Castelli Emergency 2 W Rain Jacket review

An update to Castelli’s Emergency Rain Jacket, the Emergency 2 Rain Jacket is an easily packable waterproof shell with taped seams. It's available in a range of colourways with added reflective details.

This women’s cut version is loose over the torso and arms, but that doesn’t compromise the jacket’s ability to withstand wind and rain.

Castelli Emergency 2 W Rain Jacket specifications and details

The matt multi-layer polyamide fabric shell of the Emergency 2 Rain Jacket is sealed using taped seams and a quality waterproof zip.

The minimal design doesn’t feature any pockets, so you’ll need to stash your spares and phone in a jersey pocket underneath, or on the bike.

A single mesh-lined vent is sited at the top of the back, under the high collar. The cuffs and hem are kept snug to the body using elasticated hems.

There are strips of reflective tape around the cuffs and across the back to aid visibility in low-light conditions.

Castelli Emergency 2 W Rain Jacket performance

First and foremost, this rain jacket is just as claimed, proving to be both waterproof and windproof even in the most wild winter weather the UK can offer.

The multi-layer fabric is fully taped at the seams, secured with a single zip and cinched in at the cuffs and the hips using an elasticated hem. This makes for an effective weather-tight seal.

Keeping dry at the core can make such a difference, and there’s plenty of room under the shell for layering up with a baselayer and long-sleeve jersey, or even an insulated layer for chillier weather.

The thin jacket itself is not warm, bar the fact that it keeps the wind chill off.

I’ve seen more advanced solutions to lightweight, close-fitting hems, such as the cuffs on the Santini Guard Nimbus, though the elasticated hems here aren’t a drawback.

Fit-wise, the jacket is more loose around the torso and arms than I’d expect from a road cycling jacket, though this does mean it has a more casual feel.

With its many reflective stripes, the Emergency 2 makes for a great commuting waterproof.

My size-medium jacket fitted well, true to the size guide, with a good-length dropped hem at the rear to offer a little extra coverage from road spray.

I also appreciated the high collar, which helped keep the keen wind off the back of my neck.

I do wonder, though, if sizing down might offer a more streamlined fit. Castelli’s Idro 3 certainly seems like a more aero-fit, road-cycling centric waterproof, if that’s more your cup of tea.

I can’t say the breathability is a highlight – Castelli Idro-style jackets may prove more favourable in that department with their use of Gore Shakedry technology.

That said, it’s very easy to open the full front zip on warmer climbs, or remove completely to roll down small enough to stash in a jersey pocket.

With four colour options, from plain black to this subtle khaki, a hi-vis yellow and a popping coral, there should be a good choice for almost everyone.

Value-wise, though, this certainly isn’t a small investment at £165 / €149.95 / $139.99 / AU$255.

Having said that, with waterproofs you really do tend to get what you pay for, and the Castelli Emergency 2 is no exception.

Castelli Emergency 2 W Rain Jacket bottom line

The Castelli Emergency 2 W Rain Jacket performs exactly as claimed, with the waterproof and windproof shell proving invaluable in both changeable transition season weather and in downright foul conditions.

While it’s far from a cheap option, the quality construction of the jacket does stand out to warrant the investment.