Helly Hansen is a brand equally at home battling the elements on the high seas as it is keeping out the cold in chilly urban environments. Here are five of the best winter boots for men:
Men’s Calgary Winter Boots (Photo: hellyhansen.com)
Norwegian brand Helly Hansen started out making sailing clothing in the late 1800s but now it specialises in gear that will keep you warm and dry anywhere and everywhere. From puffer jackets for winter street corners to ski clothing, Helly Hansen has a strong reputation for blending durability and style in clothing, but it excels in winter footwear too. The men’s range of winter boots look good but avoid putting fashion over substance, utilising in-house tech to create footwear that keeps out the elements at an affordable price.
Men’s Canyon ULLR Helly Tech® WATERPROOF Insulated Boots
One of the main issues with a rugged, ankle-high waterproof boot can be comfort. The Canyon walks a different path, with a lightweight construction that doesn’t feel cumbersome on foot and a chunky-yet-pliant EVA sole unit. It’s the best of both worlds, featuring Helly Hansen’s HellyTech® waterproof and breathable membrane to keep the water out but retaining a more sneaker-like profile and fit. If you’re more inclined to be going off the beaten path, kicking branches out the way as you go, there are more rugged options out there, but this is the ideal cold weather city boot. €140.
Buy at hellyhansen.com
Men’s Fremont Waterproof Boots
Helly Hansen Men’s Fremont Waterproof Boots (Photo: hellyhansen.com)
The Fremont has strong echoes of another well known sand-coloured boot, but let’s just call it a classic design. The boot is both reliable and chunky enough for outdoor adventures, as well as being the kind of thing you could get away with rocking up to an upmarket bar in, so it works well as a single purchase that you can wear all winter. The latest Freemont design has been on a diet, losing a bit of its bulk through the addition of an EVA midsole and making it easier to wear too. For some it’s going to be just a bit too nineties hip hop for their tastes, for others that timeless styling is the main selling point. €180.
Buy at hellyhansen.com
Men’s Arctic Patrol Winter Boots
Considering the amount of tech and protection the Arctic Patrol have packed in, this is a seriously good value boot. Whether clearing the snow off the path or protecting the Norweigian submarine base, those tootsies will remain warm and dry thanks to 400g of Primaloft® insulation, a removable felt sock liner and a faux shearling top. Along with the insulation, an aluminum shield below the foot blocks out the cold and the waterproof rubber shell stops even the most determined moisture. These boots have a 30-40°C/-22/-40°F thermal rating. €150.
Buy at hellyhansen.com
Men’s Bergheim Hellytech® WATERPROOF Primaloft Insulated Boots
Helly Hansen Men’s Bergheim Hellytech® WATERPROOF Primaloft Insulated Boots (Photo: hellyhansen.com)
Not to be confused with a famous Berlin nightclub, the Bergheim boot is better suited to basecamp than bass bins. It’s the most expensive boot Helly Hansen do, packing every bit of tech from the rest of the range – we’re taking HellyTech, Seam-Shield, Max-Grip, Lite-Frame, Quick Dry, the list goes on – into a well-constructed and easy to wear piece of footwear. It has the same thermal rating as the Arctic Patrol Boots but the everyday wearability of the Fremont. For anyone who wants a do-it-all boot that you rarely have to take off, then this is the one. €200.
Buy at hellyhansen.com
Men’s Calgary Winter Boots
If you’re not really a winter boot person, the Calgary is the best choice. For starters it’s the cheapest boot Helly Hansen do, so not a huge outlay, but that doesn’t mean it cuts corners on functionality. Comfort and a willingness to blend in in every day life come first, but the Calgary also features waterproof premium leather. The sole is also constructed from Max-Grip, the company’s best traction technology, to help prevent slippage on frozen surfaces. The Calgary has the added bonus of elements being made from recycled materials to ease the conscience if you already have a healthy summer footwear collection. €125.
Buy at hellyhansen.com