Castelli Winter Gloves
09 November 2023
By George Wise
If you find selecting the right gloves to match the day’s forecast a chore, why not go for a pair that offers sufficient weather resistance, dexterity and warmth to see you through most eventualities? Here’s your guide to Castelli’s all-rounder Perfetto range
Our hands are arguably the most important part to get right when dressing during the colder months. Not only are they incredibly exposed when riding a bike, but they have a profound effect on how warm or cold the rest of the body feels. It’s bad enough having numb, uncomfortable hands, but when the state of your hands starts affecting how easily you can operate your brakes or shifters, then things can get dangerous.
Castelli has now introduced a range of gloves to complement the Perfetto jacket range, using the same design principles that distinguish its renowned Perfetto ROS 2. Like the other Perfetto products, the Perfetto gloves belong to the Rain or Shine family, which means they function equally well, whether used in bright sunshine or in the rain. They all follow a minimalist design, with reduced seams, and feature wind and water-resistant materials.
Here are the big hitters from this protective range.
Perfetto RoS Light Gloves
Designed to be used at temperatures between 8 and 14°C, the Perfetto RoS Light Gloves are made from Gore-Tex Infinium™ Windstopper® Stretch Light fabric, which is fine, stretchy and thin. They therefore offer maximum dexterity and handlebar feel. Windproof and water resistant, they nonetheless remain breathable, to prevent sweaty hands.
The Castelli Damping System (or CDS), which promotes the comfort of your median nerve, is featured on the palm, whilst silicone spots lend extra grip to contacts points in wet weather. The addition of reflectivity on the outside of the gloves is a nice safety feature, making the hands more noticeable when indicating.
On days when there is a slight chill in the air, the Perfetto ROS Light gloves are hard to beat. They offer just enough protection from cold winds and light rain, whilst sidestepping the risk of overheating and maintaining full sensation.
Perfetto RoS Gloves
Intended to be used at temperatures between 6 and 10°C, the Perfetto RoS Gloves once again make use of Gore-Tex Infinium™ Windstopper® Stretch fabric, this time the Warm variety, to deliver wind proofing and water-resistance.
Design-wise, they look similar to the Light Gloves, with their sleek appearance and minimal seaming that limits water ingress, and like all Perfetto RoS gloves they aren’t fully waterproof and don’t compromise breathability on dry days. However, if water does start to penetrate the material, their windproof nature will ensure that your hands remain warm.
The Perfetto RoS Gloves have a thermal layer inside that adds warmth over and above that of the Light Gloves, whilst a stretchy neoprene cuff helps to seal the heat in and water out at the wrist, as well as make the gloves easy to pull on and off.
Despite their comfort, these are incredibly dexterous glove that aren’t bulky. Silicone grippers, Castelli Dampening System palm padding and touch screen finger pads complete this high performance yet practical pair, which will serve you through the majority of the winter.
Perfetto Max Gloves
Introduced in 2022, the Perfetto Max glove completes the range as an option for deep winter rides.
Created using the same design principles as the other two models, it’s a minimalist glove that does everything well, in all weathers. Again, the Perfetto Max gloves are constructed with Gore-Tex Infinium™ Windstopper® Stretch fabric, with the addition of a thick, fleecey High Loft lining that gives them a recommended temperature use between 10-0°C.
For a warm winter glove, this is a close fitting, dexterous glove. The extended cuff adds protection and warmth on the wrist, whilst also creating better interaction with the jacket to prevent cold air from entering at the sleeve.
Silicon grippers give you better control over your brakes and gears in wet weather, while the CDS pad promotes comfort on long rides. Finally, touch screen pads mean you won’t need to remove your gloves to use your phone.
Out of all the Castelli gloves with a similar recommended temperature range, the Perfetto Max Gloves are by far the least bulky and sleek in design. This means they’re ideal for riders who want the warmth, but not the fuss of conventional winter gloves.
Know your options
If you struggle with cold and numb hands on frigid days, it might be worth considering the rest of the Castelli glove lineup.
The Espresso GT Gloves features a long zip that makes putting them on and removing them much easier. Whilst they are bulkier than the Perfetto Max and not as minimalist, they are a great choice for riders who suffer from bad circulation and Raynaud’s. They’re also perfect for the café stop or for times when you’re forced to carry out unexpected roadside repairs.
Another great option is the Estremo Gloves, which are Castelli’s warmest and have an almost cult-like following. If you are worried that the Perfetto Max gloves won’t be warm enough, then the Estremo model might be for you.
Conclusion
As with the rest of the Perfetto family, the Perfetto glove range is a capsule collection that will serve you from the first chilly days in autumn, right through to your first bib short ride in spring. It includes gloves that are made to cope with a wide range of temperatures and will stand up to all weathers, taking the headache out of deciding what hand protection to choose in mixed or changeable conditions.
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