Castelli Espresso and Corretto Collection
Jeff: My exposure to Castelli has been limited, having only tested/worn the Alpha 150 last Fall and I was immensely impressed by the performance, quality and style, I was eager to test more!
Corretto Jersey ($200):
Corretto in Italian means “corrected” or “refined”, blending the highest end performance with an evolution of design with sharper graphics, bolder lines and pure style.
Features:
Fit:
Jeff: As described, the Corretto jersey has a race fit. I am 5’9” / ~143lbs with long legs and a short torso and typically wear a size medium, but the medium I requested was way too snug for me and I needed to size up to a large.
Even in large, the fit is still definitely race-like. The arm sleeves are long and for my skinny arms (and somewhat to do with sizing up), they do not snug up entirely around my arm, but are close.
The jersey is skin tight with no flapping or rustling in the wind, with the length being appropriate for my short torso and the gripper around the hem doing a good job to keep it from riding up.
Performance/Conclusions:
Jeff: Once I got the fit concerns sorted, I am quite impressed with the overall fit, performance and style of the Coretto Jersey.
The materials are super thin, light, breathable and quick drying with a barely there feel. The sleeve and body fabrics are optimized to provide the ideal balance of breathability and aerodynamics.
The 3 traditional pockets in the rear lay snug to the body, yet are deep and stretchy enough to pack full with the usual necessary items (folded jacket, gels, phone, etc…) and the 4th zippered pocket is ideal for my wallet, car key or more gels.
The styling is great by all accounts, with a range of colors to suit varied tastes and preferences. While riding, I appreciate the streamlined fit and barely there feel, the full zip for added venting, the long arms to keep the sun at bay and quick drying properties.
John: I’m 5’6″ and 135 lbs, and I typically size down to a small size in most U.S. brands, so I was a little uncertain going into a medium here. Turns out it was the right call — the fit is snug and race-like without feeling restrictive, and there was no bunching or flapping whether I was pushing hard on the road bike or grinding through a trainer session indoors.
One thing I really loved was the longer arm length, which provided great coverage and kept the sun off on warmer outdoor rides.
The fabric is impressively thin and light, with a barely-there feel that kept me comfortable across a wide range of temps.
I really appreciated the four rear pockets, with three deep ones for the essentials and a zippered fourth for my key and wallet, all staying flush against my back even when fully loaded.
The full-length zipper gave me easy venting control on warmer rides, and the silicone gripper at the hem kept everything in place throughout. For a smaller rider (5′ 6″, 130lbs) who normally avoids European race cuts, this one worked out surprisingly well.
Corretto LS Jersey: ($210)
Jeff: The Corretto LS (Long Sleeve) Jersey is very much like the Corretto, though with long sleeves. It is perfect for those cooler mornings (especially when paired with the Espresso 2 Vest), or, to help shield from the sun on warmer days.
Features:
Fit:
Jeff: The Corretto LS Jersey is described as a “Tailored” fit, but in essence, is comparable in race like fit to the short sleeved version. I am 5’9” / ~143lbs with long legs and a short torso and typically wear a size medium, but like the Coretto short sleeve, I needed to size up to a large size which I did ahead of time anticipating wanting to leave a little room for an under layer. As with the Corretto short sleeve, I am glad that I went with large since the fit is still definitely race-like (or tailored if you like).
The arm sleeves are an adequate length and overall perfect fit for my thin arms (if you have muscular arms, they will definitely be stretched tight).
The jersey is skin tight with no flapping or rustling in the wind, with the length being appropriate for my short torso and the gripper around the hem doing a good job to keep it from riding up.
Performance/Conclusions:
Jeff: As with the short sleeve version, I am quite impressed with the overall fit, performance and style of the Coretto Jersey. The materials are super thin, light, breathable and quick drying with a barely there feel.
The sleeve and body fabrics are optimized to provide the ideal balance of breathability and aerodynamics and having long sleeves is perfect for a not too bulky committing layer over a short sleeve jersey, standalone when not too cold, or paired with the Espresso 2 vest. With such thin materials, it is versatile and also pulls double duty for keeping the sun off on warmer days without feeling like it is too warm or heavy.
The 3 traditional pockets in the rear lay snug to the body, yet are deep and stretchy enough to pack full with the usual necessary items (folded jacket, gels, phone, etc…) with the 4th zippered pocket is ideal for my wallet, car key or more gels. The styling is great by all accounts, with a range of colors to suit varied tastes and preferences. While riding, I appreciate the streamlined fit and barely there feel, the full zip for added venting, the full length arms for added warmth or to keep the sun at bay and quick drying properties.
Espresso 2 Vest: ($150)
Jeff: The Espresso 2 Vest complements the Espresso collection and is ideal for taking the sting off those chilly morning starts and fast cool descents. It provides wind protection in the front, yet has a breathable back, along with 3 deep rear pockets and a full zip front with a double opening zipper. Additionally, the vest packs up especially compact and is easily stowed in a jersey pocket without feeling at all bulky or heavy, so there is no need to debate whether or not to bring it along on your ride, even if you may not wear it for much of the ride.
