After a few years of service on rainy days in the pro peloton, Gabba has made a name for itself as a general category of high-end garment. For 2015, Castelli has a few tweaks to the bombproof foul-weather gear, including a piece that converts from a long-sleeve jersey to a short-sleeve jersey. On the other end of the weather spectrum, the new Climber's Jersey keeps the hyper-light weight mesh that makes it great for hot days, but reworks the pockets so that they can actually hold something without sagging comically like the original did.
Alpha Jacket US$349 / AU$399 / €269
Building on the partial-integration concept of the San Remo Speedsuit and Thermosuit, the Alpha Jacket is a pliable winter jacket with a semi-separate wicking layer. The idea is that, when riding in cold weather you sometimes want to unzip the outer shell without completing exposing what's likely to be a sweat-soaked chest below. So, the Alpha separates the jacket's front wicking from external layers.
The Alpha also has flat wrist cuffs and Windstopper 150 fabric.
Castelli alpha jacket
Gabba 2 Convertible Jacket US$229 / AU$315 / €209
The Gabba line's calling card is Windstopper X-Lite Plus fabric that keeps foul weather out without feeling like you're riding in a thick, inflexible tarp.
For 2015, there are long- and short-sleeve versions, but the news is the convertible jacket that can be both.
Climber's 2.0 Jersey US$129 / AU$129 / €85
Pull a pattern from the Aero Race 5.0 jersey and use hyperlight mesh materials and you get the Climber's 2.0 Jersey FZ. Because the Flusso 3D fabric is so thin and light, Castelli beefed up the back panel for more sun protection and reinforced the lower back area to support the pocket structure.
The Women's Climbers Jersey (US$119 / AU$119 / €79) has a similar design, but with an integrated bustier for transparency issues.
Free Aero Race Bib US$199 / AU$239 / €159
First introduced back in 2007, the Free Aero Race was due for an overhaul. For 2015, the leg grippers are wider, more comfortable and, Castelli claims, more aero, thanks to dimpled side fabric. The bibs also get a new Progetto X2 Air chamois.
