Helly Hansen Running Accessories

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Great for stocking fillers, Secret Santa or anyone who is serious about running and outdoor sports, Helly Hansen have a huge range of items for both men and women which you’ll love this year. We were sent a selection of running items to review, and none of them disappointed!

Winter skiers will appreciate the Alphelia Gloves, seen here in white.  With waterproof material to prevent hands getting wet (and therefore cold) on the slopes, they have elasticated cuffs and Velcro cuff clasps to keep water out. The fastening clips keep the gloves together when not in use or to fasten to a ski outfit when après ski. These fit snugly to give particularly good grip when manoeuvring the slopes, but there’s no reason why you can’t wear these in a British winter, outside, driving or even in snow (if we ever get it!) the waterproof membrane makes them particularly versatile and if you’ve ever worn ski gloves you’ll know they’re ten times as warm as High Street gloves. A definite winner in the gift ideas department too.

Carrying on the theme of winter wear, the Helly Hansen Pile headband can be worn on the slopes or even just every day in exceptionally cold weather. Designed for women, it has a fleecy texture and can be used for keeping your hair out of your eyes or for keeping ears warm at the same time. It’s made of HH pile material, which is also recycled, so you’re helping the environment too. This is a great gift for a stocking, or to take skiing in winter when you’re limited on luggage.

The Helly Hanson Rib Beanie, seen here in lavender is great for home or away. This beanie has the classic HH branding and is designed for women and comes in 7 different colours. It’s designed to be for women but the standard size and range of colours would suit anyone. It’s made of polyester and acrylic to make it both stretchy and adorable and again makes a great Christmas gift.

Finally, for when the summer comes around again, there’s the HH Trail Cap. So called because it’s for trail running when you don’t know whether you’re going to be blinded by the sun at the brow of a hill or rained on at the other end of the course, this Purple Clay colour is for camping, running or hiking and can be easily packed thanks to the light material which is polyester and elastane.  There’s vents at the side of the hat, which for anyone who has ever run in the hot weather, you’ll know that this design is essential.  Not much chance of using it in this country any time soon, but I’m looking forward to a spring day run with this gem.

Helly Hansen Alphelia Gloves £120: https://www.hellyhansen.com/en_gb/alphelia-glove-67637?color=623494&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22662295361&utm_content=186507109571&utm_term=&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=22662295361&cq_con=186507109571&cq_term=&cq_med=pla&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_plt=gp&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22662295361&gbraid=0AAAAADpHlLyIcNHa82VL2ooPjLEoH9ovi&gclid=Cj0KCQjw35bIBhDqARIsAGjd-cYkSdyx302OPoo6bAlUwIoK_8aGfhHmIUu9l6eYVmgBQk16QM5VoPQaAoF1EALw_wcB

Helly Hansen Pile Headband £20: https://www.hellyhansen.com/en_gb/hh-pile-headband-67563?color=623494&utm_source=kelkoouk&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=kelkooclick&utm_source_platform=KelkooGroup&utm_term=Helly+Hansen+Pile+Headband+Beige+STD+-+S&utm_campaign=kelkooclick&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=kelkoouk&utm_source_platform=KelkooGroup&kgclid=Cj0KCQjw35bIBhDqARIsAGjd-cZcTUCMYz2WIIM-1zxeMDiLYsR7DPPsHSAErnqW92Xhv2Yt_FzHu1saAm2SEALw_wcB&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22911025392&gbraid=0AAAAADGtTT9ufx0OfcAbLtMOW-DTlscwD&gclid=Cj0KCQjw35bIBhDqARIsAGjd-cZcTUCMYz2WIIM-1zxeMDiLYsR7DPPsHSAErnqW92Xhv2Yt_FzHu1saAm2SEALw_wcB

Helly Hansen Rib Beanie £25: https://www.hellyhansen.com/en_gb/hh-rib-beanie-54020?color=634122

HH Trail Cap: https://www.hellyhansen.com/en_gb/hh-trail-cap-67546?color=634011

Enertor Running Insoles

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Attention all runners! If you run more than a few kilometres a week or have been plagued by injuries, you might find that the cushioning of your shoes is not enough, even for top quality shoes. I have recently been afflicted with plantar fasciitis thanks to cross-country running over the summer on parched ground and tough roads. Extra cushioning sounded like a possibility but when I saw that Usain Bolt uses them, I was in!

Enertor Running Insoles are shock absorbers which absorb up to 89% of the impact on your feet, and by association, your knees too. They work by transmitting the impact horizontally through the insoles and to your shoes, rather than through the muscle and bones of your legs.  They’re 2x thinner than competitor’s so they fit into most shoes.  

I found that they were easy to fit straight into my running shoes (it helps if you’ve got the right size insoles as well!) and they don’t need adhesive.  As soon as you walk in them you can feel the cushioning.  I tried them out on the running machine first and there were no problems.  I could feel that they were ‘spongier’ than just my shoes, and my running shoes are cross-country and built for impact.  I can’t say that they will cure my plantar fasciitis but in the 2 runs I’ve undertaken with them, it doesn’t feel like my joints and calves have got any worse.  I’m looking forward to using them long term to see if they take enough impact for my calves and feet to be able to recover enough for me to be painless, but in the meantime, they’re a great addition to my kit and make difficult runs more enjoyable. 

Available from £40.00 at: https://enertor.com/products/px1-running-insoles?srsltid=AfmBOoo2H5kuFt9voXg51OALk7K6IRw7iszTmiy5n2-8CtgvppgQESpI

Enertor Socks and Insoles

Disclaimer: we received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Walking is such a good form of exercise, not only is it free but it is also good for wellbeing too. May is National Walking Month so we’ve been going for a walk every day and it’s been a great opportunity to try out some new gear.  

Decent socks are crucial if you want to keep your feet comfortable and blister free when out walking, they provide a buffer between your foot and shoe, preventing rubbing and chafing. It’s worth buying a pair of dedicated walking or running socks rather than just grabbing a pair out of the drawer as they have been specially designed to increase ventilation, wick moisture and offer support to your feet in all the right places.

The Energy Run socks from Enertor contain advanced Nilit® Innergy energy return fibre, EnergyKnit™ band and NanoGLIDE® anti-blister technology. The socks are made in Italy and are really comfortable to wear. They fit nice and snugly and the double layer of fabric around the ankle helps to prevent rubbing and blisters. I have worn them for a 10 mile walk and they were comfortable and not too hot in my shoes.    

The socks cost £13.99 and are available in small, medium, large and extra large (size 2.5 to 15) so you will easily find a pair to fit your feet.

Enetor also sent me a pair of their Shock Absorbing Insoles which I have tried in both my walking shoes and fell running shoes. The insoles have shock absorbing PX1® technology which Enetor claim has up to 89% more shock absorption than their competitors. This helps to spread the load on your feet helping to reduce the impact on your feet, knees and hips.

I hadn’t tried an insole before but now I have been using them for a couple of weeks I am finding them very comfortable. I soon got used to them after starting with shorter walks and runs and I find them especially good for fell running where my foot gets thrown about on the uneven ground. They really do help cushion the feet and whilst I am only a casual fell runner, my times have started to improve which I have put down to the insoles – they are used and recommended by Usain Bolt so watch out for me sprinting on the fells!!!

£39.99 available in sizes 3-14

Both products are available from the Enertor website here