Castelli Espresso 2 Short Sleeve Jersey, Bib-Shorts, Socks, Mitts and Cap: The days are getting longer and warmer north of the equator, so summer isn’t too far away. The short sleeve jerseys, shorts and socks need to come out of storage, or it’s time for some new kit: Castelli introduce their Espresso 2 for the 2026 summer season.
Summer is on the way
Alastair Hamilton PEZ sez:
Espresso 2 Jersey
Castelli clothing has been in the peloton for many years and the Italian brand has always been known for high quality and style. For the 2026 they have updated the Espresso collection from last year and called it Espresso 2.
Yes, a proper collar
Starting from the top of the jersey; there is a proper collar, which I prefer to the low neck-line of a race jersey. The tag of the full length zip has a Castelli scorpion and there is a short flap on the inside at the top. The sleeves are a good length and have been laser cut, so there is no turn-up/hem on the edge. All the materials used are light and breathable, but I didn’t feel cold in around 18ºC/20ºC. The waist band is elasticated; at the front it is in the same material as the rest of the jersey, but at the rear it has rubberised gripping dots to hold it in place and is in a contrasting shade.
That important zip pocket
There are three rear pockets (as you would expect) and that very important zip pocket for your cash and cards. The pockets themselves are double stitched and are on a panel of their own, the top edge is double thickness and easy to find. The jersey is longer at the back and the side panels are shaped, not just straight down from the arm to the waist. As well as the little scorpions on the zips, there is one printed on the right sleeve and a subtle ‘Castelli’ on the left shoulder and on the middle rear pocket. The workmanship is top drawer, all the stitching is perfect and strong. There are ten different colours to choose from, so you should find one to suit.
Ready for the summer
Espresso 2 Bibshorts
Castelli bibs are one of my favourites, a bit like saddles, shorts can be a personal thing, but I have found over the years that Castelli (and a few others) fit me and are comfortable, which is down to the chamois/seat pad, more about that later. Again from the top; the straps are wide and perforated so you don’t sweat too much and there is a mesh panel at the back that holds them in position. A nice touch is the use of the same colour material and stitching at the top of the mesh. At the rear there is an extra ‘secret’ pocket, maybe for an ID card or emergency money. The front isn’t too high, the gentlemen can still attend to a call of nature, and it doesn’t leave a space between shorts and jersey.
Wide straps and an extra pocket
The shorts are multi-panelled to give a great fit, but the material is very stretchy. There is one panel around the waist and six sections in the main part of the shorts. The rear panels are shaped to take in your glutes and legs, no wrinkles or folds. The grippers on the inside of the legs are soft thin lines running up and down, they hold the shorts leg in place without irritation. There is a scorpion on the left leg and ‘Castelli’ on the right leg.
That iconic Castelli logo
The most important part of all cycling kit is the chamois/seat pad and the Castelli pad is really one of the best designed and made. The sit bones have the thickest padding (15) and the central section underneath has a little less (09). There is less around the edges with a little more at the front for the ‘family jewels’. When you first pull the bibs on, they do feel a bit bulky, but when sat on the saddle you just feel comfort. The bib shorts come in eight different colours, so easy to mix or match with the jerseys.
Different padding thickness sections
Gel pads for comfort
I used to only wear mitts when I was racing, it was a psychological thing, but I have since found the advantages of a good pair of mitts. The Espresso 2 mitts look great as you can match your kit, choosing from their fourteen different colour offers. The main thing is the comfort of wearing mitts and the Castelli Espresso 2 mitts are a work of art. The back feels like it is made of the same material as the jersey, nice and soft and stretchy with a reflective ‘Castelli’ on the index finger (forefinger or first finger), The palm is something else; a soft chamois material with three well positioned gel pads and a CDS pad on the heel of the hand, all placed for the best comfort on any ride, but they will come into their own on a long outing. There is also an extra patch of material on the inside of the thumb and first finger just where you grip the bars or lever hoods. There is also a small flap between the middle fingers to help take the mitts off. Summer gloves might not be high on your ‘wants’ list, but they can definitely enhance your ride fun and, god forbid you have a fall, they could save the skin on your hands.
A good fit
Not too high
The Espresso socks are perforated on the front of the leg section and ribbed on the rear. The foot is also perforated, but is a more open weave to keep the foot cool and the sole is a little thicker. The toes and heels are made of a softer cotton material. The socks are very stretchy, but in the correct directions: Tighter in the width and more relaxed in the length. ‘Castelli’ across the top of the foot and a thin red line at the toe area. The strong double cuff at the top which holds the socks up without cutting off the blood flow. They are also marked ‘left’ and ‘right’ so you don’t get mixed up. The sizing I would say is correct: S/M 35-39 or US 4-7, L/XL 40-43 or US 8-10 and XXL 44-47 or US 11-14. As I wear 41.5 shoe size, the L/XL were a perfect fit. The 18 is a little higher than I would normally wear, but not ridiculous. Ten different colours, but always white for me. Comfortable and keep your feet cool in the summer heat.
Comfortable and white
A nice cap, but it will have to go under a helmet
I have to say I hardly ever wear a cap. Helmets are compulsory here in Spain, so a cap would have to go under the helmet, great to keep you warm or for sun protection. The Castelli Espresso 2 unisex cap is perforated to keep your head cool and has a stiff peak with a subtle ‘Castelli’ on the top and a ‘Scorpion’ on the underside. There are eight pleats on the top for a good head shape, a lot of elastic at the rear (or front if you are wearing it backwards) to accommodate any head size and a soft cotton head band next to your skin. My cap matches the bibs, but there are thirteen different colours, so you should find one to match. A very comfortable cap for the occasions I need one.
