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review
£70.00
VERDICT:
Good looking classic summer top with performance feel and fit at a not-unattractive price compared with some
Weight:
106g
Contact:
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.
What the road.cc scores meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
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The Castelli Anima 2 Women's Cycling Jersey is a comfortable performance summer top. It's really well made from Castelli's lightweight materials, and is priced a little lower than some rivals on the market.
- Pros: Lightweight and breathable
- Cons: Nothing to report
I've been testing the Anima 2 for over a month now in varied conditions, from rainy rides and chilly days to full-on sunshine. I've worn it with a selection of layers for these conditions: arm warmers, gilet, jacket, and baselayers in chillier conditions, and despite the varied UK weather the Anima 2 has performed really well.
> Find your nearest dealer here
For the construction of the jersey, Castelli has used its 'Velocity Dry' material on the front, and 'Prosecco Strada Donna' on the back.
According to Castelli, the Velocity Dry on the front is stretchy for a comfortable fit and moisture management; it's a lightweight polyester with great breathability and wicking properties. The Prosecco Strada Donna on the back is 'for increased ventilation'. Personally, I couldn't see a difference in the two fabrics, they both feel soft and lightweight. What I can say is that on my hottest long ride, the jersey wicked very well and kept me dry.
I tested a medium size, which fitted well without being too tight. (It's not me in the photos.) I have other Castelli short sleeve jerseys in both medium and small depending on the jersey and they all fit, so it is worth checking sizes as it does seem to vary with Castelli.
It's a longer jersey than some, sitting nicely on the hips with an elasticated section of hem with silicone gripper to stop it riding up.
The sleeves don't have gripper, just fitted cuffs, which sit comfortably round your arm and are made of a very lightweight breathable material.
The jersey is a full zip design, and although there's no zipper garage I didn't have any problem with it irritating at the neck.
Round the back the Anima 2 has the classic three-pocket design. They're all easy to get to and a good size, swallowing all your usual snacks, phone, keys, money, and so on. And there is a tiny amount of reflective detail across the left pocket.
At £70 the Anima 2 is pricier than some – the Funkier Mataro Pro I tested is £45 – but towards the lower end for some comparable lightweight performance jerseys such as the Alé Graphics PRR Strada Jersey, which got a great review but is £100. Hommage Au Velo's Ghisallo could be worth a look, too, but that's £85.
> Read more road.cc reviews of women's jerseys here
Overall, the Anima 2 is a classic-looking lightweight summer jersey that performs really well whether it is layered up on a chilly morning or keeping me cool in the sunshine on a long ride, and it's not overpriced.
Verdict
Good looking classic summer top with performance feel and fit at a not-unattractive price compared with some
road.cc test report
Make and model: Castelli Anima 2 Women's Cycling Jersey
Size tested: Medium
Tell us what the product is for
Castelli says, "The Castelli Anima 2 Jersey FZ is a fitted women's cycling jersey with simple tone on tone good looks. Combining Velocity Dry fabric for great fit and shape with Prosecco Strada Donna fabric for high wicking and ventilation means you get a fast jersey with great all day practicality. The 3 rear pockets overlay the waistband to eliminate bunching. While the full length YKK Vislon zipper slides easily for temperature regulation while allowing the jersey to be quickly and easily put on or removed."
It's a great jersey for riding in the summer.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Castelli lists:
Key Features:
Front in Velocity Dry Fabric for moisture management fit and stretch
Prosecco Strada Donna back for increased ventilation
Full length YKK Vislon zipper
Castelli z line collar for a chafe free neck
3 floating open rear pockets
Silicone gripper elastic at waist
Reflective heat transfer Viz strips
Sizes women's XS- XL
Weight 108g (Small)
Rate the product for quality of construction:
9/10
Well constructed.
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
As a lightweight jersey it performed very well in summer conditions. And performed well when layered up in cooler conditions.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
8/10
The medium fitted well without being really tight.
Rate the product for sizing:
7/10
I have other Castelli short sleeve jerseys in medium and small, depending on the jersey type, so definitely worth checking sizes as it does seem to vary for Castelli.
Rate the product for weight:
9/10
At 106g it is lightweight and feels it.
Rate the product for comfort:
9/10
Very comfortable soft feeling.
Rate the product for value:
6/10
At £70 the Castelli Anima 2 sits under a few other top-end brands on price. It is a simple, classic design and feels really light, and worth the money for what you get.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Washed at 30 degrees it was fine.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
It's a really nice comfortable lightweight summer jersey to wear.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Simple design with great wicking properties.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing really.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
There's a huge range of prices you can pay for a 'simple' summer jersey, but at £70 the Castelli Anima 2 is cheaper than some I'd suggest are comparable on performance and quality. Alé's Graphics PRR Strada Jersey got a great review as a lightweight performance jersey but that's £100, while the Hommage Au Velo Women's Short Sleeve Jersey is £85.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Maybe
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Possibly
Use this box to explain your overall score
It's a good looking classic summer jersey with a performance feel and fit; it doesn't quite get to the top of my pile of short sleeves but it's close. Overall, it's very good.
About the tester
Age: 36
I usually ride: Genesis Croix de Fer Ti My best bike is:
I've been riding for: Under 5 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: touring, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, mountain biking
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