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Arm & leg warmers
Craft Knee Warmers Craft Knee Warmers Craft Knee Warmers Craft Knee Warmers
Craft Knee Warmer

Craft Knee Warmers

5
by Siobhan Kelly
UPDATED Wed, Sep 14, 2016 09:45

First Published Sep 14, 2016

1
£36.00

VERDICT:

5
10
No-frills unisex knee warmers that'll keep you cosy but at a steep price
Weight: 
77g
Contact: 
craftsportswear.co.uk
How we test

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The unisex Craft knee warmers are essentially simple tubes of stretchy polyester with cosy fleece on the inside to keep you warm. As such, they do their job well, but this doesn't warrant the exorbitant price tag – especially as their superior Craft 3D knee warmers can be found for £25.

Craft Knee Warmer - logo.jpg

Thanks to the 13% elastane these knee warmers are a comfortable and snug fit. They do crease around the knee but this doesn't affect comfort. They are a good length for extra warmth and there is just one flatlocked seam up the inside leg.

Craft says they are an anatomic shape but both legs look the same to me. No matter, helpfully there are L and R reflective arrows on them, plus a usefully large reflective Craft logo on the outer calf for visibility to motorists.

Craft Knee Warmer - gripper.jpg

They certainly feel soft and warm against the skin. Breathability is what you'd expect for this type of fabric, and they roll up small enough to easily fit in a jersey pocket so you can take them off when the sun comes out.

At the top there is an elastic cuff with a silicone band, both inside and outside, which holds them in place well, but the narrow cuff means it caused a bit of an unsightly bulge above it. If you're blessed with thighs of steel this won't be an issue, but ladies take note.

Craft Knee Warmer - cuff.jpg

Verdict

No-frills unisex knee warmers that'll keep you cosy but at a steep price

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Craft Knee Warmer

Size tested: Size XS/S

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?

Craft says: "Lightweight and elastic knee warmer with brushed inside and ergonomic shape."

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

ThermoCool® fabric is made of two polyesters and has a brushed inside

87% polyester, 13% elastane

Anatomically shaped warmers

Silicone leg grippers

Ergonomically placed seams

Reflective logos

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

Does what it say - keeps your knees warm.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
7/10

Wrinkles around knee.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
7/10

If you're between sizes, size down. I needed the XS/S, the smallest of the three sizes.

Rate the product for weight:
 
9/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10
Rate the product for value:
 
4/10

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Machine wash 40 degrees.

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

They kept my legs warm (in the dry) and were very easy to pull on and off.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Good length, cosy feel.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The price and unflattering leg band.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? No

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Not unless price was very reduced.

Use this box to explain your score

These are decent basic warmers but overpriced for what they are, considering they lack features such as wind or water resistance. If they were £15 cheaper like comparable warmers (Caratti Thermal, see review) they would have scored an 8.

Overall rating: 5/10

About the tester

Age: 44  Height: 170cm  Weight: 63kg

I usually ride: Marin Point Reyes 29er  My best bike is: Giant Anthem X1

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, club rides, mtb, Audax

Craft Knee Warmers
Craft
Craft 2016

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