Review of the Castelli Climber A/C and Superleggera Summer Cycling Apparel

Every summer, gear manufacturers compete to come up with ever-lighter and more breathable outfits. But there can sometimes be a significant gap between marketing promises and real-world performance. With its new duo—the Climber’s A/C jersey and Superleggera bib shorts, two technical pieces designed to perform when temperatures soar—Castelli aims to offer a high-end solution capable of maintaining comfort and performance on the hottest days. We had the chance to test this set on rides lasting several hours in temperatures that regularly exceeded 30 °C.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©3bikes.fr

Climber’s A/C: Ventilation as the Top Priority

From the moment you pick it up, the Climber’s A/C impresses with its lightness. Weighing just 102 g in size S, the jersey almost seems to disappear once you put it on. On the bike, this sensation is quickly confirmed. The ultra-breathable mesh panels on the front and sides promote exceptionally effective airflow as soon as your speed increases. On climbs, where natural ventilation becomes more limited, the jersey retains a remarkable ability to wick away body heat.

The very slim fit is clearly designed for athletic cyclists. It keeps the fabric snug against the body without any flapping, even during fast descents. Despite this close fit, comfort remains excellent thanks to the elasticity of the materials used. Another notable feature is the support. The back pockets stay in place even when loaded with a large smartphone, while the elastic waistband effectively prevents the jersey from riding up as you ride.

While sun protection isn’t this model’s top priority, Castelli has nonetheless incorporated a fabric that offers UPF protection on the back. It’s a deliberate compromise that prioritizes breathability above all else. Ultimately, the new Climber’s A/C isn’t radically different from the previous Climber I tested in 2020, but I find that it wrinkles a little less and the pockets hold their contents more securely. These are subtle improvements that don’t change the jersey’s core features, but they do enhance the experience just a little.

Superleggera: A New Standard in Lightness?

The Superleggera is undoubtedly the most spectacular piece in this collection. As soon as you take it out of the packaging, its extremely low weight is surprising. At 154 g, it ranks among the lightest road cycling shorts currently available on the market. However, Castelli didn’t simply reduce the amount of fabric. The Italian brand developed a specific construction designed to maximize airflow while maintaining the level of support expected from a competition product.

On the road, the results are impressive. The stretchy fabric hugs the legs perfectly without causing excessive pressure points. Even during prolonged out-of-the-saddle efforts or repeated changes in pace, the shorts stay perfectly in place. I particularly appreciated how well the shorts stay in place around the hips, which—despite their light weight—ensures the chamois is perfectly positioned in the crotch area, thereby limiting any shifting while riding that could cause uncomfortable chafing. Moreover, the Progetto X2 Air Seamless pad, well known to regular users of the brand, remains a benchmark in the segment thanks to its excellent balance of support, vibration absorption, and freedom of movement.

As for the rest, ventilation is one of the shorts’ key strengths. During climbs in hot weather, the Superleggera offers a more breathable feel than many more conventional high-end cycling shorts. The minimalist straps also contribute to this overall feeling of lightness. You quickly forget they’re there, yet they provide impeccable support.

I’ve tested dozens and dozens of cycling shorts throughout my career as a cyclist. I’ve seen all kinds of them from all kinds of brands. And I have to admit that this new Castelli Supperlegerra is now among my top 5 best cycling shorts I’ve ridden in over nearly 40 years.

A well-rounded package for discerning cyclists

Beyond the individual qualities of each product, it’s the overall consistency of the set that really stands out after several rides. The Climber’s A/C and the Superleggera share the same goal: to limit heat buildup and promote moisture wicking when conditions become extreme. This approach results in a feeling of freedom rarely achieved with more conventional gear. Both products literally disappear once you’re in action, allowing you to focus entirely on your ride.

Of course, this pursuit of lightness comes at a cost. Priced at €120 for the jersey and €220 for the shorts, the set is clearly positioned in the premium segment. But those who ride regularly in the height of summer and are looking for the best balance between ventilation, support, and performance will find solid reasons here to justify this investment.

Pushing the Limits

With the Climber’s A/C jersey and the Superleggera bib shorts, Castelli reaffirms its expertise in developing gear designed for the most extreme conditions. Without revolutionizing the norms of cycling apparel, the Italian brand pushes the boundaries of lightness and breathability to the limit. The jersey impresses with its heat management and perfectly executed race-ready fit. The bib shorts, meanwhile, impress with their innovative construction and ability to combine support, comfort, and ventilation. For those who keep racking up the kilometers when temperatures soar well above 30 °C, this set is undoubtedly among the most sophisticated options available today.

Castelli Climber’s A/C and Superleggera at a glance… Pros: lightweight, breathable, comfortable, snug fit without being too restrictive Cons: high price Climber’s A/C Jersey Sleeves: stretch knit fabric reaching to the elbow, with flat-lock seams – Elastic waistband to keep the jersey in place and support loaded pockets – Zipper: YKK® Vislon® – Optimal temperature range: 22–40 °C – Weight: 102 g in size S – Sizes: XS to 3XL for men / XS to XL for women – Colors: Belgian blue/winter sky, bright orange/smoky gray, silver gray/smoky gray, and dark burgundy/white – Price: 120 € Superleggera Cycling Shorts Integrated elastic waistband with visible Lycra® to keep the leg in place – Embossed logos and stretch silicone scorpion heat transfers – Optimal temperature range: 20–40 °C – Weight: 154 g in size S – Sizes: XS to 3XL – Colors: black and Belgian blue – Price: 220 € Contact: castelli-cycling.com

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