If Castelli is known for anything, it’s its long-standing presence in the cycling apparel industry and the milestones it has achieved over the years. Few would be unfamiliar with its iconic Gabba jacket. The brand has repeatedly introduced products that have reshaped the market, setting benchmarks for competitors through innovation and a constant pursuit of better solutions.

Until now, finding a cycling jacket that is both waterproof and highly breathable has proven almost impossible. Achieving a reliable balance between these two factors has long eluded designers. That may be changing: Castelli, in collaboration with Polartec®, appears to have developed a jacket that delivers on all fronts—lightweight construction, high breathability, and effective protection against wind and water.

Pioneering and Sustainable Technology

The Perfetto jacket—Italian for “perfect”—is crafted from a revolutionary fabric, Polartec® AirCore™, and represents a potential shift in high-performance cycling apparel.

During the launch event, Castelli provided a detailed explanation of the jacket’s manufacturing process, impressing attendees with what seemed almost like a NASA-level technological feat. Beyond the spectacle, the technical innovations behind the Perfetto RoS 3 set it apart in practical terms.

The jacket’s combination of air permeability and a Polartec nanofiber membrane keeps the fabric dry while maintaining water-repellent and windproof properties. This technology uses airflow to create a dry microclimate by evaporating sweat from the inside out—the mechanism most critical for active cyclists. The harder the rider works, the more the fabric responds, with movement stimulating ventilation and wicking moisture away from the body.

Sustainability is also a core feature. The fabric is 100% PFAS-free and incorporates recycled polyester, earning industry-leading certifications that reflect the growing emphasis on eco-conscious manufacturing in the cycling apparel industry.