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Reviews
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Last updated: Friday, February 1, 2008
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Paddler's Gear
Clothing
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Reviews
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Helly Hansen
Bullet High Neck Zip
 A new part of the Helly Warm collection, with its LIFA polypropylene inner layer and stretchy nylon exterior, the Bullet is designed to be worn as a mid-layer over a Helly Hansen Dry base layer when extra warmth and dryness is required. These high intensity mid-layers cannot absorb moisture internally but rather move excess heat and sweat to the exterior, leaving the body comfortably dry in winter conditions.
The Bullet High Neck Zip is intended for snow sports, but we can’t help thinking that it looks ideal for a spot of watersports too.
The Bullets tight body fit, flatlock stitching, high collar and zipper shield puts is ideal those who take the outdoors and their sport seriously.
Available for both men in white/blue; red/black and black/white or for women in white/pink and black/white.
- High neck giving full protection with chin shield zipper.
- Stretchy Lifa fabric with flat lock stitching.
Retail Recommended price: £60.00
Andy Pearson
Life is good
Crusher Short and Long Tees
 Jake and his crew have flown over from New England and for the cool and the up-to-the-minute amongst you these are the tees to have. Comfortable and humourous, these 100% cotton shirts make you smile whatever the mood.
Famous for its softness, durability and unique weathered look, they have now added a secret new step they call ‘crushing’ which doubles its softness. Double needle stitching and 12 stitches per inch on all seams deliver exceptional durability and the no-feel print replaces sewn neck label for added comfort. Small Jake print below back collar.
Prices around £20.00
- Jake always brings a smile to anyone’s face.
Peruvian cotton. Available in M, L, XL, XXL
Tony Cornwell
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Reviews
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 Helly Hansen
Stripe Crew Graphic
Helly Hansen’s classic Stripe Crew is the original base layer of choice for many watersports people. The single colour design are now giving way to a more decorative pattern which is being adventurous in this field, however, why do the men’s designs have to be primarily brownish? Other than that, expect the usual high quality garment we have come to expect.
Moves excess heat and sweat to the outside leaving the skin comfortably dry in winter conditions.
Base layer fabric featuring LIFA Stay Dry Technology.
Mens in taupe grey and olive night. Womens in white, orchid, surf spray and black
Peter Tranter
RRP: £30.00
Helly Hansen
Frost Hoodie
Canoeing is one of those stop and go activities perfectly suited for Helly Hansen’s Warm based fibre technology, which is a lightweight, flexible fabric that traps more heat than traditional fibres yet still inherently transports excess sweat away from the skin to keep you dry.
It’s something to do with polar bears and sheep wool but whatever it is, it works very well. Very snug for cold evenings out in the dark.
Bi-component base layer featuring merino wool on the outside and LIFA® Thermic Tube Technology (T3).
Flat lock seams minimise irritation next to the skin.
Zipped pocket for essentials like iPods!
Mens in dark blue, olive night and black. Womens in hot pink, ultra violet and ebony
Steve Humphreys
RRP: £55.00
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Reviews
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Paramo Cambia Zip Neck Top
 In the past we have reviewed the short and long sleeve versions of the reversible Cambia range and excellent products they are too.
Now along comes the long sleeved zip version with a high collar to provide increased protection from both colder conditions or for sun protection for all-year round activities. The zip is also excellent for increased ventilation for when you become too warm.
The zip is comfortable being both concealed and with a woven lining to reduce friction. The zipped Cambia as with the other shirts still offers a choice of two levels of cooling. When you’re hot, you wear the fabric’s smooth water-attracting face next to your skin to offer maximum cooling. In cooler conditions, you wear the honeycombed air-containing face next to your skin giving a feeling of dryness but still providing effective evaporation of excess water.
My only gripe is the gloomy range of dark colours which in hot sunny conditions attracts light instead of reflecting it similar to a light coloured piece of clothing.
Excellent for watersports due to its light weight and rapid drying capabilities, the zip neck completes the set of an excellent base layer for all conditions and would be an excellent choice for any weekend on the water.
RRP: £35.00
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Colours: navy or black
Average weight 133g
Steve Humphreys
www.paramo.co.uk
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Reviews
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Helly Hansen Trailwizard
 The Trailwizard is the successor to the highly rated Trailblazer.
The ladies short sleeve top was tested in the last issue and the men’s top is exactly the same – so there is no need to go into too much detail.
I have found it to be the perfect exercise companion where the shirt does an excellent job of directing moisture away from the body with the CoolGrid; a mesh-like fabric, on the shirt's back, giving excellent ventilation. The loose cut lets air circulate underneath the shirt but the icing on this very cool cake is provided by the zip, which helps you cool off when you really push hard.
