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Choosing what to wear in summer and winter is quite easy. In summer as little as possible; in winter everything you own. But fall and spring, those transitional seasons of unpredictable, changeable and often wet weather, are much more difficult. The last few years have seen the development of a new style of jersey that makes choosing what to wear at this time of year much less difficult.
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These jerseys use lightweight versions of Gore’s Windstopper fabric, or similar, to protect against moisture and heat; you don’t stay perfectly dry, but you stay comfortable
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The original Castelli Gabba was so popular that professional runners sponsored by other clothing manufacturers used it with the logos covered
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Prices start at around £ 40, although higher quality versions cost a bit more
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If you can find your size (many are in short supply) now is a good time to buy as retailers seem to have forgotten that it rains a lot in the fall and prices drop.
9 of the best rain suits for 2021
Since a particularly cold and snowy edition of Milan-San Remo in 2013, Castelli’s Gabba Jacket has become the de facto choice of cyclists looking for a top layer capable of dealing with unpredictable weather conditions, the kind common in spring. Although ideal for the changing conditions of spring, the Gabba, and its many imitators, is also ideal for winter and fall, making it a very good three-season jersey.
> Read more: Design classic – Castelli Gabba
Defined by its close-fitting fit (because it’s designed for runners who don’t want the bulk of a traditional waterproof jacket) with windproof and water-resistant Gore Windstopper fabric, the Gabba opened the way for a new breed of cycling jersey that could tackle a wide range of conditions, keeping you protected from the rain and insulated from the cold, yet breathable enough to cope with when the temperature rises.
The Gabba was created when professional runner Gabriel Rasch came up with the idea for a waterproof running jersey that could be paired with Castelli’s Nanoflex cuffs (cuffs with a special water-resistant treatment). It turned out to be so popular that other teams, not sponsored by Castelli, were clearly seen wearing the jacket during this snowy edition of Milan-San Remo, and social media nearly collapsed.
Read More: Buying Guide – The Best Waterproof Cycling Jackets
It’s fair to say that the Gabba has defined a whole new category of clothing, and now there are plenty of imitators and alternative versions out there. They are classified as jerseys rather than jackets because they offer the fit and comfort of a jersey, but some of the protection you would previously only get with a jacket.
Here’s a look at some of the alternatives, including, of course, the Gabba.
9 awesome wet-weather running and training jerseys
Castelli Gabba RoS – £ 175
It’s been 10 years since the first Gabba and for its anniversary Castelli reinforced it with a touch of Gore-Tex Infinium 205 on the front surfaces for a little more warmth, taped seams on the shoulders for better resistance to the weather. The redesigned water and pockets that Castelli says are easier to access when wearing winter gloves.
This fourth generation jersey – RoS stands for “Rain or Shine” – also has the full set of original Gabba features. There is a drooping tail to cover your butt and lower back, silicone tape in the waistband to prevent any riding up and a high quality YKK zipper with storm flap. Originally only available in black, it is now available in a multitude of vibrant colors.
With a claimed weight of 255g, the Gabba RoS is also lighter than the previous version, but if you want something even lighter in hot but humid weather, check out the Perfetto RoS Light.
Read our opinion on the Castelli Gabba 2
Galibier Sentinel Foul Weather Jersey – £ 66.25
The Galibier Sentinel blurs the lines on what defines a jacket and jersey with its blend of waterproofing, lightweight racing style and short sleeves. This is not a new concept, but one that Galibier executed very well and at a relatively good price.
Technically, the Sentinel is a jersey according to Galibier, and it’s designed to work with just one base layer, in an outdoor temperature range of 7-16 ° C.
Tester Stu said: “It was difficult to test the upper end of this range, in the middle of winter, but I would say it’s a fair guess of what is appropriate. I wore it on days when the temperature hit 13C and was comfortable, only getting a little too warm while pushing on the hills.
“On the other end, I was fine up to around 5 ° C with just a summer basecoat underneath and a pair of cuffs before I could start to feel a little cold.”
Read our opinion on the Galibier Sentinel
Sportful Fiandre Pro Short Sleeve – £ 154.00 – £ 220.00
Sportful calls it a jacket, but with its short sleeves and super slim fit, this version of the Fiandre Pro, uh, the upper body garment blurs the line between jersey and jacket even more than the Gabba. It uses the same great material as its long-armed sibling and brings even more three-season versatility by giving you the option of wearing cuffs or not. It’s a good amount of money, but take its performance into account and it’s well justified.
