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What Mountain Bike - May 10

The Baked Alaska is one of those in-between garments that doesn't shine at ?rst but rapidly becomes indispensable if you ride in a temperamental climate. The design of the Baked Alaska couldn't be simpler: the Heatwave fabric mixes a merino wool inner face for cosiness against the skin when wet or dry with a tough polyester outer face. This means our two-year-old jacket still looks and feels like it did when it was new.

The Windfoil laminated ?eece front then takes care of keeping your core warm in single digit temperatures. It can feel wet against the skin if you're working hard and the long front zip isn't the most subtle venting system - but it certainly works. The tall collar, dropped tail and long sleeves with thumb-loops to stop them pulling up mean no nasty gaps to let the cold in, and there's enough stretch in the fabric to keep it mobile without looking too close. Two big rear pockets store plenty of stuff, and it works well as a base layer too, adding versatility and value.

"Not the most sophisticated top but a super-durable and versatile spring or autumn staple" 3.5/5 stars

NZ Mountain Biker - May 10

Winter - ugh, not my favourite season for riding. Partly because it' so difficult to be comfortable. It's cold, it's damp, I'm sweating, and wait for it ... there's a stiff southerly. Enter Ground Effect's Baked Alaska, a merino/polyester mix windproof long sleeve top ... (clapping and cheering to fade-out).

I got the Baked Alaska just as autumn was setting in - and already there have bee a few of those aforementioned, cold, damp nights, and of course I'm in Wellington, so it's always windy. Not that it matters if it's windy really, because as mountain bikers we create our own wind going downhill anyways.

So, how's it been? Basically, the Baked Alaska has been brilliant. First off, the windproof front does that it's supposed to do - blocks the wind from cutting me to the ribs. It does so with a reassuring firmness to the fabric and it fits snug, which means it doesn't flap around at all, like the windproof vests I usually use for this wind-blocking duty. And while I'd usually wear short sleeves until it gets really cold (I'm very tough) the long sleeves have been great - adding just a bit of warmth, but made from a material thin and breathable enough that it doesn't seem to make me sweat much more than not having them.

I was wary that with polyester in the mix (it's 62% merino, 38% polyester) it might start to stink after a ride ... or two. But no, so far so good - I have washed it though. I'm a fan or merino, so why add the polyester? Turns out it stays a bit dryer, by not soaking up so much sweat, and by letting it evaporate quicker. But the merino is still an important feature of this top for me - in comparison to fleece tops of a similar nature that I've worn, the inner layer of merino has a real benefit in that it doesn't get clammy and cold when worn as the first layer, and then touch you with cold drops of sweat - yuck.

My only complaint is that the thin material that makes up the arms and back is quite easily snagged on bracken and other trail nasties, which makes it look a bit tatty before its time. When winter arrives, I see myself with a merino t-shirt underneath it, until it rains, then I see myself adding a jacket (or just as likely, inside watching America's Next Top Model ... I don't really). Anyway, you deserve to be warm this winter, so go get one.

Carl Patton

La Rueda Tropical - May 10

It was an unseasonably cold winter in Miami. My pre dawn rides regularly saw temperatures in the 40's. But no worries, my Ground Effect Baked Alaska jersey made cold and cool weather riding a pleasure. Good in temperatures up to 68F and when paired with the right weight base layer good right down to freezing.

The Baked Alaska is similar in concept to the Assos Intermediate Evo jersey but in natural blend fiber and at a fraction of the price. A wind stopper WindFoil&trade fleece front panel keeps the chill from penetrating your core while Ground Effect's soft breathable Heatwave Merino blend keeps you from overheating.

New Zealand based Ground Effect describes their Heatwave Merino as: A bi-component knit combining 62% merino wool and 38% polyester. The unrivalled properties of superfine 18.5 micron New Zealand merino wicks sweat away from your skin while the polyester provides a durable, non-pill outer. The polyester also repels moisture which avoids total saturation of the fabric - helping it to dry faster than 100% merino.

The combination works brilliantly in a wide range of temperatures. The jersey has two back pockets with zippers that have easy to grab tabs. The long sleeves are long enough to come over my gloves even with my long arms and have a loop that when pulled over your gloved thumb will keep the wind from blowing up your sleeves. Finally Ground Effect sews a tire patch into the back pocket for emergencies. A cute touch that didn't survive the first wash. The jersey however looks like new after a season of hard use. Fit is closer to US then Euro cycling apparel.

A proper base layer extends the temperature range of the Baked Alaska right down to freezing. Icebreaker (another NZ apparel company) makes merino wool base layers in 3 weights (150g/m2, 200g/m2, 260g/m2) that are a perfect complement to your Baked Alaska, allowing you to tune your kit to match the weather.
At about $94 USD the Baked Alaska gets my vote as cycling kit bargain of the year.

