For mixed condition riding you want a jacket that provides wind and water resistance while still being breathable. The new Castelli PERFETTO RoS 3 jacket is Castelli’s answer with a wind proof, highly water resistant and breathable construction. It’s a hard combination to pull off, but Castelli has claimed to achieve it thanks to advanced design and PFAS free Polartec AirCore fabric. The technology doesn’t come cheap though as the retail price for the jersey is $320. The temperature range of the jacket is claimed to be 39 – 57° Fahrenheit as Castelli has used less insulation to give the jacket more versatility. Details like reflective taped seams also help with night time visibility with a tailored fit to give the jacket a jersey like fit.
The Castelli Perfetto RoS 3 jacket combines a highly water resistant and breathable Polartec AirCore fabric with a tailored jersey-like feel.
| Retail Price | $320 |
| Rating | Design: A- Fit: A Warmth: B+ Value: B |
| Likes | + Minimalist design with modern solid color scheme + Impressive jersey-like fit with soft and breathable material + Two-way front zipper and vents for additional breathability |
| Dislikes | – Premium price |
| Where to Buy (US) | Castelli |
FIT AND FINISH
Castelli has designed the Perfetto RoS 3 to be the do-it-all style jacket. Although it is a jacket, the thinner material and tighter fit make it feel closer to a jersey. The jacket retains the simple minimalist design of previous Perfetto RoS jackets with a solid color scheme and long sleeve design. Castelli currently offers the jacket in four colors: black, orange, light blue and red. All the color variations use a single color scheme for a modern appearance with the only contrast being the side zipper and taped reflective seams. There is minimal branding with the Castelli logo on the rear and along the sides of the jacket. Castelli has made the jacket slightly thinner than the previous version to allow the jacket to be used in warmer conditions, so you’ll need more layers to accommodate colder weather.
Particularly on the brighter colors, the taped shoulder seams are one of the most prominent design elements with reflective material used along the top of the sleeve seam and the sleeve to shoulder seam. The reflective seams are visible from every angle and help provide additional visibility in low light conditions. There is a two way full length YKK Vislon zipper that lets you adjust ventilation from either direction along with a red Castelli logo at the end of the zipper pull. The Perfetto RoS2 has also retained the two front zippered vent pockets from the previous RoS 2 that can be opened to allow air through the jacket in warmer conditions. There is also an extended collar for additional warmth with a soft inner liner material.
On the rear of the jacket you’ll find Rosso Corsa branding in red and white along with the Castelli logo on the center pocket. There are three standard pockets with reinforced seams on the backside for storing gear. Castelli has even added drain holes to each pocket which is a feature you don’t typically see. Reflective stripes around each pocket and along the bottom hem add additional night time visibility. The rear of the jacket has an extra long drop tail to keep dirt and debris off your backside which extends 4.5” / 11.4 cm at the center. Inside the jacket you’ll find a grippy Castelli branded silicone strip to help keep the jacket in place.
RIDING IMPRESSIONS
The Castelli Perfetto RoS 3 jacket is one of the more recent Castelli products we’ve reviewed so we were a bit nervous with sizing. Based on the sizing charts we went with a size large which was a nearly perfect fit for our 6’1” 165lb test rider. The sizing is European which is why the size large fits similarly to size medium Velocio or GOREWEAR jackets and jerseys. It’s a tight tailored fit that isn’t quite race-fit but something we’d describe as performance. The material is surprisingly elastic which allows it to stretch around you without being restrictive or uncomfortable. It’s also remarkably thin and so it feels and fits more like a jersey than a bulkier jacket. Castelli has purposely reduced the insulation for the RoS 3 version which means it’s not that warm on its own so we layered up using a base layer and jersey underneath on colder mornings.
The idea of a do-it-all jacket isn’t a new one and something we’ve seen more recently with the Velocio One Jacket. While the Velocio One uses Polartec Power Shield for a fully waterproof finish, the Perfetto’s Polartec AirCore is not officially waterproof; you can feel the difference in the fabrics. The Velocio One is thin and breathable but has a more plastic-like feel while the Perfetto is soft and elastic like a normal jersey. It’s an impressive fabric that lets you ride in a variety of conditions and still keeps you dry even in wet conditions with the water resistance. Thanks to the breathability and additional vents, we found the jacket to be comfortable even up in warmer 60 degree temps as many of our rides have wide temperature changes.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Castelli Perfetto RoS 3 jacket to be a versatile and surprisingly breathable jacket. Castelli has utilized the advanced and sustainable Polartec AirCore fabric to create a windproof, highly water resistant yet breathable jacket. Unlike most jackets which can be bulky or uncomfortable, the Perfetto RoS 3 feels soft and fits more like a jersey than a jacket. We were impressed with how comfortable and breathable the jacket is. With a few additional layers it’s a great choice for winter riding or cold mornings while the two-way zipper and additional vents let you stay comfortable and the temperature goes up. The only downside of the jacket is the premium retail price which makes it one of the most expensive jackets in Castelli’s lineup. That said, the Castelli Perfetto RoS 3 offers impressive versatility in protection for riding in nearly any condition.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Castelli. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.