I associate Helly Hansen with sailboats and ski slopes far more than muddy trails, so when a full trail running kit landed on my doorstep I was genuinely curious. Here was a Norwegian brand best known for keeping people dry at sea and warm on the mountains, having a proper crack at running. Would the heritage transfer, or would it be lost? To find out I laced up and went for a jog (or two) to conduct this review of Helly Hansen trail running gear, and ultimately ask: is it any good?
I put the kit through its paces on my local South Downs trails, which is all slippery chalk, and sharp flints on deceptively lung-busting climbs. I also took a wetter, rockier trip to Wales, where the weather did its usual thing and turned everything into a test of waterproofing and grip. I ran in it, sweated in it, got rained on in it, and fell over in it.
Review of Helly Hansen Trail Running Gear
Below is my Helly Hansen trail running gear review, product by product: the features, how Helly Hansen pitch each piece, and my own take on whether it earns a place in the kit bag. Four items, one question throughout, is it any good?
Review of the Helly Hansen Skyhawk Trail Running Shoes
Helly Hansen’s flagship trail shoe, and the piece I was most keen to test.
How Helly Hansen describe the Skyhawk
Helly Hansen bill the Skyhawk as their most advanced trail shoe to date, built for tackling tough trails in changing conditions. The headline act is a newly developed midsole they describe as super light and bouncy, the idea being that it cushions your landings while firing energy back into your stride, so you tire less over distance.
The new rock plate is pitched as the smart bit: it stiffens the underfoot platform just enough to shrug off sharp rocks and roots without killing the shoe’s responsiveness. Add protective toe and heel caps, a shield over the tongue, and the trainer protects your feet and quietly enhances your performance while you focus on the trail.
In benefit terms: protection without the weight penalty, cushioning without the sloppiness, and a genuinely light shoe that still feels planted on rough ground.
Features of the Helly Hansen Skyhawk
- HH® Lite-Frame for a light, supportive upper structure
- HH® Max Grip and HH® Surround-Grip outsole compounds
- HH® Power-Stride midsole with high energy return
- New rock plate for underfoot protection and responsiveness
- HH® Pro Guard protective toe and heel caps, plus a debris shield over the tongue
- HH® Max-Vent breathability and HH® Quick Dry properties
- HH® Max-Comfort insole and HH® Arch-Brace support
- More than 60% of the upper made from recycled materials; 30% recycled rubber outsole; recycled laces, lining and reinforcements
- Non-marking rubber soles
My review of the Helly Hansen Skyhawk
Being upfront, the Skyhawk’s are still a work in progress for me. I’ve managed a few runs and lots of walking in them, but at first I found the collar rubbed on the outside of my ankle. I’ve had this issue before, so to counter it I inserted a pair of Superfeet Run Pacer Elite insoles to lift my foot up. But the collar still hit my ankle bone, so to lift my foot further I kept the HH insoles in place as well.
Running with two sets of insoles felt a bit odd, but not uncomfortable, so I gave it a go and found the shoes very light and bouncy. However, about three kilometres in I started to get Achilles pain. Having previously had tendonitis in the area, I stopped jogging immediately and took a few weeks off trail running. Since then I’ve been wearing the Skyhawks on walks, and a couple of runs more recently.
The energy return certainly gives a spring in my step, but I haven’t run far enough to tell if it keeps me running longer. The rock plate earnt its keep the moment I hit anything rough: IO don’t feel the sharp flints on my local trails. It also gives excellent stability when running, though it’s taking me time to get used to on the flat, as my Achilles pain shows.
In Wales, on the wet rock of the Brecon Beacons, the grip was good rather than exceptional. It’s fine on most surfaces, but on properly greasy wet limestone I picked my lines very carefully. I did take a tumble, though that was down to tripping rather than slipping. Fortunately the protective toe meant the root that took me out hurt my pride more than my toes.
Having run through wet grass, I can confirm they don’t keep the water out. But they do dry very quickly. These are trail runners in which you’ll get wet feet, just not squishy squelchy trainers.
On pavement the bouncy feel is supportive, but the midsole feels too stiff for really long distances. In conclusion, these are a very good trail running shoe, with features that lean more towards rough, technical ground than flat cruising. Between injury and a steep wearing-in curve I haven’t yet run more than 5k, but I have hiked in them and they feel like a serious shoe for serious trails.
Price: £140 — www.hellyhansen.com/skyhawk.
Review of the Helly Hansen Rapide 7” Shorts
These shorts are the piece I reached for most over this incredibly warm and sunny summer.
How Helly Hansen describe the Rapide 7” Shorts
Helly Hansen position the Rapide as a warm-weather short built around mobility and comfort, and equally happy hiking or running. The 4-way stretch fabric and split hem are there to let you stride, scramble and high-step without the shorts fighting you. While the wicking fabric and built-in brief liner handle sweat management so you stay comfortable on longer, hotter efforts.
A few practical touches do the heavy lifting. They have an adjustable drawcord waist so they actually stay put when you’re moving. There’s a zippered back pocket so your key or card doesn’t bounce out. And reflective details for those early-morning or dusk runs when being seen matters.
