Helly Hansen Veierland 2 Review

The Helly Hansen Veierland 2 is designed with a more traditional approach. Constructed entirely out of rubber with a thin cotton lining, these boots are tall and smooth. The size 8 pair we purchased weighs in at 3.3 pounds and are not as light as the Kamik Heidi. With no extra features, there isn't much else to consider besides excellent weather protection and style.

Performance Comparison

Weather Protection

Measuring 15.5 inches from the ground, they were the second tallest pair we tested, with the Hunter Original being half an inch taller. Being so tall, the Veierland 2 protected us from the elements significantly more than shorter boots. This additional protection is also due to the circumference of the Veierland 2, which was not as wide as other contenders, and did not allow for rain to sneak in.

Comfort

We found comfort to be a weak trait of these boots, ranking low with the Sloggers Rain and Garden boot as relatively average. The vulcanized rubber is rather stiff and didn't allow for as much mobility as, say, the Xtratuf Legacy. Pressure points arose, especially at the front of the shin where the foot box met the shaft. After all-day wear, our heels felt hot spots, and we were unfortunately annoyed by the continuous pressing of the rubber into the base of the shin. The footbox is of low volume, which, if you have wide or high-volume feet, it might be too snug. We did notice, though, that the height of the shaft didn't rub the back of the knee when sitting, which was a plus. These boots ran small, and they weren't the easiest to slide on and off.

Style

Rather basic in style, the Veierland 2 had one decorative buckle, which resulted in a look that was neither boring nor incredibly hip. We found that this look was a cross between the classic rain boot and a horseback riding boot. Settling in with an above average score as compared to the other boots, it seems that people either liked the plain black look or they didn't.

You might be able to find colors that are no longer being made, such as storm green, but the most common design is the black model that we tested. If you prefer something entirely more urban, we liked the Bogs Sweet Pea, or the elegant gloss of the mid-height UGG Shaye.

Traction

In snowy and icy conditions, in a slimy river environment, and even traversing wet grass, the traction didn't hold up nearly as much as the Kamik Heidi or the Hunter Original Back Adjustable. Scoring similarly to the Bogs North Hampton, the Veierland 2 was sufficient, but not impressive, despite a pronounced tread design.

Warmth

Depending on how you prioritize and interpret warmth, the Veierland 2 ranked as the best or worst in our tests. It's best for someone looking for a rain boot that is appropriate for warmer climates and less ideal for someone on the hunt for significant insulation. These boots did not maintain heat in the snow or the icy river, whatsoever. On warmer days, however, there was no concern for our feet overheating.

Fit

This contender runs small, and the foot box was snug. Our lead tester is typically a size 7.5, and per recommendations from user reviews, we sized up. We used the "fit finder" on the Helly Hansen website and matched the size 8 at 36%. This model only comes in whole sizes from 5-11, despite how much we wished for a half size. The shaft is rather slender, and the circumference isn't as wide as the adjustable Hunter Original Back Adjustable or the UGG Shaye, so if you have wide calves, these boots might not fit as well as others.

Best Application

Ideal conditions for the Veierland 2 are mild to warm climates, such as a cool spring and fall rain and the occasional summer thunderstorm. Without insulation, they do not fare well in temperatures below 55F. They are ideal for a casual outing and offer some of the best weather protection in the review.

Value

Based in Norway but manufactured in China, these boots list for $80. Being that they are more basic than they are technical, the price does seem a little steep, especially if comfort is not a metric we found to be favorable.

Conclusion

The Helly Hansen Veierland 2 falls in the middle of the pack overall. They didn't perform as well as some of the others, but they are still rather sufficient for all your rain boot needs. They are notably cooler in warm environments and offer classic style alongside excellent weather protection.