[Closed] Castelli jackets

Prefer 7Mesh jackets over Castelli personally. Use the same kind of materials but the fit is much better, they seem slightly better made and are a bit more stylish to my eyes. I've got a fair few bits of theirs (both road and MTB) and it just works.

Had Alpha RoS for a few winters now and would rate it very highly. Warm enough for me down to -5 before windchill with only a long sleeved HH baselayer. Not waterproof but resistant enough to keep you dry for 20-30 minutes of rain and dries in a few minutes once the rain stops.

I'll be getting another once this one is past it. Oh, FYI use Techwash to wash it to preserve the DWR as long as possible and Softshell wash to restore it once it does start wetting out too quickly.

I just wear a Perfetto all winter and tweak what I wear under/over it.

Right now = short sleeve baselayer + Perfetto
Bit colder = long sleeve baselayer + Perfetto
Really cold (like sub zero) = thin armwarmers + long sleeve base + club gilet over top of Perfetto
Colder than that and I'm not riding my road bike :p

My Dad has got the Galibier Mistral Pro which is like a cheaper version of the Alpha ROS. It only sees the light of day for a couple of rides a year. Its mainly too hot when you're working hard.

My perfetto is a skin tight fit, which I like, but I'd struggle to get anything under it, I have to peel the arms off when I get back home.

I have a variety of base layers which I use under my Perfetto to provide additional insulation, from Castelli Prosecco through Flanders and thicker merino base layers (a couple with roll necks).

I also have a Perfetto vest as an additional windproof layer over the top. If necessary a full rain jacket blocks out all the wind.

I might have to try the Alpha RoS, just need to wait for colder weather to arrive...

It's about 10 degrees around here (Sheffield) - too hot for the Perfetto for me so I get wet inside (sweat) which is cold as soon as I stop. When it gets a tad cooler I'll be wearing mine all the time. I usually wear a thin base layer under it. It's probably the best bit of kit I own.

My perfetto is a skin tight fit, which I like, but I’d struggle to get anything under it, I have to peel the arms off when I get back home.

Get a Perfetto in the next size up? Mine's tight, but not skin tight, and the next size down would be too short. I do most of the winter in Perfetto + short sleeve base layer, occasionally a long sleeve, and very occasionally both.

Get a Perfetto in the next size up?

I like skin tight cycling clothing, no space for drafts to get in. Not tried but I suspect the size up would be a bit loose for my liking.

I've got a Gabba convertible and a Alpha ROS Light - OK down to low single digits with the appropriate choice of base layer, but I'd want something with more insulation for below zero e.g. the Alpha ROS - Polartec Alpha is a great insulating layer for active wear - has great wicking too. I also managed to pick up a Gore Shakedry insulated jacket in the summer sales - expect it won't be long now before I get a chance to try it out.

Stolen Goat Climb and Conquer is warmer for really cold weather, Perfetto with or without base layer works for me at this time of the year.

You already have a weatherproof layer, what you need is insulation.

DHB Aeron Polartec Alpha Gilet or the Rapha equivalent would work well, and basically be the same as a castelli alpha.

Similar experience footflaps, having just bought a Perfetto RoS myself to replace an aging winter jacket. I sized up as recommended online and the fit is perfect, enough space under to add thin layers as the temp drops. The fabric seems to breath very well also.
Best pro for me is the neck cuff, not too tight for once and nice and high.
Worst con, 2 rear pockets, would have been better with 3 as the 2 are too large and things move around too much.
Overall very happy so far.

Assos Bonka. Available at an extortionate price (as opposed to truly mind blowingly extortionate) if you look round.

Not Castelli, but it’s what I reach for when the Perfetto isn’t enough.

And three pockets plus two zippy pockets. Why do people make jerseys / jackets without a zippy pocket for your key (or even better phone)?

I have a couple of Gabba variants and find them really good. I bought an Alpha ROS last winter and have been really impressed with it. All my Castelli tops are XL, whereas I'm large in likes of Endura. I put the Alpha ROS on the other day and realised how fat I've got over lockdown....

I treated myself a short sleeve Gabba recently, the medium fits me perfectly where i normally wear size small. I've been thinking of some "matching" armwarmers, i.e. windproof and rain-resistant. Iwas looking at Funkier repel, has anyone got any better / cheaper / other suggestions? I've a really thin pair of warmers from Polaris and couple of pairs of merino armwarmers from Planet X but neither will be waterproof, nor wind proof. Might try the two different sets together though to see how that works

Why do people make jerseys / jackets without a zippy pocket for your key (or even better phone)?

I’ve never had my phone, keys or anything for that matter fall out of an unzipped pocket on the road bike. Non issue IMHO.

(I wouldn’t trust it on the MTB though.)

I wonder why they’ve gone to 2 pockets. My older Perfetto has 3 pockets which I agree is more usable.

Nor I Superficial if I’m honest.

I still want a zip though.

@nbt I've got a short sleeve gabba too, which I pair with either Castelli Nanoflex (which aren't as warm/waterproof as they claim) or with some Madison Road Race Optimus softshell armwarmers in colder/wetter conditions. The softshell armwarmers aren't as stretchy / close fitting though.

I also think its a shame they've gone to two pockets on the new Perfetto, much prefer the 3 pocket design of the old one. Made the organisation of food / emergency waterproof / phone much easier.

I like them so much I have two – L and XL. The L fits like a jersey and I can use it with just a vest, or with a vest and thin merino depending on temperature. The XL has a little bit more room and I can get a second merino underneath for when it's really cold. If I need three merino layers then it's too cold for me to ride anyway.

Why do people make jerseys / jackets without a zippy pocket for your key (or even better phone)?

My phone etc goes in a Rapha clutch bag thing...

I like them so much I have two – L and XL. The L fits like a jersey and I can use it with just a vest, or with a vest and thin merino depending on temperature. The XL has a little bit more room and I can get a second merino underneath for when it’s really cold. If I need three merino layers then it’s too cold for me to ride anyway.

That's not a bad idea, the Large is skin tight on me, no room for anything underneath it.

I've had a Perfetto Convertible for a few years and have used it lots. I highly rate it but it does need some warm base layers in the colder conditions to go with it.

I've recently bought the new Alpha RoS but haven't used it yet. It looks substantially warmer than the Perfetto which is what I'm after.

That’s not a bad idea, the Large is skin tight on me, no room for anything underneath it.

It work really well for me. When I say I can get a merino under the L I mean one of the wafer thin Castelli ones. If it's a merino with any thickness it has to be the XL. I also find the XL is just a tad warmer with the same layer(s) underneath compared to the L. I assume this is because there is a tiny bit more space / air inside that warms up.

I have an espresso due which is an older jacket so no idea what the new equivalent is? It’s my go to jacket for 3° and lower, i have another jacket for warmer temps (Le Col) and a gabba for the wet days.
The espresso is great though and I would definitely buy the current iteration if looking for a new jacket.

The espresso is great though and I would definitely buy the current iteration if looking for a new jacket.

I've seen that, looking at their temp range recommendation it probably looks a bit too warm for the South East, we don't really get many rides around zero, winters are quite mild generally. Their Alpha RoS looks like a better choice, although won't find out till winter starts...

Well I ride in the SE but have no added insulation (65kg 6ft) but it still gets used enough, best thing is the sealing on the front and the bottom of the jacket so no wind gets in on those just above freezing days but with a biting windchill.

The answer is to have multiple items that do every temperature.