CASTELLI ELEMENTO LITE, THE MOUNTAIN SKI TECHNOLOGY ADAPTED TO CYCLING

Para diseñar estas prendas Castelli se ha inspirado en el mundo del esquí de montaña en el que los atletas están obsesionados más que los ciclistas por el peso de las prendas, y en el que el aislamiento térmico es una cuestión de supervivencia y no de comodidad. Y, visto que el esquí de montaña es un deporte totalmente aeróbico, la transpirabilidad es de extrema importancia.

Elemento Lite jacket, mountaineering technology for the bike

We looked to the world of ski mountaineering racing, where the competitors obsess overweight even more than we cyclists do, yet their insulation is a matter of survival, not merely comfort. And with ski mountaineering being an insanely aerobic sport, breathability is paramount.

The construction of this jacket is like that of an insulated alpine shell, with an insulation layer sandwiched between woven inner and outer layers. Unlike most mountain jackets, though, the woven shell isn't completely windproof, instead, we've left a small amount of permeability.

The small amount of air that gets into the jacket picks up the moisture and evaporates it more efficiently than any membrane fabric available. The middle layer is a puffy insulation layer that we make in polypropylene partly because it's insanely light (specific gravity 0.6g) but also because it won't pick up moisture from either sweat or rain. These limited-stretch fabrics require a new cut, so this piece fits slightly looser than your race jacket. 

Elemento Lite jacket also for women with unbeatable lightness

Inspired by our favorite puffy jackets, we've made the cycling equivalent with a lot of warmth and minimal weight. But while your traditional down jacket is down proof to keep the feathers from escaping and hence offers very low breathability, our synthetic down allows us to make the textile layers air permeable for excellent breathability.

Elemento Lite vest, packable super-insulated ventilation

This vest is so many things: insanely light, packable, super warm yet prevents overheating.

The air-permeable fabrics allow a small amount of air in to evaporate sweat, while the polypropylene synthetic down insulation keeps your core warm.

It fits and feels like a warm mountaineering vest yet weighs next to nothing and even packs away into a jersey pocket when not needed.

COMPLETE YOUR CYCLING WINTER IDEAS

Sorpasso 2 culotte, the secret to our best winter tight

This culotte is characterized by its comfort and fit. Both features are the result of the combination of Thermoflex Core2 fabric and Thermoflex standard polar fabric, which guarantee excellent insulation when temperatures are low and at the same time provide breathability when it is not so cold.