Bike Fix - Feb 10

I really like Ground Effect clothing. Unfortunately, they are based in New Zealand and have no distributor here in the USA. It's easy enough to get a hold of their stuff though- they ship anywhere in the world and it usually arrives in less than 10 days (for me in New Mexico). This requires a leap of faith of course, because you have no idea how the clothes are going to fit, and shipping them back to NZ would be expensive. Ground Effect has a pretty accurate sizing chart and descriptions on their website, which really help to minimize the chance of mistakes. Still, it means they aren't going to sell a huge amount of stuff in the States. I have personally tried to help them get a foot-hold here though- I buy their apparel as gifts and I let friends try it on and even use it. Since I'm surrounded by bike gear and people all the time, it's nice to have (and to give out) things that most people have never even heard of before. Not to mention that everything I have of theirs I really like. Hopefully this review will help people size themselves better, and peak their interest enough to order a garment or two.

The Baked Alaska is Ground Effect's cold weather riding jersey. It has a windproof front torso using their "WindFoil" material, with a very long, but not full-length, zipper. Like most of Ground Effect's winter clothing, it is made with their "Heatwave" Merino material, which is a blend of 62% Merino (18.5 micron, 190g weight) and 38% polyester. The idea is that the Merino supplies the warmth and odor resistance while the poly handles venting and vaporizes sweat better. They are not the only company to blend Merino and synthetics and I tend to like these types of clothes as they do give you the best of both worlds. I love pure wool, but I also see (and use) the benefits of added synthetics. The only thing I have noticed when using these blends is that they aren't usually as warm as the same weight in pure wool. This is neither here nor there of course- just an observation.

On the trail, this jersey can be used down to some very low temperatures with a slim base-layer underneath. Just open the zipper all the way on long hard climbs (or risk overheating) and then zip it up when you head down. The wind block front keeps you warm even if you were sweating like a pig on the way up. The New Mexico sun is strong even in winter though, so the long front zipper is key here, because even though the air is below freezing, you can heat up quickly an a long hard trail climb. On the road this guy is about perfect. The increase in wind speed that comes with road biking and the (usually) lower gradient hills really makes the WindFoil front shine. The Baked Alaska has some reflective piping over the twin rear pockets which make it nice for commuters too. The two pockets on the back have zippers, which is nice, but even better is that they zip so far to the side that you can't feel the zippers under a backpack- a good solution to a pet peeve of mine. Like most Ground Effect clothing, the Baked Alaska is made by the company in New Zealand and features a hidden tire patch sewn into the back. The patch is more of a gimmick though- after a few wash cycles it usually comes off- but I still like the idea. Yes, by the way, the Baked Alaska is a fully machine washable product- like most good Merino wool products these days. Another nice detail is that it has thumb loops to keep the sleeves from climbing up. I have never met anyone who uses thumb loops though, but it's a nice touch for those who do.

As far as the fit issue goes: I am 5'10" and 195 lbs and have a chest of about 43.5 inches. I am mostly muscle with a small layer of "personal insulation." I can fit into a Medium fine but it is on the tight side. I do tend to order mediums though, in things that I want tight- like the Baked Alaska. The large sizes fit very comfortably but drape a bit more compared to the mediums. The Alaska has a whale tail so even a tight fit still prevents any plumbers' crack. The tighter fit also keeps the fabric against the skin which improves the wicking properties of the jersey's material. Hopefully this, and the photos, help you figure out what size to order.

I have owned Ground Effect clothing for many years and everything they make holds up very well. I highly recommend their products, and am not getting paid by them- they don't even know who I am. The Baked Alaska comes in two color combinations this year which I call: red/orange and grey/charcoal (they have slightly different names, but I like to use simple color names). It lists for $94 (American dollars- make sure you check this when looking at the website) before shipping.

charlie

Australian Mountain Bike - Jul 09

The Baked Alaska provides the next level of climatic protection from the Model Tee, with the addition of long sleeves, merino collar and a wind-proof chest plate. We paired the Baked Alaska up with the Model Tee, though you could wear it by itself on less chilly trails.

The Red Hot Baked Alaska we tested makes you stand out like a yellow rubber ducky in a muddy puddle, perfect for gloomy winter weather. The reflective Ground Effect patch and reflective strip on the back of the jersey will also help keep you safe if you're commuting. The inner merino layer and polyester outer layer will keep you warm while wicking the sweat away from your body. A common occurrence when trail riding in the colder months while wearing a hydration pack is for your back to overheat while the chest suffers exposed to the elements. The Baked Alaska addresses this issue by providing a 'windfoil' layer to the front of the jersey to repel those icy winds.