Great to take the sweat away
So How Does the Kit Ride?
The Castelli Espresso 2 kit felt as good as it looks. From the collar to the socks everything fitted well and was comfortable. No tight points and no wrinkles, apart from the natural human ones. I wore an undervest, but in 20ºC I probably didn’t need it. The sign of a good jersey is you forget you have it on. The pockets are easy to reach and your hands find the openings without a problem, helped by the double hem. And don’t forget that little zip pocket. The socks didn’t fall down and also the cuffs didn’t cut into my legs. I prefer shorter socks, but I am old school. The mitts were a pleasure to wear, I had forgotten how comfortable they feel on the handlebars, you really feel the gel. The Bib-shorts fitted (me) perfectly, even with the winter excess. The star of the show is the chamois/seat pad. As I mentioned above, the different thicknesses of gel are in the correct places, more on the sit bones, a lot underneath and less at the front and on the edges. I was out on the bike for just under 40 kilometres and all was good, no chaffing or rubbing. The cap is really nice, but a big shame it will always be worn under a helmet. Overall: Top kit.
Gravel! It will never catch on
Castelli sez: Castelli Unveils the Next Generation of its Best-Selling Espresso Range
The Espresso 2 Jersey and Bibshorts return with an improved fit, refined fabrics and expanded colour palette
Castelli has completely refreshed its best-selling apparel range with the launch of the Espresso 2 collection.
Building on two years of rider feedback, the second generation of this hugely popular range features a more precise fit, bolder logos and intuitive design tweaks that prioritise all-day comfort.
The updated jersey – available in both long and short sleeve options – continues to be crafted from Castelli’s Air_0 Stretch fabric. Much of the magic of the Espresso Jersey is down to this exclusive Italian-made fabric, developed with high horizontal elasticity for a comfortable stretch fit and limited vertical stretch to support the back pockets. The Lycra content has also been kept to a minimum to aid moisture management. The 105g/m² open knit is light and airy whilst still providing UPF 30 sun protection to block 97% of UV rays.
The women’s jersey is slightly longer in the back panel for better fit and easier pocket access. The men’s version has minor improvement in fit while keeping the comfort that Espresso is famous for. Both versions feature repositioned tone-on-tone logos and an expanded colour palette designed for easy mixing and matching.
The women’s Espresso 2 DT Bibshort sees the most significant restyling. A new, slightly higher-waist construction utilises a lightweight mesh to support the mid-section and create a smoother interface with the jersey. Additionally, a revised Drop Tail and bib straps with more stretch allow for hassle-free mid-ride breaks without removing layers.
Updates to the men’s bibshorts include softer elastic bib straps and a raised waistline for a cleaner, more supportive fit.
Both the women’s and men’s models include contrast logos, raw-cut leg endings with silicone grippers, and Castelli’s premium Progetto X2 Air Seamless seat pad for long-distance support, in specific shape for men’s and women’s models.
The core component that makes Espresso 2 Bibshorts so comfortable is still Castelli’s Italian-made premium Espresso Doppio fabric – super soft and with a matte, non-shiny look, made with a 27% Lycra® content, to deliver unmatched comfort on the skin.
Revised and Refined
Castelli Global Brand Manager Steve Smith said: “Espresso became our best-selling kit because it got the fundamentals right: all-day comfort and every day performance for everything except for race days. But staying still isn’t in our nature. With Espresso 2, we went back through every detail—the fit of the jersey, the construction on the shorts, and the bib strap fabrics, and looked for every opportunity to make it better.
“This collection is designed to be the go-to option for cyclists to wear every day apart from when they’re racing, and we wanted to make sure reaching for it is the easiest decision you make before a ride.”
The core Espresso 2 range is complemented by a matching long-sleeve jersey, vest, gloves, socks, and cap.
The Espresso 2 Jersey is available in 10 colourways: Mango Mojito, Clay, Smoky Gray, Black, Belgian Blue, Vivid Orange, Paprika, Ivory, Neon Cobalt, and Deep Mocha.
The Espresso 2 W Jersey is available in eight colourways: Mango Mojito, Purple Mist, Winter Sky, Rosa Giro, Black, Belgian Blue, Ultraviolet, and Silver Moon.
RRP €130,00 | $160.00 | £135.00
The Espresso 2 Bibshort is available in eight colourways: Belgian Blue, Dark Gray, Silver Moon, Smoky Gray, Black, Elmwood, Deep Bordeaux, and Paprika.
The Espresso 2 W DT Bibshort is available in six colourways: Ultraviolet, Belgian Blue, Black, Deep Bordeaux, Clay, and Paprika.
RRP €180,00 | $200.00 | £185.00
The Espresso Glove is the perfect complement to your Espresso kit. The back of hand uses the same fabric as the Espresso Jersey for a perfect match. The palm has a medium amount of padding, with silicone grip and CDS for all-day comfort and protection.
RRP €45,00 | $50.00 | £45.00
Developed to match your Espresso kit. Ideal sock for any ride. Durable and breathable construction. Nylon/elastane mix for optimal comfort and fit. 85% nylon, 15% elastane. 18cm cuff.
RRP €18,00 | $22.00 | £18.00
Complete your Espresso kit with a matching cap. Performance mesh for optimal cooling. Fabric designed for maximal wicking.
RRP €27,00 | $30.00 | £27.00
For more information visit castelli-cycling.com.
- You can find all the info on the Castelli Espresso 2 collection HERE.
- The short videos were made using an AKASO 360, a full preview coming soon on PEZ. More info HERE.
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