Rain jackets earn their place in a jersey pocket by being there when the weather turns—but only if they're light enough that you actually pack them. The Gavia Lite from Castelli weighs just 95 grams, which removes the mental negotiation that happens when you're deciding whether to stuff a jacket in your pocket for a ride that might stay dry. It's the kind of piece that lives in your pocket from early spring through late fall, ready for unexpected showers or descents where the temperature drops faster than you anticipated.
Castelli built the Gavia Lite around their Torrent Light fabric, a three-layer laminate that manages the balance between waterproofing and breathability that most packable rain jackets get wrong. The fabric blocks water from the outside while allowing moisture vapor to escape from the inside—critical when you're generating heat on a climb but need protection from rain. Taped seams prevent water from seeping through the stitching, which is where cheaper rain jackets tend to fail once the intensity picks up.
The fit follows Castelli's race-cut philosophy without crossing into restrictive territory. Raglan sleeves eliminate shoulder seams for better mobility when you're in the drops, and the cut assumes you'll be wearing this over a jersey rather than as a standalone piece. The result is a jacket that doesn't flap in the wind or balloon at speed, which matters both for aerodynamics and for not announcing to everyone in the group that you're wearing an emergency layer.... Read More
Reflective details appear at the rear and on the sleeves for low-light visibility, addressing the reality that rain often coincides with reduced visibility for drivers. The collar sits high enough to block wind without creating a tourniquet effect at your neck, and the full-length zipper allows ventilation adjustments on the fly. Three rear pockets on your jersey remain accessible through the jacket's rear hem design, so you're not fumbling for nutrition or your phone.
The packability factor deserves mention because it determines whether this jacket actually makes it into your pocket. The Gavia Lite stuffs into its own pocket and compresses down to roughly the size of a fist—small enough that it doesn't compete for space with food or tubes. This is the emergency layer you throw in for any ride where rain appears in the forecast, knowing the weight penalty is negligible and the protection is genuine.
