Castelli Gabba 2 jacket review
What’s the one piece of cycling kit we can’t live without? The Castelli Gabba 2 jacket. But what makes the Gabba so good?
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Although expensive, we find ourselves constantly grabbing the Gabba when trying to decide what to wear. It is incredibly versatile and we highly recommend it.
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Superb fit
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Excellent breathability
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Good water resistance
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Perfect length tail
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Range of colours
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Looks great
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Good size pockets
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Women's version too
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What’s the one piece of cycling kit we can’t live without? The Castelli Gabba 2 jacket. But what makes the Gabba so good? Firstly, it is excellent at keeping out the cold, thanks to the use of Gore Windstopper fabric. This textile is highly breathable and does an excellent job of expelling sweat. On cold rides, this keeps you dry on the inside even when you reach the cafe stop.
Buy now:
- Castelli Gabba 2 long sleeve jacket at Evans Cycles for £164.99 (opens in new tab)
- Castelli Gabba 2 short sleeve jacket at Evans Cycles from £97.99 (opens in new tab)
The fit is also very good. Tailoring is close-fitting and far more aerodynamic than a flappy soft shell or buffeting rain cape. Though not completely waterproof, the Gabba features a highly water-repellant finish and fabric, which sees off most showers with ease. What’s more, the close fit ensures the Gabba keeps you warm when wet.
Other great features include the close-fitting tail, which does an excellent job of keeping your posterior warm and dry, drainage holes in the pockets and a zip that can be locked and unlocked. When unlocked, the jacket can be easily pulled open with one hand.
Though the convertible option is expensive at £220, it does offer incredible versatility — the sleeves can be zipped off to form a short-sleeve jersey. We have used the Gabba throughout spring, autumn and winter in temperatures ranging from 0ºC to 16ºC. By adjusting the layers you chose to wear underneath, almost every day is a Gabba day!
Short sleeve £150; Long sleeve £180; Convertible £220
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Michelle Arthurs-Brennan is a traditional journalist by trade, having begun her career working for a local newspaper, where highlights included interviewing a very irate Freddie Star (and an even more irate theatre owner), as well as 'the one about the stolen chickens'.
Previous to joining the Cycling Weekly team, Michelle was Editor at Total Women's Cycling. She joined CW as an 'SEO Analyst', but couldn't keep her nose out of journalism and in the spreadsheets, eventually taking on the role of Tech Editor before her latest appointment as Digital Editor.
Michelle is a road racer who also enjoys track riding and the occasional time trial, though dabbles in off-road riding too (either on a mountain bike, or a 'gravel bike'). She is passionate about supporting grassroots women's racing and founded the women's road race team 1904rt.
Michelle is on maternity leave from July 8 2022, until April 2023.
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