Splashing out on on of the best winter cycling jackets might seem like the most obvious way to stay comfortable on chilly winter rides, but, as the one item of clothing actually in contact with your skin, a decent base layer will keep you warm by both providing extra insulation while also wicking sweat away from the skin. The Craft Active Extreme base layer does this job with aplomb, and is certainly an attractive choice at £30.

The Craft Active Extreme base layer is made from 100% polyester which means that it doesn’t have the luxurious feel against the skin of more expensive merino wool base layers such as the Madison Isoler base layer. However Craft have worked two other fabrics into the polyester weave. Six-channelled fibres are positioned against the skin to quicken the wicking of sweat, while hollow fibres on the outside of the base layer provide extra insulation. And we have to say it works! Through a number of rides in the Craft Active Extreme base layer in chilly conditions, we were always warm and comfortable, while never suffering from overheating when putting in hard efforts.