Review: Castelli Alpha WindStopper Jacket
Keeping warm, but being able to regulate your temperature during winter rides is important when it comes to getting in the miles. Look no further than the Castelli Alpha WindStopper Jacket.
The days are shorter and the temperatures are cooler; winter cycling can be really hard going. Long hours in the saddle can leave you chilled to the bone or a sweaty mess. The decision of what should to wear, and how many layers shouldn't be so difficult.
Between the thermal bib tights, overshoes, winter gloves, skully hats, ear warmers, neck gaiters and winter jackets, keeping warm is a combination of garments. It can be particularly hard on days when you have long rides at a slower pace or when riding at a tempo pace. You can end up battling with being too cold on the descents and then being too warm on the climbs.
Firstly too many layers can cause this cooling issue. When you start sweating you need a garment that is breathable and this just means it can transfer sweat from your skin to the very outer layer to be evaporated. Too many layers mean multiple saturated layers. You need less layers, but layers that allow you to regulate your temperature.
Wind Stopper jackets have become the norm in cycling for this reason, but are not always very breathable. Castelli have changed the game for winter jackets and here is why. The Castelli Alpha WindStopper jacket solves this problem of being able to keep warm, but be able to regulate your temperature. Check out the video by Castelli on the Apha jacket below.
The majority of reviews you read regarding this jacket are all extremely positive. Here are a couple of sites that have reviewed the product, including customers:
Road CC: 9/10 (expert reviewer)
Competitive Cyclist: 4.5/5 (expert reviewer)
Wiggle: 4.7/5 (63 customer reviews)
Chain Reaction Cycles: 5/5 (3 customer reviews)
Castelli Cafe: 5/5 (2 customer reviews)
Castelli have definitely changed the game for winter jackets with their Alpha jacket. The outer layer is constructed of WindStoper 150 fabric that is both stretchy and fully wind proof. When I first put the jacket on if it had not been for reviews and videos I had watched I would have thought it was too tight. This is because it has not been designed to fit you standing up, but rather when positioned on your bike. I jumped on the bike and suddenly it was as if I didn't have it on. Stand up when wearing the jacket and it stretches at the chest and rides up to your hips. Get on the bike and it fits like jersey, It feels tight without being restricting. Whats unique about this jacket is the the thermal layer detached from the wind-stopper layer. It has it’s own zip with this being asymmetrical to the outer zip for the WindStopper. This layer has been deigned to be kept zipped up so that when you unzip the outer you can get a blast of cold air, without exposing your skin. On those colder days I base layer with a compression garment.
A big problem with cycling jackets is they don't fit like jerseys. The Alpha does. Not everyone is into race fit, but there is nothing I hat more than my garments flapping in the wind.
Features
The front of the jacket has a zipped pocket. I have not yet found use for this as of yet, but it’s easily unzipped and zipped when wearing winter cycling gloves. The main zip for the wind-stopper layer is in the middle of the jacket as you would expect,
but the thermal layer underneath has been designed to have the zip asymmetrical so the zips can work independently of one another without any issue.
The rear of the jacket features 3 deep rear pockets. It also features a zip pocket that is very easily unzipped/zipped back up with winter gloves on on your right side pocket. On jerseys it can be almost impossible to tip back up a rear pocket without the use of both hands, the Alpha pockets are easily zipped back up.
At the neck, the jacket features and articulated collar that fits snugly around your neck. I’ve had no issues in more relaxed positions and tucked aero positions. Another feature of the jacket is the compression cuffs. Castelli have designed the Alpha to have - Raw edge wrist cuffs that lay flat for a perfect interface with your gloves. Your gloves neatly slide over the cuffs for a seamless fit. Even a base layer glove fits snuggly over the cuff.
The waist has a silicon text gripper to keep the jacket from riding up. It has been designed to pull over your bum and mostly stays in pace when your in your riding position. I have found though that in some positions it does ride back up. Then again I have very narrow waist and hips which I think is the issue here.
Conclusion
On the side of the jacket it says: “You know you’re getting an unfair advantage.” You only have to ride on the flats and fast descents to really appreciate the tight fitting nature of the jacket. Tight, means aero, and aero means fast. The jacket is a must buy for those seeking a high performance jacket in temperatures between 0-12 degrees. It is on the expensive side at £240, but because it was introduced in Winter 2014 it can be picked up for <£130, a total baragin in my opionion. I would happily pay the full retail price for this jacket. In the light rain I have experienced, the jacket repels water really well. I've also ditched the neckwarmer as the coller on the jacket keeps your neck protected from wind chill. The Alpha jacket is an excellent combination with Castelli Nanoflex bib tights. The Castelli Gabba is definitely another jacket to consider. It has the same WindStopper fabric without the inner thermal layer. It’s perhaps a more versatile jacket because of this, but it does mean that you will always need a layer it and then face the same issue of 2 layers under it on colder days. When the weather is >12 degrees I opt for thermal base layer with a jersey over the top. I then have a really small packable wind stopper in my jersey pocket for when there is a lot of wind chill.
