Spatz Basez Extreme base layer review: This will change how you dress for winter riding
The Spatz Basez Extreme is no doubt a very capable deep winter base layer, but its real strength is how it allows you to dress in the cold when wearing it.
The Basez Extreme will excel in winter conditions, but it's ace card for me is how it allows me to wear fewer layers for cold, hard riding.
Pros
+
Can take the place of a few thinner layers
+
Very warm and protective
+
Nice amount of stretch
Cons
-
High price
-
Harder to put on than some other layers
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Spatz Basez Extreme
Sizes: S - M/L - L/XL Price: £139.99 / $TBC Weight: 246g - small Colours: Black Material: Polypropylene, Elastane, Polyamide
The Basez Extreme base layer from British brand Spatz cuts a unique figure amongst base layers. In fact, I’m not sure there's anything quite like it on the market.
As I’ve previously mentioned in some of my other reviews of the brand's clothing such as the BurnR2 gilet and Spatz Fasta overshoes, a cornerstone of the brand's offering is specific cold and wet weather cycling kit which will boost protection and comfort in grim conditions.
The Basez Extreme is the brand's most heavy-duty base layer offering. Spatz claims ‘It will set a new standard for winter base layers and change the way you dress for winter forever’. A bold claim indeed.
The Basez Extreme carries a retail price of £139.99 / $TBC, It uses large panels that are woven with weaves and waffle-like patterns which are designed to trap warm air and wick sweat, it’s stretchy and there’s also a tall neck and windproof chest panel.
I’ve been wearing this base layer for over a year, which has given me the chance to test it with a range of cycling kit combinations and across a range of conditions.
The Basez Extreme pairs a windproof chest panel with large, stretchy, woven sections (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
Design and Aesthetics
The Basez Extreme is manufactured in Portugal from Polypropylene, Elastane, and Polyamide. The garment itself is comprised of a one-piece tubular body section, and the raised neck, arms and windproof panel are then stitched on. The seams on the inside of the base layer are a bit on the chunky side, but I haven't had an issue with them in use.
Spatz offers three staggered sizing options: small, M/L, and L/XL. The base layer is fitted, so make sure you consult the website sizing guide before you buy.
It's the heaviest base layer I've come across in terms of weight and feel, it's a heavy-duty piece of kit that weighs in at 246 grams for a size small on my scale. This point will lead on to how the piece enables you to dress for winter, and it's heavier than some jerseys. The Assos Ultraz deep winter base layer I'm currently testing, which also has a raised neck weighs 179 grams, whilst my Castelli Perfetto jacket is only 61 grams heavier than this Spatz offering. The weight of my winter kit doesn't concern me most of the time, but this is to make the point that the Basez Extreme allows you to ditch extra layers.
The key design feature and the one that draws you in here is the woven 'waffle' style material that features on the majority of the base layer. Spatz says this helps trap pockets of warm air and help pull moisture away from the body. On the inside of the piece, the weave takes the form of raised ridges pretty much all over, except in a few places where a stretchier non-ridged material is used, such as the elbows and on the shoulders.
Externally, there are waffle-like indents paired with stretchier panels in high-movement areas. Up top, there's a sewn-on windproof panel across the chest and a nice high, fitted neck that provides extra protection.
Visually, the base layer features a 'Spatz Basez Extreme' wordmark on the right-hand shoulder, and the same words are woven into the back panel. It's stylish and fitted on, and unlike the majority of other base layers, people may see a bit more of this piece whilst you're riding, depending on how you wear it.
Image 1 of 3
Here's a close up of the waffle weave on the arms (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski )
No tags inside, with washing instruction printed on the inside of the cuffs (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski )
Some seams are a little chunky, but haven't irritated me in use.(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski )
Performance
The Basez Extreme performs very well on cold, winter rides and anyone buying it to add warmth to their winter riding wardrobe is going to be well pleased. Wear it under a mid-layer and or winter jacket and it will help keep you warm and toasty. No questions asked. It's important to feel ready to face the cold in winter, and pulling this one when getting changed makes you feel ready to face the elements.
The weave and windproof chest panel certainly seem to help keep you warm. When wearing it for winter miles with a jacket, do I feel warmth has been taken to another planet? Honesty, no. But this is a specific thing, that varies from one rider to another. But there's no doubt it's a highly warm and capable winter base layer, outer layers and what you choose to pair the piece with will also dictate winter warmth.
There’s a point on fit to make, this is a far more fitted base layer than the Basez 2 which is the other Spatz winter layer, and most other base layers on the market for that matter. It’s tightly fitted and the first few times it required some effort to pull it over my head and get it on. It has softened up a bit with use, however. The highly stretchy sleeves also need adjusting and pulling into place, they really are stretchy.
