Castelli Perfetto ss & Alpha jersey - same size?

luv2ride

Anyone with a Perfetto short sleeve and a Castelli Alpha jersey care to comment on whether the relative sizing is the same? Have found the Perfetto to be a good fit in medium, but wondered whether I should go medium or large in the Alpha jersey.

Also, before I pull the trigger, I already have a Sportful r&d wind jersey (in medium again) - will the Alpha jersey offer anything extra over that?
Cheers

daniel_b

I have a medium in both, and can probably compare tonight after shopping, if no one else pipes up in the meantime.

Pretty sure, from memory, they both fit like a two fingered glove would.

bendertherobot

The Alpha is ever so slightly bigger. Ever so. So no need at all to size up. It's also more realistically sized at the waist.

Castelli really are all over the place though. I have an XL Alpha, the XL Perfetto SS was too small. Have a L Espresso, XL Potenza (I could probably size down on that as well). XL Sorpasso.

luv2ride

Yeah, the Perfetto is super slim at the waist, but sounds like medium in the Alpha is where I should be. Now the only real query is whether the Alpha really offers anything more than the R&D wind jersey. It's clearly more water resistant, so better for cool, damp days (the R&D excels in dry and cold). However, I also have Sportful no rain fiandre softshell so probably am doubling up on kit somewhere. Decisions, decisions...

EDIT: just seen Wiggle have the new version of the Sportful Fiandre No Rain jacket down to the same price as the Alpha jersey. Given I think the Alpha and R&D jersey are pretty evenly matched, and the main reason I don't wear my current no rain jacket is the single zipped rear pocket (replaced by 3 normal pockets in the new version) I may go for that given its rated for lower temps at 0 to 12 degrees.

Or this:
https://www.merlincycles.com/lusso-aqua ... 97888.html at 112 quid?.?

hsiaolc

I just bought two Alpha for £130 each.

bought the same size as Gabba2 so I would assume it would be same size for the perfetto.

Alpha is just that much better in the winter than Gabba 2 especially under 5C.

grenw

Got a Perfetto SS in large and an Alpha jacket (not jersey) in medium. I sized up the Perfetto after comments on here - it's the only Castelli item I've ever had to buy in large.

daniel_b

GrenW wrote:

Got a Perfetto SS in large and an Alpha jacket (not jersey) in medium. I sized up the Perfetto after comments on here - it's the only Castelli item I've ever had to buy in large.

If memory serves, the Jacket seemed more constrictive than the jersey, or perhaps just less stretchy.

I will check my pairing at lunchtime.

luv2ride

My Alpha wind jersey just turned up. Quite a bit looser in medium than my Perfetto short sleeve. So much so am wondering if I should have gone small (though can't see that could be right). Online purchase, and haven't paid these much attention in the shop, but pretty unimpressed with the prosecco mid layer bit. Should have realized but made from same material as my Velocissimo short sleeve jersey, and Prologo long sleeve. Had thought it would be roubaix-lined on the inside of the vest, instead its very thin (albeit very breathable). Reckon I could get the same effect by simply wearing my Perfetto over my Velocissimo jersey and use some arm warmers. I must be missing something.....? Not sure it's a keeper despite the rave reviews :? Not used in anger yet.

bendertherobot

It's not simply about what each is made of, it's about how they all work together. You have to get the size right. But it's still one of, if not the, best things Castelli make..

apreading

Luv2ride wrote:

My Alpha wind jersey just turned up. Quite a bit looser in medium than my Perfetto short sleeve. So much so am wondering if I should have gone small (though can't see that could be right). Online purchase, and haven't paid these much attention in the shop, but pretty unimpressed with the prosecco mid layer bit. Should have realized but made from same material as my Velocissimo short sleeve jersey, and Prologo long sleeve. Had thought it would be roubaix-lined on the inside of the vest, instead its very thin (albeit very breathable). Reckon I could get the same effect by simply wearing my Perfetto over my Velocissimo jersey and use some arm warmers. I must be missing something.....? Not sure it's a keeper despite the rave reviews :? Not used in anger yet.