Part of the line-up are the Trailwizard tights which as the name suggests, are quite snug. However, don’t let that put you off as they have a light feel which means they are not restrictive in any way. Added to this are the zips on the bottom of the legs that go all the way up to the knee to aid ventilation as does the lightly meshed area just below the waist at the back.
A drawcord keeps the tights in place with reflective graphics for night use. On the whole the tights are comfortable – I can wear them all day and because they dry very quickly are good for kayaking in cooler weather.
Tony Cornwell
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Reviews
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Illuminated road warrior
 Over the winter I have managed to keep fit with plenty of running which is fine if you live in Australia, however, England is a different prospect and therefore running at night is essential if and more than a little dangerous at times.
So step forward the Helly Hansen high visibility Viz Jacket whose light weight design and wind protection properties makes the perfect companion for those night time runs. For the chilly and wet evenings when you would really prefer t be in front of the fire, the Viz compensates by resisting against both the wet and the cold with aplomb.
The jacket is reversible between a the bright orange colour that would in daytime be the outside – switching to the interior highly reflective mesh that protects you from cars and other road traffic in the evenings. You can forget those heavy, uncomfortable high visibility vests for cycling as I have also found the jacket to be a real bonus for riding in the evenings. There is just one little gripe – and that is to do with the size of the pocket which is far too small to carry anything and remains a puzzle as to why it is there at all.
Whilst not having been in a kayak with one at the moment – the free range of movement means I wouldn’t hesitate to wear the jacket for a variety of evening excursions including paddling or wherever you may need spotting in a hurry – invaluable!
- Reflective mesh interior.
- 360-degree reflectivity.
- Full front zip for ventilation.
- Sizes: XS-XL.
Steve Humphreys
Perfect all rounder
 The Helly Hansen Women’s Versa Trailwizard short sleeve shirt is one of the most technical trail running shirts you can find. It combines the swift moisture wicking properties of Lifa Versa fabric with a wrap around CoolGrid structure, which increases ventilation.
The Trailwizard is as an ideal choice for trail anyone who needs a versatile, fast wicking jersey in either long sleeve or such as the short sleeve on test here. The cut is reasonably loose with the two colour design leading to a more V-shaped profile than the more tight body hugging base layers would let you get away with.
Using Helly Hansen's Lifa Stay Dry technology, the Trailwizard is probably the fastest wicking shirt we have tested and certainly the quickest to dry from being saturated.
As well as the flattering design, the quality of the shirt is without question with its reflective decals and rear design for increased safety and the half zip for even more ventilation should it be needed. It is such a comfortable garment to wear to boot and that can never be underestimated.
- LIFA® Stay Dry Technology.
- Enhanced moisture movement through bi-component construction.
- Half-zip ventilation on long sleeve and short sleeve versions.
- Coolgrid design promotes air circulation.
- SilverBack technology for reduced heat retention.
- NightBack reflective elements for increased safety.
Sizes: Available in Men’s and Women’s sizes.
Anne Egan
Tel: 0115 960 8797
www.hellyhansen.com
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Reviews
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Pumping sweat
Velez Smock and Velez Adventure
 Páramo have racked up a number of awards in the outdoor world with their membrane-free jackets, which use a Nikwax directional system that ‘pumps’ water away from the body to keep you dry. The technical cut of the Velez reduces volume and weight and improves aerodynamics, whilst fully articulated shoulders and elbows with a cropped front ensures freedom of movement and optimum fit.
This really is a jacket for every occasion. I haven’t worn any other jacket for the last two months cycling to and from work and the gym and find it to be very comfortable over a wide range of temperatures making it ideal for all kinds of activities. The Velez will still make you sweat with hard training, but the directional system does its job and pumps the moisture away, so it’s needless to say that when it goes on it stays on and it’s soft against the skin too. If it does get really warm, then the full side-zips and deep chest zip provide excellent ventilation and soon leave you feeling comfortable again.
A great jacket for colder and rainy weather, it is quick to dry whilst keeping you warm and dry on particularly wet days – in short, the Velez material is first class. The chest and hand warmer pockets provide most of the storage you’ll need, however, I would have liked a few more usable pockets for keeping items separate. Compared to a single purpose garment, such as a waterproof, it’s not the lightest, but in terms of versatility this jacket is amongst the very best.
In September Páramo launched the Velez with a fixed hood which will run alongside the existing Velez for those who want a non-detachable hood. The new Velez Adventure has evolved in direct response to customer demand, and those who appreciate the twin front zip venting and its contribution to ‘recovery’ in miserable, sleepless conditions!
Features:
- Articulated cut.
- Additional venting via front twin zip design.
- Hand warmer pockets (big enough for an OS map).
- Large external chest pocket.
- Reflective piping and reversed zips.
- Average weight: 778g
Retail price: £160.00
Tony Cornwell
www.paramo.co.uk
Tel: 01892 786444
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Reviews
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Bears and sheep!
