Castelli has unveiled its new Alpha 150 Jacket, which it describes as the ‘ultimate winter cycling jacket’ as its launch coincides with the brand’s 150th anniversary in 2026.
Castelli notes that the jacket is the result of 12 years of refinement since the first Alpha Jacket launch in 2014. It is designed for cold, dry days but can also stand up to wet weather, providing protection in all but prolonged, driving rain.
The Alpha 150 deploys Castelli’s exclusive use of Polartec AirCore technology and pairs it with a separate Polartec Alpha insulation layer. The jacket is built to excel in temperatures ranging from -2 to 10∘C.
Polartec AirCore is the outer fabric, which the company states delivers unmatched breathability, as well as being extremely lightweight, windproof, and water repellent. It is engineered from recycled polyester yarns and is 100% free from PFAS-based chemicals.
The inner layer, Polartec Alpha active insulation, was originally developed for the US Special Forces. It is designed to be highly breathable and fast-drying while regulating heat and moisture.
The combination of these fabrics delivers protection from the elements while also being highly stretchy, permitting a close-to-body fit.
Additional features include a double-opening front that allows independent ventilation of the AirCore and Alpha layers, and a top-and-bottom-opening with YKK Vislon zippers. It also includes a high collar, double cuffs, covered zippers, three rear pockets, and reflective piping.
Steve Smith, Castelli International Brand Manager, said “For years, the Alpha has been one of our core winter products and both amateur and pro riders tell us it is their favourite jacket in cold conditions. With the Alpha 150, we’re setting that benchmark even higher and delivering the best winter jacket we’ve ever made.”
Smith added “With Polartec AirCore, we’ve co-developed a fabric that goes far beyond what we ever thought possible. It’s re-writing the ‘gold standard’ of what high performance cycling gear can do, and by pairing it with Polartec Alpha technology, we’re able to offer ‘game-changing insulation’ too.”
He also noted that the double-opening front means a cyclist can open the outer layer further during high-intensity efforts to accelerate moisture diffusion while keeping the inner layer closed to keep the core warm.
The men’s jacket is available in four colourways: Light Black/Black, Mango Mojito/Black, Brilliant Orange/Dark Gray, and Deep Bordeaux/Clay. The women’s jacket is available in Light Black/Black, Deep Bordeaux/Brilliant Pink, and Hibiscus/Black.
The Alpha 150 jacket is priced at US$420.00 / €339.95 / £360,00.