Features of the Rapide 7” Shorts
- Wicking finish, lightweight, quick-drying fabric (86% polyester, 14% elastane)
- 4-way stretch for unrestricted movement
- Moisture-wicking inner brief liner
- Adjustable waist with drawcord and elastic waistband
- Zippered back pocket for secure storage
- Hand pockets
- Split hem for stride freedom
- Reflective design details and reflective logo
- External hanging loop
- bluesign® approved with recycled content
My review of the Helly Hansen Rapide 7” Shorts
Honestly, I love them, but they have one major problem — the pockets aren’t deep enough. The 7” length is perfect for my short legs, finishing just above the knee. I like enough coverage not to feel exposed, but short enough to move freely. The liner is comfortable and does its job, and they can be worn happily with or without underwear.
The zippered back pocket is a bonus, and it holds keys without too much rattling, but it can’t fit my phone. The two hand pockets are good, though not quite deep enough to hold a phone while trail running, which is a shame at this price.
The quick-drying fabric shrugged off a Welsh downpour and was dry before I’d finished my run. The external drawcord means you can crank the waist up so they stay in place. I’ve ended up wearing them as general summer shorts a lot this year, for slightly active days out with my kids or lazing around the house in the heat.
Price: £65 — www.hellyhansen.com/rapide-7-shorts.
Review of the Helly Hansen Trail Short Sleeve T-Shirt
Lovely colour, super light and quick-drying.
How Helly Hansen describe the Trail Short Sleeve T-Shirt
Helly Hansen aim this one squarely at the active outdoor crowd — trail running, hiking and other adventure sports. The fabric is chosen to be light, stretchy and fast to move sweat away from the skin.
The two details they lean on are the offset seams and the raglan sleeves. In plain terms: the seams are moved away from the spots where a pack strap or repetitive arm swing would normally rub, and the raglan cut opens up the shoulder so nothing binds when you’re reaching or swinging your arms. The reflective detailing on both sides is a safety feature for low light.
Features of the Trail Short Sleeve T-Shirt
- Lightweight, stretchy, quick-drying 100% polyester fabric
- Excellent moisture management with a wicking finish
- 4-way stretch
- Offset flatlock seams to reduce chafing
- Raglan sleeves for shoulder mobility
- Crew neck
- Reflective details on both sides plus a reflective logo print
- External hanging loop
- bluesign® approved; contains at least 50% recycled fibres
My review of the Helly Hansen Trail Short Sleeve T-Shirt
It does exactly what a good trail tee should, which is to say I mostly forgot I was wearing it. The fabric is genuinely light and moves sweat away exceptionally well. On warm summer runs it never got that clammy, sweaty feel. Crucially, the seam placement and raglan cut meant zero chafing over a day of wear hiking with a pack on my back.
It dries fast after a downpour (or after being chucked in a pool by my kids) and doesn’t hold on to odour between washes. As a short but stocky guy, I found the athletic fit of the large to be the perfect size. The slight give in the material meant that whether I was paddleboarding, jogging or scrambling, the T-shirt never restricted my movement.
Price: £35 — www.hellyhansen.com/trail-ss-tshirt.
Review of the Helly Hansen Trail Crew Socks
The cheapest thing I reviewed, but the one you’ll notice most if it’s wrong.
How Helly Hansen describe the Trail Crew Socks
Helly Hansen keep the pitch simple: a lightweight, snug sock for people who are always on the trail, whether they’re scaling a mountain, camping out or running.
The benefit is in that word “snug” — a sock that holds its shape and position so it isn’t sliding down, bunching under the arch or rucking up at the heel, which is exactly how blisters start. The performance stripes are there to add a bit of structured support and keep the sock locked to your foot mile after mile.
Features of the Trail Crew Socks
- Lightweight, snug fit
- HH Performance stripes for support and hold
- Technical blend (polyamide, polypropylene, viscose, recycled polyester and elastane)
- Knitted logo
- Built for trail running, hiking and camping
My review of the Helly Hansen Trail Crew Socks
Easy to overlook but genuinely good. The snug fit is the whole point of a trail sock and these deliver — no slipping, no bunching, no mid-run stops to haul them back up. Paired with the Skyhawks there were no hot spots even when worn all day, and the fabric blend moved sweat well enough that my feet never felt sweaty. They are also fairly long, so I can crank them half way up my calf helping to avoid nettle stings and bramble scratches.
They’re a lightweight sock rather than a plush, cushioned one. If you like a thick, padded feel underfoot these will probably feel too thin, but that’s a preference thing, not a fault. At £18 they’re fairly priced for a technical sock, but they have done well through repeated washes. A quiet, dependable bit of kit that I now regularly reach for.
Price: £18 — www.hellyhansen.com/trail-crew-sock.
The Verdict: Is Helly Hansen Trail Running Gear Any Good?
After months of wear on the South Downs and a soggy Welsh trip, is the Helly Hansen train running gear any good? Short answer: yes, and better than I’d expect from a sailing and skiing brand. Ultimately it’s all made to the same high standards at their other hgear and performs as such.
Is any of it perfect? No. The Skyhawks’ fit wasn’t ideal for me and I am only just running in them, but I’m pretty sure they’ll come good. And the excellent shorts are let down by pockets that are too small, but Helly Hansen aren’t the only brand I’ve tested who make that mistake.
Ultimately, they are great kit, well designed with plenty of colourful options or plain if you prefer. The prices are on the high side, but it is top quality gear. To conclude this review of Helly Hansen trail running gear I’d say it is well worth investing in.
