Based on the Sanremo Speedsuit that was ridden to success in Paris-Roubaix by Johan Vansummeren last year, the brand new Sanremo Thermosuit from Castelli is their latest answer to riding in cold weather.
They boldly claim the revolutionary design allows you to wear just a baselayer and the Thermosuit for riding in the winter. How come? Its unique design forms an airtight seal around the body which delivers full protection from the elements and should, claim Castelli, gives better regulation of body temperature.
A downside of a sealed airtight approach is potential heat build-up so to overcome this Castelli and used a combination of materials in key places to give a good balance of warmth and breathability. The front uses Gore's Windstopper X-Lite Plus fabric which is well known for its windproof, breathable and water-resistant properties.
Around the back, and for the tights, is a Thermoflex Core Due fabric. Its hollow-core polyester fiber design means it can trap air providing a warm layer around the body. It's lighter than other fabrics too so places less restriction on the legs during pedalling.
Inside is their Progetto X2 Air chamois. An object of high technology with a seamless bacteriostatic (an anti-bacterial finish) fabric that conforms to the shape of the body with a multi-density foam with variable thicknesses to deliver comfort in the key areas.
You get three pockets around the back and a full-length ykk camlock zipper. There's reflective details and, as the photos show, it is bang on trend with the fluoro yellow left arm and stripe down the leg.
The Speedsuit's biggest claim was the aerodynamic advantage it offered over separate shorts and jersey outfits, and there's no reason why you can't have the same aero benefits through the winter months. Castelli say the new Thermosuit provides the weight and aerodynamics of a summer clothing but with the protection of winter garments.
The Castelli Sanremo Thermosuit is available in six sizes, from small to XXX-large, in black/yellow fluorescent. And it costs, are you sitting down, £250. So not cheap, then. But innovation doesn't come cheap, does it. Check out http://castelli-cycling.com for more info.
If you're need further explanation, have a watch of this video:
Help us to fund our site
We’ve noticed you’re using an ad blocker. If you like road.cc, but you don’t like ads, please consider subscribing to the site to support us directly. As a subscriber you can read road.cc ad-free, from as little as £1.99.
If you don’t want to subscribe, please turn your ad blocker off. The revenue from adverts helps to fund our site.
If you’ve enjoyed this article, then please consider subscribing to road.cc from as little as £1.99. Our mission is to bring you all the news that’s relevant to you as a cyclist, independent reviews, impartial buying advice and more. Your subscription will help us to do more.
David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes.
Looks very nice. But all my winter clothes have to be cheap and easily replaced incase of any mishaps. Like miffed said, If you scuff your knee after sliding on ice. Thats £250 down the drain.....or on the tarmac
I have to admit that I really really want one!!! Although if anyone ever shouts 'oh look there goes Tyler Farrar'....i will take it off and ride home naked!
There's no mention of the temperature range it has been designed for, but Mat will be testing one soon so we'll find out.
I know what you mean about crashing on ice in expensive tights, I crashed in some Assos tights a couple of winters ago and put a hole in them. Easily stitched up though. I wouldn't let the risk of crashing put me off riding in expensive kit at all
Well done Raleigh. You just randomly insulted some dude on a bike who has done nothing to offend you whatsoever. Very clever.
I don't see its a big insult. If you have a stones to wear the full pro kit, you need to have the stones to back it up and also have a decent bike.
Full team kit in MY eyes, should only be worn in a race. Same as a full football strip should only be worn on a football pitch. Its fine to wear the jersey or another part. Put it all together you are asking for comments
heh he - best not to methinks....but seriously, if you look at the pics - the zip goes down the front, but the base-layer seems to be integrated with the legs...not sure there is anyway to extricate, um, certain bodyparts
I can't imagine it's much different to pulling down the front of a pair of bibs. the baselayer isn't part of the garment, unless i'm very much mistaken
Add new comment
34 comments
Toasty but you'll look like a nutter. Also costly if you scuff your knees after slipping on ice
Looks very nice. But all my winter clothes have to be cheap and easily replaced incase of any mishaps. Like miffed said, If you scuff your knee after sliding on ice. Thats £250 down the drain.....or on the tarmac
Very Slick, but will the top really keep you warm in freezing temps without another jacket?
