Budget-friendly and Castelli don’t seem to go together much, but that idea is about to change as Castelli flexes their muscle and sharpens their pencils at the same time. The result is the $100 Castelli Avanti Jersey, which has a ton of high-end features at a more affordable price point.
Castelli Avanti Jersey Features:
- Strada micro mesh ventilated stretch fabric on front and back for great fit and moisture management
- Tailwind dimpled stretch fabric on sleeves, side panels and pocket for perfect fit
- Full-length YKK® Vislon® zipper is easiest-sliding zipper available
- Silicone gripper elastic at waist prevents jersey from riding up
- More generous fit than typical Castelli
- MSRP: $99.99
Nice style, loads of comfort
Castelli, like most traditional, European cycling brands, has a thing for black kits. Yes, they look good, but don’t offer significant visibility and do get boring. I mean, my personal bike is a black-on-black Open UPPER, so when it comes to kitting up, I enjoy a little color. While the Avanti Jersey is available in snazzier colors, I’ve quite appreciated the silver gray color and it definitely pairs nicely with the Castelli Competizione Bib Shorts for a unified scorpion look.
For a $100 jersey, you’re getting an excellent, comfortable package. Most of the comfort can be attributed to the stretchy Strada micro mesh fabric that covers both the front and back of the jersey. This fabric stretches out phenomenally to fit any dad bod imaginable. More importantly, it moves and stretches with every movement — standing, sprinting, descending or just plain hammering in the pedals. Of all the jerseys I’ve got, I would be hard-pressed to find one more comfortable to wear than the Avanti.
While I appreciate a skin-tight jersey for the ultimate aerodynamics and breathability, it can sometimes feel restrictive. The Avanti is anything but restrictive. In fact, if this is possible, it can feel a little too stretchy — particularly with the back pockets. Because of the stretch, phones can turn sideways in the side pockets and other heavier items (like a multi-tool) can bounce around. That stretch is nice when it comes to stashing a jacket or vest, but can make it difficult to retrieve items because the pockets stretch and grab square-edged items.
The full-diameter silicone hem keeps the jersey securely in place and the long sleeves are nice. I love the sleeve length and Castelli’s use of Tailwind Dimpled fabric on the sleeves and sides further aids in breathability. Since post-ride activities can last longer than anticipated, you’ll be happy to know that this jersey remains comfortable on and off the bike. I find myself lounging around in the Avanti long after the ride is done. Unlike race-fit jerseys, this one doesn’t pinch or dig into my armpits or anything when off the bike. Castelli has nailed both on and off-bike comfort with the Avanti Jersey.
Because of the less-racy fit, I’ve been keen to wear the Avanti for road, gravel and mountain biking. It works great for whatever discipline or disciplines you choose.
Fit: I’m 5’11” and 170 lbs. The size large fit nicely for all-out comfort. I could have sized down for a racy fit, but this jersey isn’t about the “painted on” look.
The Good
- Supreme comfort
- Stretchy fabric moves with you
- Very breathable
- YKK zipper is smooth and easy to pull
- Low-profile collar height
- Long sleeve length for a modern look
- Full-silicone hem keeps things in place
- Large pockets swallow just about anything
The Bad
- Pockets lack structure
- Heavier items can bounce around in the pockets
The Bottom Line: Castelli Avanti Jersey
On the more affordable side of the Castelli jersey lineup, the Avanti Jersey has a ton of great features that makes it easy to live with. Tops on that list is the stretchy fabric that moves with you, but close behind is breathability and a modern sleeve length and collar height.
Buy Now: Available at CompetitiveCyclist.com
