Though the PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) ban that has affected USA and EU producers has seen the demise of many waterproof materials and clothes, together with the much-lauded Gore-Tex Shakedry, there’s nonetheless ample inventory of some materials for Castelli to supply the Tempesta Lite with Gore-Tex Lively Expertise for the subsequent few seasons.
In direct distinction to the Castelli Squall Shell which you carry in case you might be unfortunate with the climate, the Tempesta Lite is the sort of jacket that you simply placed on at first of a journey and take off in the event you get fortunate with the climate. The branding on the jacket merely says ‘Gore-Tex’, however the swing tag says ‘Gore-Tex Lively Expertise’, which was the model’s most breathable cloth earlier than Shakedry, and one which I used to be a fan of.
There is just one color possibility, gentle gray, for males or ladies, with males’s sizing from S to 3XL and the ladies’s model from XS to XL.
Development
As talked about, the material is Gore-Tex Lively Expertise, though the distinction between the Tempesta Lite and my older Lively-Shell jackets appears to be within the face cloth. The unique clothes had a regular face cloth that was high quality when the DWR (sturdy water repellency) therapy was new, it suffered from wetting out when the therapy wore off which drastically affected breathability. Nevertheless, this newest model appears to utilise a softer, nearly hatched materials with some stretch in a single route, however none within the different. After all, all seams are taped and the YKK zip is water resistant.
(Picture credit score: Tim Russon)
The cuffs are slightly odd, with a tapered however elastic-less outer cuff and an inside gasket created from Lycra. Much more eye-catching is the rear of the jacket; there’s a slit throughout the decrease again in an effort to attain into your jersey pockets and beneath this can be a panel of black Gore-Tex Topo cloth. This materials seems to serve two capabilities. Firstly, its horizontal stretch helps the match of the jacket across the waist, and secondly, the stiffer materials prevents the entry slot from gaping open and permitting in water.
Utilizing the slit to entry jersey pockets was a bit awkward, particularly on the go
(Picture credit score: Andy Jones)
There are lengthy reflective stripes down every arm and, curiously, contained in the collar. Lastly, it’s implausible that it isn’t black. The sunshine gray isn’t reflective per se, however it must be extra seen than the regulation Shakedry black (besides perhaps in fog…).
Reflective stripes on each sleeves add to visibility
(Picture credit score: Andy Jones)
Castelli claims that the jacket weighs 216g, however they’re doing themselves a little bit of a disservice right here, my measurement massive tipped the scales at a really spectacular 169g. Packability is cheap too – tightly rolled it would slot in most jersey pockets though there is no such thing as a stuff bag or stow pocket so you have to discover your individual packing methodology.
The Journey
Regardless of its low weight, donning the Tempesta Lite actually appears like you might be placing on a water-resistant jacket fairly than a taped windproof. Partly, that is as a result of 3-ply nature of the material, which, regardless of its softness and adaptability nonetheless feels extra substantial than some supplies. It additionally seems like a correct waterproof, with the rustling that I affiliate with getting correctly togged up for a moist outing, and because the cloth isn’t significantly forgiving I might really feel slight dragging when shifting regardless of the tremendous gentle C-knit backer. All these components assist in the direction of a sense of safety and safety that lighter jackets don’t present.
Match is private, however I a lot most popular the lower of the Castelli Squall Shell that I examined just lately to that of the Tempesta Lite. The shortage of stretch within the Lively Expertise cloth signifies that the lower must be slightly extra beneficiant in locations, to permit for consolation within the driving place, so the general really feel is of an endurance fairly than race-orientated match – suppose bike packing fairly than wet-weather intervals.
Not as shut becoming as some, however nonetheless properly lower
(Picture credit score: Andy Jones)
I wasn’t certain what to do with the open sleeves of the Tempesta – pressure them into my gloves or allow them to flap about inflicting drag and sucking in air. The interior Lycra cuff helps slightly, however I might a lot fairly have had a less complicated, single, elasticated cuff design; my older Lively Shell merchandise have regular cuffs so I’m unsure why Castelli has chosen this design for the Tempesta Lite. On the plus aspect although, the sleeves have been a lot lengthy sufficient even in a stretched-out place on the bike
I used to be additionally not significantly eager on the rear pocket entry design. I perceive the idea, however rooting about by way of a flap to find a particular pocket and discover a gel, all while in all probability sporting heat gloves appears over-complicated, pointless and troublesome. I suppose it might work extra simply in the summertime with simply mitts on, however then I’d counsel you in all probability wouldn’t be sporting this jacket as summer season bathe safety. My desire can be for a two-way zip as an alternative equivalent to on the Espresso Vest which permits fast and easy accessibility with out concern of getting your hand caught behind your again in a possible monkey entice. I ended up pulling the rear of the jacket up over the pockets if I wanted to entry them.
(Picture credit score: Andy Jones)
In the end, nevertheless, the one most vital query is a straightforward one; did the Tempesta Lite preserve me dry, each from rain and from my sweat? The reply is sure, it was fairly spectacular in its potential to shift my moisture outwards while stopping rain from penetrating the material. There was no wetting out of the outer, so breathability remained excessive even after a protracted soaking and though I don’t suppose that it reaches Shakedry’s skills, it’s a very completely different product that might fortunately co-exist with the lighter cloth.
Worth and conclusion
I’ve resisted mentioning the value till now, however I can put it off now not. The Tempesta Lite has an RRP of £350. It’s removed from Castelli’s most costly waterproof (the £450 Slicker Professional has that honour), however that’s nonetheless an enormous amount of money for most individuals to spend on a jacket that they hope they received’t must put on a lot.
The Tempesta Lite seems and appears like a ‘correct’ waterproof, regardless of its low weight
(Picture credit score: Andy Jones)
The efficiency is superb by way of breathability and waterproofness in sustained moist situations, however except you persistently spend lengthy intervals within the rain Castelli and different manufacturers have cheaper merchandise that may carry out adequately. Equally, I can’t think about even probably the most well-heeled commuter fortunately spending that sort of money on a each day put on jacket that’s uncovered to the worst street grime, spray and rain, so its market is likely to be fairly restricted. As prompt above, the potential patrons is likely to be bikepackers, audaxers and different long-distance riders for whom longer-term safety is a better precedence than race efficiency.
Its low weight and wet-weather skills are spectacular, however at £350 you’d count on nothing much less.
