ISPO Award Winner 2025: Helly Hansen Lifa Merino KnitEvo Crew

Designed with input from professional skiers, ski patrollers and mountain guides and refined through meticulous research and development, the Lifa Merino KnitEvo Crew offers the precise functionality required in demanding winter environments.  

Since 1970, Helly Hansen’s LIFA® technology has been synonymous with advanced moisture management. The concept was groundbreaking: lightweight polypropylene fibers positioned next to the skin pull moisture away quickly, keeping athletes dry, warm, and efficient. Over the years, LIFA® has become a defining technology in base layers. The introduction of Lifa Merino combined the best of two worlds: LIFA® fibers for wicking and Merino wool for insulating softness. 

The Lifa Merino KnitEvo Crew enhances this proven formula with modern engineered knitting techniques. At its core is the same celebrated 2-in-1 construction: LIFA® next to the skin and Merino wool on the exterior. What’s new is how the two materials intelligently interact. By incorporating body-mapped zones, the KnitEvo Crew provides elevated warmth where it’s needed most while maintaining breathability in areas prone to heat buildup, such as the back and underarms. 

This hybrid approach is further refined through an open-knit structure in areas prone to heat buildup. The result is improved airflow and moisture evaporation without compromising insulation. On the shoulders and upper arms, where wind exposure and layering pressure increase heat loss, a tighter knit with loftier merino wool enhances warmth. This sophisticated yet seamless integration is evidence of Helly Hansen’s commitment to performance-first engineering. 

Few brands engage with elite-level outdoor professionals as consistently as Helly Hansen does. For the KnitEvo Crew, collaborating with Team Telenor Alpine Norway and Alpine Canada Alpin athletes ensured that the garment would meet the highest expectations for cold-weather performance. These athletes operate in brutally demanding conditions where every layer must perform flawlessly. 

Their feedback shaped the thermal placement, comfort, and mobility of the garment. 

• Flatlock seams prevent irritation under movement-intensive layers. 

• Raglan sleeves support a full overhead reach during skiing, hiking, or mountaineering. 

• The regular fit ensures versatility — it can be worn directly on the skin as a base layer or comfortably over another layer as a light sweater. 

While the technology is engineered for professionals, it also translates directly to advanced outdoor consumers, including ski tourers seeking reliable dryness on steep ascents, winter hikers exposed to variable weather, mountaineers navigating long days in the cold, and resort skiers who need dependable comfort from the first lift to the last run. The KnitEvo Crew is built for real-world performance at every level. 

The Lifa Merino KnitEvo Crew is defined not only by the materials used, but also by how they respond to the human body during winter activity. Helly Hansen’s design philosophy begins with understanding thermal mapping—the logic that different zones heat and cool at different rates. Rather than using a uniform fabric, the KnitEvo Crew is calibrated to adapt intuitively to intensity, weather, and layering. 

Breathability remains a cornerstone of the product. LIFA® fibers rapidly wick moisture away from the skin, preventing the chilling effect that often follows high-output activity. Meanwhile, the exterior layer of ZQ-certified Merino wool adds natural softness, antibacterial properties, and consistent insulation—even when damp. 

The KnitEvo Crew embodies the tactile comfort Helly Hansen is known for with its soft, smooth next-to-skin feel, structured yet flexible knit, and thoughtfully neutral look that works both on and off the mountain. Multiple colorways for men and women allow wearers to express their style, whether they opt for subtle tones or bolder hues. 

"We're honored that the Lifa Merino KnitEvo Crew was recognized with the prestigious ISPO Award as a top five winner in its category," said Martin Cizeron, Helly Hansen's outdoor product manager. "This award reflects the innovation and collaboration that went into designing our most advanced base layer yet, which combines our trusted LIFA Merino technology with enhanced performance through body-mapped construction. Designed for skiing, ski touring, hiking, and mountaineering, the Lifa Merino KnitEvo delivers elevated comfort and performance in any cold environment.” 

It is a garment designed for modern alpine versatility, offering breathability for demanding uphill efforts, warmth for frosty descents, and comfort for long winter days stretching from trailhead to après-ski. 

• Open knit structure in the back and underarms
• Tighter knit and additional merino wool yarn on the shoulders and upper arms
• Flatlock seams provide added comfort, and raglan sleeves offer optimal freedom of movement.