There are a lot of people of Scandinavian descent in Minnesota, and I know some of them. So I think that I honestly come by the saying “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” This is why I spend a lot of time in good, sweat-wicking, quick-drying clothing, biking and Nordic skiing all winter. And I can honestly say that Helly Hansen’s Life Active Solen SL Shirt is one of the best of the “good clothing” category. Great, in fact.
Stay Dry
Now, I have no problem with the feeling of synthetic material against my skin, but the first time I put on the Helly Hansen Long-Sleeve Life Active Soles crew, I knew that it was going to be hard to switch back to any of my other shirts without a tinge of regret. I’m man enough to admit that I’ve worn silk shirts before and liked them, and I’m frugal enough to know that I won’t buy one for myself. No worries, though, because Helly Hansen’s LIFA® Stay Warm technology (a woven two-layer 65% polyester/35% polypropylene fabric that feels as close to silk as anything I’ve ever worn) does indeed keep me warm because it keeps me dry.
Comfort & Versatility
Other than during the recent record-setting two weeks solid of never getting above 0º F, the Helly Hansen Lifa Active Solen Long Sleeve crew has been my “go to” first layer both when heading out to ski on the miles of groomed ski trails near my house and when working from home. Its quick drying time means that by the time I get home and finish my stretching, I’m still warm enough to get dinner started (and maybe even eaten) before jumping in the shower. The super lightweight material feels so comfortable when I’m working hard or just at work that it’s hard to justify putting on anything else. If there is a pinnacle of athleisure wear, this shirt is it.
Long- and Short-Sleeve Tops
In addition to the long-sleeve version, Helly Hansen makes a short-sleeve Lifa Active Solen Shirt that’s a wardrobe staple in warmer weather. It serves as an all-purpose travel tee-shirt, taking up almost no space, weighing hardly anything, and drying quickly after doing a quick laundry in a sink or a stream when washing machines aren’t an option.
Men’s and women’s styles come in several colors and designs, and in sizes X-small — 4X-large. While the long-sleeve version fits me really well, the short-sleeve top in the same size was quite big on me. (See Helly Hansen store on Amazon.com)
Bottom Line: For everything but extreme cold temps, this silky smooth shirt is so comfortable and effective, it has become my second skin.
Manufacturer’s Site: www.hellyhansen.com
MEN $65 mens @ Amazon, $55 short-sleeve mens ; WOMEN $65 women’s ls shirt, $55 short-sleeve (some colors on sale for less)