Gear Closet: The North Face Flashdry Baselayer Crew Neck Top

This is North Face gear week here at the Adventure Blog as I share my thoughts on a number of great products that the company has sent my way recently. Yesterday I posted my reviews of their Runners Gloves and Pass Through Beanie and today I have more performance gear for cool and cold weather adventures, this time in the form of the fantastic Flashdry Baselayer Crew Neck.

For those who aren't familiar with Flashdry, it is the North Face's proprietary fabric that is designed to keep us warm and dry when engaging in our favorite activities in colder climes. Using specially treated fibers, Flashdry products are capable of quickly and efficiently wicking moisture away from the body and as the name implies, those fabrics dry very quickly. Soft and form fitting, without being restrictive, Flashdry is the basis of more than 100 different products in the TNF line-up.

All of the above properties make Flashdry the perfect material for any baselayer, keeping us well protected from inclement weather when enjoying our favorite outdoor pursuits. I wore my Flashdry Crew Neck on multiple runs and hiking trips recently and it performed superbly. I found the shirt to be warm and very comfortable, either on its own or as part of a full layering system, and after wearing it a time or two, it quickly earned a spot in my favorite performance tops. In fact, it is so good that I found myself grabbing it first when running in cold weather and lamenting the fact that it was in the wash when I really wanted.

TNF designers have wisely integrated flat-locked seams to help limit chafing and increase comfort overall. The form-fitting cut, combined with the stretch-materials enhance that comfort even further. At times, he Crew Neck Baselayer actually feels like a second skin, but a second skin that is much more efficient than the one we already have.

Running in 20ºF/-6ºC temperatures, I was struck at how warm this shirt kept me without a fleece or shell of any kind. The fact that it is quick drying is very much appreciated as well, as no one likes a cold breeze blowing across wet fabrics when you're out in the elements for an extended period of time. Fortunately, the TNF Flashdry baselayers performs at a consistently high level, giving you the confidence you need to stay outside as long as you want.

If you're in the market for a new baselayer for your cold weather activities, then you'll want to add this garment to your list. I was very impressed with every aspect of the Crew Neck Baselayer – so much so that I even found myself wearing it around town, where it garnered more than a few compliments. With a price tag of just $50, this is an affordable, dependable product that you'll be happy to have in your performance wardrobe.