Craft Advance Warm Fuseknit Intensity baselayer review

As the name suggests, the Craft Advance Warm Fuseknit Intensity baselayer is designed for the colder months of the year. With a noticeably heavyweight fabric, long sleeves and high neck, it is a terrific addition to anyone's winter riding wardrobe.

The fit is excellent, with a bang-on sport-specific cut and neck profile that's high and close enough fitting to keep out icy draughts.

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The baselayer uses body mapping for what Craft calls "optimal thermoregulation", where the fabric is thicker in some areas for insulation and more lightweight or perforated for breathability in others. For example, the top of the back is perforated for sweat evaporation, while the kidney area is bulked up to keep things warm.

The comfortable fabric is a '3D-knit' design that uses loop knitting to give a pleasantly chunky, but not too heavy feel – no doubt boosting its thermal properties and making it feel more substantial for chilly weather – and I definitely noticed the benefits of the varied thickness for moisture and heat management.

Although the jersey is ideal during the cold winter conditions I was testing in, it will be too warm a layer for summer months. For those warmer days, Craft has other lighter weight and short-sleeve options to choose from.

It washed well, recommended up to a respectable 40 degrees for a decent scrub, and it generally came out almost dry. For instant gratification, though, it can be tumble dried – some synthetic tops are too fragile for tumble drying, so check the label.

This all matters a huge amount when you want a top you can turn around fast. We're generally out testing most days, so easy care and fast drying are important.

The Craft Advance Warm Fuseknit Intensity is a little pricey but worth every penny if you want a serious addition to your winter wardrobe.

The only criticism you could levy is that it isn't very useful during milder months, but once you pull it on for a cold weather ride you won't regret it.

The baselayer is available in sizes S to 2XL in the men's cut and XS to XL in the women's-specific cut, with a choice of colours.