The ergonomic features of the jersey cannot be ignored; two rear zipped pockets are present, along with a 3/4 length zipper on the front for when things get steamy and thumb loops at the end of the sleeves to ensure that your wrists are not exposed to the elements. The comfort factor of the thumb-loops maybe debatable, but while testing in the cold Flinders Ranges their benefit could not be disputed. Ground Effect have also left a gift inside the jersey pocket in the form of an integrated (sewn-in) tube patch; they just need to figure out a way of integrating a tube of rubber cement! Great gear at a great price. Long live merino riding kit!

Performance: 4.5/5, Ease of Use: 3.5/5, Value: 5/5

Pat Campbell

What Mountain Bike (UK) - Dec 08

We've grown to love New Zealand's Ground Effect gear over the years, and the Baked Alaska is a firm favourite. It's super-warm thanks to its Merino wool inner layer and polyester outer, which take care of wicking duties well.

On top, Ground Effect has used a laminated WindFoil fleece to keep off chilly winds. Add to this neat touches such as two large zip pockets, a long front zip, flatlock seams, a tall neck and reflective piping, and the Baked Alaska is something pretty special.

Its warmth-to-weight ratio is superb, and it performs brilliantly in all weathers, apart from in the wet, when you'll need an outer shell.

The Heatwave Merino mix stays warm even when soaking wet, dries pretty fast and doesn't stink after several days' wear. It's a bit itchy at first, but you'll be amazed how much weather it'll handle and stay comfy. You have to wait a week or so for postage but prices are excellent.

Verdict:
Classic all-rounder offering plenty of warmth for its weight. 9/10

What Mountain Bike (UK) - Dec 07

Fleece laminated front and merino wool-blend body kills the wind chill but stays warm and cosy whatever the weather throws at you. You'll need a shell on top if conditions are really awful, but over the past few years we've been astonished at what this top can cope with and still stay comfy. A What Mountain Bike favourite.

Cycling Plus (UK) - Nov 07

This is an old favourite that we keep coming back to. It's made from a merino wool inner/polyester outer material that's warm and durable with a soft WindFoil panel too block cold air. The close cut makes the most out of both fabrics' wicking abilities and the flat-stitched construction wins marks for comfort. You get a zip that reaches down to your navel and reflective trim, and you'll love the extra little features like elasticated thumb loops and the emergency puncture repair patch sewn into a rear pocket.

Verdict: Multi-talented technical top with loads of neat features. 9/10.

BikeMagic.com - Feb 07

Ground Effect's Baked Alaska is designed to bridge "the gap between summer and winter", which sounds like a pretty close description of the UK at any time of year. As befits a multipurpose garment, the Baked Alaska is made from two different materials. Most of it - the back, the sides and the sleeves - is made of Heatwave Merino, a blend of the famous New Zealand wonder wool and polyester. The idea is that the Merino sits against your skin feeling all soft and doing its magic wicking thing, while the polyester provides a durable outer layer.

The front of the panel is WindFoil fleece - polyester microfleece on the outside, wicking mesh on the inside and a windproof PU membrane between the two. It's all held together by the now de rigueur flatlock seams. There's a long zip at the front and two zipped pockets (plus some reflective piping) round the back.

There are of course a couple of Ground Effect trademarks. The elastic thumb loops keep the sleeves in place (although we didn't have a problem with them riding up without) and there's a puncture repair patch hidden in one of the pockets.

The cut is deliberately close - there's not much point going to great lengths to make a super-efficient wicking garment and then having it sitting two inches from your skin. In use it's just lovely. It's soft to the touch and really does manage to be warm and cool at the same time. The two fabrics work well together, and the polyester mix on the sleeves seems to be reasonably resistant to snagging.

It's described, as being for "cool, not cold" conditions - if the Baked Alaska isn't warm enough for you, there are two options. Either take a look at Ground Effect's Frosty Boy - a very similar top, but with WindFoil on the sleeves and sides too, and thicker microfleece everywhere else. Or just stick a thin base layer under it - we've been plenty warm enough in biting icy winds with a base layer, Baked Alaska and a jacket. There's also a women's version of the Alaska called the Popsicle - same fabrics, different cut.

Ups: Soft to the touch, well-made, snug fit, well-pitched level of warmth, good price
Downs: Bit of a nuisance to send back to New Zealand if you get the wrong size

Verdict
We can't think of a thing that we don't like about this top. And at NZ$149 (about £47 according to Ground Effect) it's something of a bargain too. The only real downside is that you have to mail order it from the other side of the planet, so there's little scope for trying one on first. There's plenty of sizing advice on Ground Effect's site, though.

