Castelli

Squadra Stretch Vest - Men's

Works Well, Has Specific Use Cases

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Size Bought:

2XL

Height:

5' 9"

Weight:

181

I bought this in a store so I got to try them on. The castelli fit charts more or less work for me but I'm 5'9" and 181 lbs so I am not built like their models but am fit. As I try to dial in a size by sizing down, the shoulders are the first thing to limit Castelli tops on me, the waiste size still leaves a little room for people with more calories there. The L is small in the arms and shoulders but fit my torso. XL is tiny bit baggy but I'm not racing so the loss of watts matters none. I have a 2XL vest because when I bought it I was working out more upper body and was 16 lbs heavier. I still use the 2XL and it's a bit big but fine and fits over my jersey pockets if they're stuffed. If I could do it over again I'd get an XL, maaaaaybe an L? This vest for me is what I put on over other garments to break the initial chill of the ride in low 40s to low 60s F weather. After 10-20 minutes I take off the vest and gloves and roll them up and shove them into the back pockets of my jersey, works great. If it's in the low 50s or lower and I stop to take a food break on a long ride, this might come back out as I warm up again. I also will keep this rolled up and in a back pocket when it's not warm and I'm climbing then descending 1k feet or more (where you generate no heat and just get frozen on the way down). The vest doesn't breath, just forget about that. It's also "meh" at best for rain resistance. Nonetheless, every garment has its function and I'm happy to have this one in the conditions described. I think if you want more out of a vest for warmth or rain resistance, it's not going to virtually disappear in a jersey pocket. I routinely keep this and a smart phone in the same one jersey pocket in a jersey with 3 pockets on the back. more would fit if needed. The trouble with vests and all cycling gear is trying to get a "one does it all" piece, which has never worked for me. If you use this like I desribed you'll almost certainly be fine with it.

Castelli Squadra Stretch Vest

Size Bought:

Large

Height:

5' 9"

Weight:

164

I give 4 Stars because I like to look, the style and the material. Outside of that the fit is much too tight and it doesn't have a 2 way zipper so it would have been nice to have one small back pocket for easier access gel packs or energy bars. I am 5'9", 164 lbs, 41" chest, 32" waist and I normally wear a medium and sometimes a large. I have an older Castelli Wind Vest in a large and it is a relaxed fit. I have an older Castelli jersey in a large and it fits very nice, not tight, not loose, just right. I ordered the Squadra Vest in a large and the fit is more of a Race Fit, very tight. When compared to my old Castelli vest it is 2.5" smaller in the chest and mid-section. I worried that an XL will be too long so I am returning.

Size too small

My regular size is M. So I’ve ordered the same size. But you M like Super X Small…

Inaccuate Sizing and Description

Familiarity:

I returned this product before using it

Size Bought:

XL

Height:

5' 7"

Weight:

155

Based on the Castelli numeric sizing in the chart, I ordered an XL. I am usually a men's medium. The XL I received is more like a men's small, so I had to return it. Also, contrary to the description, there is no mesh back-- the back is the same not-breathable semi-transparent fabric as the front. There arenarrow more-breathable panels on the sizes.

Wanted to like it

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Great color and fabric. The issue is the back is not mesh and does not have any way for air to pass through so it catches air and wind, which causes flapping and the accompanying noise. Also no way for heat to dissipate. I wear a medium in Castelli and the medium in this piece fit well.

Soooo Small

Familiarity:

I returned this product before using it

I would have to agree with the other reviewer, I ordered an XXL which is two sizes up for me and had to return it as it was so tight. Not sure what they were thinking when they made these...

Really a bad vest

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Im not going to complain about Castelli sizing. I've been wearing them for years and know what to expect. What I dont expect is extra fabric and a product that rides up my back as I ride. It doesn't have an grip in the rear and it's short, so Im constantly pulling it down in the back. It's a poor design. I also have Progetto and ROS vests, and each of them are properly designed. But one of those for product satisfaction.

Runs Very Very Very Small

Familiarity:

I returned this product before using it

Size Bought:

3x

Weight:

190

Looks to be of excellent quality but runs very, very, very small. Ordered a 3x because I wanted it loose enough to layer over at least one shirt and had to return it because I couldn't even zip it with nothing else on underneath. Have never taken a 3x in anything!