The original Castelli Gabba gained quite a reputation for being a piece of kit that was the envy of the pro peloton. During the infamous 2013 Milan San Remo that was nearly thwarted by freezing rain and snow, many non-Castelli sponsored teams were reaching for Gabba jackets, such was the balance of insulation, weather proofing, and a relative race fit it provided.
This evolution of the Gabba goes down a new path, with the new Gabba R standing for Race. This is no longer a multi-purpose jacket that is a jack-of-all-trades, but is now a no compromise race-pace waterproof jacket.
The Gabba R features a decidedly tight fit
(Image credit: Future – Andy Turner)
Construction
The Gabba R has been designed alongside the Soudal Quickstep team, who are sponsored by Castelli. However, it has already gained a reputation comparable with the original with several non-sponsored teams donning the Pro-only version which removes the Castelli logos should other teams wish to purchase these jackets and sticker them up with team sponsors. That in itself lends a good level of credibility to Castelli’s claims that this is the best racing waterproof available.
How Castelli has achieved this is a rather interesting process. Traditionally waterproofing has been based on water pressure resilience, or water column ratings. Anything over 10000mm pressure is deemed a good for dealing with rain. Hiking and skiing items where more pressure of water or moisture is experienced have ratings of 20k-30k. However, in development, Castelli found that rain has a pressure of only 800mm. Castelli has actually opted for just 5000mm water column rating for the Gabba R. This is because increasing the water proofing can reduce the breathability, and a garment designed for full-gas efforts needs to be breathable to avoid that boil-in-the-bag sensation that plagued waterproofs of old.
To keep you dry Castelli uses a brand new fabric designed with fabric innovator ITTTAI. This is exclusive to Castelli at present and features a high level of stretch without compromise to waterproofing while remaining breathable. Allowing stretch up to 100% the original dimension in either direction allows for a tight race fit that Castelli claims is faster than the BTW Aero jerseys that were top of the range at the time of the Gabba R release. The fabric itself is a ‘microporous polyurethane hydro-spun external membrane’ essentially meaning water is designed to not get in, but vapour is designed to escape.
Added to this are plenty of practical features. Three rear cargo pockets are used, meaning the Gabba R can be used as your primary external layer with easy access to storage, although these pockets do not feature the waterproof membrane.
A dropped hem is used to protect against road spray with reflective detailing added. The jacket is also highly packable so can be stored in a pocket for emergency use. A two-way zip allows for additional temperature regulation and access to pockets underneath the jacket. Additionally, while some seams are taped, the external facing ones to improve waterproofing, a few rear facing ones are left untaped so as to enhance breathability further.
Sizes start at XS and go up to 3XL. A somewhat reflective black is the only colour option for this fabric. There is also a long sleeve option available but the protection stops just after the elbow and the two-way zip is lost.
It is certainly race fit, but does feature a nicely dropped rear hem
(Image credit: Future – Andy Turner)
The Ride
There have been many occasions when I’ve been riding in foul weather, wearing a waterproof, and thinking to myself that I wish it just did not flap around so much. In a race, or faster paced group rides, if it’s been raining I have often considered forgoing a waterproof to avoid the billowing that often comes from the less snug fit. Enter, the Castelli Gabba R. The first waterproof garment that is designed for fast paced riding in the rain, with zero aero compromises, and according to Castelli’s testing, is actually faster than some race kit, with the odd caveat.
Now, Castelli does say that the Gabba R actually tested faster than the old BTW Aero jersey. The consideration here though, is that it was not mentioned if that was against the jersey alone, or with the Bolero base layer system that was essential to make that jersey test fast. Otherwise, the Gabba R is faster than any other smooth textured jersey, but likely behind a ribbed structure one like the newer Aero Race 8S. But, there’s potential for the Gabba R to fit over a jersey like that and benefit from the raised structures. This is conjecture, but is based on some fairly solid aerodynamic principles that some form of texturing the sleeves will be faster than purely smooth ones. Anyway, the Gabba R is almost certainly ‘faster’ than a non-race fit and flappy waterproof jacket.
Pockets increase versatility a lot
(Image credit: Future – Andy Turner)
But this jacket is not all about aero, it aims to be waterproof and actually protective.
As mentioned Castelli has now gone down the pathway that excessive water column ratings and maximum waterproofing is not needed for bike riding. Its argument is that thermal management is key to balancing moisture. Too great a waterproofing and the breathability suffers with current PFAS free materials. This is why DWR coatings are used, since they keep the breathability and prevent the waterproof membrane becoming saturated. If it does get saturated, the breathability disappears and you sweat inside the jacket creating a wet environment regardless. This is why a 5k mm column rating has been used for the Gabba R, whereas a lot of waterproofs use 15k or up.
