Craft Glow Jersey Review
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Craft Glow Jersey
Craft has been around since the mid 1970’s and boy, have things come a long way. Not just for Craft but the cycling industry as a whole. From my perspective, Craft has reached a fine balance with quality ergonomic sportswear that appeals to the serious racer as well as the everyday athlete. This piece is part of their performance bike line which steps it up a notch with enhanced and highly functional fabrics.
Initial Thoughts of the Craft Glow Jersey
It glows! It actually glows! I’ll hit the other great features of this shirt a bit further down, but seriously, the Craft Glow Jersey does just that! The reflective print spans across the chest and upper back for great visibility. I do a lot of group rides really early in order to get you back home, so you can still put in a full day. That means hitting the road at 5:15-5:30 a couple times per week. We are approaching the summer solstice, and the sun is starting to show up as a glimmer of light on the horizon, but lights are still a good idea. The group I ride with has started putting me on the front to help with the glowing beacon effect as car headlights turn me into a very visible moving object.
Night shot with flash to show the glow factor
Technical Features and Performance
Sizing with cycling apparel can be very challenging at times. I have one piece of racing apparel that fits well in a Small, and I have another one that is a perfect fit in a Large. When you add in the European sizing factor and every companies, or individual’s tightness perspective, you can quickly turn into that sausage look.
Front View
Rear View
Having ultraviolet protection of 50+ is really a great bonus. The breathability with the varying mesh sizes can cause the sun’s rays to infiltrate, but this stops that from happening. Now if I could only remember to schmear my neck, nose, arms, and legs, I’ll be doing good.
The stay cool technology basically allows moisture to escape away from your body with enough ventilation to get the wind to cool you for optimal performance
A shot showing the various breathability holes
The moisture transport, breathability, or sweat dumping as I like to call it is truly something to behold on this jersey. The larger front and rear panels sport a material that has some venting to allow for some moisture transport, but not so much that the wind can chill you on the speedy descent. The venting patch underneath the arm is much more liberal to allow the pits to properly dump that sweat. The side panels, shoulders and upper arms are more of a stretch material that lack the venting panels, but create for a snug but aid in movement. The collar is a double reinforced layer to provide a smooth layer against your neck. The YKK zipper is small but of good quality and is met at the top by a small zipper stop to prevent any issues with facial hair or neck skin. And lastly, the back bottom gripper (made out of the Craft Logo dots) keep the jersey in place as you get into a more aggressive riding position.
Neck protection with a nicely tucked away zipper
The 3 basic back pockets are present for your banana, spare tube, co2 cartridges, submarine sandwich, or whatever you care to carry. Atop the middle pocket there’s an extra zippered pocket which I would assume to be for your phone. It fit my iPhone with a little bit of prodding, but I would think the larger phones may not quite fit.
iPhone 5 (in protective case) fits just right.
I have worn this Jersey for the past couple of months in cold, rainy, and warm weather. Not super hot just yet, but that will come soon. It has performed well underneath my bike jacket, and wind fleece allowing for the sweat to be transferred away from my body to not create any chill issues especially on my mountain rides. Temperatures and conditions can change in a heartbeat, and a long downhill can chill you to the bone.
Available colors: Blue, Red, White, and Black.
Fits really well with the Craft Glow Bib Shorts reviewed by yours truly.
Don’t take a chance with your safety and be reflective (at least this is not that annoying green neon)
Final Thoughts on the Craft Glow Jersey
Cycling apparel used to be wool, or when I started riding a plain cotton t-shirt was what worked just fine. The lycra and advanced materials were starting show up, but in my cycling world only a few brave souls sported that fancy racing stuff. I have reviewed a handful of jerseys from skin tight, to classic, comfy and casual, and the price points can also easily breach the $150 price point. This jersey fits comfortably, allows for great breathability, and has functional pockets. This Craft Glow Jersey delivers on so many fronts, and at a price point that is manageable. For more information on the Glow Jersey and other Craft products, visit www.craftsports.us or www.amazon.com/craftsports.
