Thermal Underwear from Helly Hansen: LIFA Polypropylene Underwear and Thermal Base Layer
LIFA® functions as 'second skin' to keep you dry and maintain a stable body temperature. The fine filament
polypropylene yarns used in LIFA® are lighter weight and less absorbent than any other natural or synthetic
fiber material. This allows LIFA® base layer and active single layer garments to transfer perspiration moisture
quickly away from the body, and remain dry longer.
Helly Hansen Historical overview
1877—Helly Hansen is officially formed by Captain Helly Juell Hansen.
1878—Helly Juell Hansen presents his collection of oilskin clothing at the Paris Expo, where he won a diploma for excellence and innovation.
1878—Helly Hansen is exported and sold in Sweden and Denmark, and a few years later to England, South Africa, and Chile.
1914—Helly Juell Hansen passes, and his son, Helly Hansen takes over the rains of the family business.
1920's—a new fabric called Linox is developed. The surface is glossy, attractive and non-sticky. Over the next 30 years, the name Linox would transfer to a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) application.
1931—another new fabric, Lin-O-Let, is launched. Very thin and light, it could be made in many colors and used in waterproof leisure clothing for women and children. The trend for outdoor clothing as fashion is born.
1938—Helly Hansen passes, and his son, Leiv Helly Hansen takes over the reins at his age of 24.
1949—A breakthrough for the brand came when Helox was developed. This very thin sheet of translucent PVC plastic was sewn into waterproof coats and hats to make a very comfortable wear. Plarex, a heavyer-duty version of Helox, was developed for work-wear.
1963—Italian researchers discovered how to spin yarn from polypropylene fiber, and were rewarded with a Nobel prize for their inventions. Helly Hansen utilizes the technology, and develops the 3 layer system.
1970's—North Sea oil drilling kicks into gear, and a new demand for technical work-wear arises. Helly Hansen becomes the leader in producing survival suits for offshore workers.
1984—Helly Hansen's own breathable, waterproof fabric system, called Helly Tech is introduced. A Unique coating that simultaneously releases perspiration moisture while preventing outside moisture from penetrating the fabric.
2000—Introduction of a breakthrough emergency breathing system, utilized within survival suits, that provides 2 – 3 minutes of underwater breathing space - enough time to escape from a submerged helicopter.
LIFA® stays dry, so you stay comfortable.
LIFA® is made in several weights and constructions offering a different balance between warmth and active moisture control:
LIFA® Sport Thermal Underwear
High energy base layer offering exceptional moisture control. It's lightweight, fast drying and designed for fast moving sports.
LIFA Sport Features
- 100% polypropylene
- Lightweight eyelet knit construction
- Fabric weight of 125 g/m2
- Close to the body fit
- Low bulk flat lock seam construction
LIFA Sport Benefits
- Rapid moisture transfer
- Fast dry time
- Permanently resistant to microbial growth and odor retention
LIFA Sport Usage
- High energy sports in warm to cool weather
- Designed to be worn next to skin as part of a layering system
LIFA® Active Thermal Underwear
Versatile base layer offering a balance of moisture control and warmth. Mid-weight base layer offering a combination of insulation and moisture control.
LIFA Active Features
- 100% polypropylene
- Mid-weight rib knit construction
- Fabric weight of 160 g/m2
- Close to the body fit
- Low bulk flat lock seam construction
LIFA Active Benefits
- Offers a balance of moisture control and insulation
- Versatile for a wide range of sport uses and weather conditions
- Permanently resistant to microbial growth and odor retention
LIFA Active Usage
- Variable 'start-stop' sport activities in cool to cold weather
- Designed to be worn next to skin as part of a layering system
LIFA® Prowool Thermal Underwear
Thermal base layer for colder weather conditions. Bi-component thermal base layer combining quick drying time and moisture transferring properties of polypropylene with the insulating benefits of wool.
LIFA Prowool Features
- 55% polypropylene / 36% merino wool / 9% nylon
- Double face knit construction with polypropylene next to skin and merino wool exterior
- Fabric weight of 200 g/m2
- Close to the body fit
- Low bulk flat lock seam construction
LIFA Prowool Benefits
- High thermal insulation and rapid moisture transfer
- Moderate dry time
- Permanently resistant to microbial growth and odor retention
LIFA Prowool Usage
- Variable 'start-stop' sport activities in cold weather
- Designed to be worn next to skin as part of a layering system
LIFA® Versa Thermal Underwear
Active single layer for high energy sports.
All LIFA® products are easy to care for, non-allergenic, and permanently resistant to odour retention.
