This five-star jacket transformed my winter cycling

When I began cycling earnestly in my early 20s, I only had a rag-tag collection of kit. 

Despite lusting after jerseys, shorts and jackets from the likes of Rapha, my kit was picked up from sale rails. I always got the cheapest – or maybe the second cheapest – things I could buy. 

This was fine in the summer, when all you really need is a thin jersey and a pair of shorts, but come winter it was not. The only long-sleeve top I had – made by Mavic, picked up in Evans – meant I came home from winter rides shivering. 

I was met with looks from my housemates, who had better things to do on a Saturday morning (read: sleep), which I could only interpret as “Are you crazy?”. I had to agree that maybe I was. 

As my winter cycling wardrobe grew, I’d brave the elements by wearing a hardshell jacket over multiple underlayers. As long as I didn’t stop for too long, I found I could rely on the boil-in-the-bag effect to ward off the cold. Keep cycling. Keep boiling away. Fine, sure, and a tactic that got me through long winter club runs and overnight rides. But ultimately unpleasurable – and frankly gross. 

It was only when I started working at Castelli’s UK distributor Saddleback as a copywriter that things changed. From the returns bin, I was given a Castelli Alpha RoS Light jacket that frankly transformed my winter cycling. 

With a Gore-Tex Infinium front and an internal insulating vest, the jacket would keep me warm and fend off light rain, all while letting any perspiration escape through the less insulated back panel. With a high collar, snug wrists and waist, heading out for winter rides suddenly became an enjoyable experience. 

The Alpha RoS Light jacket I was given – and still wear four years later – was the previous generation. Castelli has since released the Castelli Alpha RoS 2 Light, which has a different cuff design, revised fit and rear ventilation. 

Matt Baird awarded this newer jacket a full five stars when he tested it, saying it’s “An outstanding do-it-all performer that doesn't come cheap”.

At £250, it certainly isn’t cheap. But it’s available with over 55 per cent discount at Merlin Cycles in select sizes and colours.

• Buy the Alpha RoS 2 Light from Merlin Cycles

To me, this is an absolute steal, and if I were looking to replace my jacket I would be very tempted to hit buy. It’s also on sale for £132 from Amazon if you’re okay with buying from that billionaire-owned company. I’d rather put my cash elsewhere. 

Those familiar with Castelli’s RoS (Rain or Shine) collection may know it began with the Gabba jacket. Named after Gabriel ‘Gabba’ Rasch, who had sewn short sleeves to a rain jacket to avoid that boil-in-the-bag sensation I’d been suffering from, the Gabba became a coveted item in the pro peloton. At the 2013 Milan-San Remo, which was plagued by biting cold snow blizzards, half the men’s peloton was wearing Gabba jerseys in defiance of team sponsors. 

The Perfetto, a long-sleeve version of the Gabba, followed and later the Alpha RoS. But out of the whole line-up, the Alpha RoS Light is by far my favourite. 

The Gabba is great for cool, wet weather. But I’d often wear a jersey if it was warm enough or pair it with arm warmers. Because I was doing that, I found myself wearing the Perfetto more often. Yet, the use of less elastic fabric in the Perfetto, although not uncomfortable, meant I was drawn to the stretchier and more forgiving Alpha RoS Light. 

The heavier-duty Alpha RoS jacket is great for the coldest weather and Merlin has the women’s version on sale for a bargain £99 as part of its Black Friday sale. But if I’m honest, if it’s a degree or two above zero, I’m not that likely to go out cycling. See, old housemates? Not that crazy.