Santini Unico Cool Weather Kit: The winter is knocking at the door north of the equator, but our man, Alastair Hamilton is braving the cooler temperatures on the east cost of Spain. Don’t worry, he has some new kit from Santini to help him through those 20ºC days and he tries out the UNICO windproof jacket for the first time.
All the Santini kit for the cool weather
Alastair Hamilton PEZ sez: The first top class Italian kit I ever bought was made by Santini, I’ve used probably every other cycling clothing manufacturer, but Santini is my ‘bench mark’ that the others are measured by. I always try to find the short comings with all the different kits I review and Santini is no different, occasionally there is something that doesn’t suit me, but maybe I’m being picky… What do you think of the Santini UNICO cool weather kit?
Ready for a cold start
UNICO Windproof Jacket
I’ve never had a windproof jacket to wear on the bike. I’ve had sleeveless gillets and nylon fronted winter jackets, but never anything like the UNICO windproof. It’s a very lightweight jacket that can easily folded up to fit in a rear pocket or saddle pouch. Very useful for a cold start or coming out of the cafe.
Windproof with pockets
The front of the chest and sleeves, shoulders and the high collar are nylon faced with a fleece interior lining. Most of the back, the stomach and the inside of the sleeves of the jacket are made of a black, sheer material that reminds of women’s stockings. Yes, I can just about remember the excitement of the feel of stockings…. anyway. There are three rear pockets and a full zip with a flap at the top and bottom and double zipper for opening from the top or bottom.
Warm arms and shoulders
The waist is elasticated and has broader strip with a silicone gripper at the back, under the pockets, the sleeve cuffs are also elasticated. As I mentioned, the high collar also has wind protection and fleece on the inside, which is great to keep your neck nice and warm. The wind protection material is in the Santini multi-colour design, which is not over the top and the logos are also subtle with a reflective ‘santini_cycling’ down the middle of the centre pocket and an even smaller logo on the front, low down on the left side. There is also a tiny ‘Polartec’ tab on the rear left side, which you probably don’t see at first look. As with all Santini kit, it is very well made with strong stitching and a great cut. The UNICO windproof jacket is a very handy piece of clothing in changeable weather.
Fleece where it matters
UNICO Long-Sleeve Jersey
Black is not my favourite jersey colour, but seeing as the UNICO long sleeve jersey only comes in black… well. If you want a colour choice you can go to the ‘Ready to Ride’ range by Santini, where there are ten different colours of unisex long-sleeved jerseys. Anyway, I have the UNICO. When you first unfold the jersey you can feel the quality of the material and as always with Santini, the stitching and finishing is top class and can’t be faulted. Well made and has that Italian style.
Class in black
There are two points that didn’t suit my tastes, no big deal and you might prefer not having a collar and a small zip pocket. Obviously the UNICO is a training jersey, so the little zip pocket is very handy for your coffee-stop money and that this is a jersey for cooler conditions, I would prefer a collar, but we won’t let that take away from the pleasure of a great bit of clothing.
Low cut collar and three pockets
The UNICO long-sleeve jersey is lightweight, but made using a warm fleece for those chilly days. The neck line has been ‘raw cut’ as have the sleeves and waist. The full length sleeves are made up of two panels for a neat fit, there are also side body panels for the same ‘slim fit’. The full zip has an easy to grip ‘Santini’ tag. The three rear pockets are ‘raw cut’ at the top and are easy enough to get stuff in and out of. Bellow the pockets, along the rear of the waist, there is an elasticated band with a silicon gripper to keep everything in place. The logos are very subtle: There is a reflective ‘santini_cycling’ down the centre of the chest, a small ‘Santini’ square on the middle rear pocket and a multi-coloured ‘Santini’ down the left side. The jersey says it is ‘Slim Fit’, well I’m not a racing snake at the moment, but the fit was still comfortable without squeezing the mid area too much.
The ‘Man in Black’
UNICO Bib tights
The UNICO bib-tights are made of a thin fleece material, which feels nice and warm in the low degrees centigrade, but they are probably too light for sub-zero rides. If it is that cold you might want to do an indoor ride anyway. The bib-tights also have stitch-less seams for extra comfort, there is only one seem down the back of the leg and on the four body panels.
A comfortable fit
The legs don’t come all the way down to the ankle, but stop just bellow the calf muscles, with the sock hight fashion of the moment that shouldn’t be a problem. There is no seems around the bottom of the legs as the material has been ‘raw’ cut for a smooth finish. The multi-coloured Santini logo is reflective and printed on the back of the leg. There is small Santini logo on the left cheek and a tiny Italian flag where the body of the tights and the bib meet.
Wide straps
The bib has wide straps made from strong and elasticated material with an open back panel. The seat pad is the Santini C3 insert, which has a lot of get where it is needed and a little less between your legs and just the material at the edges and the front. The Santini pad is one of the best and is made for comfort. The UNICO bib-tights are perfect for the spring/autumn temperatures, but not for the sub-zero conditions.
