Castelli has launched new versions of the Gabba and Perfetto, incorporating Polartec’s AirCore fabric into its flagship foul weather garments. It’s the first time that AirCore has featured on the Gabba, with Castelli promising superior windproofing and protection from showers on the Gabba Pro, Perfetto 4 and Perfetto Pro.
Castelli irked some Gabba fans with the release of the Gabba R in 2024, that came in a long-sleeved version – but the Gabba Pro comes with the signature short sleeves that featured on the original version that we first saw back in 2009. It’s not quite a jacket and not quite a jersey, with many cyclists preferring to use it as part of a layering system rather than using one or two under layers with a thick winter jacket on top.
Weighing around 196g, the Gabba Pro is said to be ideal for racing and hard training where you need flexibility and breathability, but decent weather protection for all but the very worst conditions: for the latter, Castelli still recommends the Gabba R.
Castelli’s Global Brand Manager Steve Smith adds: “It’s always an exciting moment introducing a new Gabba into the range as it’s a jacket that revolutionised the cycling apparel market in the same way AirCore transformed how modern cyclists dress for colder conditions.”
The Perfetto 4 is more insulated than previous iteration of the Perfetto, the RoS 3, as feedback from riders was that it wasn’t as warm as the Perfettos before it. The RoS 3 was the first jacket to feature Polartec’s AirCore, a more environmentally-friendly answer to the highly weatherproof (but PFAS-heavy) Gore-Tex Shakedry fabric that was so popular in the late 2010s.
Designed “for everyday riders, with a performance fit”, it weighs between 239-286g depending on the size, and is said to be ideal for temperatures in the range of 4-12°C, with extra insulation versus the RoS 3. Castelli says zipped ventilation openings are no longer needed because AirCore is so breathable, and there’s a new ‘splash tail’ to protect from road crud and spray.
The Perfetto Pro is the more obvious successor to the RoS 3, with a lighter weight of 226g. Castelli boasts that it delivers “an optimal balance of breathability, stretch and protection for riders operating at higher speeds and sustained intensity”, and has been used by the Soudal Quick-Step team since the start of the year.
The temperature sweet spot for the Perfetto Pro is said to be 6-14°C, providing windproofing and protection from light showers. It has a two-way zipper to get it on and off easily, and the splash tail has also been redesigned.
Sizes and prices: a man’s world
Female readers may be disappointed to learn that only the Perfetto 4 comes in female sizes – it’s men’s only for Perfetto Pro and Gabba Pro.
A Castelli spokesperson told us: “At Castelli, we are committed to equipping female riders with top-tier performance apparel, and women’s-specific garments remain a central pillar of our product roadmap.
“Rather than simply scaling down men’s patterns or offering compromise unisex fits, our women’s line undergoes a dedicated, gender-specific R&D and testing process. This initial launch features a female version of the Perfetto 4, and our product team is continuously evaluating and developing high-performance garments for both men and women, based on rider feedback and testing. We look forward to sharing updates on future additions to our women’s collection as development progresses.”
The fit is described as ‘tailored’ for the Perfetto 4 and comes in sizes XS-3XL for men, in Black, Brilliant Orange, Steel Fade and Twilight Blue colourways. The size range is XS-XL for women, and the colour options are Black, Hibiscus and Twilight Blue. It’s priced at £280.
The Perfetto Pro – in a race fit – comes in sizes XS-3XL (men’s only) and Belgian Blue, Black, Electric Lime and Shadow are the colour options. That one is priced at a lofty £300.
The Gabba Pro also comes in XS-3XL (men’s sizes only) and the colour choices are Black and Black Race Edition, the latter incorporating “professional-inspired logo placement on the upper chest”. The RRP is £230, and it’s only available online at Castelli’s website.