 Helly Hansen’s tradition of producing top quality garments, combined with performance and style continues with the Freeze half zip turtle top. The midweight base layer combines the insulating qualities found in polar bear fur with Merino sheep wool, to create a great performing base layer for winter sports.
The Freeze utilises Helly Hansen’s new, Lifa Thermic Tube Technology (T3), an innovative fabric inspired by nature, that mimics the properties of polar bear fur and is designed to be worn next to the skin. Polar bear fur is made up of hollow tube-like fibres that trap heat and move excess moisture away from the skin, ensuring warmth and dryness for bears in cold conditions.
In addition to polar bear warmth next to the skin, finest quality New Zealand Merino sheep wool has been added to the outside of the base layer for extra warmth, a luxurious super soft feel, elasticated cuffs to ensure low heat loss and a half zip for increased ventilation for when you get too warm (which you will) and versatility.
The tops for both men and women are tight fitting but utilise flatlock seams to reduce chaffing and have stylish contrast stitching for the quality finish you come to expect from Helly Hansen. The Freeze comes in a wide range of radiant colours, including black, hot pink/white and angora/aquarius (ice blue) for women, and black/red, tangerine/red, khaki/silver/copper and dark blue/angora for men, which makes the Freeze a stylish piece of kit to be seen in this winter.
Freeze is available now in sizes XS-XXL and retails at £45.
Anne Egan
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Reviews
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 LIFA in a bottle
Versa Move T for women
Versa Transporter for men
Helly Hansen have launched a limited edition LIFA base layer for the summer. The shirts have the usual high levels of LIFA’S technical performance which are designed to be worn next to the skin on its own or as a base layer.
However, the packaging is very different as the shirts are presented in a very stylish and large water bottle which do highlight Helly Hansen’s new found colourful approach to this type of base layer.
Long gone are the days of navy blue, grey or black, though you can have these colours if you wish. Instead, the women’s shirts are coloured in lavender, vibrant yellow, baby blue and jade along with black. For the men it is crimson, vibrant yellow, mandarin, true blue, parakeet, alpine and the usual black.
I’ve worn this shirt many times in the last six weeks or so in tandem with a Versa V neck I reviewed back in December. The V neck, whilst retaining its great technical abilities looks a little on the scruffy side now. A lot of this is down to a portaging accident I had a couple of months ago where I ended up dragging my kayak though brambles. These shirts do not take kindly to that type of abuse and the thorns pull out the fibres. Velcro plays havoc with them too!
Having said that, in this type of humid hot weather, if you can find something better then let me know! The sticky hot weather of recent months projects these shirts into a class of their own. Aided by the loose fit, the Lifa Versa fabric gives the usual excellent moisture management with fast drying times. The sandwich construction combines Lifa on the inside with polyester on the outside keeping me dry and cool.
 The shirts are designed with reflective logos and HH stripe for increased visibility in the dark.
Great shirts that are unbeatable in terms of comfort and style during these hot months. Both available in sizes S-XXL and retail at £25.
- Lightweight style and relaxed fit
- Reflective logo and print
- Low bulk flat lock seams
- Polypropylene next to the skin and polyester exterior
- Rapid moisture transfer and quick drying
Steve Humphreys
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Reviews
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Two way comfort
 Of the many items we have tested here at Canoe Focus, there are the those items that would make the all-time favourite list. One of those is the short sleeved Cambia t-shirt, which was usually the first piece of clothing in my bag until I lost it - so I had big expectations for the long sleeved version.
It didn’t disappoint either with its usual reversible design with a smooth water-attracting face next to the skin to offer maximum cooling through the spread of perspiration over a large area and the honeycomb air-containing face for dry comfort in cooler conditions and when used as a base layer.
This shirt will keep you comfortable in all conditions and the sleeves give just that little extra protection for the arms on those days that are neither chilly or warm and we’ve had plenty of those recently! The result is a t-shirt or base layer for most weather conditions and activities, near enough perfect all the year round.
Another value to anyone concerned with watersports is its lightweight construction and the ability to rapidly dry itself out. It is easy to carry and quick to wash and dry and the stretchiness of the Parameta T fabric gives total freedom of movement. If you are into running then you will appreciate the non-abrasive flat seams.
There was one irritation though, and that was concerned with the stitching. On the left arm the cuff stitching unravelled. Eventually I was forced to burn off the trailing stitch and everything has been fine since, though only a third of the stitching remains. Fortunately, this doesn’t affect the performance of the garment.
The CAMBIA T-shirt come in two different colours, navy and slate, in women or men’s short or long sleeve, or unisex long sleeves and is available at selected outdoor sports shops priced from £25.
Overall, an excellent all-in-one solution and ideal base layer for most types of climates that will not disappoint and would still be the first clothing in my bag!
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Average weight 133g
Tony Cornwell
www.paramo.co.uk
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