The point is supposed to be that a) you only have that extra layer on the front, your alternative would have two layers on your back too and you may overheat as a result. and b) when you completely unzip the outer layer, the perfetto would flap around behind you like a cape, the alpha jersey outer is held in place better. and c) they would have to be water resistant/windstopper arm warmers which I find arent stretchy enough to stay up without being restrictive on the elbows.

Now, a CONVERTIBLE Alpha would be a seriously interesting option!

luv2ride

Valid points, all of them. Have ridden in it now, so probably too late to return! Good points are:
Very windproof!
Seems very breathable
Brilliant collar (forgot my buff but didn't feel I needed one in this)
Un-restricted shoulders are super comfortable, and the waistband is great.
Colour has grown on me (white/black/mirage)

The not so good:
Fit not as close as I'd like ( but no way I would be a small at 38" chest and 33" waist :shock: )
Phone covered in sweat from back pocket- never noticed this with my Gabba but maybe shows how breathable the back material is?
Obviously the complere lack of rear reflectives but knew that before buying.

Seems very effective given how thin and light it is. At the price paid (@65 quid) its pretty good, though not sure I'd feel the same if paid RRP.

bendertherobot

The fit, of a medium, should be perfect at those measurements given I need an XL at 39 and 36 waist! I suspect something goes wrong with Castelli sizing sometimes. Out of interest, what does it actually measure at pit to pit and waist?

luv2ride

bendertherobot wrote:

The fit, of a medium, should be perfect at those measurements given I need an XL at 39 and 36 waist! I suspect something goes wrong with Castelli sizing sometimes. Out of interest, what does it actually measure at pit to pit and waist?

Pit to pit =20" (maybe a smidge over) or 51.5 cm
Bottom of hem (waist?) = 15 3/4" , or 40cm

Had a dry January, and haven't really partaken much since, so maybe I've lost more than I thought, though don't particularly feel much thinner than normal! Of course, this may be why Evans are running this particular Alpha out so cheap, perhaps it's not just down to colourway...?

bendertherobot

Have to say, that pit to pit measurement sounds a bit suspect. Pretty sure my XL is exactly the same. The fit in the other thread is correct though.

luv2ride

bendertherobot wrote:

Have to say, that pit to pit measurement sounds a bit suspect. Pretty sure my XL is exactly the same. The fit in the other thread is correct though.

Cheers BTR. I measured it flat, between the two seams underneath the arms (if that makes any sense?). Glad to hear the feeling is the picture on the other thread looks to be about right, though some say theirs is tighter. May take it with me to Bristol on Wednesday, just in case I manage to try a medium (and maybe a small) to compare. As we've said though, possibly wild variation between factories. Can't believe I was originally considering a large!

bendertherobot

Yeah, I'd take it and see if you can try some out, including another medium!

ugo.santalucia

GrenW wrote:

Got a Perfetto SS in large and an Alpha jacket (not jersey) in medium. I sized up the Perfetto after comments on here - it's the only Castelli item I've ever had to buy in large.

I used the Wiggle sizing app and it worked perfectly... L for the Alpha jacket and M for the Gabba

bendertherobot

In theory, given that ALL of these are race fit. There should be absolute parity. In theory.

singleton

For sizing, I'm about 6'0" with a 38" chest, 32" waist and got a medium perfetto. It's a snug fit, but I think that's the idea - it works best when it's fitting best.

luv2ride

2nd ride out today, only 20 miles due to a mechanical halfway round (will now be looking for a new front derailleur ). Hovering around 4 degrees with an occasional stiff wind, but stayed reasonably comfortable with a long sleeve compression base layer. Never cold. Although I was stopped contemplating having to get a taxi home due to a well and truly jammed chain, when I finally freed it 10 minutes later and got back on my way, I realised that the top had retained plenty of heat so was still warm when I set off again. I thought that was really impressive. So, a keeper in the end....

White sleeves and chain problems are never going to great bedfellows, but managed to avoid getting oil on the jersey this time around at least. Sure it won't be long though.

the_cyclist_of_catan

Alpha jacket - large fits me fine.

Gabby 3 - large fits me fine.

Perfetto 2 SS - how the heck do I get this zipped up over my waist in a large?? Might have to lose a stone or two!