Before we switched to Castelli last year, I hadn't purchased Castelli kit in a long time. The only previous jersey I owned is a Red Hook Crit jersey I bought in 2016. I always liked how that jersey fit, so I was excited to get to review some of the new Castelli jerseys that are out for 2021. We got sent a grey Fuori jersey that I have put to the test in a variety of conditions, and have summed up my thoughts for you below.

All pictures by Scott Rettino

Initial impressions

Nice fabric just feels good. The first thing I notice was the sleeves: silky smooth, thin, and not too long. The threads are tight and the zipper is sturdy, travels easily and doesn't get stuck, something most brands have issues with. This particular jersey is size Small and I have realized that I am actually a XS in Castelli sizing, but the jersey looked fine off the bike. It wasn't until I got on the bike that the front folded a bit, but I expected that due to mis-sizing. The collar is comfortable, which I was surprised because my other Castelli jersey is really tight around the neck.

The testing conditions

I tested this jersey in three ways: indoor zwifting, riding in the heat in Puerto Rico, and spring park rides in NYC.

Indoors I was looking for sweat wicking capabilities and breathability, and anything that might come up from going all out and heaving without much wind.

In Puerto Rico I was paying attention to how the jersey held up in 90º heat, UV protection and general wear and tear.

Lastly, in NYC it's all about looks – trying to see if it would grab anyone's attention. This isn't scientific at all, and I am not a professional kit reviewer, so my disclaimer is that I am reviewing this jersey by looking at the things that are important to me as a rider.

Conclusions

The Fuori jersey is a high quality piece of kit that I think lives up to the Castelli name. Nothing is ever perfect though, but certainly more pros than cons. Worth saying that unfortunately I didn't get any compliments on the jersey but I wouldn't consider that a bad thing. Cycling fashion trends in NYC are a bit different than Castelli's very italian aesthetic, but they are catching up. Overall, I would recommend this jersey if you're looking for a quality piece of kit that's comfortable and will get used often, especially in late spring or early fall.

Pros

• Feels fantastic. Nice fabric makes you feel fast. Check!

• Stands up to wear and tear from rides in a variety of conditions and many washes. So far it looks as new as day 1. I haven't put it in the dryer though (and don't plan to)

• Wicks sweat away very well. Very little drip when riding indoors. Jersey obviously gets wet after a while but it holds up nicely and was still comfortable even after an hour long race inside

• The rubber liner at the inside bottom of the jersey holds very well, even when pockets are full

Cons

• Sleeves ride up, so put sunscreen a bit higher up your arms if you're going to be in the sun

• Breathability could be better. Ironically, I didn't realize this when I was riding indoors, but when warming up for rides in Puerto Rico. I could feel my chest getting warm, even though eventually I forgot about it and it didn’t bother me