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SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING
LATEST UPDATE NOVEMBER 6th 2025
HOW DO WE REACH THE OVERALL RATINGS FOR PRODUCTS WE REVIEW?
Castelli Do Di Ci Jacket
Mens 244g XL (as tested) £225
The Castelli Do Di Ci literally translates from Italian as twelve, which refers to the garments ability to wick moisture, twelve times better than the Gaba, a garment designed to keep the wearer dry during wet races. There’s no DWR coating with the Do Di Ci, which is intended for cool, dry conditions. It’s a race garment, but with scope for thicker base layers, should conditions dictate and technical jackets when the rains come.
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I’ve been impressed by the comfort and speed of wicking, which has meant I’ve stayed predominantly dry for 30 minutes or so in light to moderate showery rain and the stretchy fabric has offered excellent freedom of movement. Impressive across the board, but no less than I’d expect from this end of the market.
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Pros: Highly breathable, very fast wicking, lightweight stretchy fabric, generous pockets, great cut.
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Cons: Price, no valuables pocket.
Specification
Ours was Ultraviolet, but Light Black, Rich Red and Mocha are the alternatives. Now, let’s take a closer look at the Ristretto fabric. Castelli partnered with ITTTAI to create what they claim is “an exclusive fabric”. This boils down to a polyester/elastane mix, although as we all know, there are different grades. Ristretto is engineered with air permeability in mind, purging rider generated heat out, without letting chill winds in. Suddenly turned a bit toasty, just drop the full length YKK zipper to taste. A garage means it won’t catch chins painfully when pulled completely home and the generous tag promises effortless adjustment, even at speed.
Given these features, I wasn’t surprised to discover it’s a relatively thin, stretchy fabric, which hugs the riders contours, for comfort and aerodynamics.
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​Look closely and you’ll notice the fabric’s qualities printed in white on the front and rear. Talking of which, round the back, we have three deep, stretchy, though supportive pockets that will gobble a decent amount of kit, including a water-resistant gilet, or lightweight race jacket without feeling overstuffed, or bouncing around like a playful labrador.
Some might bemoan the lack of a fourth, zippered cubby hole and while I could see the point on paper, especially if you wanted to stash some cash for the café’ or similar roadside respite. Retro-reflective strips sit beneath and are positioned so they’ll catch driver headlights, whether you’re cruising on the hoods, or hunkered low on the drops.
A sensibly proportioned silicone gripper completes the package and promises to hold everything in place unobtrusively. Inside, as I’d expect, we have flat seams for branding-free comfort come time to strip off and hit the shower.
Cut/Fit 3.75/5
A raglan cut continues the unrestrictive theme around the sleeves and shoulders. For context, I am 1m81 and 70 kilos, broad across the shoulders and proportionally short in the torso. According to Castelli’s size guide, XL is optimum, and this bore out in reality. There’s sufficient give for different densities of base layer, from thin “string vest” types to full sleeve winter fare, without gathering. However, important not to skimp on quality here, or you could hamper the Ristretto fabric’s enviable wicking prowess. I’ve typically gone for a thinner vest type base and a wind and rain resistant packable shell, such as this Madison Road Race Super Light Men’s Waterproof Softshell Jacket.
Performance 4/5
I was expecting something special and the Do Di Ci hasn’t disappointed. Ours arrived in early October, with temperatures typically around the mid to high teens. Worn directly against my skin, the stretchy fabric has gently caressed me, complying seamlessly with my every movement. Two hours at a steady 23mph, I felt incredibly fresh and impressed by how quickly the fibres wicked dampness from my chest, pits and back. Even at the upper end of this scale, none of the characteristic misting that tends to creep in with polyesters, given 20 minutes or so, at this pace. Predictably things turned breezy and often showery, temperatures typically dipping between 8 and 12 degrees.
True to claims, the fabric still spirited away the rider generated heat, while locking the chill, gusty stuff out. For context, I’m generally strong as the proverbial ox but can struggle with chest infections. I’d forgotten there wasn’t any DWR component and was all the more surprised to find myself primarily dry given twenty-five minutes of light to moderate showery rain-sufficient time to either reach home on a shorter blast, find shelter, or whip out that packable waterproof.
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On a few occasions, the mercury failed to get beyond 5 degrees - paired with a thicker base layer and , more traditional technical jacket - think 10,000-15000mm waterproofing and breathability and 300 plus grams, all good for as long as my legs would go.
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As I indicated earlier, I’ve found the Madison Road Race Super Light Men’s Waterproof Softshell Jacket a particularly good companion since it holds off the rain, while still allowing swift moisture eviction. Don the “classic condom jacket” and bargain on feeling like a mobile sauna - great if you want to shed a few pounds perhaps, but otherwise unpleasant and defeating the Do Di Ci’s benefits.
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Packable jackets aside, the pockets will swallow fully 750ml trade bottles, mini-inflators, tubes, bananas and of course, uber zoom travel compact cameras. With this kind of cargo there’s some very gentle “bob” over changeable surfaces, but nothing distracting, or annoying. Again, primarily marketed at road audiences, I’ve spent a fair bit of time exploring the trails, green lanes and gravel roads- no issues with unsettling bounce, or ejection.
Care/Durability 3.5/5
Ours is presently washing and wearing very well. It’s the usual 30-degree machine wash, minimal detergent and line drying routine. Bargain on 25 minutes drying time, with a moderate breeze, longer indoors and on the clothes horse. Though primarily intended as a road garment, I’ve done plenty of rides on the wilder side - trails, green lanes and gravel with the usual thorny encounters. To date, no bobbling, loose thread or similar signs of wear. Road spray and dodgy mud have also washed out without trace, although predictably, there’s traces of faintly oily patina along the right arm where I’ve been shouldering the bike, or tweaking drivetrains mid-outing.
Value 3/5
£225, how much! Exclaimed my significant other and yes, there’s no getting away from the fact it’s a lot to part with. Rapha Brevet Windstopper Jersey is steeper still at £250. However, its made from Gore Tex Infinium Windstopper - a wind and water-resistant fabric with a mesh layer for insulation within the front panels. We’ve not donned one, so can’t comment with any real conviction. That said, some have suggested the fabric doesn’t have much give and it’s a little bulky for layering. Café’ Du Cycliste (£190) is available in three colours, designed for a similar temperature range as Castelli’s Do Di Ci, and made from recycled polyester. It features a brushed finish and four rear pockets, including the zippered type for valuables, change etc. In common with the Castelli, it errs towards fast wicking and fast drying - no DWR layer, so you’ll need a packable jacket in changeable weather. Isadore Alternative Light Long Sleeve is £160. Available in five colours, it’s designed for a similar temperature range and with similar emphasis upon wicking and moisture management. It also features three deep pockets but also a fourth, zippered valuables model.
Summary
The difference between jersey and jacket can in some instances be one of semantics, although when someone says jacket to me, I’m thinking a wind and water repelling technical shell. That out of the way, if you can stomach the asking price and are looking for a highly breathable, fast wicking race jersey that responds well to layering, the Castelli Do Di Ci is well worth a closer look. Its Espresso Air Jacket cousin would be a much better choice for late autumn into spring, thanks to the thicker fabric and thermal properties.
Verdict: 3.5/5 Versatile jersey with superb wicking but at a price.
Michael Stenning
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2025
