Bytagand the publication "Santini x Polartec: the ultimate winter kit FW25/26"
Winter, the real kind, the kind that makes you wish you'd taken up pottery or hot yoga, returns every year with the same insistence. And yet, we keep riding. Out of passion, stubbornness, or perhaps because our indoor trainer looks too much like a medieval instrument of mental torture. So when a branded package arrives... Santini Cycling arrives with the promise of a more comfortable winter 2025/2026And especially when it's warmer, we listen carefully, we sharpen our gaze... and we put it on.
By Jeff Tatard – Photo: @jefftatard
Santini and Polartec have been collaborating for several years., with this a typically Italian obsession with perfectly designed clothing, and this very American rigor High-performance technical textiles. It's a couture collaboration that exudes expertise. Literally. And this winter, the Italian brand is pushing the integration even further. Polartec Power Shield™ Pro, Power Wool™, Windbloc™ and Alpha™ fabrics are used to offer a complete winter range. which no longer has anything to envy in polar explorers.
What reconbuilding our faith in winter cycling and resume the route despite the 3°, the pernicious drizzle and this north wind which seems to have made a personal bet against us.
A warmer than expected winter of 2025/2026 (but still cold outside)
Before getting to the heart of the matter, let's recall the context: our outings test have fluctuated between 1° and 9°CWith fog, light rain, strong gusts of wind, sometimes all at once, a weather scenario worthy of a special "natural disaster" episode... The perfect opportunity for tester this new generation of Santini x Polartec equipment.
The objective? We need to see if textile innovation, technical membranes, and all the beautiful marketing promises can prevent us from experiencing the "ice cube shaken while dancing" effect, or that painful moment when we say to ourselves, "Why am I doing this?"
ALPHA™ INSULATED JACKET – The perfect companion for long, cold days
Suggested price : €210
This is the centerpiece of the kit. the star of this test, the one that promises to make winter a mere meteorological detail: the Santini Alpha™ Insulated jacket.
Construction and technologies
Windproof exterior, Polartec® Alpha™ insulating core, Power Wool™ inserts on the back and under the arms, four rear pockets, reflective strip, double slider zip. A set of specifications as long as a stage of the Giro d'Italia.
The Polartec Alpha™, for those who have never had the opportunity to dissect a polar bear, is an active insulation solution. A textile originally designed for the US Army (no joke…) to provide warmth and moisture wicking simultaneously.
On route
From the very first minutes, you rediscover that very particular feeling of the Polartec Alpha: We're warm, but never overheated.The jacket regulates, breathes, and adapts. During a long climb at a low gradienttage, where watts are produced but not necessarily speed (the best way to make friends), The Alpha Insulated keeps the torso dryAnd this is crucial: if humidity sets in, the cold will prevail.
The cut is close to the body, typically Santini, without ever restricting movement. The Power Wool back prevents the pressure cooker effect, even with a pocket bag full of a mini-pump, a gingerbread man and what you claim is a multi-tool but which mostly looks like an anvil (thanks to the chain tool option!).
In difficult conditions
Strong wind? Neutralized.
Light rain? Under control.
Wet descent at 60 km/h? Still hot.
If you are looking for a jacket for cold and unstable conditions, this is probably the one.
GUARD NIMBUS BIBTIGHTS – The complete lower body defense
Public price : similar to other Guard bibs (approx. €180)
Admittedly, Santini didn't send us a Polartec specifically designed for the lower body, but The Guard Nimbus perfectly reflects the philosophy of winter protection. of the rest of the kit.
Guard Technology
The Guard range is designed for protect against rain, wind, and splashes, thanks to a durable water-repellent treatment. This is the first time we testWe use this type of material. The Nimbus adds a warm lining, a denser fabric, and a design perfectly suited to long hours at 0–10°C.
In the field
The first sensation is the Gentle, immediate warmth, without excessive compressionThe Santini chamois lives up to its reputation: comfortable, stable, unobtrusive.
In a continuous drizzle, the Nimbus shoes demonstrate the full relevance of the Guard range: The water beads up, drains away, and most importantly, the legs stay warm.Even when the asphalt is literally a heat-absorbing vacuum cleaner. And to be honest, it's the first time we've seen this on tights.
