KIT REVIEW : Helly Hansen Brona Softshell Plus Shorts
Reviewed by Steph
These stretchy shorts from Helly Hansen are a comfortable and practical option that works well for outdoors use or day to day life.
FEATURES
The fabric has four way stretch to help with movement when outdoors, but this also means they fit well around my belly/hips/bum. The waist was really stretchy and whilst there's belt loops, I found I really didn't need a belt. There's two generous sized hip pockets that are plenty big enough for a phone, and a small zipped pocket in the side seam that's good for valuables. The fabric has been treated with a DWR treatment and whilst I haven't been able to test this in full rain (thanks to the recent drought), I did find it beaded water well when poured on.
SIZE AND FIT
I am a size 20 with a 51 inch hip and 41 inch waist and wore a size 1X in the shorts and declared them a perfect fit. The fabric is so stretchy that even though the size chart has the waist as a 41-44 inch and the hip as 45-49 inch, they fit incredibly well with no gaping or tightness anywhere. I'm 5'10 and they were a mid-thigh length on me, but I found them long enough to avoid chaffing, and the waist is nice and high.
PERFORMANCE
I went for some long hikes in these and they didn't ride up or fall down - in fact I forgot I was wearing them (which is sometimes the best advert for something). The fabric is really lightweight, which has been ideal in the hot weather, and I actually found myself wearing these constantly in my day to day life outside hiking as they were so comfortable.
RRP £70