One of the best seat pads
Puro – Socks
Santini sent me white socks, what else? But there are eight different sock colours. The socks are high, as the latest style demands, but maybe too high for an ‘old school’ type like me. Chuck the PEZ sock guru would be happy. They are comfortable, no rubbing and there is extra material where it is needed and thinner, breathable material on the leg. There is no gripper at the cuff, but the socks stay in place. The Santini logo is down the back of the socks, which you can hardy see on the white socks, but is more obvious on the coloured versions as the letters are in a contrasting colour, not white on white. A good, tight fit due to the elasticity of the materials.
White socks (other colours available)
How does the kit feel out on the road? No surprise when I say it feels good, it does. The bib-tights just fit right and the pad is one of the best. Maybe I would prefer a slightly longer leg, but the comfort makes up for it and the socks keep the lower leg warm enough. The long-sleeve jersey is lightweight, but nice and warm. As I said, I would prefer a collar over the scooped neck and I miss a little zip pocket. The jersey feels very comfortable and has that Italian style, am I being overly picky? The UNICO windproof jacket is a real surprise. I didn’t see the point, but it has been very useful and will now be in my back pocket until the end of spring. You’ll have a hard job to find better kit than Santini and the prices won’t break the bank.
The kit looks good, the rider….
Santini sez: Santini presents the Unico Autumn/Winter 2025 collection, a line designed to deliver outstanding performance, protection, and comfort — all with Santini’s unmistakable sense of style. Three key pieces — a long-sleeve jersey, a windproof jacket, and bib-tights for men and women — form a coordinated clothing system engineered to accompany cyclists from the first cool days of autumn through the onset of winter chills.
As autumn arrives, Santini unveils Unico, a technical cycling apparel line that combines maximum performance, total protection, and superior comfort, without sacrificing the elegance and sartorial quality that define the Italian brand. The collection features three essential garments — a long-sleeve jersey, a windproof jacket, and bib-tights — that together create a coordinated and versatile outfit system.
UNICO Windproof Jacket
The Unico windproof jacket is the ideal ally for windy autumn rides, designed for temperatures ranging from +5°C to +15°C. A blend of innovative materials ensures the perfect balance between lightness, breathability, and thermal insulation. The back and lower front panels are made from a stretch fabric that provides extreme lightness and an optimal body-hugging fit without constriction. The front and shoulder areas are crafted from windproof fabric featuring the distinctive Unico print, while the Polartec® Alpha
inner lining guarantees excellent insulation, keeping the body warm and protected — especially on descents. The jacket features a slim, performance-oriented fit and is equipped with a double-slider zip (openable from the top or bottom), a high collar, internal sleeve cuffs, and reflective details on the back for maximum visibility on the road.
Recommended retail price: 160.00€ – 160£ – 160$.
UNICO Long-Sleeve Jersey
The Unico long-sleeve jersey embodies minimalist aesthetics and high-level performance — the perfect choice for autumn and mid-season rides, suitable for temperatures from +10°C to +20°C. Its clean, refined design is expressed through an elegant total-black look, enhanced on the back by a colourful graphic Santini logo inspired by the UNICO line, adding a modern, distinctive touch. The raglan back cut follows the natural line of the shoulders for full freedom of movement and ergonomic fit, while the kimono-style front cut ensures an even more enveloping and comfortable fit.
Raw-cut details at the collar, cuffs, and front hem highlight the garment’s essential character, eliminating unnecessary bulk and ensuring an exceptionally lightweight feel. Constructed from a highly elastic, breathable technical fabric that keeps the skin dry even during intense efforts, the jersey
features a raw-cut rear hem with external elastic and a triple rear pocket with laser-cut edges.
Recommended retail price: 160.00€ – 160£ – 160$.
UNICO Bib tights
The Unico bib tights are ideal for the autumn season, suitable for temperatures between +5°C and +15°C. Available in both men’s and women’s versions, they come in a 7/8 length, finishing just above the ankle. The bib tights fit like a second skin and are made with a minimal number of seams, all thermo-welded to minimise the risk of chafing. Crafted from high-performance Italian-made microfibre, the Unico bib tights offer a soft, lightweight feel against the skin. The fabric’s exceptional elasticity provides gentle compression without restricting movement, while raw-cut finishes ensure a perfect, comfortable fit. The laser-cut bib straps with breathable panels adapt seamlessly to body movement, ensuring comfort even on long rides.
The men’s version features a colourful Unico graphic on the back panel, while the women’s version showcases the same print on the front mesh panel, adding a distinctive, stylish touch. An iridescent reflective logo on the lower leg enhances visibility and safety in low-light conditions. Equipped with the C3 seat pad for men and the C3W seat pad for women — both featuring gel inserts and a 3D ergonomic surface — these bib tights deliver maximum comfort even on the longest rides.
Recommended retail price: 200.00€ – 190£ – 200$.
High Profile, High Performance Puro Socks
The Puro high-profile socks are the ideal choice for those looking to complete their cycling look with a touch of class. The design is clean and elegant, while the high profile ensures an unmatched fit, making sure the socks stay in place throughout the ride.
Recommended retail price: 16.00€
For more information and up to date prices: www.santinicycling.com.
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