Deep winter calls for big protection, and few items combine insulation, elemental resistance, and a racer-friendly fit like the Giordana FR-C Raggi Women's Winter Jacket. The key to the jacket's utility is a partnership between Giordana and eVent, a relatively new competitor in the outdoor market whose products overcome one of the greatest obstacles facing winter warriors: the delayed reactivity of breathable membranes that often leaves us feeling damp during the initial stages of elevated exertion. Whereas traditional polyurethane membranes don't start breathing well until they're wet, eVent's Direct Venting membranes start expelling water moisture as soon as it's present rather than waiting for it to accumulate, helping to keep you dry even during work/rest cycles. That means Direct Vent can be the difference between riding home dry and comfortable or wallowing in a clammy chill after exertions like hill repeats or intervals leaving you perspiring. Giordana's eVent membrane of choice is the DVstretch flavor, which combines that all-conditions breathability with windproofness and a DWR finish. DVstretch means the Raggi jacket won't stand up to a full-on deluge, but water from light to moderate precipitation and road spray beads up and rolls off before it can penetrate and chill. The Raggi keeps you dry from inside-out, and staying dry in winter cycling is key to maintaining a warm core. As mentioned above, this is a partnership, and Giordana shines in the form of its FormaRed-Carbon (FR-C) construction ethos. First and foremost, FR-C involves a race-ready cut. That means you're not hanging up your painted-on race kit for a dumpy, tent-shaped canopy just because it's chilly--no sacrificing fit for cold-weather function. Instead, the Raggi fits like a race jacket. It's not quite as form-fitting as an FR-C jersey because it's built to accommodate a base layer when needed, but it still maintains a low profile to avoid bunching, flapping, and slop while you're drap...