Breathable, waterproof, and completely PFAS-free – on paper, Castelli’s new Perfetto RoS 3 Jacket sits at the crossroads of performance innovation and sustainability. Built with the brand-new Polartec® AirCore™ fabric, it doesn’t just promise to match the performance of traditional waterproof membranes – Castelli is openly suggesting that it can outperform them.
That’s a huge statement. For decades, high-end rain gear—from cycling to mountaineering—has relied on PFAS-based coatings and membranes (like ePTFE or “shake dry” treatments) as the gold standard. Castelli and Polartec are now claiming something bold: that the Perfetto RoS 3 delivers equal or better weather protection, much higher breathability, and stretch comfort—without PFAS. If proven true, this could mark the beginning of the end for “forever chemicals” in performance sportswear.
PFAS – Why We Had to Stop Using Them
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of synthetic chemicals known for their water- and grease-repellent properties. For years they’ve been vital to outdoor gear—keeping riders dry even in relentless rain. But there’s a dark side:
- Persistence: PFAS don’t break down naturally. Once released, they accumulate in soil, water, and even living organisms—earning the nickname “forever chemicals.”
- Health impact: Studies link PFAS exposure to hormone disruption, reduced fertility, weakened immune response, and increased risk of certain cancers.
- Environmental impact: PFAS pollution spreads globally, contaminating drinking water and ecosystems—even in remote areas.
As regulations tighten and brands phase them out, the outdoor industry has been scrambling to find alternatives. Most non-PFAS options so far have been water-repellent or breathable—not both. That’s what makes AirCore™ so important.
Air as a Performance Tool
With AirCore™, developed exclusively for Castelli and Sportful, the breakthrough lies in nanofiber air permeability. By letting a tiny amount of airflow pass through the jacket, moisture is actively vented out while rain stays on the outside. Lab results are impressive:
- 0.7 CFM air permeability (vs. 0.0 for most shells)
- MVTR of 35,000 g/m²/24h for sweat vapor transfer
- 5,000 mm hydrostatic head—well above real-world rain pressure (~800 mm)
Put simply: it blocks rain and wind like a PFAS membrane, but breathes far better. The claim here isn’t just “PFAS-free and decent”—it’s better than PFAS in practice.
Practical Features
Beyond the fabric science, the Perfetto RoS 3 Jacket packs a lot of rider-oriented details:
- Double zipper (top and bottom access) for venting and layering
- Zipped chest vents for extra control on long climbs
- Extended back panel to shield against spray in wet conditions
- Three rear pockets with drain holes
- High collar and dropped tail for cold weather comfort
- Reflective details on seams and pockets
Money, money, money,...
The men’s jacket is available in the following four colorways: Rich Red/Black Reflex, Light Black/Silver Reflex, Mocha/Black Reflex and Pool Blue/Black Reflex.
RRP €249,95 | $320,00 | £280,00
The women’s jacket is available in the following four colorways: Hibiscus/Black Reflex, Pool Blue/Black Reflex, Mango Mojito/Black Reflex and Light Black/Silver Reflex. RRP €249,95 | $320,00 | £280,00
First Impressions from the Saddle
I’ve had some hands-on time with the jacket, and here’s the early rundown:
- Build quality is excellent – the mix of panels, stretch, and taped seams feels premium.
- Venting system is clever – the double zip and side vents make it much more versatile than a pure rain shell.
- Fit is good, but sizing is tricky – I am 178 cm, 62 kg, with slim shoulders. The official sizing calculator pushed me towards a Medium, but I went with Small, and that’s the correct choice. If I had followed their tool, it would’ve been too loose. Conclusion: measure carefully, don’t rely only on the calculator.
- Sleeves are too long – and I don’t say this lightly. With my thin, relatively long arms, I often find sleeves too short, but here it’s the opposite. For most riders, the extra length might be noticeable.
- Design is typically Castelli – technical cuts and asymmetrical panels that aren’t as clean-looking as, say, Pas Normal Studios or Rapha. But as with the Gabba, that “engineered over fashion” ethos could resonate with performance-focused riders.
Why This Jacket Could Change the Game
The Perfetto RoS 3 isn’t just another seasonal release. If AirCore™ really holds up in real-world cycling conditions—extended rain rides, fluctuating autumn temps, long endurance sessions—it could be the first PFAS-free fabric that not only matches, but beats, traditional fluorochemical-based membranes.
That would remove one of the last excuses for hanging on to environmentally harmful chemistries, while giving cyclists a more comfortable, breathable, and sustainable option.
Early Verdict (with More to Come)
Based on first use, the Perfetto RoS 3 feels like a serious step towards the “holy grail” of cycling jackets: dry from the outside and the inside, sustainably made, and no loss of performance. The fit has its quirks (long sleeves, tricky sizing), but the core fabric is exciting in a way few cycling products are today.
Of course, the real test hasn’t yet begun. I’ll be taking this jacket into proper autumn and winter rides—wet, cold, long endurance miles—and will publish a full extended review on gravgrav.cc in the coming weeks. That’s when we’ll see if the AirCore™ promise truly holds up to reality.
Stay tuned.