The majority of the Fiandre Pro is made from Polartec’s NeoShell fabric, which is waterproof and windproof but has the soft finish of a softshell, making it more comfortable to wear than a hardshell rain jacket.
If you are in the rain, the water only bead on the surface, and with its 10,000mm hydrostatic drop height, it will withstand heavy downpours and prolonged rains for hours before it finally hits. breakthrough.
Technically, the Fiandre Pro isn’t completely waterproof as not all of the seams are sealed on the inside – the ones that run down the sides under the arms, for example – but to be honest, that makes little difference as they have tend not to gain the upper hand. full onslaught of rain as you ride it.
Read our review on the Sportful Fiandre Pro short sleeve
Lusso Repel Corsa V2 Jersey – £ 59.99
The Lusso Repel Corsa Version 2 Short Sleeve Jersey is ideal for the spring or fall months thanks to its resistance to the elements and impressive breathability and comfort when the temperature starts to rise. It’s a good price compared to most of its direct competitors too … Gabba 3 anyone?
Lusso says this new version uses a new and improved Windtex fabric and offers excellent levels of windproofing and, more importantly, water infiltration.
Even in heavy rains, the fabric continued to keep the rain out. It gets to a point where it no longer beads on the surface, but it does not pass. It’s also breathable and you avoid boil-in-the-bag syndrome until at least until mid-teens centigrade.
Read our test of the Lusso Repel Corsa Jersey V2
Santini Beta Lite Jersey – £ 65 (limited sizes)
Santini uses Windstopper fabric, a shiny and soft material that prevents wind and light rain from seeping in, and it’s designed to withstand a temperature range of 10-20 ° C. It’s designed to be versatile, it can be paired with matching cuffs, and it stands up admirably to rain, with water beading along the surface. Overheating issues are addressed by mesh panels under the arms and regular lycra fabric, rather than Windstopper, is used for the back panels to promote breathability.
Read our opinion on the Santini Beta
Bioracer Speedwear Concept Tempest Race 3.0 shirt – £ 109.00
Belgian company Bioracer uses its own Tempest fabric to make a jersey designed for a temperature range of 5 ° C to 18 ° C and, in the company’s own words, “bridges the gap between aerodynamics and insulation thermal”. Tempest fabric has a special treatment applied during the weaving process which forms a water repellent barrier, and because it is woven, not a surface treatment, it is long lasting. It is also breathable and dries quickly. Bioracer produces many club kits and this one can be customized to match the colors and design of your club or team.
Endura Pro SL Classics II Jersey – £ 100.00 (limited sizes)
Endura’s FS260-Pro SL Classics Jersey has been tested and developed by the Movistar team it sponsors, providing valuable feedback from some of the toughest races and the most demanding athletes. This is a short sleeve jersey intended for use with cuffs, so you can adapt to hot temperatures and prevent overheating. The jersey is made from a softshell fabric with a Roubaix thermal panel under the arms, which Endura says is lightweight, waterproof, windproof and highly breathable. The fit, as you would expect, is cut for a runner so it’s a slim fit. There is a drooping tail, three pockets and a soft lined inner collar.
Read our Endura FS260-Pro SL Classics review
Parentini Mossa Windtex – ~ £ 85
The Mossa is a waterproof and windproof jersey designed and made in Italy. Parentini uses a Windtex Storm Shield laminate fabric to make the jersey, and it is breathable and wind resistant. The updated Mossa offers a slightly more relaxed fit than the previous Mossa jersey, but it’s still a slim fit, there is no excess fabric to float in the wind. Features include two back pockets, a high collar, reflective logos and an elasticated waistband.
Gore Wear C7 Windstopper Jersey – £ 99.99 (limited sizes)
You will notice that the Gabba and other similar jerseys are made from Gore’s Windstopper fabric. This is Gore’s own version, in a three-layer fabric that under certain conditions eliminates the need for a layer underneath. It is made to ride hard in cool conditions. The Windstopper material does a lot to keep you warm, but it also breathes great. The fit is good too, with stretch where you need it, although our hourglass figure went for a slightly more tapered waist. The price is very high compared to similar models.
Read our review on the Gore C7 Windstopper Softshell jersey
Explore the full archive of short sleeve jerseys and long sleeve jerseys reviews on road.cc
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