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review
Headwear
Craft Thermal Hat Craft Thermal Hat
Craft Thermal Hat

Craft Thermal Hat

8
by David Arthur @davearthur
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Mar 13, 2014

0
£15.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Simple, warm hat good on its own or as a helmet liner
Weight: 
36g
Contact: 
www.craftsportswear.co.uk
How we test

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The Craft Thermal Hat sets out to keep your head warm and achieves this with a 250gsm polyester and Lycra material that provides enough insulation for temperatures down to below freezing.

It's a thin material so slips underneath a helmet unobtrusively, but is equally comfortable sans-helmet. It's available in two sizes, small/medium and large/x-large, so most head sizes should be covered. I tested the l/xl size and it was perfect. There's certainly enough stretch in the material to help with the fit.

The Craft logo on the front is reflective, which is a nice touch if you do wear it without a helmet. A lot of Craft's clothing is designed for multi-sport use and you could certainly use this hat if you're into running as well as cycling, so it's nice and versatile.

There are four colours to choose from, including a bright yellow one if you want to stand out, and a black one if you don't.

I've found it insulation enough for early morning sub-zero rides, and it copes when the temperature increases to double figures, but its sweet spot is definitely below about 6-8 degrees. It does start getting a bit warm above that temperature range.

Verdict

A simply designed and warm insulating hat good on its own or under a helmet.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Craft Thermal Hat

Size tested: L/XL, Purple

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The Thermal Run Hat by Craft is lightweight and elastic with a ventilated front panel and reflective print.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Fabric: 92% Polyester, 8% Elastane, 250 gsm

Fabric Properties: Soft, warm, stretchy

Reflectivity: Reflective print

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Great for a range of temperatures right down to zub zero. Fits well under a helmet but is comfortable on its own too.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

Very comfortable, the material has a decent amount of stretch so it doesn't feel restrictive around your head and ears.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Great for early spring riding, when it's too cold not to wear anything on your head or under your helmet.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Comfortable and looks good, I even like this colour. The reflective detail is a nice touch for riding without a helmet, which I do most of the time.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing springs to mind.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 180  Weight: 67

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,

 

Craft Thermal Hat
Craft
David Arthur @davearthur

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes. 

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