CASTELLI Alpha Ros 2 W Women's Jacket

This jacket is exactly what we think a winter jacket should be. We started off with a list of things we didn't like in current jackets and we've been working on perfecting these aspects and, in the meantime, we made our best jacket ever. The first problem to be solved was moisture management. Even the best of the fabrics on the market guarantees a good level of breathability, but it can do nothing against the sweat generated during high-intensity workouts. So, we invented a two-layer construction that allows you to have protection from the wind and at the same time, with the outer layer open and the inner layer closed, allows the airflow inside the jacket to evaporate moisture, preventing it from coming into direct contact with the skin. On a long climb, we will fully open the outer layer to allow moisture to escape, while when we start the descent, we will close this layer, feeling dry completions inside. It works so well that sometimes it really feels like magic. The novelty for this year is a softer and warmer 3D insulation layer than warm, moisture management and fit. Then, we focused on the openings: neck, hips and, most of all, the wrists. The neck is high and is contoured to move with you, whether you get up on the pedals or when you get into an aerodynamic position turning you into a January hero attacking his pedaling companions. For life, we've created a layer with a silicone band that adheres flat, keeping the wind out completely, without warping or folding up. New for this year is a revolutionary double fabric on the wrist opening with an inner layer that slips under your glove and adheres to your wrist and an outer layer that sits above the glove to prevent rain from sliding from the outside of the glove from entering inside along the arm. Of course, the latest generation jacket will look good even in wet weather, so we used GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® fabric together with heat-taped seams at critical points such as the shoulder. The other seams are hidden by the direct flow of water and the water repellent treatment is sufficient to prevent most moisture from penetrating. We call it "essentially waterproof", using our subjective judgment to strike a balance between water protection, breathability and comfort. That doesn't mean that no drops will ever penetrate, but we did long rides in the heavy rain and stayed totally dry. All of these features make it the favorite of Team Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl runners and the most versatile jacket for high quality performance during cold weather training we've ever created.