I’ve been a long-time fan of Santini’s winter kit offerings, and its latest collection includes some of my all-time favourites.
The new kit range features the Windbloc Thermo jacket, the Alpha baselayer, the Guard winter gloves and the Guard Nimbus tights.
It's been keeping me warm throughout this winter’s rides and many festive miles.
Santini Windbloc Thermo jacket
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The Windbloc jacket has a slim fit and uses Polartec’s Windbloc fabric as an outer barrier, while it’s lined with Polartec’s Alpha fleece across the chest.
The fully lined inner retains warmth, while wicking moisture away too, meaning I don’t get clammy and cold when I stop for a well-earned coffee.
The jacket is styled nicely and fully featured, with three large rear pockets and a hidden zipped pocket for valuables.
There are also subtle reflective details. Santini recommends the Windbloc for temperatures from -8°C to 5°C.
- £200 / €200
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Santini Alpha baselayer
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Matching the jacket is the very clever new Alpha baselayer. The elongated torso means no gap between your baselayer and bib tights, so it's cut well.
What makes this work so well, however, is the material choice. It’s made from Polartec’s Alpha fleece, the same stuff found on the lining of the Windbloc jacket.
Wearing this open–fleecy fabric next to your skin traps the warm air and keeps your core toasty warm, while still being ultra-lightweight.
The Alpha baselayer does such a great job that for most rides, I’ve only needed this and the Windbloc jacket to stay warm and comfortable.
- £47 / €50
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Santini Guard gloves
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It's not only the jacket and baselayer that have impressed me, though. Santini’s long-standing Guard winter kit has got some great updates.
The new Guard gloves look like classic neoprene, but they’re made from a lightweight, thin Lockshell fabric that’s PU-coated and lined with Blizzard thermofleece.
For such minimal, lightweight gloves, they’re impressively warm and water-resistant.
- £67 / €70
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Santini Guard Nimbus tights
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The latest Guard Nimbus tights use the classic gel-cored GIT pad and have a great fit, with shaped knee panels and flat seams to prevent irritation.
The front panels have a water-resistant, triple-layer membrane, and at the back, it’s a combination of a warm thermofleece lining and AquaZero water-repellent treatment.
The moisture/splash shedding quality makes these a favourite for winter gravel riding because post-ride grit and grime can be brushed off, making dirty kit less of a shock to my washing machine.
- £180 / €190
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