Now in its sixth generation, Castelli’s Gabba R jacket is once again designed to face the elements, while also cheating the wind, thanks to a new membrane-like material that’s exclusive to the Italian brand.
Comprising a microporous hydrospun polyurethane outer shell with a hydrophobic treatment, the Gabba R now possesses a rubbery look and feel with a hydrostatic head rating of over 5,000mm, which Castelli says is “sufficient to repel even driving rain, but not at the expense of breathability.”
Elsewhere, the outer shell features a four-way stretch knitted fabric, similar to the material found on Castelli’s bib shorts, making the Gabba R thinner and more packable than its predecessor.
Where does speed come in?
Castelli says the Gabba R is faster than its Sanremo BTW Speed Suit under certain conditions, resulting in a 1% increase in speeds between 23mph and 31mph (37kph/50kph), while the jacket provides various aerodynamic advantages under different riding situations as well.
“Clearly, aerodynamics are paramount in creating a better race Gabba. Wind tunnel tests have demonstrated remarkable aerodynamic gains. Through two separate wind tunnel tests, augmented with tests on the road, we’ve seen that in some positions and speeds the Gabba R will actually be faster than a Sanremo BTW Speed Suit as used by the Soudal Quick-Step team. In a “normal” road position, the Gabba R tests about 1% faster at speeds from 37 to 50 km/h, while in an extremely aggressive low position, the Gabba R is merely about 1% slower than the Sanremo BTW suit. Comparing new and old Gabbas, the short-sleeve Gabba R tests 2.5% faster than the Gabba RoS 2, meaning that you’re saving 2 to 2.5 seconds per kilometer at 40 km/h. The long-sleeve Gabba R surpasses the Perfetto RoS 2 Jacket by 3.5% and the Slicker Pro rain jacket by 4.5%. The tests were conducted at speeds of 40 km/h and 50 km/h, as these jackets were specifically designed for aerodynamics at peak racing speeds,” explains Castelli.
Other features that punctuate the Gabba R include a 2-way waterproof YKK Vislon Aquaguard zipper that seals the jacket, along with a reflective tab over the extended tail for added visibility
The Gabba R jacket sells for $349.99, which is available in sizes ranging from XS to 3XL.
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