Castelli or Gore ?????????

Oh and Castelli Cafe have them on sale for £120 SS / £148 LS
http://www.castellicafe.co.uk/castelli-gabba-ws-mens-jersey

Bloody Gabba must be so popular - no one has it in any sales

Stumps, I've been using a Gore Xenon SO since '11 and have just bought a Castelli Gabba (LS) which I've used for about 10 training rides and commuting since the start of November. Just using Gabba with LS polyester Helly Henson base layer. The 2 jackets are made of the same windstopper material (I think) and are about the same price.

Some comparative observations-

Gabba-Slightly racier fit. Lighter. May just fit in a jersey pocket. Very bright in yellow. Above standard build quality. Can be cold to start with (unlined) then too hot despite vents under arms. Chilly round neck. Pro look if you get a black one!

Xenon-Very slightly looser fit on arms, still quite racy through body. Exceptional warmth with strategically placed micro fleece backing, and venting under arms and also at end of sleeves (unlike Gabba), making it more stable temperature wise. You're warmer when you start then don't overheat. Better detailing-insulated neck, zip garage, zippered rear pocket. Neck edge has just started to delaminate but v minor and not a problem in use.

I expect both jackets to be equally waterproof BUT my friends Gabba has lost its original repellency in 6 months. My Gore has had 2 winters constant use commuting and training everyday and I have never applied DWR yet its as water repellent as ever.

If I could only have one jacket the Gore would win easily, it's a miracle jacket and relatively my most usable piece of kit-quality up there or surpassing my Rapha Pro Team jacket/bib shorts & Assos bib shorts .

Hope this helps.

I've enjoyed my Gabba in the few weeks I've had it, with a merino baselayer it's been warm enough down to around 0C.

On fit I find a medium fine, but I'm c 5'10" and 10.5st

I quite fancy an espresso due as well, but I can't really justify it

Anyone know how the Gabba sizes up in the arms? Last time I tried one on, the shop only had a short sleeved medium, and a long sleeved large. The arms in the large long sleeve were about right, but the body in the medium was much better - nice and tight. I'm a 70kg 6'1" lanky person.

I think you won't go far wrong with Castelli. I have worn Assos, Rapha, Gore, Sportful, Santini and Endura. Castelli's tailoring is fantastic for riding/race position whilst I would say Gore is a bit flappy in the wind but great for standing about in.

Assos is OK but I have always had a problem with the seams, cut and price point - Swiss badged - Bulgarian made!

Endura is OK although not the best quality materials. Santini is like an italian version of Endura!

Castelli actually use Goretex in part of their construction for windproof jackets.
And their Nanoflex technology is great!

Be wary of Castellis sizing and go one up from what you normally size to e.g.: Large > Extra Large

Wait for the Jan sales and you will get a great bargain and maximise your budget!

Castelli, can't beat the Gabba kit!

Much of the Castelli stuff is made from Gore fabrics, so it's really down to the design and style of the jacket. Sportful own the Castelli brand.
Chinese Castelli? Well if it goes with the knock-off Cervelo, fake Oakleys and bargain Chanel No.5 you bought for the missus down the pub....

Sportful Survival has got to be worth a mention in my opinion. Great Gore-Tex jacket, has kept me warm and dry in some atrocious weather recently. Within budget at the moment too.

Castelli direct from china. Nothing ostracises you quite like rocking up to a club run wearing pretty much the same piece of kit as some mamil and letting them know it cost best part of a tenner.

I got a gore windstopper at a race one year, to be honest it has stayed tightly squashed into a water bottle most of the year, but when the weather really does turn south and it has to come out it stands up to the rain admirably.

Have to say though I find I cook to death wearing 'jackets' much prefer LS Roubaix(TM) type jerseys through winter

i've got a Xenon 2.0 Windstopper Soft Shell Jacket and it is a fantastic bit of kit, wear it in autumn & spring just with a base layer underneath and in winter on rides when the temperature is below freezing I just add another layer underneath.

In my experience Gore stuff is better quality and better made than Castelli...

Castelli all day, everyday. Nothing says 'commuter' and 'I heart Evans' like Gore.

Not tried Castelli but have had a Gore windstopper for 3 years now and it's been great. Decent fit, rain resistant and with a long sleeved base layer is very effective in the windiest of weather.

If you're looking for race fit then Castelli without a doubt. Gore make great kit but personally I'm less convinced by some of the tailoring.

I'd try on both and see though, like I say quality wise Gore is very good stuff.

Sportful are well worth a look if Castelli isn't quite your shape. Love the look of their kit and I don't doubt it's good but I just didn't fit into it as well.

I've got the Gore Xenon 2.0 winstopper and it's brilliant. Has taken loads of abuse from about January this year and still going strong. Lots of ventilation options but warm when you need it, even when wet. The Castelli stuff is pretty though...

Castelli every time.

The dhb one is very good though.

And I have one from CREW ROOM - which is actually a rowing brand. It's like a drysuit.

I have both a Castelli Elemento 7x and a Gore Xenon 2.0 SO Softshell in hi-viz that I use for commuting. Both are excellent. With your budget I'd go for the Gore just make sure you get the right size; it needs to be snug. Neither are totally waterproof (the Castelli hardly at all) but I've never really needed an additional waterproof with the Gore. It's quite similar to a Gabba in some respects. There's a few online shops that do the Gore at sub £150.

Depends what you want and need from a jacket. If you've already got a waterproof jacket, then a good softshell jacket could be the best option. They're toasty warm, keep the wind out and are pretty good in light rain too, and really versatile - it's rarely cold enough that a softshell won't cope. You can easily stuff a few more layers underneath or over the top to adapt

My softshell jackets get a LOT more use than any other my hardshell or waterproof jackets. They're perfect for UK riding. With your budget you've got quite a large choice as well. Worth checking out available online discounts, can often get some good deals

Gore power active shell. Amazing jacket and well within budget

Rapha Wind Jacket. It's really got to be thrown into the mix because it's within budget - £170, and is one of the best performing jackets I've come across.

Very lightweight, packs down very small, is wonderfully breathable and extremely comfortable - Can be used for three seasons. It's water resistant, and dries super quick too.

Either way, I would suggest getting windproof over waterproof - much more versatile.

Can't comment on mens stuff but from a bird's perspective the castelli jackets are certainly among the best out there at the moment. Well tailored as well as being incredibly light. If I had a bit of cash to splash I'd go with one of them!

Check out Sportful while you're there as well by the way, they're the more "sensible" version of Castelli, same company & same factory, you might get more bang for your buck whilst not sacrificing style.