Craft PXC Thermal Top
October 15, 2010
I really enjoy getting certain samples, because the Gearguy gets all jealous and, since he’s about twice my size, has no chance of bogarting any of the shipments. This top was no exception. I’ll go ahead and call this a “top” even though it really has bike jersey styling, complete with silicone gripper stuff on the hem and pockets on the small of the back. You could use it for running or XC skiing (if you really must), though, your call. The important thing is that this is really a completely kick-ass product for chilly conditions, which most of us start to experience this time of year. I got this product sample before the weather turned so cold that I really need it, but it’s such a great piece that I’m looking forward to the frost now.
The top has a great combination of fabrics; a smooth, water repellent and wind-dampening outer finish fused to a bunny-soft wicking fleece inner layer, with nicely designed articulated cut pieces at the joints. That is a kind of made-up way of saying that where your body needs to bend, like at shoulders and elbows, the top is cut so that your range of motion is never compromised. Someone made this just for me, because there is also a zippered chest pocket. Call me picky, but I think every top needs a zippered pocket SOMEWHERE. I almost don’t care where it is, as long as there is one. Where do designers think we are going to keep our car keys while we run or ride? I know that a lumpy car key in your pocket can ruin your silhouette, but I prefer my car to be at the trailhead where I left it when I get back. So I, for one, appreciate the pocket. I also appreciate that the zipper for that pocket as well as the vent zipper and logo are reflective for riding along the road if you forget to put your key in the zipper pocket. Ha! Just kidding, but not about the reflective zippers.
Another feature that stands out is the vent zipper. It’s nice and long – I only believe in long vent zippers; 1/4 length doesn’t cut it. This one is nicely deep, which I like. One different thing about this vent is that it’s lined – when you unzip it, it exposes a mesh liner instead of just a view of your, uh, base layer. I have mixed feelings about this. I understand that it’s meant to vent you without giving you a blast of freezing air down your cleavage, but there are a few drawbacks to this design. Sometimes when you need venting, you REALLY need venting. Also, the mesh interferes with the best thing about 1/2 length vent zippers; they’re easy to get on and off over your helmet. This makes me suspect that this top is designed more for the XC ski set which feels somewhat like a betrayal to my more rough and tumble MTB/trail runner sensibilities, and kind of limits my use of this top to conditions cold enough to warrant not having to put it on and take it off, because it’s just irritating to have to take off my helmet to thermoregulate. But I’ll save my final word on this feature for the really cold weather. Who knows, I will probably appreciate the extra frostbite protection.
The most original part of this piece, though, is the two way zipper on the vent. That’s right – you can unzip it from the bottom, leaving the neck piece nice and snug, or just unzip from the top as normal. This gives quite a range of vent options, and given the kind of interesting keyhole effect you get from unzipping from the bottom, I can appreciate the mesh liner because it prevents the too-flirty peek-a-boo look. If you really want that look you can cut the mesh out, okay?
Sizing is for once, really nicely done. I’m a size small in most bike/run tops, which are usually the very worst offenders in regards to the Law of Similitude. Haven’t heard of that? It refers to manufacturer’s idea that the proportions of a size small woman are the same as a size large woman, so they just have to cut down all the measurements by a given amount and will have a garment that fits. As anyone that has ever shopped knows, this is not true. So when I find size small jerseys, I usually find that they fit fine but for the length, which is almost always too short. You see, I’m a size small but I’m also 5’5″, and it seems that most small sizes are cut for women who are not only small, but short as well. Let’s face it, the average size these days is not as small as it used to be, so manufacturers usually just go with the assumption that a size small woman is a size small because she’s short. I think this is weird, considering these are brands making clothes for women who are into fitness and usually are smaller than the nationwide average. I really think it’s time for some sort of sizing revolution, considering that now we’re dealing with vanity sizing, euro sizing, “average” sizes that balloon every year, the Law of Similitude, and various other influences which naturally differ with each given brand and make it really hard to find the right size.
So it’s hard to find well cut small size jerseys. Not the case with the PXC top (see, I was going somewhere with this). The size small fits me really nicely. The cut is slimmer than most for a nice aerodynamic feel, but the arms are blessedly long enough (with no irritating thumbholes! Yes!) and roomy enough for athletic women to flex their developed biceps (something other shirts have a hard time with. See above re: Law of Similitude). The length is really nice, too, hitting my hipbones in front and cut on the bias to drop lower in the back, lending a little extra coverage when you’re hunched over your road bike.
All in all, this top is a winner and I look forward to seeing more of what Craft has to offer female athletes.
