Wait, I think the new Castelli Alpha 150 might actually be the Italian cycling clothing maker’s most perfect jacket for riding in cold & wet autumn, winter, and spring weather. It mixes the innovative new stretchy, windproof & breathable Polartec AirCore as a shell with well-placed wicking Polartec insulation through the upper arms and an integrated vest, perfectly where you need it.
Naming a product Perfetto feels presumptuous (Italian for perfect), and Castelli’s done that with 13 different products in their current line-up. But even though this one doesn’t get that title, the Alpha 150 jacket feels like the most perfect solution in their offering for cool to cold weather – conditions that are often difficult to handle.
Castelli promised Polartec AirCore to rethink cycling weather protection
You see, when Castelli introduced their latest Perfetto Rain or Shine jacket without actually being waterproof in September, I was more than a bit skeptical about perfect being in its name. By saying that the Perfetto RoS 3 jacket didn’t need to be fully waterproof because “cyclists don’t ride in the rain anymore” sounded like a copout. I mean, “Rain or Shine” is its literal name.
Now, don’t get me wrong. The performance of the new Perfetto RoS 3 jacket’s all-new (and exclusive in cycling to Castelli and sister brand Sportful) Polartec AirCore fabric is really good.
But alone without full waterproofing or much inherent insulation, I always felt quite cool riding in it without substantial insulating baselayers. And when I rode in heavy cold rain and got properly soaked, the wind stayed out, but I never felt warm.
I felt like its breathable weather protection would be perfect for things like tights, gloves & shoe covers – all of which Castelli didn’t mention when I spoke with them back in late August, yet I’m wearing and testing now. But my core needed more protection.
Then, I tried this new insulated AirCore jacket, and I could finally see the light.
Castelli Alpha 150 wind, water & cold-resistant cycling jacket
Castelli quietly launched the Alpha 150 jacket, just three weeks after they debuted AirCore in the Perfetto RoS 3. They describe it as the result of creating “the ultimate winter cycling jacket” to coincide with their upcoming 150th anniversary next year.
In fact, it’s not all that different in concept from their original Alpha jacket introduced for the winter of 2014. That first one combined a jersey-fit windproof Gore Windstopper shell with an integrated Polartec Alpha vest. You could open the Windstopper front to let air flow in when you got hot, while keeping the Alpha vest zipped up to still protect you from the coldest air.
That all stays the same, just the outer shell is now much more breathable and more water-resistant, and the overall jacket is 10% lighter now, too. And now, Castelli says it will keep you comfortable from -2 to 10°C (28-50°F) – ideal on dry days, but also with light rain and wet roads, too.
Review: Autumn & Winter Riding the Castelli Alpha 150 jacket
I’ve been riding it through our early winter from about -8°C and snow. Then, sweating up to 12°C in light rain. And I can vouch for its versatility across a wide range of temperatures. I’ve ridden it on the road, on wet gravel, a bit of muddy mountain biking, and even some snowy fat biking.
I’ve even slid down some slush-covered tarmac on my side and back without no more than some grime and micro-pilling to show for it. (My knee and hip scrapes looked much worse. As did these otherwise nice Polare BibTights, which needed a quick patch like my knee.)
All in a jacket that feels thin, and is incredibly lightweight – just 352g for my size L jacket.
I only need to pick a weather-appropriate baselayer – from ultrathin synthetic mesh, to heavier merino, to insulated fleece. Then, I just zip up for the descents or cold headwinds. Or alternatively, I unzip either one or both of the outer AirCore shell and inner Alpha vest during harder efforts or extended climbs.
AirCore + Alpha = Adaptable Cold Weather Comfort
Polartec’s best fabrics for active exercise are the core of the Castelli Alpha 150 jacket’s success. The all-new PFAS-free AirCore really is unmatched in breathability from a windproof fabric in my experience. And while, no, it is not 100% waterproof, it keeps road spray and light to medium rain out. But the real secret to this new jacket is the combination with good old Alpha insulation, which balances the cool-feeling of AirCore.
We’ve loved how well the open-faced, next-to-skin insulation wicks moisture away & dries quickly, while always staying breathable since we first saw it in 45Nrth gloves more than a decade ago. We’ve since ridden in, loved, and awarded Editor’s Choice to several Alpha insulated products from the likes of Kitsbow, Marmot, OrNot, Rapha, Santini, 7mesh, Specialized, Sugoi, Velocio & more over those eleven years. As someone who runs hot and sweats a lot year-round, it’s my favorite type of insulation for cycling in cold weather.
For the Alpha 150 jacket, Castelli incorporates Polartec Alpha insulation in two areas. It sews Alpha into the arms, starting ~10cm below the elbow and extending up over the shoulder. Then, your core gets insulated with Alpha sewn into the back down to about the top of the pockets. And in the front, two panels cover the entire chest to the lower hem, hanging loose from the jacket and separately zipped together at the front.
Both the back/underside of the arms and the 10cm wide side panels remain uninsulated to help move excess heat away from your core. And the lower back remains uninsulated, where you’ll likely have extra insulation from cold-weather bibs or tights.
Final thoughts on riding AirCore & Alpha combined…
The real beauty of the Castelli Alpha 150 jacket is that separation and connection of the insulated vest and weatherproof shell. Since they are separate, I can effectively remove either the chest insulation or the chest wind-blocking layer, while still keeping the jacket securely in place.
Normally, when I have to unzip my jacket to let air in order to cool down, the unzipped jacket flops around, and I have to worry if the contents of my open pockets will stay there, flapping in the breeze. Not a concern here, since the zipped-up Alpha vest keeps the open jacket secure against my body.
The other side of the equation, if I want to remove an inner insulating layer, I have to stop and strip down in the cold, wind, and/or rain to just a baselayer to do so. With the Alpha 150, I can tuck the front flaps of insulation away to my sides (where the side panels are already uninsulated) and zip the breathable shell closed in a matter of seconds while riding to cool down.
Tech details
- close jersey-like fit, not the bulk of traditional heavy winter jackets
- exclusive air-permeable 150g Polartec AirCore membrane shell made from recycled polyester
- 5,000mm water-resistance (fully waterproof is typically defined as ≥10k)
- Polartec Alpha open-knit active polyester insulation
- 2-way main YKK Vislon molded plastic main shell zip, but simple 1-way YKK coil zip for the inner insulated vest
- typical 3 rear jersey pockets, plus a separate left side zippered key/wallet pocket
- stretchy 2-part cuff to keep air out and seal with gloves
- medium height 2-part extended fleece-lined collar keeps wind out without getting in the way of helmets or straps
- raw-cut black stretch rear panel with silicone gripper to keep the jacket from riding up
- reflective piping under the rear pockets
Castelli Alpha 150 – Pricing, options & availability
The new Castelli Alpha 150 jacket isn’t cheap, selling for $420 / 340€ in a wide range of sizes – 7 for men (XS-XXXL) and 5 for women (XS-XL).
It comes in four colors for men (brilliant orange, deep Bordeaux red, mango mojito yellow & black) and three for women (hibiscus red, deep Bordeaux & black), some with lighter contrasting Alpha insulation inside. Get yours directly from Castelli, your favorite online cycling retailer, or from a bike shop near you.
Then, head out and ride in all weather, defying everyone who tells you that it’s indoor trainer season.
