly for runners, the first technical base layer in the 1970s with the creation of LIFA® technology.

LIFA® is Helly Hansen's proprietary polypropylene fabric that is the heart of their technical base layers. The key benefit for runners is that it's a hydrophobic fiber, meaning it hates water and absorbs 40 times less moisture than polyester. It actively pulls sweat away from your skin to keep you dry and comfortable during intense activity. Because it stays dry, it also prevents the rapid heat loss that occurs when wearing a damp garment.

Helly Hansen offers two main types of base layers for different needs:

• LIFA® Stripe Crew: Made from 100% LIFA® fabric, this is an ultralight and extremely fast-drying base layer. It is designed for maximum moisture management during high-output activity and is a fantastic choice for running in all but the coldest conditions.
• LIFA® Merino: This is a unique 2-in-1 base layer that combines a 100% LIFA® interior with a 100% merino wool exterior. This gives you the best of both worlds: the superior moisture-wicking of LIFA® next to your skin and the natural warmth and softness of merino wool on the outside.

For cold-weather running, the LIFA® Merino Midweight is the perfect choice. The 2-in-1 construction ensures sweat is moved away from your skin, while the merino wool outer layer provides excellent thermal insulation to keep your muscles warm. It delivers exceptional warmth without the bulk of traditional layers.

The 2-layer system works by pairing a hydrophobic (water-hating) inner layer with a hydrophilic (water-loving) outer layer. The inner LIFA® fibers won't absorb any sweat; instead, they act like a superhighway, pushing moisture outwards. The merino wool exterior then absorbs that moisture and disperses it, allowing it to evaporate without you ever feeling cold or clammy against your skin.

Yes, comfort is a key design feature. The LIFA® fabric is 100% hypoallergenic and feels soft against the skin. In the LIFA® Merino range, any potential itchiness from the wool is eliminated because only the soft LIFA® fibers are in direct contact with your body. All technical base layers also use flatlock seams to prevent chafing during repetitive running movements.

Yes, the polypropylene LIFA® fabric has natural anti-bacterial properties that help to prevent the growth of odour-causing bacteria. In the LIFA® Merino garments, this is enhanced by the natural antimicrobial benefits of merino wool, meaning you can often wear the base layer multiple times between washes.