First Look

New Perfetto and Gabba gain extra pocket and open-ended front zip

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By Jack Evans

Published: January 21, 2023 at 2:00 pm

Castelli has updated its range of wet-weather cycling clothing to offer a looser fit, more storage, and greater wind and rain protection.

The changes affect the flagship Perfetto RoS 2 Long Sleeve, the Perfetto RoS 2 Wind Jersey and the Gabba RoS 2.

The Italian brand launched the original Gabba in 2010. But it was the snow-savaged 2013 Milan-San Remo that brought Castelli to the forefront of winter cycling clothing.

Scores of pros wore shop-bought, blacked-out versions of the short-sleeve rain jersey (because their teams were not sponsored by Castelli) during the Italian spring classic. The winner of that edition, Gerald Ciolek, removed his Gabba just before the sprint finish.

Since then, products such as the five-star Castelli Alpha RoS 2 Light Jacket have upheld Castelli's reputation for making the best winter cycling jackets.

You might be thinking: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". However, Castelli has attempted to improve its range of Perfetto and Gabba jackets.

Castelli also calls the Perfetto RoS jacket the long-sleeved Gabba. RoS stands for rain or shine, an allusion to the jacket's claimed suitability for varied conditions. The ‘2’ refers to how this version has been updated from the first generation.

Castelli has relaxed the fit of the renowned Perfetto RoS long-sleeved jacket around the chest, shoulders and biceps.

Some riders found the original version of the wet-weather garment to be restrictive, particularly under the arms.

However, Castelli's winter cycling jacket retains the race-fit that makes it popular among WorldTour teams. The Perfetto is second only to the Gabba 2 jacket in its cult status among fans of winter road cycling.

Castelli has tried to enhance the Perfetto RoS 2's foul-weather performance by revising the shoulder seam taping to better protect the back from rain.

The Perfetto RoS 2 is made from the same Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper 203 and 205 material as its predecessor. Rather than being waterproof, the brand says the fabric is as water resistant as possible, while remaining windproof and breathable.

The number of rear pockets has increased from two to three and the panel on the back of them is reflective, according to the Italian brand.

The largest, middle pocket is wide enough for a mobile phone and cycling accessories such as a mini pump. The narrower pockets to the left and right look better for holding energy bars.

At the front, the YKK zip now opens at both ends for more adjustable ventilation. Since the Perfetto RoS 2 is meant to be worn as an outer layer over a baselayer, and not to be taken off while riding, this feature should help regulate your temperature when you warm up.

Castelli says it has covered the zip to repel the wind and rain when it is fastened.

Following these changes, the claimed weight has increased from 354g to 389g in an unspecified size.

The long-sleeved jacket still comes in black and dark blue, but light grey, fluoro and light blue replace lighter black, red and orange. Sizes run through from XS to 3XL as before.

The price has gone up about 10 per cent to £245 / €229.99 / $279.99 / AU$390.

Castelli claims the Perfetto RoS 2 is the only winter cycling jacket you need. We’ve been testing one, so keep an eye on BikeRadar for our verdict.

Castelli has made similar changes to the Perfetto RoS 2 Wind Jersey, including tweaking the fit. This short-sleeved windproof top is designed to be worn over a baselayer in mild conditions or a jersey in cooler weather. Arm warmers are an option in either guise.

The Perfetto RoS 2 Wind Jersey began as a lighter version of the Gabba, called the Perfetto Light. Castelli has changed the name for the fourth iteration.

The brand says the back is more reflective, while the new zip can be opened up or down for ventilation or to reach your jersey pockets. The Wind Jersey itself has three rear pockets, up from two.

Castelli says the Perfetto RoS 2 Wind Jersey weighs 251g in an unspecified size. It's available in light blue, dark blue, grey, black and lime, and in sizes from XS to 3XL.

The Perfetto RoS 2 Wind Jersey costs £180 / €169.95 / $229.99 / AU$289.99.

Castelli has called the fifth generation of its short-sleeved water-resistant jacket the Gabba RoS 2.

The brand says the new Gabba is now nearly waterproof and as breathable and windproof as ever. The Gabba RoS 2 is also looser around the arms, shoulders and chest, like the new Perfetto range.

The front is made from Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper 205, a warm and 100 per cent waterproof fabric made exclusively for Castelli. Seams have been moved from the shoulders to the back, which is is also claimed to enhance impermeability.

The lighter, more breathable material on the back features Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper 205. Castelli claims this stretchier fabric provides adequate rain protection.

Like on the other two garments, Castelli says the reflective back panel is more visible, the zip goes both ways and there is an extra rear pocket.

The Gabba RoS 2 is about 80g heavier than the Perfetto RoS 2 Wind Jersey at 329g in an unknown size.

Again, these run through from XS to XL in the same colours as the Wind Jersey.

The Castelli Gabba RoS 2 will set you back £200 / €189.95 / $239.99 / AU$320.

Digital Writer

Jack Evans is a digital writer for BikeRadar.com Jack learnt to ride on rough Cotswold trails before switching to tarmac in his teens. Gravel riding and cyclocross racing (badly) has since taken him back to his roots. Most at home scaling south Wales climbs, Jack more commonly escapes his home in Birmingham via the lanes and bridleways of Worcestershire, riding either his Canyon Ultimate road bike or Canyon Grail gravel bike. He wishes he was as good at riding as he is drinking espresso. But he has completed the 296km Dragon Devil sportive in under 10 hours and finished in the top 100 at the 2022 UK National Hill Climb Championships. Jack is an NCTJ-trained journalist and a former press agency hack with bylines in The Times, Daily Telegraph and Daily Mirror. He was once electrocuted for a Sun frontpage exclusive and taste-tested camel milk for The Times.

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