The Castelli Gabba jersey played a key role in turning bad weather cycling kit into something better Gabba is now a well-known jersey for most road cyclists due to its reputation, but the original was introduced in the pro peloton in 2010 You can read more about the origins of the Gabba here, but a quick overview is that it was named after pro rider Gabriel Rasch, and feedback from him and other pro riders on the Cervelo Test Team led to the creation of a jersey that provides protection and warmth in uncomfortable wet or cold weather It was born out of a desire for an aero, lightweight racing jersey that would provide protection and warmth in uncomfortable wet or cold weather.

Since then, the Gabba has remained in the Castelli lineup through several adjustments and updates, and although it has joined the various offerings of other competitors, it remains the jersey that changed the way we all dress in certain conditions.

This jersey is currently heavily discounted in Wiggle's January sale! The black Gabba ROS (Rain or Shine) is currently 70% off in small, medium, and large sizes. Orange, red, and blue versions are a bit cheaper, but black is the cheapest.

Just so there is no misunderstanding, this is a slightly older Gabba ROS, and there is a newer (and more expensive) Gabba ROS 2 on the market now.

In the spring, these protective jerseys are just the ticket for racing, riding hard, or just a little less bulk on the bike.

What makes Gabba so useful is that before Gabba, there were no aerodynamic protection jackets or jerseys available. Road cyclists wore flimsy, waterproof jackets for years. I had a huge, see-through, sweat-soaked plastic rain jacket that I wore only in rain or bad weather.

Gabba's Gore-Tex Windstopper (now named "Infinium") material offers excellent cold and water resistance, yet is breathable enough to keep you from overheating during races and hard riding. The jacket was used extensively at the infamous Milan-San Remo in 2013, and it is rumored that Fabian Cancellara had all of his teammates wear the Gabba.

Given the Gabba's fit and USP, it is best paired with arm warmers. Long-sleeved versions of the Gabba have been available in the past, and at one time had removable arms, but are now a shorter, short-sleeved option. Long-sleeved alternatives are available in the Castelli Jacket Guide, and the Perfetto jacket is quickly becoming the talk of the town when it enters long-sleeved territory.

For arm warmers, Castelli recommends the windproof and water-resistant Nanoflex along with jerseys, but there are many other options.