CASTELLI GLOVES: BUYERS GUIDE
By Stan Portus – 21 December 2020
Protecting your extremities can make a world of difference when you're out riding. We have written a guide to Castelli's glove range to help you get the most from your riding this winter.
When it comes to winter, having the right set of gloves can be make or break for any ride – when your hands start getting cold it can be a physical and mental barrier to performing at your best. Whether you’re getting in the base miles or heading out for a pre-work spin in the unavoidable wet, making the right choice to protect one of the most vulnerable parts of your body is essential.
Choosing the right set of gloves can seem like a daunting task. But it needn’t be. Castelli has a wide range of gloves for all manner of conditions, and this guide will help you decide which gloves are best for you and will keep you riding right through winter and into spring.
Castelli Spettacolo RoS Glove: for cold and dry conditions
The Castelli Spettacolo glove is part of the Castelli RoS (Rain or Shine) range, that’s designed for maximum performance in dry weather but will still perform when the weather turns. Fully waterproof gloves can feel bulky and unwieldy when they’re not totally necessary, so the Spettacolo is perfect if you want to balance having a less bulky glove with protection against the wet.
With a comfort range of 3 to 12˚C, these gloves are incredibly warm for their weight and their size. This is achieved through a clever layering of fabrics and Primaloft Gold insulation, which boasts incredible softness and is highly packable if you ever need to stow the Spettacolos away.
A YKK zip across the top of the glove means the Spettacolo is easy to take on and off. The zipper also means that if your hands begin to overheat whilst riding you can open the gloves allowing more airflow and reducing the risk of sweaty hands.
Castelli Espresso GT Gloves: for deep winter
For when keeping hands dry and warm is the top priority in rain, sleet, or snow. Suitable down to -4˚C the Castelli Espresso GT Glove is for cycling in the most extreme weather.
The glove has a multilayer construction employing different fabrics for maximum protection. The Espresso Gt glove uses PrimaLoft® Gold insulation for superb warmth in the coldest weather. A GORE-TEX™ windproof and waterproof liner keeps the elements out while allowing any moisture to escape, so your hands remain dry and comfortable.
A YKK® zipper runs across the back of the hand to make for easy on and off, whilst also creating a snug fit even over the wrist. A grippy palm stops your hand from slipping even on wet handlebars. Reflective detailing aids visibility in low light.
Castelli Mortirolo Gloves: for milder conditions
Gloves that offer decent protection in mild to cool weather should feature in any cyclist’s wardrobe. The Mortirolo Glove is a mid-weight glove ideal for those days where the weather can’t make up its mind, but you’re set on riding.
The Mortirolo is windproof and splash proof thanks to its GORE–TEX™ body. The membrane on the fabric keeps the elements out, but allows any excessive heat and moisture to escape, preventing hands from feeling clammy when the temperature does rise, or the ride intensifies and your body is working harder.
A silicone print on the palms makes for an excellent grip. Like Castelli’s deep winter gloves, the Mortirolo has a YKK® water-repellent zipper across the back of the hand makes for easy on and off, and a secure fit.
Castelli Tutto Nano Gloves: for wet weather riding
A glove that’s like a second skin. The Tutto Nano is water-repellent, soft, and provides just enough warmth for conditions between 12 – 20˚C, while ensuring dexterity too.
Castelli uses the same Nano Flex 3G fabric it uses in its warmers for the Tutto Nano glove. The fabric has a proprietary nanotechnology water repellent treatment that helps the glove shed water and keeps your hands drier for longer.
The soft backing to the fabric maintains superb comfort levels. Minimal seaming eliminates points where water can enter the glove, and the high stretch of the Nano Flex 3G makes for excellent freedom of movement too, so you can easily move around the bars and jump on the brakes at a moment’s notice.
Castelli Perfetto Glove: for warmth and dexterity
With the Perfetto glove Castelli has created a truly remarkable garment that will protect you against the rain and wind, while keeping you warm and remaining highly dexterous. Where other gloves must often compromise in one of these areas, the Perfetto strikes an almost perfect balance between all four.
Designed to complement the Perfetto jacket, these gloves are the result of meticulous research and product development from Castelli. The Perfetto Gloves utilise Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper fabric for phenomenal protection from the wind and rain, while a fleece lining keeps you warm on cool winter days. The Perfetto has a temperature range of 6 to 15˚C Reduced-seam construction, cut for perfect positioning when riding on the hoods, provides extra protection from the elements.
The Perfetto Gloves feature the Castelli Dampening System (CDS) pressure pad. Ergonomically designed to protect your hands and provide long lasting comfort, CDS relieves excessive pressure on the median nerves that run along the palm of your hands.
The neoprene cuffs are longer than usual gloves meaning your wrists and lower arms – areas prone to heat loss – are always covered. Touchscreen pads on the thumb and forefinger let you use your phone or cycle computer with ease.
The cutting and shape of the Perfetto Gloves make them one of Castelli’s most aesthetically considered garments. An impressive feat, considering they would also be perfectly at home on the most brutal of rides.
Castelli has also created a Perfetto Light Glove with a slightly higher temperature range of 10 to 18˚C. It is the same concept as the Perfetto but with less bulk for when you want wind protection but don’t need insulation, perfect to have on call for early morning starts or tucked away in your jersey pocket for long descents.
Castelli Estremo Winter Glove: for sub-zero conditions
Sometimes getting out on the bike is a must, however blisteringly cold the temperature is outside. The Estremo Winter gloves are designed for such occasions. They are also ideal if you suffer from poor circulation or cold hands more generally.
The Estremo is lined with fleece and is Castelli’s warmest winter glove ever with a temperature range of -5 to 5˚C. The back of the glove has thicker insulation than the palm resulting in an incredibly warm glove that doesn’t sacrifice feel or control.
The exterior of the Estremo is made from Gore Windstopper X-Fast fabric. This offers total wind protection and water-resistance for when it rains – or even begins to snow.
Sometimes moisture or the cold can get into your gloves through the cuff. The Estremo’s high cuff makes this less likely, and the gusseted Velcro fastener allows you to easily take the gloves on and off whilst ensuring a snug fit.
The palm is padded and very grippy, and the thumb area has a micro suede panel to help you wipe glasses or your nose.
Castelli Diluvio: the wetsuit glove
Castelli is always seeking to innovate and break new ground. There are many success stories in the entire Castelli range because of this, and maybe most famously the Gabba jersey.
Constructed from 3mm thick neoprene Castelli based the Diluvio off the gloves used for scuba diving in cold conditions and have a temperature range of 5 to 16˚C. Just like a wetsuit, your body heats up moisture in the glove and keeps you warm. Like many of Castelli’s gloves, the Diluvio features an extended cuff and a grip print on the palm.
Ideal for riding hard in milder and rainy conditions the Diluvio is an inspired design that proves how simple ideas can yield big results.
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