First impressions
- List price: $30 / £25
- Weight: 6.7oz / 190g (small)
- Compatibility: Running, hiking
- Materials: 100% recycled polyester
Helly Hansen is one of the world's oldest and most trusted outdoor brands.
The Norwegian stalwart was founded in 1877 by sea captain Helly Juell Hansen, who wanted a better way to protect himself from the harsh conditions at sea. Tired of toiling in soaking clothes, Hansen and his wife, Margarethe, created innovative waterproof jackets and pants to protect sailors from the wind and waves while they worked.
In the almost 150 years since, Helly Hansen has earned a stellar reputation for creating comfy and reliable outdoor apparel for people preparing to get out and take on the elements, gear such as the new Tech T-shirt 2.0.
This trail-ready top is made from breathable 100%-recycled polyester and is designed for repeated use on the trails. With comfort and moisture control the main priorities, the T features flatlock seams, and the material is moisture-wicking and quickly sheds sweat, so you can trek or run without irritating additional weight or moisture.
This Helly Hansen top, which is available in six different colorways, is bluesign approved, meaning it's been manufactured to the highest possible standards for environmental and worker protection.
Helly Hansen Tech T-shirt 2.0: on the trails
I was lucky enough to snag two Tech 2.0 T-shirts in June, when I joined the AQA hiking charity for their ascent of Ben Nevis, in Scotland.
Following my trip to the Highlands, I've put the Colbalt and Grey Fog colorways to the test over plenty of high-intensity treks and trail runs in the English countryside. I was treated to plenty of varied weather in testing, including several rainy days and a scorching heatwave.
Read on to see how the Helly Hansen Tech 2.0 T-shirt got on in the field.
Fit and comfort
There's little worse than an ill-fitting T-shirt on the trails. Too small and you can feel constrained, but too big and you can feel like you're drowning in excess material.
The Tech 2.0 T-shirt dodges these problems with a comfortable fit that feels snug in all the right places without getting too tight. True to size, it fit nicely around my stomach, chest, and shoulders without constraining my movements.
I'm often irritated by the sleeve lengths of outdoor tops, which can be unfashionably baggy or rise so high up my upper arms that they feel like a vest. The sleeves on the Tech 2.0 T-shirt strike a happy medium, falling a couple of inches above my elbow and exposing a little upper arm without riding onto my shoulders.
For reference, I'm 6ft 1in tall, and wore a size medium throughout testing.
The 100%-recycled polyester material was also comfortable and never caused any irritation or chaffing. I wouldn't describe it as soft, but it felt pleasant enough against my skin, and gets my seal of approval for its effective moisture-wicking and quick-drying performance on the trails.
The Tech 2.0 T-shirt obviously isn't waterproof or water-resistant in any way, but the fabric is hydrophobic and the garment sheds rain pretty quickly, and always dries off a few minutes after a downpour. I really appreciated this on long, hot treks, when more absorbant fabrics would've been weighed down by sweat.
The Tech 2.0 is still comfortable after multiple hours of testing and hasn't taken any significant damage. The fabric feels the same as it did when I first put it on, and design features, like the stylish printed Helly Hansen logo, look unblemished.
It's impossible to say what my Tech 2.0 will look like in a few months, but polyester offers excellent long-term durability.
Weight
At 6.7oz (190g), the Tech 2.0 T-shirt starts off lightweight, and it doesn't get soaked with sweat or rain. My T-shirts proved light and airy in all manner of weather conditions, and I never felt like it was weighing me down.
If you're looking for something uber lightweight to wear on the trails, you can find the 3.7oz (105g) Patagonia Ridge Flow running T-shirt, and others like it in our expert guides to the best running tops and the best hiking shirts.
Price
Along with its dependable quality and longevity in the wilderness, Helly Hansen gear is known for its hefty price tags. However, with a list price of $30 (£25), the Tech 2.0 T-shirt is actually comparatively cheap.
Also consider
This premium Smartwool top is a versatile model that combines a comfy fit with plenty of technical features to help you take on the trails. It's made from snug and breathable merino wool, polyester, and lyocell, and can be worn as either a T-shirt or base layer. Mesh panels all over the top provide great ventilation to keep you cool as you race through the trails.
Read our full Smartwool Active Mesh T-shirt review
Pros
- Extremely comfortable
- Excellent stretch
- Mesh ventilation on sleeves and back
- Made with environmentally friendly materials
- Great odor management
Cons
- No neck protection
- Expensive for a T-shirt
The Base Elite Short Sleeve Base Layer 3.0 T-shirt is a snug and sustainable option for trail running in varied conditions. It's made from recycled plastic bottles, and designed to optimize breathability and comfort as you run. Like the Tech 2.0, it wicks moisture quickly and remains comfortable over long distances.
Read our full Inov-8 Base Elite Short Sleeve Base Layer 3.0 T-shirt review
Pros
- Lightweight
- Extremely breathable
- Made from recycled materials
- Reflective flourishes
- Anti-odor treatment
Cons
- Reflective details very small
- Wind porous
- Quite expensive
- Antimicrobial technology will only last so long
Comparison table
T-shirt |
Helly Hansen men's Tech 2.0 T-shirt |
Smartwool men’s Active Mesh T-shirt |
Inov-8 men's Base Elite Base Layer 3.0 T-shirt |
|---|---|---|---|
List price |
$30 (US) / £25 (UK) |
$25 (US) / £22 (UK) |
$55 (US) / £30 (UK) |
Weight |
6.7oz / 190g (small) |
5.3oz / 150g (medium) |
4.9oz / 138g (medium) |
Materials |
100% recycled polyester |
Merino Wool / Lyocell / Polyester |
Recycled polyester / elastane |
Best use |
Trail running / hiking |
Trail running |
Trail running |
- The best hiking shirts: choose one of these great fitting active tops with bags of technical clout
- The best running tops: for training and races on all terrains
- How Advnture tests products
