First ride of the new Castelli Perfetto RoS 3 jacket

The Castelli Perfetto RoS 3 introduces a new approach to the design of protective cycling apparel. With an innovative PFAS-free membrane technology (Polartec AirCore), this jacket is designed to offer breathability, wind protection, and water repellency. It adapts to various weather conditions while adhering to high environmental standards. We have already had the opportunity to wear and test it on a few rides. Here is our review.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©3bikes.fr, ©Castelli

As is the case with other brands, it is often difficult to navigate Castelli’s clothing range with product names that are not always easy to identify. The Perfetto range is an iconic collection designed to offer versatility in variable conditions (rain, wind, moderate cold, or dry weather). The name evokes perfection in terms of protection and comfort, with an emphasis on breathability to prevent overheating during intense efforts. The term RoS (Rain or Shine) also evokes versatility, with a usage range of 4 to 16 °C, extendable depending on the base layers worn. This collection includes various jackets of varying thickness, with or without sleeves, convertible or not, as well as gloves and shoe covers designed for wet and windy conditions.

This brand new third-generation Castelli Perfetto RoS therefore aims to meet the needs of riders seeking performance and comfort, while using a brand new membrane for the first time to comply with new environmental standards. PFAS, commonly used in textiles for their waterproofing and breathable properties (such as rainwear or sportswear), have been banned for several months, which poses many challenges for manufacturers when renewing their ranges.

Exclusive Technology

The Polartec® AirCore™ fabric, developed in collaboration with Castelli, is at the heart of this jacket. Castelli and its sister brand Sportful currently hold the exclusive rights to AirCore technology in the cycling sector. Made from recycled polyester, it uses an electrospinning process to create a membrane composed of microscopic filaments, 100 times finer than a human hair. This structure allows for good air circulation while remaining dense to protect against the elements. According to Castelli, the Perfetto RoS 3 is suitable for temperatures from 4 to 14 °C, performing equally well in dry weather and rain.

Unlike autumn/winter clothing primarily focused on waterproofing, this jacket emphasizes breathability above all else. The AirCore fabric offers an air permeability of 0.7 CFM (cubic feet per minute) and a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of 35,000 g/m²/24 h, which facilitates sweat wicking. With a hydrostatic pressure resistance of 5,000 mm, it offers sufficient water repellency for common rain, while preventing the accumulation of moisture from perspiration.

Comfort and Adaptability

The stretch membrane of the AirCore fabric can stretch up to twice its original size. The Perfetto RoS 3 thus offers a comfortable fit and great freedom of movement, while providing a close-fitting cut that creates very few wrinkles. Combined with the jacket’s lightness (222 g in size S), this flexibility allows it to adapt to intense efforts without flapping in the wind, while maintaining effective thermal regulation. As always with Castelli, the jacket is available in seven sizes, from XS to 3XL, and in four colors for women’s and men’s models.

Despite its light weight, the Perfetto RoS 3 stands out with its welded seams at the shoulders, reinforcing protection against wind and moisture. These seams also ensure very good visibility thanks to their reflectivity. The sleeves, which are quite long, can be easily slipped over long gloves when used in very wet conditions. There is also a dropped tail hem that protects the lower back from water spray.

The rather high collar limits air entry but remains comfortable and never irritating. The main zipper is lined in its upper part to offer additional protection against drafts. Note that it is two-way, which is very practical during breaks to answer nature’s call. Two adjustable gussets with zippers offer even more ventilation if needed, at the front of the jacket. Finally, small holes at the bottom of the three rear pockets allow water to drain if necessary.

Conclusive First Tests

Of course, I haven’t yet had the opportunity to test the Perfetto RoS 3 in extreme conditions, as it is a brand new model presented at the beginning of September, but I was able to get a fairly precise idea of its insulation and comfort qualities on a few windy and humid rides. I am very familiar with the Castelli Perfetto range, having used a jacket and a short-sleeve jersey for several years, whether in autumn/winter or early spring. I appreciate these garments for their adaptability and versatility, with a flexible operating temperature depending on the base layer chosen.

This is still the case here, with a first test at a temperature of 17 °C, wearing only a sleeveless base layer. From the first hectometers, I appreciated the jacket’s insulation and its impermeability to unpleasant wind gusts. The high collar, seam placement, and sleeve length provide perfect insulation. But I never felt like I was overheating, despite a session dedicated to climbing several successive hills at a good pace. At the windy summits of the climbs, I also benefited from the close-fitting cut, which avoids any “parachute” effect common with some winter clothing. Thanks to its lightness, the suppleness of its fabric, and its breathability, the Perfetto RoS 3 proves very comfortable, even after three hours in the saddle.

I wasn’t able to ride with the jacket in continuous rain, but I did experience a few successive downpours, including a fairly strong but short-lived thunderstorm. With the temperature dropping to 13°C as indicated on my bike computer. In these conditions, the fabric’s water repellency proved largely sufficient, as I didn’t get wet at all. Water didn’t have the opportunity to penetrate, neither through the neck, nor the sleeves, nor the bottom where it met the bib shorts, which is inevitable when exposed to humidity for too long. However, I noticed that the Perfetto dried quite quickly, which further improves comfort over long distances.

With a thicker, long-sleeve base layer suitable for winter conditions, there is no doubt that the jacket can handle temperatures around 5 °C, for a fairly sporty use at an engaged pace. For more “passive” warmth suited to a contemplative pace, Castelli offers other products that are thicker, less lightweight, and less fitted, which also suit many riders whose goal is not necessarily performance.

Future Benchmark

The Castelli Perfetto RoS 3 redefines the standards for autumn and winter cycling apparel, combining innovative PFAS-free technology with exceptional comfort. Thanks to the Polartec AirCore membrane, it excels in breathability while offering effective protection against wind and showers. Its fitted cut, lightness, and well-thought-out details, such as reflective seams and the two-way zipper, make it a choice ally for rides in variable conditions.

This will surely be one of the jackets I use the most in the coming months, even though I would have preferred to receive it for testing in a color other than black, to add a little cheer to the dim atmosphere of the end of the year.

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