Test: To put it bluntly, the Gabba 2 jersey by Castelli is still the measure of all things for those who are looking for a jersey that can take on any adversity in terms of weather without a murmur.
The Gabba hit the cycling public with a bang in March 2013: We remember the brutal conditions at Milan – San Remo, not least because of the glorious winner Gerald Ciolek. But it was also the triumph of a new type of jersey. More weatherproof than a normal jersey, lighter and more comfortable than a rain jacket, almost every professional wanted to have these clothes in their closet immediately so that they could secretly get them out in an emergency.
And we can say - regardless of whether it is true that half the peloton drives a Gabba in the spring or not - it would be justified. We are happy to give the Gabba 2 the highest rating. For such a thin, light and flexible garment, this is incredibly waterproof and warming. We all rode the rain jerseys in temperatures between 10 and 20 degrees, in heavy rain and bright sunshine. The Gore Windstopper X-Lite Plus membrane does an excellent job. It proves to be so waterproof that even the three jersey pockets need drainage mesh material to drain the water that flows into the open pockets at the top. A closable bag is missing.
The fit is very good, the cut clearly race-oriented. The sizing proves to be typically Italian. At XXL, our test jersey is numerically the largest in the field and we definitely recommend ordering the Gabba at least one size larger than normal.
The Gore membrane feels a bit stiff at first, but it is very breathable and you won't overheat even at temperatures around 20 degrees and when the rain stops - not even in a black jersey.
The zipper is continuous and can also be easily operated with one hand - the fact that it now has an overlapping wind flap is the most important innovation in the Gabba 2, which otherwise hardly differs from the previous model. The collar is cut quite high. The back is very long; The lowest part acts as a splash guard and can be folded up if necessary. This splash guard stays in place thanks to an additional silicone band on the inside. Unfortunately, reflective material is only used on the back, along the pockets and the splash guard.
At a glance – the Castelli Gabba 2
- Available in black, yellow, blue
- Weight: 322 grams (XXL, short sleeve)
- Optionally also as a long-sleeved version; arm warmers made of the same Nanoflex material are also available.
- Washable only up to 30 degrees - which, as with many other jerseys of this type, unfortunately leads the intended use ad absurdum, but must be the price for the functionality.
- Price: 149,95 euros (short sleeves), 179,95 euros (long sleeves), 32,95 euros (arm warmers)