Helly Hansen workwear

It’s well known that Helly Hansen makes a top-of-the-line product, and with their Helly Hansen Workwear product line they don’t disappoint. Helly Hansen has been manufacturing high quality gear for over 140 years. Starting with waterproof oilskin jackets in 1877, today Helly Hansen has grown to an internationally renowned brand trusted by professionals on oceans, mountains and worksites.

For sizing, Helly Hansen’s offers a wide range of sizing options for all their items, making finding the right fit a breeze and accommodating most body shapes. On top of which, not only do they fit well, but they also look good.

Right off the cusp, but also after a few years of reviewing Helly Hansen products, even though it’s labelled as “Workwear”, just as often I find myself wearing it as regular day to day wear, but especially for recreational wear for situations like hiking and camping.

BARCODE BACKPACK

The 20 L Barcode Backpack was a piece I immediately gravitated towards, since the last HH Workwear backpack I reviewed was stolen and still in active daily use by my daughter, I coveted the Barcode Backpack as it was the perfect size for a variety of needs. While it’s not something that can be used for a weeklong backcountry hike, it is perfect for a full day jobsite pack out or even a weekend camping trip. The durability is obvious as soon as you pick it up, but it’s the resourcefulness of the design that allows for its multipurpose abilities. While 20L doesn’t seem like much capacity, I found packing and organizing differently sized and shaped items a breeze. I’ve literally used it for going on a job site, carrying all my camera and video gear to a webinar shoot and even taken it camping. Including a hidden expandable mesh pocket, you can grow the versatility of the backpack with ease. While the padded shoulder straps and ventilating mesh back panel make it very comfortable to carry.

Blurring the lines between work and weekend, the Barcode Backpack is an urban-inspired lifestyle accessory with hidden workwear functionalities. Available as a 20L or 35L, it was engineered with thought-through pocket solutions and smart features designed to look good anywhere and make hard work easier.

• Carry-on compatible
• Adjustable and padded shoulder straps
• Ventilating air mesh on the back panel and shoulder straps for comfort
• Hide-away helmet holder
• Main compartment accessible through large, U-shaped opening
• Internal zippered mesh pocket
• Padded computer compartment
• Water-resistant exterior

CHELSEA EVOLUTION BRZ CONSTRUCTION PANT

The Chelsea Evolution BRZ Construction Pants have easily become one of my all-time favourite work pant. They offer comfort, durability, flexibility and resourcefulness. If I was to say anything bad about them, it would have to be, there’s TOO many pockets, which I don’t think can necessarily be a bad thing. Having essentially a built-in tool belt to hold everything like screws, pencils, tools, tape measures, and basically whatever else you can cram into them makes these pants incredibly versatile. The hanging pockets offer a variety of pocket sizes, both open and zippered as well as tool loops. For what I generally do, I’d personally rather see the pockets positioned more towards the back flank of the pants rather than above the thighs, however with the variety of pockets having them positioned more forward makes accessibility significantly easier.

Designed with a built-in side-zipper for supreme breathability, the Chelsea Evolution BRZ Construction Pant are the ultimate summer work pant. A functional, feature-rich alternative to men’s blue jeans, the Chelsea Evolution BRZ Construction Pants are built for climate-adjustable comfort on the job. These hard-working pants are made with a light, 4-way stretch material, mechanical ventilation on the outer legs, and adjustable knee pad pockets.

• Durable Cordura® hanging pockets with nylon webbing
• Mesh-lined, zippable ventilation openings at side seam
• Thigh pocket with fastener closure and several compartments
• Cordura® fabric reinforcement on knees
• Adjustable bottom leg with snap buttons
• Adjustable knee pad positioning accessible from outside

TECH MIDLAYER JACKET

As the days get cooler having a light weight jacket to keep you warm before the sun comes out is always a must and the Tech Midlayer Jacket fits that need perfectly. This stylish jacket is great for those days where there’s a touch of frost in the air, but will be a bonus layer to have under a proper coat when the winter temperatures set in. Meant not to be baggy it fits wonderfully, especially around the shoulders and the robust zippers including on all three pockets show that trustworthy quality from Helly Hansen.

The Tech Midlayer is a versatile, Bluesign-classified warming layer that can be used as a standalone piece during milder days, or under a shell jacket in colder conditions. With styles for both men and women, it features a sleek, minimalistic design with room for company embellishments and all the comfort amenities needed to get through the workday in peak form.

• Zippered chest pocket
• Hand pockets with brushed fleece lining
• Embossed logo
• Bluesign product

EVO T-SHIRT

I’m a t-shirt and jeans kind of person on a day-to-day basis, so a good t-shirt is always nice to have. Especially one that hasn’t been riddled with glue and finishes from the shop. The Helly Hansen Evo T-Shirt feels like a top quality fabric and the durability you’d expect. However, I’ve found the shirt sizing from Helly Hansen doesn’t quite fit my physique in a way that I find comfortable. It tends to hug the rib cage in a way that doesn’t suit my preferences. Which is unfortunate considering everything else seems to fit just right based on my usual sizing. Granted, I could fall into “more of me to love” category and I’m probably just being self-conscious. I have yet to attempt a size up, which I’m more than certain would solve my concerns. Either way, it’s frustrating because every other part of the shirt fits well, especially when I’ve often had issues around my shoulders, the Evo T-Shirt is perfect there.

The next generation of Helly Hansen Workwear’s popular Kensington collection, the all-new EVO Men’s line, was upgraded with stylistic nuances based on customer feedback. Along with this T-shirt, the EVO collection also includes a polo, long sleeve and various hoodie styles.

Overall, I was very impressed with each piece tested, I look forward to continuing to run them through the gauntlet of conditions I tend to find myself in.  HH Workwear is something I would recommend to anyone looking for that ideal combination of durability, comfort, flexibility and fit.