There’s an ocean-chilled wind casting its icy mood all over SLO these days, and temps have stooped to the 30’s and 40’s. ‘Round these parts, it’s triple-layered parka time with extra woolen baselayers. And that’s just for riding on our indoor trainers.
OK, I shamelessly stole that intro from another post about cold. I’m bored of cold. Only thing I’m not bored of is cold-weather gear–it’s kinda awesome. Like, “Hey, cool, I can put on a jacket today!” With that enthusiasm, I added the Warmfront to my usual kit–a deceptively simple collared fleece layer that keeps the wind off your neck and chest.
The Warmfront Review
Price: $29 with Koselig version for $36 (not tested)
Fabric: Body waffle fleece; Neck 200g poly-lycra with Ripaway velcro tab
Dimensions: 12″ wide, 20″ long
Available in men’s and women’s sizes to fit necks up to 20″
Weight: 51g
Made in Colorado | More info at Warmfront.com
How It Works
If you’re kinda sick of your lungs filling with sticky, iced air when the cold winds pick up, The Warmfront just might become your bestest friend. Testing this in the high 40’s with an ocean wind chill throwing itself in the mix, the Warmfront was there for me. Like Linus’ coveted blankie, this little rectangle of micro-fleece and I became inseparable.
Except, of course, when I wanted separation from it. And easy operation thanks to the clever open-necked design. Basically, the Warmfront works by strapping with velcro around the back of your neck and hangs under your jersey covering your chest. The micro-fleece backing not only heats you up, it also keeps the Warmfront from sliding around under your jersey, provided you’re wearing a layer underneath it. On the front, the material is smooth and allows a jersey to move freely over it so you don’t get annoying bunching and pulling. Pretty smart.
It’s Got Your . . . Front . . . On Descents
I wore the Warmfront between a technical baselayer and a woolen, long-sleeved jersey. Normally, in winds like we’ve had lately, I’d also throw a vest on. But I found that the Warmfront tosses out the need for the vest while keeping the chill out of my lungs. Where you really notice the difference is on chilly descents–the cold simply doesn’t seem to seep in as much when the road turns downward. Plus, when the bitterness of the air is gone, you can just undo the velcro strap, pull it out off, and stow it in a pocket.
While I think the functionality makes using the Warmfront pretty simple, I found myself disliking the velcro. If you’ve got longer hair, it’s generally a struggle to make sure that strands don’t get caught and tugged relentlessly. Also, the strap tends to make for a little extra bulk when rolling it up to stuff it in my jersey pocket. It got me to wondering if perhaps a different type of closure system (magnets?) might make for a little cleaner and quicker on and off.
That having been said, the Warmfront definitely works well. It stays put, and it keeps you toasty without having to pack a large extra layer around. The minimalist design can stay relatively hidden or you can flaunt the colorful collar–a design that just screams for full customization. Of course, you can also stick with classic black.
The Verdict
The Warmfront is deceptively simple. It packs a lot of warmth into a little package. Forego the need for an added layer, or add this in serious cold. A quick unstrap and pull removes it when you get too warm. Overall, a pretty smart little barrier.
Get more info or grab one for yourself at Warmfront.com
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