Castelli NanoFlex

Photo: Castelli

The Castelli NanoFlex Warmers (Arm Warmer pictured above, but they produce a complete set) are truly remarkable pieces. Without getting into too much detail, a normal warmer, lycra on the outside and roubaix fleece on the inside, is treated with silicon nano-filaments to create a water repelling fabric. Rain and road spray just beads up on the outside and is then blown off by the wind. They won't keep you dry in a prolonged 3 hour downpour like a rain cape will but they work wonders in passing showers and on wet roads. I took out the knee warmers today and paired them with Castelli's also fabulous Claudio NanoFlex Thermal Bibshort. I was hesitant at first about thermal bibshorts: I just always assumed that if it was cold enough to need the fleece part, that i would inevitably need knickers or even tights. Not so, however, these bibs with embro or leg or knee warmers hits these transitional spring temperatures perfectly. More importantly, though is the fact that they are also constructed with NanoFlex, meaning that during today's halfway wet ride, they were bone dry. I know they could have taken a lot more water and stayed dry as well. I am extraordinarily happy with my full set of NanoFlex Warmers as well as my Claudio bibshorts and would highly recommend them to anyone riding in Scotland. It's impossible to always ride on dry roads in this country, you'd go out maybe twice a year. Since that is the case NanoFlex gets as many glowing stars as it needs to convince you to get them. Further reviews by competitivecyclist.com:

Warmers
Claudio Bibshort

Photo: Castelli

Castelli Nano Overshoes

Photo: Castelli

I recently bought these overshoes as my old rain pair began to fall apart. A silicon coated/polyurethane outer shell did a great job keeping the water out on a fairly wet day, this ride with Mark and Jamie. Paired with wool socks on the inside, they also kept me warm down to about 40ºF (5ºC). Can't ask for much else from overshoes. On slightly more subjective grounds, they do aid aerodynamics and look quite fantastic. The downside is that they do feel fragile: I put them on with care and cringe when I scrape them accidentally against ground or pedals. I also had to order a whole size up as the claimed size would not zip all the way up. Castelli clothing is often a little on the pricier side (not like Assos or Rapha) but it is easy to find these on sale online, in which case they are great value, however, I think you should look elsewhere if you want your first pair of overshoes; a heavy duty neoprene would be a little more suited to the day-in, day-out wear and tear caused by having to wear overshoes most days. As a 2nd pair or a rain pair, I would be hard pressed to find a better pair of overshoes and would highly recommend these to anyone. (Photo: Castelli). Official Site