The GripGrab WindBreaking Thermal Short Sleeve Base Layer is thicker than typical designs and features a windbreak front. As comfortable as a regular base layer, the thick, windproof layer keeps you dry and effectively wards off the cold.
For more options, check out our guide to the best cycling base layers.
I’ve had a base layer in the past with a windproof front and it was ported over.The GripGrab is a fully integrated garment, I didn’t know it had wind protection on the front and it works very well To do.
Suitable for use in seasons where a bit of wind protection on the front is beneficial, it is a much more rugged garment rather than a breathable, sleek base layer in the summer. It’s a bit of a stretch to really call it a thermal, given how it’s commonly understood as such, but it’s more dense than a skimpy summer layer. High and warm, it weighs about the same as a regular long-sleeve base layer, but has shorter arms. Of course, an individual’s ability to handle specific conditions will vary.It’s ideal for mid-teens temperatures in spring and fall, and is also useful for summer evenings and night rides.
sizing
The medium size in my testing was a little loose on my body, but fine on my arms. Going baggy isn’t too much of a hassle, but there is a constant battle with bike clothing sizing.
The GribGrab chart puts me squarely in the small center for its size, but I have two other GripGrab baselayers, one in S and one in medium/large. It’s a fitting medium as well, so it’s really a draw.
construction
The back, sides and arms are made of thick mesh material, and the interior has a waffle pattern for sturdiness. Meanwhile, the front and shoulders are a single layer of Arrowind Windbreaking fabric, a tighter weave fabric that lets the breeze blow away. It has a warp-knit construction that GripGrab says blocks up to 80% of wind-chill-inducing air particles, and the 20% air particles that help dry sweat make for a clever bit.
And it works very well. It looks and feels like regular fabric without the sheen or wrinkles of other fabrics that boast wind resistance, and is incredibly breathable despite its thick construction and wind resistance. Even though I didn’t need wind protection, I didn’t break a sweat.
Adding a scientific element alongside Arrowwind is Wear More, a polygiene treatment of clothing. Washless technology that uses silver ions to reduce the build-up of odor-causing bacteria, leaving you with no wash away. Nothing new in the world of base layers, but less smell in your kit means you may wash less often. This extends the life of your base layer and also minimizes your environmental impact. Although your personal hygiene regime may mean you need to wash your base layer between sessions. , this GripGrab base layer smells less and more like clothes at the end of a ride.
worth
GripGrab base layers are very special and difficult to compare directly. That said, the dhb Aeron Windproof Short Sleeve Base Layer at just 35 pounds and the Craft Active Extreme X Wind SS base layer that Shaun tested in his 2020 are lighter than the GripGrab and he is 50 pounds.
Gore’s wardrobe includes the £59.99 Windstopper Base Layer Shirt. We haven’t tested it, but Siobhan reviewed a long-sleeved version a while back, though the windproof panels are added over the base layer rather than integrated like the GripGrab.
I also have to mention “Is it a base layer or a gilet” Spatzwear BurnR Gilet. .
Conclusion
I am not very hot and seem to feel colder than others. I am wrapped in several layers while others wear short-sleeved tops. Then you don’t have to worry about carrying extra layers. I was playing in my head especially since years of conditioning suggested I should wear a gilet. At the end of the ride and down the hill towards the house a cool breeze will drop you. But the WindBreaking base layer completely negates the need for Pavlov.
verdict
A great base layer that is thicker than normal and has an effective windproof front so you can ride without a gilet
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Make and Model: GripGrab WindBreaking Thermal Short Sleeve Base Layer
What is the purpose of the product
From Grip Grab:
“The GripGrab WindBreaking Thermal Short Sleeve Baselayer provides the protection and comfort you need for cycling in extreme weather conditions. Breathable, Freedom Of Movement Windproof fabric on the front and shoulders blocks up to 80% of air particles hitting your torso, so you can leave the gilet at home even on the windiest days.
Many windproof baselayers feature a second panel of non-stretch windproof membrane material on the front that restricts movement and can build up heat. But the GripGrab WindBreaking Thermal Short Sleeve Base Layer uses a new single-layer fabric that’s more breathable and flexible.
Windproof fabric on the front and shoulders blocks up to 80% of air particles hitting your torso while maintaining the same breathability as warp-knit fabric. The underside of this baselayer is made from an ultra-breathable, stretchy material that wicks sweat and dissipates heat build-up. The combined result is protection and heat control that keeps your ride comfortable.
Polygiene® treated to keep it fresh and odorless. Its ‘wear more. Washless® technology uses silver ions to reduce the buildup of odor-causing bacteria. Less buildup means less odor and less washing, meaning Polygiene® can significantly extend the life of your baselayers and minimize your environmental impact.”
Tell us a little more about the technical aspects of your product.
GripGrab lists the following details:
Features
* Wind resistant
*High breathability
* Arrowind™ technology
* Polygiene® anti-odor fabric treatment
* Flexible fit on the skin
care and composition
*Machine wash 30℃
* Do not bleach
* Do not iron
* Do not tumble dry
*Please do not squeeze
50% polyamide
20% polypropylene
20% polyester
10% elastane
Evaluate the product for construction quality.
9/10
Evaluate product performance.
10/10
Please rate the durability of the product:
8/10
Please rate product fit:
6/10
It was a little baggy for me, but that wasn’t a real problem and it fit everywhere.
Rate the product for size:
6/10
Please check the size. This medium was a little loose for me as a medium.
Please rate the product weight:
5/10
It’s thick for a short-sleeved base layer, so it’s perfect for the chilly season.
Please rate the comfort of the product:
8/10
Evaluate the value of your product:
5/10
It’s not the cheapest short-sleeve baselayer, but you’re paying for its windproof technology, which saves you money on a gilet.
Is the product easy to clean? What is your reaction when you wash it?
All other cycling kits work fine at 30 degrees.
How does the product perform overall when used for the purpose for which it was designed?
An excellent windproof base layer that doesn’t look like a windproof base layer. A no-gilet option for breezy days.
What did you especially like about the product?
It’s truly windproof and doesn’t sweat.
Tell us what you didn’t like about the product
The fit was a little baggy, but I didn’t mind too much.
How does the price compare to similar products on the market, including those recently tested by road.cc?
dhb’s Aeron windproof short-sleeve baselayer is cheap at £35 and the lightweight Craft Active Extreme X Wind SS baselayer is £50.
Gore’s Windstopper Base Layer Shirt is slightly more expensive at £59.99, but when you say ‘Is it a base layer or a gilet? .
Are you happy with your product? Yes, I was really surprised and impressed, but I might give it a try.
Would you consider purchasing the product? yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? yes
Use this box to describe your overall score
It’s a really good kit. It may seem a little niche, but it was more useful than I thought. A denser, short-sleeve base layer that’s perfect for warmer days when you’ll also get the added benefit of blocking out the breeze. The windproof front works incredibly well, completely eliminating the need to pack a gilet “just in case”, but you won’t break a sweat even if you put in the effort in the still air. It feels like layers. It’s some kind of magic.
Year: 50
I usually ride: It depends on the season. My best bikes are: what I was riding at the time
I have ridden: over 20 years I ride: most days I would classify myself as: well experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding. road racing, cyclocross, general fitness riding, fixed/single speed, mtb, fun
