Detail
When it comes to wind protection, few names inspire the confidence of GORE. Castelli enjoys a similarly glowing reputation for high-end cycling apparel. Since it represents a combination of the two venerable manufacturers, we had high expectations for the latest generation of Castellis Narcisista 2 Shoecover. With cold-resistance courtesy of GORE and Castellis decades of cycling know-how behind it, the Narcisista 2 doesnt disappoint. And thats a good thing, because weve built up a relationship with the Narcisista models of the past. Like its predecessors, the Narcisista 2 incorporates panels of neoprene at the ankle and heel for weatherproof flex that protects against road moisture. It does feature an upgrade to GORE, though, with the previous models Stratolight body being replaced by Windstopper X-Fast. The combination of materials insulates to preserve body heat and provides water resistance so that warm microclimate isnt compromised by clammy dampness. It isnt equal to a monsoon-like deluge, but the Narcisista 2 will keep your feet dry in most conditions where riding a bike at speed is still a feasible undertaking. If its raining so hard that the Narcisista 2 would be overwhelmed, its probably best to just stay inside and watch replays of the weather-stricken 2002 Roubaix, anyway. The inclusion of a zipper makes the Narcisista 2 easy to pull on, and the zipper is waterproof so theres no easy point of elemental ingress. The shoecovers soles are built for durability, and a hit of reflectivity on the heel helps keep you visible in the kind of low-light, overcast conditions where the superlative protection of GORE Windstopper and neoprene will really come in handy.
