Santini Cold Weather Kit: The full winter I hope has passed in the northern hemisphere, but it’s nowhere near summer yet, so we still need clothing for cold and wet conditions. Our man in Spain, Alastair Hamilton, has been putting Santini’s Adapt Multi jacket and packable waterproof unisex jacket, both with the revolutionary Polartec® Power Shield™™ RPM fabric, plus the Unico bib tights through their paces.
Euro style
When I started going out with a cycling club and then racing in the late 70’s, the clothing was nothing like we have now. I’m sure the first race kit I had was made out of potato sack, and the chamois…. Soon after that, cycle clothing started to appear from Europe and one of the manufacturers I would dream of was Santini. At the time it was out of my price range and was not easy to get, but it was a dream that eventually came to fruition. Santini is still a top class Italian cycle clothing manufacturer, but I would say that the price isn’t over the top and considering how good the kit is, it is worth every penny/cent. Let’s look at their cool weather offerings made with Polartec® fabrics.
Adapt Multi – Jacket with Polartec®’s Power Shield™ Pro Fabric – €250, £240, $300
We can start with the jacket, which I would call a jersey. Santini claim that Polartec’s Power Shield Pro fabric protects you from cold and wet conditions, which it does, but the feel of the material is very soft and stretchy and a pleasure to wear. That pleasure was multiplied when actually cycling in less than perfect conditions. The weather here in Spain has got a little cold and I actually went out in 8ºC (4ºC in the shade), which for me is ‘Baltic’, but with only a base layer I was ‘toasty’ enough. It hasn’t rained recently, so I can’t say anything about that, but I didn’t notice the cold breeze coming from the north.
High collar and Santini reflective shoulder
The jersey/jacket is very well made, all the seams are robustly stitched and also sealed on the inside. There is a long list of facets, I’ll try cover them all: Apart from the Polartec® fabric, which is stretchy and comfortable to wear, there is a high collar to keep your neck warm with a ‘Santini’ hanger for drying. There is a double zipper, for access top and bottom, very handy for ‘nature breaks’, and there is a protection flap on the inside. The zippers are easy to use, even when wearing gloves, as there is a ring on the top zip and a ‘Santini’ tag on the lower zip.
Three pockets + zip pocket
On the left shoulder there is a reflective strip and a subtle ‘Santini’ printed on the back which could also be reflective. Three very strong pockets and the thing all non-race jerseys should have, a small zip pocket, which in this case is waterproof. The seem round the base and cuffs is stitch-less and at the rear, under the pockets there is an elastic gripper strip to hold everything in place. Nice touch, on the inside of my jersey is the history of the Colle Gallo climb, which Pez wrote a story about here.
The Colle Gallo climb story
If you are looking for warm and water resistant jersey/jacket, with Italian style, you can’t go wrong with the Adapt Multi jacket with Polartec®’s Power Shield™ Pro fabric. Very comfortable, a nice fit and looks great. Santini has thought of everything, it also comes with a protective bag and is available in four colours. I’m struggling to find any faults.
What Santini sez: If you are looking for an incredibly versatile winter product, look no further. Adapt Multi is designed to fit and feel like a jersey but it works like a jacket! Constructed with Polartec®’s Power Shield™ Pro fabric, developed using an innovative new membrane made from 48% plant-based raw materials, and free of PFAS chemicals, which provides an impressive 20.000mm water column protection. Adapt Multi is fully thermosealed, and guarantees complete thermal balance in any climate conditions, although it is ideal for cold rides and wet weather.
A must: The small zip pocket
Featuring a slim fit, it is equipped with a double front zip to open both from the bottom and top. Reflective shoulder band for added visibility in low-light conditions and an extra waterproof zip pocket on the back, complete this unique garment that will change the way you layer up in winter. A fabric hook is positioned at the back of the collar to hang the jacket and let it dry. Little detail for the cycling enthusiasts is the unique label stitched inside the jacket that tells the story of the Climbs that surround our beautiful city of Bergamo; Boccola, Valcava, Selvino and Colle Gallo.
- Suggested for temperatures from 0°C to +10°C/32 to 50°F
- Polartec® Power Shield™ Pro with 48% plant based membrane and PFAS free
- 20.000mm water column
- Fully thermosealed
- Taped bottom and wrist finish
- Waterproof double-slider front zip
- Reflective shoulder band with Santini logo
- Back waterproof zipped pocket
- Made in Italy.
Not full length legs
Unico – Bib Tights – €200, £190, $240
Subtle Santini logo
Alastair Hamilton PEZ sez: The bib tights have a light fleece on the inside, which is warm enough in temperatures over freezing in centigrade, they maybe too light for sub-zero days, but personally, if it is that cold outside I would be on Zwift. The tights are also very well made and many of the seems are stitch-less for comfort, there is only one seem down the back of the leg and four panels on the body.