Performance 5/5
Value 5/5
Overall 5/5

http://www.bikemagic.com/news/article/mps/UAN/5381/v/1/sp/?source=weeklyemail&attr=review1

UnderGround - Aug 06

Until the turn of last century, accepted wisdom preached layers of clothing to keep you warm when biking. Combining a thermal layer with a windproof vest and maybe a waterproof-breathable shell provided versatility and excellent protection from crappy weather. For us, the purity of this wisdom was modified in Y2K with the unexpected arrival of Frosty Boy. The first in a series of combination garments with windproof fleece fronts and thermal backs, Frosty proved the exception to the rule. For short trips in relatively stable weather conditions, it let you travel light and fast with just a single layer. The windproof panel taking the edge off cold winds and the long front zip allowing ventilation to manage your body temperature in a wide range of conditions. The design has been tweaked over the years with a second generation of WindFoil fleece, refined rear pockets, the addition of the women's Ice Queen... and both now cost $30 less than the original.

In the tradition of the great pastry chefs we proceeded to experiment with different combinations and ingredients. In 2005 we took the proven next-to-skin comfort of Heatwave Merino and mixed in some WindFoil fleece. The Baked Alaska immediately found its own position in our range, along with its sibling the women's Popsicle. Not too hot, not too cold - just right for spring and autumn riding. The Frosty Boy remained king in winter.

Technical differences? The back and sleeves of the Baked Alaska are Heatwave Merino - light and very effective against your skin. Only the front is WindFoil fleece. Frosty Boy is warmer with heaps more windproofing - down the front of the sleeves and over the shoulder yoke. The balance is micro-fleece 100 - more loft than Heatwave merino for more warmth but not quite so dry against your skin. The Frosty Boy works well as a single garment but really flies with a Ristretto or Submerino base layer underneath. In the end you choose based on how cold the conditions are when you ride. For all year round riding your wardrobe will ultimately have space for both.

Nibble On,

Frase.
Ground Effect Product Designer.

Cycling Plus (UK) - Mar 06

I subjected the Baked Alaska to three months in the Indian Himalayas and it stood up very well indeed. In use, Ground Effect's WindFoil fabric across the chest buffets wind to the side, while the merino wool wicks sweat away. I wore it pretty much every day and to be brutally honest probably didn't wash it more than a few times - and it didn't reek like a polypro top would have. The low pack size and understated colour are well suited to touring too. The cut is close fitting but not too clingy, and great for off the bike too. Back home, use it as a post ride warming top or even a mid-layer in the bleakest heart of winter. Details include twin rear pockets and well-positioned waist reflectors, while a high collar and thumb loops stop the drafts sneaking in. And despite winging it's way all the way from New Zealand, it's excellent value for money too.
Cass Gilbert

A superbly versatile, technical merino top that won't break the bank. 9/10

UnderGround - Aug 05

A couple of years ago I discovered the magic of merino, and promptly consigned my reeking polypro to the trash. On my bike, in the mountains, even clubbing... my trusty merino keeps me at the right temperature, shreds sweat and its odour doesn't contravene the Geneva Convention. Yet, there's a chink in merino's performance - it offers as much wind protection as a butterfly net. So I was consumed with wanton lust when I spied the Baked Alaska. A long sleeved merino, supercharged with a windproof front just made sense. Instantly it has become a central part of my winter wardrobe. On chilly night rides I generally sandwich it between a Ristretto merino singlet and my trusty Flash Gordon shell. But it is also great 'solo' on a mild Wellington winter day (we get lots of them - really) - and when stopping for post-ride sushi it doesn't scream 'serious cyclist'.

Tama Easton. El presidente www.vorb.org.nz, 'Drop in Crew' chaperone and singletrack addict.

Australian Cyclist - Jul 06

In the cold days of July when the hottest thing in cycling sits in your lounge room and keeps you up until the early hours and the end of the stage, you want to keep warm on your bike. While the Tour de France riders sweat through a French summer, our Australian winters require a range of clothing to match the highs and lows of the thermometer. Unless you're a fair weather cyclist you'll need to prepare for the cold and wet. Layers make this much easier. You can ride off on a cool morning and peel away the clothing like the skins of an onion.

The Popsicle and Baked Alaska from Ground Effect are hers and his versions of the same top. Both are useful base layers that will keep you warm and dry. These tops have a Merino inner layer to suck sweat away from your skin and the outer is a hard-wearing polyester. At the front, a WindFoil panel reduces the chill of the wind.

The Popsicle is the women's version of the top and I've been riding with it as a base layer on cold days and solo on warmer ones. I've used other Merino-based tops before and find the fabric warm and comfortable to wear. The WindFoil panel does its job well and keeps the wind chill off on those days when the wind seems to be coming straight from the Antarctic. Teamed with a fleece top like the Ground Effect Toasty Pie, the Popsicle is a great base layer on colder days. As the weather or the rider warms up the top makes a useful lightweight spring or autumn jersey.

The Popsicle and Baked Alaska come with the usual Ground Effect attention to detail: elastic thumb loops, twin zipped rear pockets with reflective piping, a sew-in tube repair patch, and a longer back to keep your lower back warm.