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About Helly Hansen
Helly Hansen—the global leader and innovator of technical sports, leisure and work-wear—offers more than 500 individual product lines for men, women and children. It provides technical clothing for all seasons, developed and tested for the extremes.
For 125 years, Helly Hansen has been at the forefront of product development and innovation. Since 1877, when the sea captain Helly Juell Hansen made his first "oilskin" waterproof jackets, the company has pushed the boundaries of fabric technology. Trust, protection and quality were the watchwords... the rest, as they say, is history.
Helly Juell Hansen had been at sea since the age of 15. At his age of 35 he was a respected captain, and he knew how it felt to be soaked to the skin, to be cold and miserable. He'd had enough—warmth for the workers was on the way.
Helly and his wife Maren Magrethe gathered a stock of coarse linen and linseed oil. They designed and sewed jackets, trousers, and sou'wester hats for ocean use, then Helly applied oil to the garments and dried them before an open fire.
Helly Hanses's waterproofs were a great success. In their first year of production, they manufactured and sold 2000 items, from clothes to taupaulins. Within 5 years, the sales rose to 10,000 items.
The business was officially formed in 1877. Helly Hansen was on the map, but his enquiring mind continually sought to diversify. He knew that the principle of lightweight waterproof fabrics must have multiple applications. The concept of supplying high quality, well priced clothing for outdoors use had become a triumph, and is what drove the company from being the innovator, to being the technological leader it is today.
Helly Hansen LIFA
Helly Hansen use advanced polypropylene technology with a breakthrough filament yarn that offers the feel and durability of polyester, yet delivers the moisture transmission of polypropylene—moving moisture 40 times faster than polyester. The new LIFA product range is a total product program with a base layer for every application, no matter how specific.
Lightweight
is designed as a fast moisture transport layer for aerobic sports and outer or base layer in warm or cool conditions.
Midweight
is designed as an outer or base layer that performs best during anaerobic activities.
Heavyweight
is a natural insulating layer for use in moderate activity in extreme cold or as outerwear in cool or cold conditions.
Helly Hansen's Thermal Layer
are functional fleece/pile garments which form an insulating layer, while transporting moisture away from the body, which starts with the base layer. Helly Hansen utilizes a selection of fabrications to achieve the desired balance of insulation, durability, bulk, weight and moisture transportation.
Prostrech
has been designed for activities where flexibility and unrestricted freedom of movement are key.
Combined with good moisture transportation and insulating properties, Prostrech is ideal for use in any outdoor aerobic activity—either as outerwear, or as a performance layering piece.
Profleece
is a versatile thermal or outer layer which can be worn for both active outdoor sports and leisure. This light voluminous fleece provides good heat retention and thermal insulation combined with moisture transportation and low weight. Designed to meet both the performance and lifestyle needs of the outdoor enthusiast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Helly Hansen LIFA line of thermal underwear products?
LIFA is a 'Dry Fiber Technology™' designed by Helly Hansen. LIFA functions as 'second skin', maintaining a permanently dry layer next to the body. LIFA conducts perspiration moisture quickly away from the skin so that it can evaporate rapidly.
What material is used to make LIFA thermal underwear items?
The fine filament polypropylene fiber yarns are used in all LIFA products. They are lighter weight and less absorbent than any other natural or synthetic material. This allows LIFA base layer garments to transport perspiration away from the skin without the use of moisture-trapping 'wicking' fibers like cotton or treated polyester.
How does Polypropylene LIFA thermal underwear compare to other types of base layers?
Moisture regain is a 'keep dry' factor of a material. If a fiber regains moisture quickly, it will keep getting wet, which can lead to conductive heat loss. LIFA products have moisture regain factor (0.05%) almost 10 times smaller than polyester (0.4%), 90 times smaller than nylon (4.5%) and about 160 times smaller than cotton (8%).
Are there different types of LIFA thermal underwear garments?
There are several lines of LIFA products available designed for different thermal conditions and level of performance. Furthermore, LIFA thermal underwear items are available in various colors and styles, such as tees, v-necks, turtle-necks, short-sleeve, long-sleeve, pants, fly-pants, shorts, sport bras etc.
Where can I purchase Helly Hansen LIFA thermal underwear products online?
Helly Hansen LIFA products and other thermal underwear items can be purchased either through the network of brick-and-mortar retailers or conveniently on-line, such as at Outrec.com Sports Store
What does the Helly Hansen name mean?
The company was named after its founder—Helly Juell Hansen—when it was officially founded in 1877.
