in 1877, after many years at sea, Norwegian captain Helly Juell Hansen and his wife Maren Margarethe began producing protective garments and tarpaulins made from coarse linen soaked in linseed oil. They certainly struck a nerve in the market, because over the first five years they sold approximately 10,000 pieces. Soon the company won a diploma for excellence at the Paris Expo, and began exporting its products.

In the 20th century, Helly Hansen made several breakthroughs in product development to complete the layering principle today known as the 3-Layer System. In 1949 the Helox, a thin sheet of translucent PVC plastic sewn into waterproof coats, took over from the oil-based outerwear and became the must-have protection for outdoor use. And the innovations have continued. Obviously, Helly Hansen’s heritage is bound up in the challenges of northern weather. And their keen sense of design is certainly above the norm. Their latest cold-weather footwear attests to both.

The Women’s Alexandra is the most stylish, comfortable and warm slip-on on the market and a truly unique blend of form and function. This beautiful quilt-stitched, vulcanized boot will keep you warm, looking good, and protected from the environment.

The Skage Sport combines nearly a half-century’s worth of design in a single style. Built like an old-school hiking boot with rich leather highlights on the toe and heel, it is also detailed with 1970s-era textiles and accented with modern-day colors. The result is a casual but rugged boot that recalls yesterday and comes with modern comfort features, including nylon mesh upper, metal lace eyelets, a gum sole and ultra-lightweight cushioned premium EVA midsole.

If light weight and comfort is important then the Woodland Men’s low-cut winter boots are the perfect match. These boots offer all the style and element-protection needed for those long autumn hikes and winter trudging. Upper: full-grain water repellant leather. Midsole: premium EVA. Outsole: Helly Grip.