Helly Hansen, a Scandinavian company that has been around since 1877 producing heavy-duty outerwear for ocean and mountain environments, has expands its products to include a lightweight Training Collection.

“The new product is a full training line–technical pieces, breathable fabric, waterproofing in some of the pieces, and there’s our shoe line–we’ve got a whole road running line and trail running line,” said Regional Marketing Representative Grant Burrow.

When describing the long-sleeved training shirt in the new line, the Pace 1/2 Zip LS 2, Burrow said, “It’s a lightweight LIFA fabric. It’s polypropylene, so it’s hydrophobic. When you sweat, it goes away from your body. The LIFA moves all water and moisture away from your body.”

Some of the features of the Pace include breathable mesh, flat lock stitching that ensures the fabric will not irritate the skin, 360-degree reflective taping, and HH Cool Fiber Technology.

LIFA is used in all of the training line’s products, which includes but is not limited to shorts, pants, short-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved shirts, jackets, and shoes.

I was able to test out one of the new short-sleeved shirts from the Training Collection. This base layer was not only extremely breathable in Michigan’s hot and humid summer days, but it was clear the designers also paid close attention to the fit. When attempting to develop stylish outerwear, often either the style is overshadowed by the function or vice versa. Helly Hansen succeeded in both areas.

I typically opt for a tank top while exercising outside in summer heat, but this T-shirt was completely comfortable, even after 45 minutes outside under the sun. The breathability was unmatched, but that technology comes with a price. The Pace SS is the most comparable product currently on the market and runs a cost of $50 for the men’s version. A women’s version was not listed. However, this is a training shirt that is well worth the price.

Image courtesy Helly Hansen