Castelli Perfetto RoS 3 Jacket

Review by Paul Gallaher

Details

Castelli describes the Perfetto as a lightweight “do it all” jacket. It is advertised as “wind-proof” yet breathes very well as there are large vents on both sides of the chest. The jacket has an innovative new Polartec Aircore membrane that blocks wind while repelling rain and moisture yet is air permeable allowing air to pass through to help wick away moisture.

The jacket comes with a YYK top and bottom-opening zipper that helps keep wind and rain away from the body. There is a longer jacket tail with three generous pockets for food and gear. The pockets have a nice drain sewn into the pockets to help keep your belongings dryer on wet days.

Castelli advertises the comfortable temperatures for wearing this jacket to be between 39 degrees and 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Adding a wicking insulation layer under that would probably allow the rider to use this in colder weather. This jacket feels like a light jacket when you pick it up. Also, it is a “tailored” fit meaning it is fairly snug and designed to not flap in wind or at higher speeds. Additionally, this jacket does come with some reflective fabric sewn into the front, sides and back to help with low-light visibility.

On the Bike

I’ve taken this jacket on some high altitude bike rides this fall. This is firmly in the road or possibly gravel biking camp. I don’t think I’d prefer this particular jacket for mountain biking.  Where I live here in the high mountains of Colorado, the temperatures can change quickly with elevation change or weather patterns, especially in early spring or fall. This jacket is packable and will fit into a road jersey pocket or a backpack. So, if you’re doing a lot of climbing and heating up, you can comfortably pack it away until the weather changes or you start a longer descent.  I would feel comfortable heading out on a long ride on a cool day with some breezy winds, although I’d probably also wear warm cycling pants/tights and full finger gloves as well.

This jacket performs its primary function well. It has kept me warm and dry on cool rides. Truth in lending, I have not tested this jacket yet in rainy conditions, but it does seem that it would do a fair job at keeping rain at bay.

This jacket is a practical AND stylish option to take on long rides. It comes in four colors and seven sizes, ranging from Extra Small to 3XL. I tested the “Light Black/Silver Reflex” colorway in size Large, which fits true. I’m 6’2” and 165 pounds.  The jacket is a bit expensive compared to some other cycling jackets at a list price of $320 however, but the technology and style make this a jacket I’m proud to have in my quiver of cycling gear.

Paul Gallaher

Paul grew up in Minnesota where he learned to love the outdoors, riding his bike, fishing and canoeing in the summers and skiing in the winters on Minnesota’s 300 foot-tall “mountains”.

After finishing college, he was commissioned as an officer in the USAF eventually becoming a special operations and reconnaissance instructor navigator flying and serving around the world for twenty-two years.

Living and traveling around the world has given Paul opportunities to explore outdoor passions. He is an advanced scuba diver, a pilot, a sailor and has skied in the United States, Canada, France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland.