This is my favorite winter jacket and I have a lot of 'em. Here in the Eastern Sierra it is high, dry and cold, by which I mean in the low thirties (fahrenheit!). This jacket was made for such conditions, the Alpha direct insulation and advanced breathable shell make for a comfortably dry and therefore warm ride. It's not actually a substitute for its predecessor, the Alpha Doppio, which I also have, because this jacket is stretchy and fits tight, which limits layering. The Doppio is (much) more weather proof and has room for more layers, so I save it for the stormy days. Finally, the caveat is, this jacket is not perfectly windproof despite what the ad copy says. It takes a very cold day with a headwind, but I have to break out the shell. I have that with me anyway, because as Castelli admits, this is a fair weather jacket...
I have the bright orange Perfetto Vest. Buy it if you don't want to get hit while training. As a former Cat 2 masters road racer you need to wear bright gear, use a front blinking light, rear Varia radar light and even a mirror. This fits tight, blocks the wind, has deep pockets, adds some water protection and goes with my Perfetto orange jersey. I also have Castelli shorts, arm, knee and leg warmers, shoe covers and a variety of their gloves. If you like to ride outside in the winter and don't want to be miserable, you get what you pay for. Castelli has all the most technical materials. Note: Castelli fits small and snug. Size up. I buy XL.
I had a pair of Castelli overshoes, and they finally got too many snags in them to be effective. I found these and gave them a whirl.
Def snug fit, not so much that it's the wrong size on the sizing chart, but you need to give them some tough love to get them on. They're fine though, if they are loose and flappy they let water in easier.
Too expensive for what they are, catch a sale and they are more reasonable, but still, it's rubber and a zipper, come on now.
I have been using Castelli clothing for some time but this is the first time I have tried this particular type of jersey. As I live and ride mostly in Texas in the summer sun I have become more aware of the need to get good protection against UV and this jersey style certainly provides what I need.
I am very sayisfied with this purchase, it has the level of quality and style expected of Castelli clothing but the breathability and UV protection I need for riding in Texas.
