Lifa gets a makeover plus first shots of Helly's new sonic welded jacket that just scooped an innovation award at the winter outdoors trade show.
We caught up with the guys from Helly Hansen at a Manchester trade
show earlier this week and were treated to a scoop look at their
newest clothing developmentsfor this year as well as witnessing the
award of a prestgious prize for innovation.
Lifa Lives
Helly's famous Lifa baselayer range gets a makeover for
2005. Last year it was pink for girlies, sorry, women, this time
around there are new colours and styles for both men and women.
Prominent stitching gives a much more 'styled' look to many of the
garments which you'll either love or hate. New shorts, briefs, sports
tope, pants, half-zips headwear and more, all make an appearance.
The fabric itself remains basically the same. It's a polypropolene
fabric which absorbs considerably less fluid than the polyester used
by most of HH's competitors and is claimed to move moisture away from
the skin more quiclly as a result. It's also anti-bacterial and pill
resistant.
Welded Terchnology
Helly landed a Men's Fitness Innovation Award for best six pack,
sorry, for, erm innovation thanks to their funky new Virtue
Jacket which is put together using something they've dubbed
Sonic Seam Technology (SST).
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Some neat touches on the
Virtue, like this press-stud fastener to keep the hem cord
toggles
under control. Note too, those taped and sonic-welded
seams.
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Essentially the entire jacket is completely stitch free with all
seams welded together by sound waves and, it says here, with no
adhesive involved. The joins are backed up with Grid Lock seam tape
to ensure a long-lasting water-tight bond.
The jacket itself uses three-ply Helly Tech XP stretch nylon,
waterproof / breathable fabric and is apart of the fast and light
V-Concept collection. It also features water-resistant zip
secure pockets, pit-zip vents and a fulll contoured hood using
WedgeLock adjustment that allows you to lock the shockcord used
securely a bit like a differential lacing boot eyelet. Finally pocket
mesh lining panels are made from Lifa. Price, when it's available
later this year, will be £270.
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You'd be happy too if
you'd just won a Men's Fitness award for innovation
:-)
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Footwear
Last but not least, Helly expanded into the footwear market while
we were on holiday last year and have been expanding the range again.
New on the boot side of things is the new Kikut Trail Shoe.
It may look vaguely trainer-ish, but has apparently been designed
to work for trail running, bouldering or past packing in muddy, rocky
and wet trail conditions and takes attributes from running, hiking
and work footwear to achieve that.
The boot uses a Helly Tech XP laminated bootie for breathable,
waterproof protection, and has a skeletal frame for stable support,
anti-pronation features and C-Zone+ cushlioning at both heel and
forefoot for shock absorption and energy return on hard trails. Sole
is Hellywear with lots of trail lugs for grip and price, when it
appears in stores later this year, will be £100.
More information about the current Helly Hansen range from their
web site.