The cut is perfect The fit is snug but never restrictive, unlike what can sometimes happen with high-end brands. The stockings stay in place, even when dancing.
Conclusion
Tights designed for damp and cold winters. consistent with the "climate shield" approach of the rest of the kit.
ALPHA™ BASELAYER – The Secret Weapon
Price: €50 (sleeveless) / €60 (if you choose the long-sleeved version)
The undershirt, often neglected, is nevertheless The item that makes the biggest difference in winterAnd with this Polartec Alpha™ base layer, Santini really hits it out of the park!
Why Alpha on an undershirt?
Because this fabric offers warmth, breathability, and ultra-fast drying, which makes it the perfect first layer to combine comfort and performanceThe seamless construction and extended back are extremely welcome details under a technical jacket.
On route
From the very first pedal strokes…
- gentle warm feeling
- zero humiditytagNantes
- no irritation
Uphill, it regulates. Downhill, it protects.In light rain, it dries in real time. It's a part that seems to work regardless of the intensity or weather.
It's simple : Once testYes, it's difficult to go back to a classic undershirt.A lovely surprise! We loved it…
GUARD GLOVES – Close Defense
Price: €70
Hands: that crucial point where everything hinges. Lose them, and your outing becomes a dramatic short film. Santini understands this and offers the Guard range. a pair of water-repellent, insulating and breathable winter gloves.
On route
Wind protection? Perfect.
Grip on wet handlebars? Very good.
Perceived temperature? Comfortable up to about 1–2°C.
No overheating, no excessive rigidity: just the right amount of warmth for demanding outings.
Santini x Polartec: When two areas of expertise speak the same language
What's striking about this kit is consistency is keyThe Alpha jacket, the Alpha base layer, the Guard tights, the gloves: everything works in harmony.
The Santini x Polartec collaboration is not a marketing ployIt is an alliance between:
- American textile precision
- the Italian artisanal culture of technical clothing
Santini uses Polartec fabrics not as a selling point, but as a foundation for construction. And that's what gives it this... Clothing design, conceived, refined, and developed around the cyclist and not around a sales PowerPoint presentation.
And what about on the field, then?
We rode approximately 300 km with this kit, on several types of rides: gravel, endurance, hilly, on routeHumid conditions, light rain, strong wind. The summary is simple:
This kit allows you to drive in winter without compromise.
No cold weather is setting in.
No sticky moisture.
No sauna effect on the ascent.
No loss of mobility.
"Yes, it's me" test"And I found myself smiling at the top of a frozen hill. Not a nervous grimace, a real smile. It just goes to show that, with the right equipment, winter is a little less scary."
Who is concerned?
This kit is clearly aimed at cyclists:
- regular, which come out at 0–10°C
- endurance, which requires perfect regulation over several hours
- perfectionists, who want the best current textile technology
- not against investing in quality
And especially to cyclists who refuse to hibernate.
Conclusion – A winter kit that sets the bar very high
The Santini FW25/26 x Polartec kit is probably one of the most consistent options., technical and comfortable to wear from recent years. The balance between warmth, breathability, ergonomics and textile quality is simply remarkable.
Santini proves to us once again that it is possible to design warm clothes without being heavyTechnical solutions that are simple yet effective, protective without being stifling. And above all, that winter riding can once again be a pleasure.
Because'Once properly equipped, the cold is no longer an enemy.
Just one parameter.
A bit like the wind.
Or the day your friend decides to "take it easy".
Santini, with Polartec, signs here a modern, efficient, and perfectly designed winter range for cyclists who never give up.
Santini x Polartec FW25/26 Winter KitThe pros: The remarkable technical expertise of the Santini x Polartec trio, the exemplary thermal management of the Alpha jacket and base layer, the reliable protection of the Guard Nimbus tights and Guard gloves, the surprising breathability for winter gear, the precise and ergonomic cut ideal for long rides, the overall coherence of the kit that truly makes a difference in the cold THE - : Very fitted cuts, perfect if you like the Santini fit but less suitable for those who prefer a little more room; premium prices, consistent with the quality of the fabric, but which might make you hesitate before investing in the entire kit Price:
Available on santinicycling.com |
Like many winter jackets, the back is black, when you need to be visible! An absurdity.