Reflective Santini on the leg
The legs don’t come down to the ankle, but stop after the calf muscles. I guess with the hight of socks these days, it’s not important. There is no seem at the bottom of the legs as the material has been ‘raw’ cut, giving a smooth finish. Santini is multi-colour printed at the back of the leg, which is reflective and there is small Santini label on the left cheek and a tiny Italian flag at the join between the body of the tights and the bib.
Nice wide and strong braces
The bib has wide straps made from strong and elasticated material with an open back panel. Of course the most important part is the seat pad. The bib tights use the Santini C3 insert, which has a lot of get where it is needed and a little less between your legs and just the material at the edges and the front. I’ve always found the Santini pad one of the best, lots of comfort. These are comfortable tights and perfect for the spring/autumn temperatures, but not if you like going out in the ice.
One of the best seat pads
What Santini Sez: Unico is a one of a kind cycling bib tight. Taking inspiration from our best seller Unico bib-short, it is made of high-performance Italian microfibre for a soft and light feel on the body and unbeatable comfort. Unico bib tights are so light and comfortable providing just the right amount of warmth during mid season rides or mild winters. Incredibly stretchy, Unico provides light compression without restriction. Raw-cut finish for a perfect fit, the tights stay in perfect position while cycling without the need for a grip at the bottom of the leg. The Unico bib tights feature an exclusive 7/8 leg length.
The laser-cut braces and super-breathable panel on the back featuring the signature Unico colours, will adapt to your body and follow your movements in the saddle. The iridescent and reflective logo on the lower leg guarantees high visibility in the darkest hours. Designed for long distance, it features our C3 seat pad, with anti-shock gel inserts and ergonomic 3D surface to accompany you everywhere without discomfort.
- Suggested for temperatures from +5°C to +15°C/41 to 59°F
- High performance Italian microfiber
- Raw cut finish
- 7/8 leg length
- Laser-cut braces with breathable back panel
- Reflective Santini logo on calf
- C3 seat pad with gel inserts
- Made in Italy.
Where is the rain?
Magic – Packable Waterproof Jacket Unisex with the Revolutionary Polartec® Power Shield™™ RPM Fabric – €200, £200, $240
Waterproof and Italian style
Alastair Hamilton PEZ sez: It doesn’t rain much in this part of Spain, but when it does, it really comes down. Also on descents, especially the longer ones, it gets very cold, so a lightweight, foldable jacket is a must. The unisex Magic waterproof jacket made with Polartec® Power Shield™™ RPM fabric is a fancy piece of technical cycle clothing. It is so light and goes into its own zippered pocket, you forget you have it with you.
Folds up really small
It has the same high collar as the jersey and has the hanger for drying, the sleeve cuffs are elasticated to help keep the rain out, as it the waist. The back is longer for protection. There is a double zip for easy access from the top or bottom, with flaps on the inside. There is a reflective ‘santini – cycling’ logo on the back for safety and a small ‘Santini’ logo on the front. All the seems are sealed for the utmost waterproofing.
Light weight and with the membrane interior
The star of the show is the Polartec® Power Shield™™ RPM fabric. It is elastic in all directions for a neat fit and the internal membrane makes it easy to put on over a jersey of any material on the move, even with cold or gloved hands. I’ve had ‘waterproof’ jackets in the past and you would get just as wet from condensation on the inside as if you were out in the rain. The Polartec® Power Shield™™ RPM fabric is breathable with rain and wind insulation that will keep you dry and looking good in bad conditions. Only available in black.
Nice and elastic for a good fit
What Santini sez: The Magic packable waterproof jacket is the ideal choice for cyclists facing extreme rain conditions. Unique in its kind, the Magic Rain jacket is incredibly lightweight and easily storable in its own rear pocket, turning it into an indispensable ally against sudden rain. Equipped with the revolutionary Polartec® Power Shield™™ RPM fabric, this jacket not only provides high-quality waterproof protection but is also eco-friendly, made with high-elasticity recycled polyester for both the external layer and the internal membrane. Polartec® Power Shield™™ RPM (10.000 mm water columns/ 30.000 g/m²/24hrs) combines high breathability and waterproofing with sustainable production, featuring a PFAS-free DWR treatment and a fabric weight of 100 g/m2.
Easy to put on
Fully thermosealed, it features a double-opening front zip. The slim fit, elongated back for extra protection from rain and dirt, and a high collar to prevent water infiltration make this garment a must-have for every cyclist. The reflective Santini logo on the back ensures visibility and safety during the darkest hours.
- Polartec® Power Shield™™ RPM fabric
- 10.000 mm water columns / 30.000 g/m²/24hrs
- High-elasticity recycled polyester fabric and membrane
- Slim fit
- Fully thermosealed
- Double-opening front zip
- Elongated back for extra protection
- High collar to prevent water infiltration
- Reflective Santini logo on the back
- Pocketable in its own zippered pocket
- Made in Italy.
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