Sometimes a title is a dead give-away. The Castelli Emergency Rain Jacket is just that, and yet the name doesn't tell the full story. This is Castelli, after all. The ideal simple emergency rain jacket is completely waterproof and compact, and, traditionally all too simple. As you'd expect from Castelli, the designers also gave it an amazing on-bike fit, and it’s still roomy enough to fit over a Gabba piece or other other fall long sleeve jersey. To get the protection you want in an emergency jacket, and keep the cost manageable, you do sacrifice breathability. It isn't quite the old school plastic rain cape, but you should be prepared for protection without ideal overall performance.

The material is the proven Deluge Light 2.5-layer waterproof fabric. It keeps rain off with 10,000mm water column protection. The fabric has slight stretch all around, which allows it to truly deliver a comfortable, functional cycling fit. Castelli uses innovative “gutters” drain water away from hands and off the back, so the fabric never holds holds water. The seams are all sealed, and the zipper is waterproof to deliver true waterproof protection and has internal flap to keep it off your neck and chin. The best part is that this 175 gram Emergency Rain Jacket folds up so compactly that it will fit into half the space of a traditional jersey pocket. That means no excuses. You get good wind blocking performance, top notch rain protection, reasonable and adaptable fit with proven Castelli construction in a true rain jacket that can save your ride and keep you protected. Excellent.