There is no doubt that Castelli is a brand which has become synonymous with winter riding. The Italian clothing company has made a name for itself by using innovative and creative solutions for weather conditions that were once challenging to dress for when on two wheels. Garments like the Castelli Gabba and Perfetto are written deep into cycling clothing folklore, helping riders get out regardless of how cold or wet it is outside.
However, the cycling clothing landscape is changing and with that, brands such as Castelli have been forced to evolve. As the use of PFAS chemicals has been banned (which have unmatched waterproofing capabilities but are incredibly detrimental to the environment), Castelli have welcomed in a new era of materials for winter clothing, and with that an entire reassessment of how to dress for riding in the colder months.
The recently-launched Castelli Perfetto RoS 3 is designed to be worn in temperatures ranging from 4-14°C (39-57°F) and claims to be "redefining dry.” Made from an entirely new fabric coined AirCore, Castelli has worked alongside Polartec to create a jacket which, they claim, ticks every box when it comes to the requirements for riding hard in inclement weather. While once riders may have had to choose between breathability and water protection in a jacket, Castelli argue that the Perfetto RoS 3 takes away that decision making with a garment that is “highly water repellent, lightweight and windproof, as well as being incredibly stretchy and comfortable.”
The Perfetto RoS 3 is made using entirely PFAS-free materials and is engineered from recycled Polyester yarns. Using a process called electrospinning, a hydrophobic proprietary polymer is pushed through a hypodermic needle charged at 20,000 volts. Under pressure, it emits a thin jet of microscopic filaments - approximately 100 times smaller than a human hair - which falls like snow to create an incredibly tight membrane that still allows air to permeate it. These holes, Castelli says, are big enough to let the material breathe, but small enough to prevent water ingress.
“It’s hard to fully explain how revolutionary this fabric is,” Steve Smith, Head of Cycling, MVC Group, said. “Its properties achieve something that’s never been done before, which is why we’re re-writing the gold standard of what high performance cycling gear can do. No one else is anywhere close.”
Design and aesthetics
Outwardly, the Castelli Perfetto RoS 3 doesn’t look different from the Ros 2 with Castelli’s signature DNA evident in the garment. There are two vent zippers on the front of the jacket with a two-way zipper in the middle alongside a three-quarter zipper cover. Contrasting coloured, reflective taped seams across the shoulders are a common theme throughout Castelli’s jacket range and the Perfetto is no exception. At the back of the jacket, the dropped tail is bigger and more pronounced to help protect from spray coming up from the road while a high collar aims to keep out draft and windchill.
The three pockets at the rear, each with a hole for drainage. The men’s jacket is available in the following four colour ways: Rich Red/Black Reflex, Light Black/Silver Reflex, Mocha/Black Reflex and Pool Blue/Black Reflex, while the women's version can be purchased in Hibiscus/Black Reflex, Pool Blue/Black Reflex, Mango Mojito/Black Reflex and Light Black/Silver Reflex.
Ride impressions
I first tested the Castelli Perfetto RoS 3 earlier this year in Spain, riding in early spring conditions with the potential for an occasional downpour, and I believe that this is where the jacket really thrives.
Starting with the fit, the Perfetto has an aerodynamic, race cut while also being comfortable and flexible – while I’ve previously found that Castelli jackets can fit on the smaller side, the Perfetto was true to my usual size medium in women’s kit.
Riding in the early part of the day in Spain meant that the temperatures were cool in the morning but quickly warmed up throughout the afternoon. I was impressed by how well the AirCore material regulated heat – even during hard efforts on climbs I didn’t find myself at any risk of overheating. When cresting and descending a climb, the Perfetto was quick to dry out and reset so I reached the next ascent with a nice dry baseline. This was all while wearing a thin summer baselayer and impressively I didn’t feel much wind chill on the descents which says a lot for the protective qualities that the Perfetto offers, despite being so lightweight.
In Spain, then, the jacket ticked pretty much all the boxes. Where I encountered more issues with the Perfetto was in recent months while using it in the British winter. With freezing rain and temperatures below 8 degrees celsius, I found myself having to seriously stack baselayers in order to feel warm enough while wearing the jacket. This leads me to believe that Castelli’s claim that the Perfetto is suitable for temperatures ranging from 4-14° C is questionable. Of course, it’s possible to wear any jacket if you layer enough under or over the top of it, but when the Perfetto is priced at a hefty €249.00, many buyers will expect that it lives up to its claims without the need to purchase additional garments to make it suitable for the temperatures should, according to Castelli, work in.
At times when I was caught in heavier downpours rather than the occasional shower, I felt like the jacket let in too much rain and allowed moisture right through to my baselayer. This wasn’t a problem I’d encountered with the lighter rain I’d ridden through in Spain at the start of the year, but European winters are certainly not as harsh as those we unfortunately face in the UK, so this is something to bear in mind if you’re thinking about purchasing a Perfetto jacket. An additional rain shell would be needed for any kind of heavy rain, which might not be something you remember to stuff in your pocket every time you head out for a bike ride (not to mention the additional bulk and pocket space this takes up.)
Perhaps I was expecting too much when it comes to water resistance in the new, PFAS-free era that the cycling clothing world finds itself in, though. It could be that the future of winter kit is layering rather than expecting a magic garment that can do it all. If you’re happy to embody this mindset and approach, then the Perfetto does a good job in other areas – it depends where your priorities lie.
Breathability, windproofing and wicking sweat quickly are great pros of this garment. If you’re expecting to do some hard efforts this winter and are happy to wear a hard shell jacket over the top in the rain, the Perfetto will certainly help keep things fresher and drier underneath. If your main concern is one jacket that will help you stay dry and warm in conditions that will regularly dip underneath 8 degrees, then this might not be the best option for you. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Castelli plans to introduce a heavier version of the Perfetto in the future which would serve those of us who aren’t lucky enough to experience Spanish winters a little better.
Verdict
The Perfetto RoS 3 is a highly-technical, specialist garment that is a great choice for those who are fortunate enough to have a wardrobe of cycling kit that is rich with a number of different clothing options for different riding conditions. Those with a good hard shell and a couple of baselayers of varying weight will find that the Perfetto is a great option to layer up with. It will help keep you fresh when things get sweaty thanks to the exceptional breathability, but if you’re looking to be kept dry in heavy downpours without needing a rain shell too, then the Perfetto isn’t where you should be looking. When the seasons are changing in the UK or for riding in winter conditions that aren’t too extreme, however, it’s a good choice.
