Castelli is launching a new Idro waterproof jacket that weighs just 123g and packs down super-small for stowage.
The idea is that it’ll go more or less unnoticed in a jersey pocket until you need proper protection from the rain
“The Gore-Tex Active technology with a new permanent beading surface is an innovative fabric construction that eliminates the textile on the outer face of the fabric, resulting in a two layer fabric that is lighter weight and doesn’t absorb moisture on the outer face,” says Castelli.
As well as being waterproof, Gore-Tex Active products are designed to be extremely breathable.
Check out our jackets reviews here.
The Idro – it translates as hydro – comes in a close cut, designed to avoid billowing, and it boasts a waterproof YKK zip, elastic bindings on the cuffs and hem, and a zipped opening at the back for ventilation and to allow you access to jersey pockets.
Castelli claims a weight of just 123g for a large size and it says that the jacket takes up half a jersey pocket when folded down. That’s seriously lightweight. The Pearl Izumi Elite WxB jacket that we reviewed recently, for comparison, was 211g.
It’s priced £230.
5 thoughts on “Castelli launches super-lightweight Idro waterproof”
Goretex Active is a bit poor
Goretex Active is a bit poor in my experience. If you roll that jacket up like he has in that picture, you’ll wreck the top layer and it’ll soak through. You have to treat it delicately, make sure you aren’t rubbing any spots when moving or those patches will soak through.
Used Goretex Active for lightweight running and hiking jackets from Mountain Equipment before.. fine for a handful of outings then it’s done for. Basically you’ll be reproofing after every serious use, especially if you’re rolling it up and stuffing into a pocket.
I don’t bother now. As long as my jacket is windproof and I have a merino layer on then I’d rather get soaked but stay warm.
Then again, if you’re not at that stage yet where you’re happy to get wet, and want to try and stay dry with something lightweight.. you don’t have a lot of options. GT Active is probably the most breathable out of the available tech.
Need an upgrade from my
Need an upgrade from my Castelli Squadra and this looks the ticket. I could wrap myself in kitchen-roll and it’d be more waterproof/breathable/aero.
Funnily enough i’m after a
Funnily enough i’m after a rain jacket and have been doing the rounds on google searching for one. Previously had Rapha Rain jacket which had excellent protection but looked a bit crap and then the Castelli Pocket Liner which was fantastic at keeping the rain out but hopeless packing up to keep in the back pocket and was a bit ‘boil in the bag’ to wear. This looks to be an option but Ā£230 for a Cagoule is gonna hurt.
People of the earth, you have
People of the earth, you have no clue, You still wear cagoules and tennis shoes.
Ā£2 per gram, does it have silver woven into it?
Howies Helium for me. Packs
Howies Helium for me. Packs down small enough to go in a jersey pocket, keeps the rain off and the warmth in. It’s not cycling specific, so no strategically-placed zips on the back, but it only cost Ā£25 in the sale.