I test a lot of winter base layers, and it's the tightest to get on out of any I have tried. I’m 176cm and 63kg right now for reference and wear a size small. Off the bike, it’s more noticeable, on the bike in a riding position you don’t notice a thing which Spatz does make a point of pointing out. But any tighter, or if you had a broader chest, it may start feeling a bit niggly for a few riders. It’s designed to be worn and fit in a specific way, but if you don’t like kit that’s too tight or if you tend to size up it is worth bearing in mind.
It’s comfortable, but it’s not comfortable in the way the Assos LS Winter skin layer is comfortable for example. This is a bit more like putting body armour on before you do battle.
There's a Spatz logo incorporated into the back section (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
The real strength of this base layer for me is that it allows you to get away with wearing on dry, cold rides, especially when you're riding hard.
Because of its thicker weave and heavier weight, it's almost like wearing a base layer and jersey in one. I love wearing it on its own, with a fitted gilet on top like the Spatz BurnR2 too as pictured or with a thicker jersey over the top. I wouldn't consider doing this with most other long-sleeved winter base layers, but the extra thickness and robustness of the Basez Extreme make it work when worn in this way, it feels tough and protective not thin and flimsy.
It's when worn like this that its added protection stands out for me. I've worn that combo for a dark, cold ride at around 5ºC /41ºF when working harder on the bike and it kept me warm and controlled my core temp very well. I also like wearing it for my hard Saturday morning rides for the same reason; I can stay warm and sweat-free, but feel light and aero on the bike, with zero flap in the wind.
If you're out doing intervals, or are on a hard group ride etc, you can wear it like this and even carry a jacket to put on for spinning home afterwards. No, it's not waterproof, but pair it with something like a short-sleeved Perfetto or any Gore-Tex Infinium jersey and it would cope with light rain and spray if you were cracking on and generating heat.
A base layer and a gilet on a ride only five degrees above freezing is pretty good going in my book and riding partners have asked me 'is that all you're wearing?' Yep, and it feels great.
I love pairing the Basez Extreme with just a tight-fitting gilet for intense cold weather riding (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
Value
At £139.99 we are into jersey or top-end base layer money here, though of late there are often sales on the Spatz website, the base layer is currently discounted for instance.
If you're just shopping for a warm winter base layer, there are plenty of other good options on the market that will keep you warm with the right outer layers for less money.
If you either really feel the cold and want something more heavy-duty to boost warmth I think this represents a good buy, or if you want to wear this piece for intense riding so you can wear less on top then go for it, there isn't really another base layer out there like it right now in that regard.
Verdict
The Basez Extreme is a tough, warm and versatile deep winter base layer that is more than just a really warm option for winter.
It's worn and washed very well for me in over a year of riding, no complaints there, I also like how it looks and the distinctive Spatz styling.
Yes it will keep you warm on freezing winter days, but if you want to wear less for harder riding on bleak, cold days then the Basez Extreme will help you do this and change what you wear for more intense, cold weather riding, should you want to go down that road
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Design and aesthetics
An innovative design, that seems to do just what it says on the tin
8/10
Comfort
I've worn more comfortable, softer base layers, but the tight, stretchy fit hasn't caused me any issues and helps me feel ready to face anything
7/10
Warmth
Will keep you snug on warm on the coldest days
10/10
Value
The real value for me lies in the base layers ability to let you wear a lot less winter kit, you can achieve the same warmth with other layers
8/10
Sizing
Fitted and stretchy, my size small fitted me well, not too long with perfect sleeve length
Tom joined the Cyclingnews team in late 2022 as a tech writer. Despite having a degree in English Literature he has spent his entire working life in the cycling industry in one form or another. He has over 10 years of experience as a qualified mechanic, with the last five years before joining Cyclingnews being spent running an independent workshop. This means he is just as happy tinkering away in the garage as he is out on the road bike, and he isn’t afraid to pull a bike apart or get hands-on with it when testing to really see what it’s made of.
He has ridden and raced bikes from an early age up to a national level on the road and track, and has ridden and competed in most disciplines. He has a keen eye for pro-team tech and enjoys spotting new or interesting components in the wild. During his time at Cyclingnews, Tom has already interviewed some of the sport's biggest names including Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogačar and Alberto Contador. He's also covered various launches from brands such as Pinarello, Ridley, Specialized and more, tackled the Roubaix Challenge sportive aboard his own rim-brake Cannondale SuperSix Evo, tested over 20 aero helmets in the wind tunnel, and has created helpful in-depth buying advice relating to countless categories from torque wrenches to winter clothing.
