The Swedish based brand Craft has been in the athletic apparel business since 1977. While they make a full range of high quality cycling, running, triathlon, and nordic clothing it’s their base layers that continually redefine what is possible with technical clothing.
The concept is simple, use the base layer to keep the athlete at 98.6, no matter how hot or cold the climate. New for this winter is the Zero Extreme Wind Stopper line. Designed for athletes faced with temperatures between 35 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit the new products add Gore Wind Stop to their tried and true Pro Zero and Pro Cool fabrics.
The Pro Zero contacts your skin, pulling moisture away from your body and keeping you warm in the process. The outer fabric is Pro Cool, which allows air to draw the moisture out of the fabric. The breathable GoreWind Stop is strategically applied to these fabrics to provide wind protection over the most exposed areas, your chest and shoulders. The Gore Wind Stop also has a subtle elasticity to it which means comfort does not suffer. Craft has made the base layers machine washable and dryable so they can go in the wash with the rest of your kit. They are also antimicrobial to keep them smelling fresh.
As this line is not cycling specific Craft makes a full range of clothing, including boxer shorts. Cyclists can benefit specifically from the short sleeve and long sleeve undershirts as well as the skull cap. As always we found Craft provided an incredibly good fit with flat lock seams and a long tail allowing all the features and technology to work their magic essentially invisibly.
The long sleeve Zero Extreme Wind Stop has the ability to replace a vest and arm warmers on rides in the low 50’s. It could be effective at even lower temps with the addition of wind stopper fabric on the arms. Even as the temperature rises the other technical fabrics utilized keep your core from overheating meaning you won’t be needing to continually zip and unzip your vest or stuff it in and out of your pockets. An added bonus is no unsightly vest from last seasons team needs to throw off this years kit continuity.
The Zero Extreme skull cap very simply takes every other under helmet hat you have and makes it obsolete. That old Gitane cap you wear will not be as comfortable or as warm. Your 35 helmets vents are no match for the front panel of Wind Stop on the skull cap and the breathable fabrics means you won’t over heat either.
The Zero Extreme Wind Stop long sleeve base layer and skullcap are now an integral part of my winter gear, allowing me to keep my vest andjacket on the hanger most morning rides.
Short Sleeve: $119.99
Long Sleeve: $124.99
Skull Cap: $39.99