Craft is well-known for their athletic wear and has some serious chops in their cycling kits. For winter riding, the Extreme WindStopper Baselayer is something different — in a good way.
Craft Active Extreme WindStopper Baselayer Features:
- ProZero and ProCool fabric combo to wick moisture and help evaporation
- Gore WindStopper fabric on front and shoulders for wind protection
- Antimicrobial treatment keeps things stink-free
- Flatlock seams for extra comfort
- Price: $124.99
Prevents wind penetration at the core
When it comes to getting kitted up for winter rides, we all have our own preferred concoction of baselayers, mid layers and outer layers. Depending on how cold it is where you ride, you may need progressively thicker layers as we get deeper and deeper into winter’s grasp.
I’m a fan of proper baselayers for winter and summer riding and the Craft Active Extreme WindStopper Baselayer is already one of my favorites. In spite of being a mouthful of a name, this baselayer has all the basics down to perfection.
For starters, the cut of the Extreme WindStopper Baselayer is spot-on. For me (5’11” – 170 lbs), the size large is body-mapped to perfection. It has a drop hem for extra coverage while in the riding position and the sleeves are the perfect length for full-length coverage. It fits snugly, but not sausage-tight — just right for a baselayer. With flatlock seams, it is very comfortable to wear underneath just about any outer layer you’ve got.
I’ve been wearing it with the Craft Adapt Storm Jacket in 35-45 degree temps and found it to be awesome. The square pattern of the body fabric aids in moisture wicking and gives a cool texture to the piece.
What makes this baselayer so special is the Gore WindStopper layer that’s placed in the front and shoulders of the shirt. WindStopper is lightweight and offers a nice, 4-way stretch. You don’t notice it until you unzip your outer layer and can enjoy a breeze without getting overly-chilled. The slight mock turtleneck collar aids in warmth to boot.
As a side note, Gore WindStopper fabric is my personal favorite W. L. Gore fabric. It’s light, blocks the wind and breathes so much better than traditional Gore-Tex fabrics. No, it doesn’t breathe quite as well as the rest of the fabric, but since most sweating takes place out back, there’s no need to worry about any reduction of breathability.
The only quibble I’ve got with this piece is the ultra-huge tags inside the left side of the shirt. For some reason, Craft is keen on them. They aren’t alone as The North Face is also known to over-tag their products. I guess some scissors can make quick work of it.
The Good
- Ultra-comfortable next-to-skin
- Adds plenty of core warmth
- Fantastic collar extends coverage
- Aids breathability
- With wind-proof front, can turn any jersey into a cool-weather jersey
- Unzip your jacket without freezing
The Bad
- Wish the product tags were smaller or eliminated
The Bottom Line: Craft Extreme WindStopper Baselayer
This just might be the perfect midweight baselayer top. Tacking the Gore WindStopper panel up front really makes this extra versatile — extending the usable life of standard and long-sleeve jerseys and adding core warmth under more proper winter layers.
Buy Now: Available at Backcountry.com
