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review
Jerseys - long sleeve
Castelli Giro Jersey FZ Castelli Giro Jersey FZ Castelli Giro Jersey FZ Castelli Giro Jersey FZ Castelli Giro Jersey FZ
Castelli Giro Jersey FZ

Castelli Giro Jersey FZ

7
by Mat Brett
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Jan 9, 2014

3
£85.00

VERDICT:

7
10
Warm, breathable midweight jersey for a variety of off-season temperatures
Weight: 
293g
Contact: 
www.saddleback.co.uk
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Castelli's Giro Jersey is a solid offering for autumn/spring, and you'll get plenty of use from it as part of a layering system in the heart of the winter.

You couldn't call the Giro an especially innovative jersey compared to a lot of Castelli's designs, but you need a few staples in your wardrobe to do the basics well.

It's made from what Castelli call 'Warmer' fabric, which is a fleecy polyester. It's fairly similar to a winter tights fabric, combining a reasonable amount of warmth with good breathability. It's more stretchy widthwise than it is lengthwise so you can get a close fit without the rear pockets sinking down around your butt when you have them filled with all your winter provisions.

The chunky zip is easy to adjust for temperature control and the collar is high enough to stop the cold air coming in around your neck. An elastic gripper keeps the waist in, a couple of reflective tabs at the back improve visibility just a touch, and the logos won't come off in the wash because they're all printed or sewn on.

The cut is slim but there's enough stretch here that you get quite a bit of leeway when it comes to fit.

Castelli give a temperature range for the Giro of 14°C to 20°C. I'd say that's high unless you're going without a base layer. With a base layer underneath, I'd say it's more suited to 11-17°C or something like that. Plus, you can always sling a second thin top underneath when the weather is colder, or put a gilet or windproof over the top, and extend its use right into winter.

Verdict

Warm, breathable midweight jersey for a variety of off-season temperatures.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Castelli Giro Jersey FZ

Size tested: Large, Black/White, 2 sent

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?

This is Castelli's write-up:

The Giro long-sleeve jersey will keep you warm and dry during autumn and spring rides. Constructed using our fleecy Warmer fabric with a smooth surface on the outside that offers exceptional warmth and wicking.

This jersey has all the details: there's an elastic gripper around the back of the waist to keep the jersey from riding up, a YKK camlock zipper that's easy to open and close for ventilation, and three rear pockets that are big enough to hold spare tubes, gloves and food without bouncing. Two rear reflective tabs offer increased visibility in low-light conditions.

- Warmer fabric for excellent warmth and wicking

- Silicone gripper on back keeps jersey from riding up

- Sublimated logo on chest

- Full-length YKK camlock zipper

- 3 Rear pockets

- Rear reflective tabs add visibility

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

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

There are no features that really stand out but everything is done well throughout.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

I wouldn't say this is Castelli's strongest product in that many brands do something similar, but it's a good, solid midweight jersey.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 43  Height: 190cm  Weight: 75kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

 

Castelli Giro Jersey FZ
Mat Brett

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

Add new comment

3 comments

Avatar
pauldmorgan | 11 years ago
0 likes

I have just got this jersey in a different colour-way. It's good for riding in 5-10 C with a base-layer and is moderately shower-proof to boot: I got caught in quite a heavy one tonight on a 45 minute ride and the rain didn't really penetrate through. It's a quality piece of kit.

Avatar
massspike | 11 years ago
0 likes

Spending 85 pounds on a jersey rated at even 11-17C is ridiculous (imho). Just wear decent long sleeved baselayer (e.g. Merino wool) under your standard kit.

P.S. I won't even mention it is typical Castelli ugly.

Avatar
sneakerfrfeak | 11 years ago
0 likes

Seems a bit pricey for a basic long sleeve jersey with no technical feature/fabrics?! but that's Castelli I suppose.

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