Better than Castelli Gabba? Wet weather racing jackets on test
During the 2013 edition of Milan-San Remo, the weather was horrendous. Many of the pro peloton could be seen wearing a black jersey to fend off the foul conditions. That jersey was the original Castelli Gabba.
If a pro rider is willing to be fined for wearing a piece of kit not supplied by a sponsor and which is in breach of UCI regulations, we can infer that it must be seriously good. Other manufacturers have rushed to develop products to compete with the Gabba and match its performance in awful weather. In response, Castelli has launched an updated version, the Gabba 2.
Here, CW tests a wide range of potential alternatives to see whether any of them have succeeded in surpassing Castelli’s benchmark.
Castelli Gabba 2 jacket
You can trust Cycling Weekly.
Castelli Gabba 2 jacket
£180
Score
Vermarc Aqua Zero
Vermarc Aqua Zero
£101.99
Score
B’Twin Aerofit 900 jacket
B’Twin Aerofit 900 jacket
£49.99
Score
Gore Oxygen WS long sleeved jacket
Oxygen WS long sleeved jacket
£139.99
Score
Sportful Fiandre Light WS Jacket
Sportful Fiandre Light WS Jacket
£165
Score
Santini Reef Rain Jersey
Santini Reef Rain Jersey
£139.99
Score
Capo Lombardia DWR long-sleeve jersey
Capo Lombardia DWR long-sleeved jacket
£159.99
Score
Rapha Pro Team Softshell Jacket
Rapha Pro Team Softshell jacket
£200
Score
Verdict
We did this test in the hope of finding a superior and cheaper alternative to the Gabba, but Castelli has raised the bar with the Castelli Gabba2. The Rapha Softshell is considerably less breathable than Castelli’s benchmark jacket, while the Santini and Capo didn’t fit quite as well. The Gore Oxygen and Sportful Fiandre were lacking in the tail.
Top tips for riding in wet weather
As for value, the B’Twin Aerofit was by far the cheapest jacket on test, yet performed very well — if you are on a budget, we would strongly recommend it.
>>> The best cycling overshoes
Water-resistance was good across the board, but all these jackets eventually succumbed when worn in prolonged rain. The next challenge for manufacturers is to match the fit and breathability of the Gabba while improving on its waterproofing.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
-
Buying a saddle online without a fit is a risky move — here's how to find the best perch for you
Getting your saddle right makes all the difference, we spoke to an expert to help guide you in the process
By Rob Kemp Published
-
Guava Spot Force AXS review: the Catalan gravel bike that loves tarmac too
It just doesn’t deal with fast asphalt, rocky terrain, sandy stretches and damp conditions, but it excels across them. It’s fast, aggressive, nimble, stable, and above all compliant.
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Made in the USA: Four of the best domestic carbon bicycles you should know about
Offering an alternative to bikes made overseas, these smaller operations are making high-quality carbon bikes closer to home
By Tyler Boucher Last updated
-
The best bike multi-tools 2024: Function-packed tools for every ride
The best cycling multi-tools will solve the majority of your on-bike mechanical problems
By Paul Norman Last updated
-
Best handlebar bags 2024
The best handlebar bags will let you carry a good proportion of your bikepacking gear or just your extras for a day ride
By Stefan Abram Last updated
-