Castelli’s Gabba isn’t cheap, easy to pack or properly waterproof, but we’ve used this and its short-sleeved brother loads this year.
Designed as a foul-weather jersey for pro peloton riders rather than a temporary shell, you get three deep back pockets and a flap-free aero fit from Gore’s stretchy Windstopper X-Lite Plus fabric.
The thin softshell material wicks well even when you’re hammering along, with two big zipped vents to help you control core temperature. While it isn’t properly waterproof, the coating shrugs off showers and long sleeves and dropped tail mean excellent coverage.
Critically, it stays a lot warmer than a thin shell if it does get wet and we’ve been okay even in snowy conditions. Typically for Italian kit, even slim riders will have to size up though and it’s too bulky and heavy to pocket.
This article was originally published in Triathlon Plus magazine, available on Zinio.
