[Review] Women’s HH Warm Freeze 1/2 Zip & Warm Pant by Helly Hansen

Women’s HH Warm Freeze ½ Zip

Helly Hansen combines all of the best technologies in this ½ zip base layer that is ideal for cold snow sports and out performs when you’re working at high aerobic activities. The HH Warm Freeze ½ Zip will keep you warm and dry while being a comfortable, well fitting base layer.

The Warm Freeze is very soft and keeps you warm thanks to the use of pure merino wool. With that, you get merino properties such as anti-microbial features, extreme softness to the touch, and a very non-itch wool. Personally, merino wool is the number one fabric that I can have in or as a base layer when I’m doing anything—whether in cold temperatures or not.

Combined with the merino, Helly adds in their Lifa Stay Dry Technology, which has been around for a long time and has proven to keep you dry time and time again.   With the Lifa fiber next to skin, you are guaranteed to stay dry especially if you are working up a sweat in the backcountry.

Aside from the technology going into the Warm Freeze, overall it fits really well and won’t rub your skin raw thanks to flat lock stitching. The sleeves are plenty long, which I sometimes have an issue with, and I love the elastic-ish cuffs. Not only do they stay where they’re supposed to, they don’t ride up when you go to layer over them. It’s not something that you’d really think about with a base layer but once you realize it, it’s amazing!

I’m not normally a fan of ½ zip base layers (I generally opt for crew) but with this layer, I hardly notice the zipper. It’s almost like a hidden zip and very small and compact so it won’t get in your way when you layer up over it.

If you’re looking for a base layer that is going to keep you comfortable, warm, and dry, look no further than the HH Warm Freeze ½ Zip. It’s easy to tell and feel that this base layer was built for a women’s body and you’ll notice that the second you slip it on. This top pairs perfectly with the HH Warm Pant so check out those details below!

Women’s HH Warm Pant

Helly Hansen combines some amazing technologies and fibers into the HH Warm Pant making it the perfect base layer bottom for any of your cold weather endeavors. Whether you’re lapping the steeps and deeps at the resort or skinning in the backcountry, the Warm pant will keep you warm and dry.

Merino wool is by far one of my favorite fibers to have in a base layer especially when I’m skiing. It’s extremely warm, super soft, and has great features like being anti-microbial so you won’t start to stink after your 3^rd or 4^th wear. Helly Hansen went ahead and improved a simple merino base layer by using merino as an insulating layer but putting their Lifa Technology next to your skin to keep you dry.

Together, the merino wool and Lifa Technology work to keep you warm and dry no matter what you are doing. Flatlock stitching ensures comfort no matter what you are layering up over your Warm Pant.

One thing that I don’t like about the Warm Pant is the waistband (which I believe Helly is changing in 17/18). It is just about an inch thick and pretty noticeable during wear. I am a huge fan of a wide waistband as I feel as though it makes base layers nearly unnoticeable (as they should be). With the small waistband, I feel as though these just aren’t nearly as comfy as they could be.

As far as sizing goes, I would definitely recommend sizing down if you are kind of in between sizes. I’m normally a large in outerwear (esp. for the length) but always hesitate when I go to order base layers. Usually I stick with medium but in some cases, I feel as though they may be too tight and too short. Also, if base layers aren’t truly next to your skin, they can have a hard time doing their job. I went with the large in these and definitely should’ve gone with the medium! The larges are extremely long on me and just don’t fit me like a base layer should.

Whether you’re looking for a base layer or an outer layer, Helly Hansen has what you need. Paired perfectly with the HH Warm Freeze ½ Zip you’ll be warm and dry out there with the Lifa and Merino combo.