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review

Santini 365 Transparent Plain Zip Race jacket

7
£49.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Well vented cape with a racer's cut for aerodynamics, and plenty of size options
Weight: 
148g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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When riding hard in showery conditions you don't necessarily need a full on waterproof. Something like Santini's 365 Transparent jacket to keep the worst of it off is ideal, and thanks to a snug fit its perfect for racing.

This Italian-made take on the race cape has a tailored fit which is cut for when you are in the saddle. The tail is dropped and the waist is cinched preventing fabric from flapping about or bunching when you are in motion.

Sizing is always a contentious issue when it comes to Italian clothing but the medium tested here fits me spot on (I'm a medium in DHB, Rapha and so on) which pairs up perfectly with Santini's online size chart. There is a 4XL maximum size which is good enough for a 47-inch chest, for the rugby players and body builders out there.

The Windtex fabric is water resistant and windproof. Many jackets of this style claim to be breathable but they seldom are, with venting making up for the deficiencies of the material (and let's face it, even the best vapour-permeable fabrics can't keep up with a cyclist toiling up a hill anyway). Rather than the usual pit zips Santini go for a large mesh vent across the upper back with the Windtex material providing a flap to stop rain water from getting in. It works rather well with the 365 being one of the most temperature-controlled race capes I've used. You do need to keep the zip at the front down a bit though to let cold air pass through if you're really pushing the pace. Your arms will also get sweaty causing the fabric to stick to them though I'm yet to find an unlined windproof jacket where this doesn't happen.

As far as the water resistance goes, it'll keep out light drizzle and short rain showers although heavier bursts or more persistant downpours will soak through. You will remain warm though.

The neck sits nice and high which stops drafts travelling down your back and the centre section, which is most likely going to be sat against the nape of your neck, uses a softer fabric for comfort.

Overall the Santini 365 is one of the better options and priced at £49.99 it sits somewhere in the mid-range. It's well made with the use of plenty of panels providing an aero fit making ideal for racing, fast club runs or pretty much any hard effort.

The full zip means you can control your temperature as you ride plus it's easy to get on and off while in the saddle, though getting it back in its little carry bag is probably best left to the coffee stop. When it is in its bag it'll easily fit in a jersey pocket.

Fit on the bike is great to with the tail covering your rear when you are in the drops and plenty of length in the arms.

Verdict

Well vented cape with a racer's cut for aerodynamics, and plenty of size options.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Santini 365 Transparent Plain Zip Race jacket

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The 365 Transparent is a water resistant and wind proof jacket with a racer's aero cut. It fits snug when in the saddle and packs down to a jersey pocket size in or out of its included bag.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Windtex fabric

Water resistant

Windproof

Full zip

Back Vent

S - 4XL sizing

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Looks good, nice and tidy.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Still warm but does an all round good job.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Standing up well but the material is easy to snag.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

148g means you hardly realise you are wearing it.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10

Fit is good although the material can feel a little plasticky against the skin.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

It's one of the better versions and cheaper than some of its competitors.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Providing a barrier against the worst of the weather while keeping things aero is exactly what you want in a race cape.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The slim fit.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Sweaty arms.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 35  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: Whatever needs testing or Genesis Flyer, fixed of course!  My best bike is: Kinesis T2 with full Centaur Red

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

 

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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