For the first time in forever, I’ve found a shirt that satisfies both my high standards (warmth and dryness) and my wife’s (style and versatility) in the Helly Hansen LIFA Merino 1/2 Zip Long-Sleeve top.
Because I commute by bike year-round in Minnesota, having a good range of base layers is as essential as having a good range of bike tires, but it turns out that the number of people who assess, let alone comment on, the aesthetics of the rubber on my wheels is far smaller than those who judge me by the shirt on my back. Despite my wife’s having mentioned this once or…uh…maybe twice, it didn’t really hit home until I was in a meeting one day wearing my Helly Hansen 1/2 Zip.
Good Fit, Soft on Skin
As soon as I had thrown on the shirt that morning, I noticed two surprising things: First, it fit me perfectly—surprising because I’m really small and most men in Norway, where Helly Hansen is located, are not. (Thanks to the elasticity of the double layer construction, finding a good fit is no sweat.)
Second, it felt great—surprising because I knew that the shirt was 57% wool. At that point I hadn’t read that HH employed a smart combination of two layers in this top: a stretchy interior layer made of Helly Hansen’s renowned LIFA wicking fibers (soft against my skin) and an exterior 100% Merino wool layer that faces the world. I was already liking this new shirt, but even though my wife says that the Blue Fog (one of numerous color options) goes well with my skin tone, I was just hoping to keep my skin warm and dry on my four mile ride in 15º F weather. I was not disappointed.
So Dry, So Fly
Later that day I arrived at work, surprised to realize that I was the driest I’ve ever been after bike commuting. Again, the double layer construction works like a charm. While wool by itself is famous for keeping sailors and mountaineers warm, it’s not truly hydrophobic and does retain some moisture. But in combination with the LIFA layer, the material delivered a one-two punch to my prolific perspiration and left me toasty and dry. I just lowered the zipper a few inches and my base layer became business casual. No more dashing to the nearest closet or restroom to make a quick change, and no more packing a dry shirt my backpack so that I’d look presentable. Saving time and space is always a bonus, but the rewards this shirt offer didn’t stop there.
My meeting that day was with an Italian colleague who has impeccable taste and is always dressed as though she just stepped out of a fashion magazine. She had gotten used to seeing me wearing a wrinkled sweater fresh out of my backpack or still sporting a tight base layer perfect for the gym. So I knew that I’d struck gold when Silvia did a double take after her usual “Ciao,” and said, “Now that…is a very nice sweater. You should wear it more often.” And I do.
Men’s and Women’s styles come in a wide range of colors and designs, and in sizes X-small — 4X-large.
Bottom Line: Balancing my active lifestyle with work just got easier with this warm, dry, and very sharp shirt from cold weather experts Helly Hansen.
Manufacturer’s Site: www.hellyhansen.com
