Castelli Perfetto long sleeve jersey

The Gabba reborn? We put the Castelli Perfetto long sleeve through its paces in the British winter
Rupert Radley

Score

9/10

Pros

  • Very warm
  • Impressively waterproof
  • Not clammy

Cons

  • A tiny bit short on the arms
  • The price

Price as reviewed:

£175

    • The story goes that the Castelli Perfetto long sleeve gained its name because so many people kept calling the Gabba, its predecessor, perfect. Now, this might sound like the marketing machine in action, but after riding in it we’re very impressed.

    Pick up the garment and its clear it’s a well built garment, albeit more like a jacket than a long-sleeve jersey. Initially, this had me worried that it’d feel clammy on bare arms like a jacket does, but fortunately this wasn’t the case, although it doesn’t have a fleeced liner to give it a proper snug feeling.

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    The high neck on the Castelli Perfetto long sleeve Castelli Perfetto long sleeve jersey

    A softer lining on the high neck of the Castelli Perfetto long sleeve jersey

    The jersey breathes well, though, never feeling damp inside – or bin bagging as I like to call it – like proper waterproof jackets often can. Besides, if you find yourself getting too warm, there are two vents on the side to help you out.

    Watch: winter jackets buyer’s guide

    The Castelli Perfetto long sleeve is self-proclaimed “foul weather racing equipment”, and Storm Brian raging outside during October promised to be too good an opportunity to miss.

    Despite the lashings of rain my upper body remained perfectly dry, with the jacket beading and the water streaming off. Castelli claim it to be only a water resistant treatment but I found it to be as waterproof as a lot of jackets.

    Three pockets on the rear of the castelli perfetto long sleeve

    Three pockets on the rear of the Castelli Perfetto long sleeve jersey

    It was equally adept in the wind, and its Gore Windstopper X-Lite fabric helped keep my core snug despite the gale.

    Other additional defences include a longer tail with reflective detailing plus a storm flap in front of the zip and a high neck to keep out the wind. An elasticated waist stops the top riding up and letting your core warmth out.

    The long tail on the Castelli Perfetto long sleeve Castelli Perfetto long sleeve jersey

    The long tail will help keep your bum dry when wearing the Castelli Perfetto long sleeve jersey

    My size small fit my torso fine but the arms did come up a tad short, leaving an inch or wrist exposed so be warned if like me, you have exceptionally long arms.

    The jersey is complete with three rear pockets, which while deep and secure are tight and wouldn’t house both my pump and essentials case in one pocket, putting a premium on space.

    Vents on the Castelli Perfetto long sleeve

    There are two vents to help keep things cool on the Castelli Perfetto long sleeve jersey

    Also premium is the price, and £175 is a lot of money to pay for a long-sleeved jersey. But if you ride a lot in foul conditions, then it becomes a small price to pay for being dry and warm in the winter months.

    Verdict

    It's impressively waterproof and very windproof and if you were prepared to spend a rather large amount of money then the Castelli Perfetto would be a very good option.

    Details

    Sizes available: S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL