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Winter, the real one, the one that makes you regret not having taken up pottery or hot yoga, returns every year with the same insistence. And yet, we keep riding. Out of passion, out of stubbornness, or perhaps because our indoor trainer looks too much like a medieval instrument of mental torture. So when a package bearing the Santini Cycling logo arrives with the promise of a more comfortable, and above all warmer, 2025/2026 winter, we listen, we sharpen our gaze… and we put it on.
By Jeff Tatard – Photo: @jefftatard
Santini and Polartec have been collaborating for several years, with that typically Italian obsession for perfectly designed garments, and that very American rigor for high-performance technical textiles. It’s a sartorial alliance that exudes expertise. Literally. And this winter, the Italian brand pushes the integration of Polartec Power Shield™ Pro, Power Wool™, Windbloc™ and Alpha™ fabrics even further to offer a winter range that has nothing to envy polar explorers.
Enough to rebuild our faith in winter cycling and get back on the road despite the 3°, the insidious drizzle, and that north wind that seems to have made a personal bet against us.
A warmer than expected winter 2025/2026 (but still cold outside)
Before getting to the heart of the matter, let’s recall the context: our test rides ranged between 1° and 9°C, with fog, light rain, strong gusts, sometimes all at once, a scenario with weather worthy of a special “natural disasters” episode. The perfect opportunity to test this new generation of Santini x Polartec equipment.
The objective? To verify if textile innovation, technical membranes, and all the beautiful marketing promises can prevent us from the “ice cube shaken out of the saddle” effect, or that painful moment when we say to ourselves: “Why am I doing this?”
ALPHA™ INSULATED JACKET – The ally for long cold days
Recommended price: €210
This is the centerpiece of the kit, the star of this test, the one that promises to make winter a mere meteorological detail: the Santini Alpha™ Insulated jacket.
Construction and technologies
Windproof exterior, Polartec® Alpha™ insulating core, Power Wool™ inserts on the back and under the arms, four rear pockets, reflective strip, double-slider zip. A specification list as long as a Giro stage.
Polartec Alpha™, for those who have never had the opportunity to dissect a polar bear, is an active insulation solution. A textile originally designed for the US military (no joke…) to offer warmth and moisture wicking simultaneously.
On the road
From the first few minutes, you feel that very particular sensation of Polartec Alpha: you’re warm, but without ever overheating. The jacket regulates, breathes, adapts. During a long climb at a low gradient, where you produce watts but not necessarily speed (the best way to make friends), the Alpha Insulated keeps the torso dry. And that’s crucial: if moisture sets in, the cold wins.
The fit is close to the body, typically Santini, without ever hindering movement. The Power Wool back prevents the pressure cooker effect, even with a bag full of a mini-pump, gingerbread, and what you claim is a multi-tool but mostly looks like an anvil (thanks for the added chain breaker option!).
In difficult conditions
Strong wind? Neutralized.
Light rain? Managed.
Wet descent at 60 km/h? Still warm.
If you’re looking for a jacket for cold and unstable conditions, this is probably it.
GUARD NIMBUS BIBTIGHTS – Full lower body defense
Retail price: similar to other Guard bibs (approx. €180)
Admittedly, Santini didn’t send us a specific Polartec for the lower body here, but the Guard Nimbus perfectly echoes the winter protection philosophy of the rest of the kit.
Guard Technology
The Guard range is designed to protect against rain, wind, and spray, thanks to a durable water-repellent treatment. This was our first time testing this type of material. The Nimbus adds a warm lining, a denser fabric, and a design perfectly suited for long hours in 0–10°C.
On the field
The first sensation is immediate soft warmth, without excessive compression. The Santini chamois lives up to its reputation: comfortable, stable, not intrusive.
Under a continuous drizzle, the Nimbus demonstrates the full relevance of the Guard range: water beads up, drains away, and above all, the legs stay warm, even when the asphalt is literally a thermal vacuum cleaner. And to be honest, this is the first time we’ve seen that on bib tights.
The fit is perfect: snug but never restrictive, as can sometimes happen with high-end brands. The cuffs don’t move, even out of the saddle.
Conclusion
Bib tights designed for wet and cold winters, consistent with the “climate shield” approach of the rest of the kit.
ALPHA™ BASELAYER – The secret weapon
Price: €50 (sleeveless) / €60 (if you take it long-sleeved)
The base layer, often overlooked, is nevertheless THE piece that makes the biggest difference in winter. And with this Polartec Alpha™ base layer, Santini hits hard!!!
Why Alpha on a base layer?
Because this fabric offers warmth, breathability, and ultra-fast drying, making it the perfect first layer to combine comfort and performance. The seamless construction and extended back are extremely valuable details under a technical jacket.
On the road
From the first pedal strokes…
- soft warmth sensation
- zero stagnant humidity
- no irritation
On climbs, it regulates. On descents, it protects. In light rain, it dries in real time. It’s a piece that seems to work regardless of intensity or weather.
It’s simple: once tested, it’s hard to go back to a classic base layer. A pleasant surprise! We loved it…
GUARD GLOVES – Close defense
Price: €70
The hands: that critical point where everything happens. Lose them, and your ride becomes a dramatic short film. Santini is aware of this, and offers in the Guard range a pair of water-repellent, insulating, and breathable winter gloves.
On the road
Wind protection? Perfect.
Grip on wet handlebars? Very good.
Perceived temperature? Comfortable down to about 1–2°C.
No overheating, no excessive stiffness: just enough warmth for demanding rides.
Santini x Polartec: When two expertises speak the same language
What is striking about this kit is its coherence. The Alpha jacket, the Alpha base layer, the Guard bib tights, the gloves: everything works in harmony.
The Santini x Polartec collaboration is not a marketing stunt. It is an alliance between:
- American textile precision
- Italian artisanal culture of technical apparel
Santini uses Polartec fabrics not as an argument, but as a construction base. And this is what gives the impression of garments designed, matured, and developed around the cyclist and not around a commercial PowerPoint.
And on the field, then?
We rode about 300 km with this kit, on several types of rides: gravel, endurance, hilly, on wet roads, light rain, strong wind. The summary is simple:
This kit allows you to ride in winter without compromise.
No cold setting in.
No sticky humidity.
No sauna effect on climbs.
No loss of mobility.
“Yes, I’m the tester. And I found myself smiling at the top of a frozen hill. Not a nervous grimace, a real smile. It just goes to show, well-equipped, winter is a little less scary.”
For whom?
This kit is clearly aimed at cyclists:
- regular riders, who go out in 0–10°C
- endurance riders, who need perfect regulation over several hours
- perfectionists, who want the best current textile technology
- who are not against investing in quality
And especially for cyclists who refuse to hibernate.
Conclusion – A winter kit that sets the bar very high
The Santini FW25/26 x Polartec kit is probably one of the most coherent, technical, and pleasant to wear propositions of recent years. The balance between warmth, breathability, ergonomics, and textile quality is simply remarkable.
Santini proves once again that it is possible to design warm garments without being heavy, technical without being complicated, protective without being stifling. And above all, that riding in winter can once again be a pleasure.
Because once well-equipped, the cold is no longer an enemy.
Just a parameter.
A bit like the wind.
Or the day your friend decides to “ride easy.”
Santini, with Polartec, delivers here a modern, effective, and perfectly designed winter range for cyclists who never give up.
Santini x Polartec FW25/26 Winter KitPros: the remarkable technicality of the Santini x Polartec trio, the exemplary thermal management of the Alpha jacket and base layer, the reliable protection of the Guard Nimbus bib tights and Guard gloves, the surprising breathability for winter gear, the precise and ergonomic fit ideal for long rides, the overall coherence of the kit that truly makes a difference in the cold Cons: very snug fits, perfect if you like the Santini fit but less suitable for those who prefer a bit of room, premium prices, consistent with textile quality, but which may cause hesitation before investing in the entire kit Price:
Available on santinicycling.com |
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