Castelli alpha or espresso? Or other?

xixang

I'm looking at getting a winter jacket/Jersey in the sales and I think I've narrowed it down to a Castelli alpha or espresso, both around half price in Evans. Has anyone any real life experience of either or both of these?

I've got a long sleeved gabba v1 already but didnt find it overly warm over last couple of months and usually end up wearing it with a base layer and a torm long sleeved Jersey underneath, and if there's a cold wind a gillet as well.

I think I'm steering towards an espresso but can't decide. No local shops have them both to try

Will be used mainly for fastish club runs rather than commuting

nicube

I've got the Espresso, bought early this year and have been on some 0 degree rides for upto 90mins and it's is so warm and that's just with a winter base layer, but anything above 7-8 degrees and it's getting too warm which is why I bought an Alpha jersey.

The Espresso is a lovely jacket though, so well made and a lovely fit, highly recommend it

indyp

Now that it's Spring I'd go Alpha Jersey, it would be different if Autumn but you won't need the extra warmth now. And then pick up the Alpha Jacket in the sales ready for next winter.

bendertherobot

It's way too late in the year for the Espresso. This weekend will see temps of 15 or so. Alpha every time.

Slightly aside, I wore my Alpha jacket today because snow was theatened. Max temp on way home was 6 ish. Too hot.

menthel

Espresso was for the mornings when the temp was zero and below- then it worked perfectly. I have been in my alpha jersey for a couple of weeks and its been perfect with a light ls base underneath.

sloppyschleckonds

indyP wrote:

Now that it's Spring I'd go Alpha Jersey,

What country are you in?

xixang

Thanks for responses. Sort of steering towards an alpha Jersey but what does it offer over gabba? More breathable but not as warm?

bendertherobot

Not as warm??!!?!?!!??!?!?!? Much warmer than a Gabba. Much more breathable and, to be honest, pretty damn water resistant as well.

xixang

Sounds like a done deal then

Castelli rate gabba and alpha Jersey as

Windproof 4 (g) and 5(a)
Waterproof 3 and 2
Insulation 4 and 2
Breathability 4 and 4

So I assumed gabba warmer

menthel

xixang wrote:

Sounds like a done deal then

Castelli rate gabba and alpha Jersey as

Windproof 4 (g) and 5(a)
Waterproof 3 and 2
Insulation 4 and 2
Breathability 4 and 4

So I assumed gabba warmer

I have both and the alpha is deffo warmer.

xixang

Ordered...

noodleman

Bit late now but the castelli mortirollo is brilliant.

DKay

noodleman wrote:

Bit late now but the castelli mortirollo is brilliant.

I agree. I love my Mortirolo too.

bendertherobot

The Mortirolo is great, particularly when discounted. But, when the same price it's not as good as the Alpha Jacket.

But, back to the jersey, you'll get far more use out of that from this point in the year than you would the Mortirolo.

DKay

bendertherobot wrote:

The Mortirolo is great, particularly when discounted. But, when the same price it's not as good as the Alpha Jacket.

I agree. My Mortirolo was only £90.

I have a Gabba for when the temps are a little bit warmer. The Mortirolo is too warm in anything around 10degrees.