This thread can double as a bargain alert for anyone with size 11.5 feet, as the HH outlet in Bicester was selling of these shoes in various colours for £14.99 (minus a further 10% if you printed the day pass online). There was also a good stock of their trail running & walking shoes in various sizes.

They fit me well, seemed comfortable and I was actually in the market for a more aggressive-tread fell shoe (my trail runners a fine in the dry but don't cope well with slippy mud & grass). So finding my size for this silly price, I picked up a couple of pairs. At worst they'll be fine for casual or light walking.

Just wondering if anyone has given them a go? On paper, they seem like a good idea - light fell-style shoe using LIFA (so fast drying expected); great big reflective HH detail for crossing roads at night; spare laces as standard & not bad looking IMO (I got some blue ones and some yellow/black ones - pics below).

They also had the green ones at the bottom here :

Oh... and they were also selling the LIFA Dry Charger 1/2 zip long sleeve shirt for £25 for two; or £35 for two of the merino/polypro version LIFA Warm. Bargains a plenty!

John

Update:

I've now logged about 50km of off-road running in these HH Trail Cutters - variously tested in slippy mud, snow, thick grass, dead leaves & gritty trail; plus a few km worth of pavements for accessing runs (so far no actual mountain use and no testing on wet rock as yet).

Now, I don't have anything else to compare them with in this fell runner category, but first impressions are very very good. They are light, grippy, very quick drying and offer just enough cushioning to make the pavement & frozen ground bits bearable. Having come from a road shoe & trail shoe background, I'd say that they win out in many areas and have actually forced me to improve on my foot-strike technique (relying less on heel cushioning and more on my calf muscles to give energy return). The wide lacing going down close to the toes makes it easy to get a snug fit, and the reflective HH is reassuring when I've been using them at night & needed to cross roads etc.

I can't say how they compare to the known options from Walsh, Inov8 etc. but they're definitely worth  a try and so far no signs of wear or damage. Looked in the Bicester outlet this weekend and they still had some 11.5, 12.5 & 5s in stock. Nearly bought a third pair but just managed to contain my urges!

I also used the LIFA Charger shirts to good effect; they fit me extremely well - especially the neck - and I've used this weight of LIFA for many years so know what it's pros & cons are. Basically an excellent baselayer if you understand the subtleties of using polypropylene instead of the 'wicking' options on the market.

One of my best kit scoops of late then!

John

Too true, Mike. I'll write a proper review once I have given them a bit more of a battering. I'd say they'd be a nice choice for light hiking too. I haven't pushed the range yet (longest run was about 13km) but they've given me no problems so far.

I also tested out the Golite Sundragons in similar conditions and they didn't suit me anywhere near as well. Still a grippy shoe, but too much volume for my feet (with running socks) and much less sensitive ride with those spongy lugs & hardened midsole. The lacing isn't as versatile either. I'll try them again, but I think they've been committed to the casual rack with maybe some walking potential...

Thanks for sharing that wonderful news Kishi. I have shared it with the moderator.

[edit : moderator has intervened! ]

Helly Hansen shoes are going at good (cheap) prices at Helly Hansen Outlets e.g. Gloucester Quays.

P.S. I have no stake in HH or Gloucester Quays.