Castelli - Grandson of Gabba, son of Perfetto...

It's only just launched, so probably not, but there's an interesting article on road.cc with a bunch of info on the development. Sounds like they put water-resistance to one side and focussed on maximising breathability combined with wind protection using a fleece-backed, knitted rather than woven fabric:

“It uses a knitted face and a fleece back, so it is a slightly heavier weight, winter-rated piece that allows four times as much air to come through than was possible with Gore Windstopper. That is a considerable amount, but the rider still has no perception of wind coming through the jacket whatsoever, even on a high-speed descent."

I wonder how suitable it'll be for a classic British on-off showery sort of day.

https://road.cc/content/feature/castelli-ristretto-cycle-clothing-tech-new-era-sweat-free-cycle-wear-311583

This new fabric look interesting. I'll not be buying just yet... just bought a half-priced Perfetto... I love it! Later model with 3 rear pockets. Also bought the RoS bib tights. Now have a developing Castelli addiction!

I think the old Windstopper Gabba/Perfetto was made in 3 versions. I had/have versions 1 and 2. Version 1 was the original and was fantastic. Version 2 had 2 rear pockets and a weird fabric that seemed to have a non stretchy laminated face fabric and 2 rear pockets. Nowhere near as good. Luckily, I bought a spare v1 before v2 came out and saved that until my original v1 was buggered. I bought a v2 out of curiosity and wanted brighter colours to try and avoid vehicle induced splattage... I've not had a v3.

It was the Roadcc article that prompted my post. I'm not ready for another yet having just pressed my spare v1 into service and having the unloved, part used v2 as a future spare.

Just curious.

I've got a custom V2 perfetto (team kit). It is a bit odd. 2 pockets is an odd choice on a winter jacket. I can see it works for racing but it annoys me for general riding.

Back when the Gabba first came out nobody else was doing anything like it. These days most brands have an equivalent so I struggle to pay Castelli prices.

I have a 2 pocket Gabba which can be a bit annoying!

I have a Castelli RoS Alpha 2 which is/was a deep winter jacket and the pockets are shite on that too, tiny with no stretch, so I've managed to rip the fabric just shoving spare gloves in them. I also have a 2 pocket Perfetto. Castelli just don't seem to get the pockets right at all.

Welllllll... Just to resurrect this old thread. I've bitten the bug, taken the plunge and grasped the nettle by the horns... I now have a Castelli Perfetto Air jacket, the skinny one for use between Winter and Summer (AKA 'Spring').

I've yet to try it but as the temps get into low double figures,  it's TIME! I'll report back. If it's anything like as good as the original Gabbas and Perfettos,  it'll be a winner. 👍

First use - done! Club run yesterday. 90 miles of 0°C feels like -1°C to 16°C in the PM. started out with a baselayer, a thin gilet and a Shakedry (plus the Perfetto Air obv) and ditched the Shakedry within 30 mins.

Gilet ditched mid morning and then all good. It does seem to 'breath' better than Windstopper/Infinium but that might just be cos it's thinner.

The only issue I have was the double ended front zip can undo on its own from the bottom. Not good and I'm not sure who would vent a jacket from the zip bottom by choice? I'm going to permanently fix the lower slider on one side so it can't come undone spontaneously.

I'm sure there are loads of other mid weight Spring/Autumn suitable jackets out there but this one is as good as Castelli's other 3 pocket Gabba/Perfetto offerings.

Sizing wise, its the same as the later Perfettos, ie one size bigger than an original 3 pocket Gabba/Perfetto. I took XL in the early stuff and L in this and their later stuff and I'm (usually) no chunky monkey.

Not good and I'm not sure who would vent a jacket from the zip bottom by choice?

It's when you need a pee, means you neither lift up the jacket (straining the zip) nor have to unzip it totally.

Aaah OK. I just stretch my bibs down rather than the jacket bottom up. Mebbies my errrm, physiology is more suitable for this than some others?