The new Castelli Alpha Ultimate Insulated Women's Jacket takes the brand's hugely well reviewed Alpha RoS 2 Women's Jacket and makes it 30% lighter, stretchier and even more comfortable to wear, while retaining the same levels of warmth, breathability and protection.
This change has been brought about by altering the fabric makeup, so the jacket now has a highly flexible, waterproof yet breathable outer made from Polartec® NeoShell®, which remains separate from the airy Polartec® Alpha® insulation at the front of the jacket.
So, if you want protection from the rain on a warm day, you can zip up the outer and leave the inner open; for a bit of insulation on a dry day, you can zip the inner and leave the outer open; when you're hot and sweaty after a climb you can vent both layers; or, when it's plain horrible out, you can zip them both up. Whatever winter conditions you're facing, including temperatures down to -5?C, this jacket can cope with them.
Effectively waterproof seam taping at the shoulders, a flat lying hem that seals out the wind, and cuffs that integrate with your gloves to stop wind and water from entering at the wrists all help to make this jacket warmer than its weight would suggest, while being impressively waterproof and letting sweat escape. Ample storage in the form of three rear pockets and a zipped side pocket rounds out a weatherproof jacket that's hard to beat in terms of versatility and comfort.