A whole new Castelli: the Espresso apparel range reviewed

With minimal branding and a comfort-first approach, this is a side of Castelli we haven't seen before

Castelli Espresso kit
(Image credit: Sam Nakata)
Cycling Weekly Verdict

The Espresso kit combines comfort and the performance Castelli is known for with a smart, minimalistic design that’s a refreshing departure from the brand’s traditional offerings.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Comfortable fit

  • +

    Minimalist, sleek design

  • +

    good chamois for long distances and short jaunts alike

  • +

    Droptail for potty break convenience

  • +

    A range of colour choices

  • +

    Good warm weather option

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    The somewhat looser fit may not be for everyone

  • -

    Some fraying at the seams

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

“Um, I think I’m going to need a smaller size.” Never in my nearly 20 years of wearing lycra did I expect to utter these words about a Castelli kit, but here we are.

Castelli, the premium Italian cycling apparel manufacturer, is perhaps most often associated with racing and the high-performance (and skin-tight) apparel required by professionals. I, too, have raced for a couple of teams that relied on Castelli for its kit. The Espresso collection, however, is a side of Castelli I hadn’t seen before.

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