Again, as mentioned, Castelli states that rain has a pressure of around 800mm, perhaps 2000mm in heavier rain. There is some truth to this, but riding at speed increases the pressure at which the water impacts, while skin tight garments mean there is no fabric deformation to reduce the relative impact pressure on the membrane. Additionally any buildup of water on the garment adds another layer of pressure and increases the chance of DWR saturation.
The Gabba does work quite well at shedding the water quickly. Combined with a lower waterproof rating, the breathability is actually very good. It’s not on the same level as old PFAS waterproof materials such as Shakedry, but it’s better than much of what is available today. It is however not as waterproof as the more heavy duty jackets. But I don’t think that actually matters. Most waterproofs I use I find get too stuffy, before even considering the flapping of materials. The Gabba R does not, and for high intensity events, even sub-10˚C and raining, I find I generate a lot of heat which makes a waterproof unbearable. In the Gabba R, I find the balance of breathability and water resistance makes it far more comfortable for higher intensity sessions.
It’s also an incredibly practical jacket. It can be packed down into a tiny bundle for stashing into pockets, and the short sleeve version has a two-way zip so you can tailor breathability a bit further. It also features pockets, so if a race is going to be wet from the start, you can stash the pockets with gels and food without the awkward attempt to access them via lifting a jacket up as you need to do when wearing a regular jersey with a rain cape.
I do however have some slight gripes. It’s a very dark colour, but in the short sleeve version you can wear high-vis underneath so the sleeves are visible, and the reflective detailing is effective. It also looks like a gimp suit, an opinion shared by a large number of people. But then we’re all dressed in skintight lycra to start with so that’s a very subjective critique.
I also have to say that it’s hard to recommend this jacket for training purposes, over more waterproof options with more insulation. The Gabba R has no insulation properties, which is great for racing as it is there to just prevent water enhanced wind chill, but not great for cold weather training. This is an unapologetic race garment, whereas the old Gabba was very great for training too, but not as specialised for racing.
Value and Conclusion
Race pace rain jerseys or jackets have come to the fore a little more in recent years. Indeed the previous Castelli Gabba, which was less waterproof, came in a short sleeved variant for racing in foul weather, as did the previous generation Rapha Shadow jersey. However the latest Shadow range forgoes a short sleeve variant in favour of more training focussed garments, with the gilet being the sole option chosen by sponsored teams for races if needed.
In terms of direct competition to the Gabba R (£299 / $320), the two main antagonists are the Sportful Fiandre Pro 2 SS jacket (£200), and the Assos Equipe R Thermo Rain jersey (£250 / $315). The Sportful is arguably the best value option being some £100 cheaper, but the weather protection is not as powerful and it lacks a two-way zip for temperature regulation. Assos has a slightly different approach as many of the features are the same, but the Thermo Rain jersey is far better insulated for cooler conditions, but lacks packability or aero features.
Perhaps the Assos Equipe RS Shell Jersey is an option, with waterproofing at the front, breathable at the rear, two way zip, aero sleeves, but no pockets. It’s an item that can be stashed in a pocket, adds protection, but isn’t stuffy.
I’d argue for racing and fast paced riding, the Gabba R performs better as long as the pace remains high. If you’re in a group in the rain and the pace varies from flat out to coasting, the Gabba R can get quite chilly, but it can be removed and pocketed. Of course you can also use it as an outer layer against the rain worn over more substantial or thermal layers. You’ll struggle to get it over a jacket though so tight is the fit, it is definitely a milder weather waterproof.
This then opens up the competition to other waterproof offerings. For heavier rain, easier paced rides, or cooler conditions, the Gabba R does not work as well as more dedicated waterproof jackets. But the Gabba R has been designed with a specific purpose, and that is to provide a race pace waterproof for fast riding. If you race UK road races, gravel events, or fast paced sportives/gran fondos, then the Gabba R might be the ideal companion. It allows for a good level of temperature regulation while riding at higher intensities, packs small, and provides good protection without compromising speed. It’s been built for a niche, but it is exceptional in that niche.
A two-way zip allows for easier temperature regulation
(Image credit: Future – Andy Turner)
The Castelli Gabba R takes the jack-of-all-trades approach of the previous generation Gabba, and throws that out the window to become a specialist no-compromise high intensity performance focussed waterproof. It puts aero first and foremost, followed by weather protection, with a good focus on breathability. There is no insulation as the previous Gabba offered, and this Gabba R is far more niche and less versatile. But in this niche, it is truly exceptional, and still remains practical. For any high intensity fast paced rides where there’s a strong chance of rain, it’s near perfect. It’s not cheap, but if you value speed alongside protection, there’s not really anything else that performs like this.