WINTER BASE LAYERS
The best base layers for winter walkers, tried and tested
We test the shirts to keep you warm on cold-weather adventures.
Lifa Merino Mid-Weight Hoodie, Helly Hansen, £90, hellyhansen.com
Norwegian brand Helly Hansen pretty much pioneered the concept of top-quality technical base layers for outdoor use, and the Lifa Merino hoodie is the company’s most highly evolved undergarment to date. Complete with a hood (clue in the name) this is a super hard-wearing and high-performing piece of kit you can wear during any winter outdoor activity, from hillwalking in Scotland to skiing in the Alps, through to sailing oceans and mountaineering in the planet’s high ranges. The dual-construction top is made from a half-and-half mix of 225g-merino wool (outer) and Helly Hansen’s proprietary man-made polypropylene yarn, Lifa. Besides its moisture-wicking capability, the material maintains its thermal properties when wet and is supremely comfortable, with flat-lock seams. It’s good-looking too, perfectly wearable as a stand-alone top, and considering the capability and quality of this garment, the price is excellent. VERDICT 9/10