Baked Alaska

A hot 'n' cold top that propels you at the speed limit across the gap between summer and winter. Its WindFoil™ softshell front takes the edge off a chilly headwind while the Heatwave™ Merino sucks sweat off your body. Wrap your meringue around that.

• Features
• Tech
• Video
• FAQ
• Washing

• • Heatwave™ hi-performance thermal bodywear combines a merino inner layer with a fast-drying polyester outer.
  • WindFoil™ softshell front deflects chilly winds.
  • Long front zip for temperature control.
  • Flat seams for enhanced comfort.
  • 'Snug-as-a-bug' fit keeps the fabric against your skin to wick sweat away.
  • Integrated thumb loops keep your wrists under wraps.
  • Rear security pocket and twin elasticised angle-pockets.
  • Secret tube repair patch.
  • WhaleTail™ longer back for greater cycling warmth.
  • S and XXL sizes in selected colours only.

• ▹

  A bi-component thermal fabric combining 51% merino wool and 49% polyester. Superfine 18.5 micron New Zealand merino wicks sweat away from your skin while the polyester provides a durable, non-pill outer. Lightweight at just 160gm/m2 and machine washable. Developed by Ground Effect and knitted just for us.

  • Composition: 51% merino; 49% polyester

  ▹ Man vs Wild

  Merino is unrivalled for comfort as a body layer. It absorbs more moisture than synthetic fibres, mopping up excess sweat rather than letting it settle and cool on your skin. However high-aerobic activities like cycling will often overload ordinary merino. Heatwave's polyester component repels moisture to avoid total saturation of the fabric - so it dries faster to keep you toasty.

  ▹ Snug-as-a-Bug Fit

  Heatwave™ Merino tops are intended to hug your body, ensuring the fabric sits against your skin to wick sweat away - keeping you dry and not chilling out.

  ▹ Hot 'n' Cold

  As a single garment Heatwave™ Merino regulates your temperature through a wide range of conditions. Delivering comfort in all but the hottest climes. Yet it is versatile enough to layer under a WindFoil™, microFoil™ or HydroFoil™ shell in winter.

  ▹

  WindFoil™ combines the insulative benefits of a polyester micro-fleece liner with a smooth, highly water resistant, softshell exterior. A totally windproof, yet highly breathable membrane is sandwiched between the inner and outer fabrics providing effective protection in cold, dry conditions.

  • Composition: 100% polyester with PU membrane.
  • 100% windproof.
  • Durable water-repellent (DWR) finish on face fabric.
  • Breathability: 4000gm per sq.m per 24hr.

  ▹ Hazard!™

  Night travel is a spooky experience. Many Ground Effect garments feature our Hazard!™ reflective logo and piping to help remind traffic that we're on the road too.

  ▹ Composite Tops

  For short trips in stable weather conditions, a Ground Effect composite top lets you travel light and fast with just a single thermal layer. These designs combine a WindFoil™ front with a breathable Thermostat™ fleece or Heatwave™ Merino back. A long front zip for ventilation allows you to manage your body temperature through a wide range of conditions. Apparently you can have your cake and eat it too.

  ▹ WhaleTail™

  Ground Effect tops are cut with extra length in the back... and in the sleeves too. So when you stretch out in search of the perfect downhill position, neither your shirttail or sleeves will ride-up to expose your back or wrists to the elements.

  ▹ Weight

  Garment Weight: 270 gm

• ▹ Why is Heatwave Merino so comfortable next-to-skin?

  • Heatwave combines the comfort, warmth and low-odour properties of merino wool with the durability of polyester. Merino wool absorbs more moisture than synthetic fibres like polyester or polypropylene. This makes it very effective in dealing with excess sweat - it is absorbed into the fabric rather than settling (and cooling) on your skin. The polyester component repels moisture which avoids total saturation of the fabric - helping it to dry faster. The strength of the polyester also maintains the shape of the garment and minimises wear 'n' tear and pilling.
  • The Baked Alaska, Popsicle and Hot Toddy are intended to be used as a stand alone cycle top in cool, as opposed to cold, conditions.
  • The Thermos, Ristretto and Submerino are all base layers - best worn directly against your skin.
  • The Median Strip, Berglar and Hoola are riding jerseys, with additional features including three rear pockets and long front zips. For use in both hot and cold climes and versatile enough to wear as an insulation layer in winter.

• • All Ground Effect clothing enjoys a warm 40ºC machine wash. Try to avoid cold-water detergents and those with bleach, 'oxygen whitener' or fabric softener.
  • The cold-water varieties have little enzymes that are super-charged to brave the cold but can damage technical fabrics and cause skin irritation. 
  • Bleach rots natural fibres like merino, strips the dye, attacks laminates of waterproof fabrics and can also cause skin irritation.
  • Sodium Percarbonate (the main ingredient in oxygen whitener) can make colours run.
  • Fabric softener and stuff containing it like wool wash destroys the water repellent finish on waterproof and water resistant fabrics, and can cause colours to run. 
  • As a rule of thumb, a product that is easy on the planet is also easy on your body. Select a mild plant-based soap like Ecover, Ecostore, Earthwise or Aware.
  • Hand washing is sometimes the only option on tour, but a washing machine rinses more thoroughly and is preferable if you have the choice.
  • Most Ground Effect gear dries super-fast so hanging on the line or drooping over the bedpost is generally the best option. High heat can damage some fabrics so if you do take your threads for a spin, set the device on 'medium' or 'warm' rather than hot. A lap in the dryer is recommended for your rain jacket, after it has dried on the line, as it helps recharge its water repellent finish. 
  • Wash colours separately.