Pro cyclists race and train in virtually every kind of weather. While these men and women have little choice, the rest of us do, and the hardiest enthusiasts take to the roads out of the love of the sport. The same goes for pro cyclists as well, and even though that is their chosen profession, their sponsors work hard to ensure that these competitors have everything they need to perform and stay as healthy as possible. What is great about Castelli as a company is that they have pushed the industry to build the same top-tier garments for women as they do for men. The Donnina Rain Jacket is just such a piece. From a technology and material perspective, this is the same piece as the men's Tempesta Race Jacket. With a women' specific fit and cut, with subtle styling details, Castelli drew on the fit and concept of the Gabba design and features, developed a new super lightweight fabric with eVent®, and applied their lengthy experience and considerable pro cyclist feedback to develop this lightweight wonder. If you want the best performing rain jacket in the world, suitable for the women of pro racing, the Donnina Rain Jacket has you covered.

Partnering with eVent® is on par with partnering with a company like Apple. The textile engineers are among the best, and for years they have focused on high performance rain and weather protection fabrics that transfer moisture at exceptionally fast rates. Cycling, running and XC skiing are sports that require incredible sustained exertion at high levels. While hiking, climbing, etc., also require massive output, it takes place within a mid-range effort most of the time. The higher rate of perspiration of the the faster paced endurance sports must be managed differently. Castelli asked eVent® for extreme moisture transfer required during pro cycling racing and training, but also wanted the lightest weight fabric possible. The 70 gram PTFE membrane fabric eVent® developed is exclusive to Castelli, and the Donnina Rain Jacket is the result. Two panels were designed, one with a more stretch oriented version, the other with barely any stretch.

The extreme stretch fabric is used for panels in the shoulders, at the elbows, and along the side. These allow for a form-fitting jacket that hugs the body for maintaining aerodynamics. The standard panels provide structure and are kept tightly in place. The coverage of the jacket is excellent, with the high, tapered collar and extended rear tail standing out. Elasticized quick lock drawstrings on the extended arm cuffs allow you seal out any infiltration and have a magnetic keeper to prevent them form bobbing around. The jacket itself is water and wind proof, so the only way you get wet is if water comes in elsewhere. The extremely breathable material uses movement and body heat to assist in getting any and all moisture out, and all seamed transitions are sealed. A silicone band on the wide elastic waistband hold the jacket firmly in place- above the extended drop-tail (which actually covers the backside without saddle interference). 360° reflective trim keeps you visible. Two external rear pockets hold your stuff, and when you need to use the front zipper, the waterproof YKK Vislon® handles the job with ease every time.

This is a superior rain jacket designed for female cyclists who are willing and able to push limits, even in nasty racing weather. You get a fully water and wind proof, form-fitting, extremely breathable piece that weighs just 176 grams in a size Medium. It rolls up and stores easily in a jersey pocket and every detail has been examined, refined, and considered perfect by Castelli's pro riders. It is true that this level of exceptional performance carries a significant price tag, but if you look at any similar product across the world of cycling, skiing, or mountaineering, you will see the reality of the expected performance from such highly technical, exclusive eVent® fabrics. There are maybe three lightweight race-level rain jackets in the world that are even comparable to the Donnina, and early feedback pushes this Castelli masterpiece to the top of the podium.