Also the fluro bits are right hand drive for europe.
I have to admit that I really really want one!!! Although if anyone ever shouts 'oh look there goes Tyler Farrar'....i will take it off and ride home naked!
Anyone thought about calls of nature?!
looks good to me, nice price too ....
There's no mention of the temperature range it has been designed for, but Mat will be testing one soon so we'll find out.
I know what you mean about crashing on ice in expensive tights, I crashed in some Assos tights a couple of winters ago and put a hole in them. Easily stitched up though. I wouldn't let the risk of crashing put me off riding in expensive kit at all
It's a onesie. that is all.
There is expensive kit and then there is this. Its up there with the likes of Rapha in terms of price.
Depending on the temperature range. It might be perfect for Scottish "summers"
I've seen something similar before... Where was it? Oh yeah, The Running Man...
I saw someone wearing full garmin kit at the lights in Parliament Square the other day, including helmet, socks, bins and gilet.
They were riding some piece of crap bike.
I couldn't help myself:
"Hey Tyler." (
Some other cyclists laughed and he looked embarrassed.
S'why you don't wear a full team kit unless you have a matching bike.
Well done Raleigh. You just randomly insulted some dude on a bike who has done nothing to offend you whatsoever. Very clever.
I don't see its a big insult. If you have a stones to wear the full pro kit, you need to have the stones to back it up and also have a decent bike.
Full team kit in MY eyes, should only be worn in a race. Same as a full football strip should only be worn on a football pitch. Its fine to wear the jersey or another part. Put it all together you are asking for comments
The onesie comes to cycling. Oh joy.
High-vis is on the wrong side for the UK.
Is now a good time to admit that I like it?!
That looks dangerously close to the sort of thing a triathlete would wear.
No. Thanks.
What's the team kit story got to do with this bit of castelli fetishwear?
I always thought you look more of a berk / wannabe WITH a matching bike...
Why pass up a chance to ridicule others in order to conceal your own short comings?
To me this makes sense - fewer overlapping pieces of fabric means reduced sweat build up. Win
I want one! Big time. But I just know it's going to cause pain...how does one pee while wearing it?
Long winter rides are going to become the ultimate exercise in bladder control!
maybe they expect you to do it like they used to do before "nature breaks" were acceptable and learn to take a leak while riding....?
The same way you put it on - there's a full-length zip at the front, and then you... well I'm sure I don't need to explain the next step
heh he - best not to methinks....but seriously, if you look at the pics - the zip goes down the front, but the base-layer seems to be integrated with the legs...not sure there is anyway to extricate, um, certain bodyparts
I can't imagine it's much different to pulling down the front of a pair of bibs. the baselayer isn't part of the garment, unless i'm very much mistaken
aah - in which case I stand corrected!
I'll let you know for sure as soon as I can find one
the castelli man is due here this afternoon, here's hoping he brings one along if he shows up...
But at least with the matching bike you can cruise along as if you're actually a pro warming down. With a rubbish bike you give it away.
Original subject? I'm slipping a pad jnto my 3mm wetsuit and using that.
Jeez, that is one full on Gimp suit - all it needs is a mask.
Wonder if it comes in XXXL?
Not mega fat, just that Castelli is always on the very snug side, & two sizes small. honest!
Castelli product page suggests down to 3º - http://castelli-cycling.com/en/products/detail/681/
I've got one on order
It's a onesie alright. Would still have one though. Minus the Flouro sick patches.
As Phips say. the temperature range is
min 3 °C (37.4 °F) max 15 °C (59.0 °F)
So you could get away with it year round up here
Pages