Santini Magic review: Great comfort, but some shortcomings in the finer details

Soft material for a road bike riding position

Our test jacket weighs 148 grams in size L. This means the Magic tips the scales at just under 150 grams. More important than the figure, however, is how it feels to wear whilst cycling: the soft, stretchy fabric adapts well to the hunched position on a road bike and feels extremely comfortable.

The cut is also well suited to this position. The high-necked collar fits neatly around the neck without feeling constricting. It is precisely in areas where stiff fabric or poorly placed seams might cause discomfort that the Santini makes a convincing impression. Its greatest strength is therefore its comfort, not just its light weight.

Well-thought-out details on the zip

Features include reflective material and a zipped pocket for small items. The two-way zip is particularly handy: it can be opened from the bottom if you need extra ventilation whilst riding. This means you don’t have to open the jacket right at the collar straight away.

Zip covers protect both ends of the zip. These details are a welcome feature in everyday use. The cuffs, on the other hand, are less successful. Santini has opted for elasticated cuffs; we would have preferred elasticated flap cuffs as an alternative here. Overall, therefore, the features aren’t quite as impressive as the comfort.

The back and hem could be improved

The back is elongated, but could do with being a little longer to suit the hunched sitting position. What’s more, the elasticated hem doesn’t always keep the jacket securely in place. As a result, the Magic tends to ride up whilst cycling.

This detracts from the otherwise good impression made by the fit. Anyone trying on the jacket should therefore not just stand upright in front of the mirror, but also mimic their riding position whilst checking how the back of the jacket fits.

Dense, but with a diminishing beading effect

After the second wash, water droplets barely beaded up on the outer fabric. The water-repellent treatment therefore proved to be of limited durability in our test. It is important to make this distinction: the fabric and seams remained watertight. In this case, the reduced beading did not mean that water was penetrating the jacket.

All in all, the Magic, which costs 200 euros, impresses above all with its soft fabric and high level of comfort. Its weaknesses lie in the hem, back length and cuffs. Sizes range from XXS to XXXL. Further models and our testing procedures can be found in the The latest TOUR comparison test featuring 23 rain jackets dated 15 November 2025.