Jeff: Fit runs small like the rest of the line and I also sized up from my normal medium to a size large. Fit is snug but not confining, perfect for streamlined performance and no extra material flapping in the wind.
The vest is the perfect addition to any Castelli kit, offering just the right amount of wind protection and warmth on chilly mornings or to add on mountain ascents, with the perfect balance of breathability and soundproofing, streamlined fit and 3 rear deep pockets. The dual zipper is especially helpful to permit more ways to vent.
Espresso 2 Bibshort: ($200)
John: The medium fit me better than expected. It’s listed as a tailored fit, and that’s exactly what it felt like: close and purposeful without being uncomfortably tight.
The Espresso Doppio fabric moves really well and conforms to the body in a way that felt natural both on the saddle and off. On the indoor trainer, the stretch-mesh bib straps shone, breathable and comfortable during long sessions where overheating can be an issue.
The Progetto X2 Air Seamless pad provided solid comfort on longer road rides with no hotspots or irritation. The raw-cut leg endings sat cleanly without any digging, and the small rear pocket was a nice bonus for stashing a gel or card. Overall, its a refined and well-thought-out bib that punches above its weight for leaner riders.
Jeff: The Espresso 2 Bibshort is made of premium materials, with an exceptionally streamlined style and design, featuring Castelli’s Espresso Doppio fabric, Progetto X2 Air seamless seat pad, barely there tapering leg endings with grippy silicone leg grippers, rear pocket for added storage and stretch mesh bib straps.
Going with the recurring theme, I typically wear medium shorts as well, but I needed to size up to a large, as I literally could not squeeze into the medium here.
Once I sized correctly, the Espresso 2 Bib fits very well, super streamlined and trim, with a long inseam, bringing the hem down to just above my knee on my long legs (34.75” inseam).
The materials are thin, breathable and high quality, with no noticeable seams and a seamless pad that delivers plush all day comfort for rides of any length.
The ventilated straps rest comfortably over my shoulders without any constriction and breath well.
The leg grippers do a good job keeping the hem of the shorts in place, but given the fact that I no longer shave, the hair on my legs has just about any short leg riding up a bit before they settle to their natural position on my thigh.
The rear pocket is handy for some extra food or other small items that you may not need immediate access to. Styling is among the best, if not the very best out there, with a surprisingly wide range of colors to fit any kit.
Espresso Armwarmers Unisex: ($60)
Jeff: Available in 3 colors, black, Belgian blue and yellow, the Espresso armwarmers make for an ideal add on to your early morning or coolish weather kit. They add a nice bit of warmth and fit snugly without slipping down.
I have very thin arms and the medium fits me well in both length and circumference (so precise fitting that I need to remove my gps watch and even my road ID to slide them on/off). Breathability is great and they pack up small.
Pro Seamless Knee Warmer: ($40)
Jeff: made from a unique blend of 78% polyester, 15% nylon and 7% lycra, the Pro Seamless Knee warmers are especially stretchy, comfortable and versatile for a wide range of temperatures. Perfect for those chilly mornings or shoulder season rides where tights are too much and allows the option to easily remove and easily stow away as the temps warm.
Espresso 2 Cap: ($30)
Available in a wide rainbow range of colors, the Espresso 2 cap is made from a performance mesh for optimal cooling and maximum wicking, as well as UPF 50 sun protection. As I don’t have much hair, I almost always wear a cap, either to keep the sun off of my head, bugs and bees off of my scalp and I ride early in the morning, so the visor is key for keeping the low angle sun out of my eyes.
The materials are very thin and fit well under any helmet without any discomfort or pressure lines and is the best cycling cap that I have ever worn.
Espresso Glove: ($50)
Jeff: Again, available in a rainbow wave of colors, the Espresso gloves perfectly match the rest of your Espresso kit, with precise and streamlined fit, a grippy and moderately padded palm, for a perfect blend of cushion and control, reflective detail and UPF 30 sun protection. I typically wear a medium glove and like the rest of the line, I recommend sizing up at least a size, as despite having small, slender hands, even the large is quite snug.
Features:
Same Air-O stretch fabric as your favorite Espresso Jersey for a perfect color match
Air-O stretch back of hand for breathability and comfort
Reflective Castelli logo
Easy on-off wrist closure
Padded palm with silicone grip
Castelli Damping System (CDS) protects median nerve
UPF 30
Espresso 18 Sock: ($22)
Jeff: The Espresso 18 socks are thin, light, tall and breathe well, with a seamless design, there is no bunching or discomfort. They stay up well over the lower leg without riding down and again, come in a wide range of colors to match the rest of the Espresso kit.
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
18 cm cuff
Final Thoughts:
Castelli is the pinnacle of cycling clothing and all of the items that I have tested are most certainly among the very highest quality, most technical, highest performing and best looking kit out there. I find myself continually reaching for the Castelli kit when heading out on a ride (even if I have to dig it out of the hamper). If you are looking for the best out there, then I highly recommend taking a look at the brand.
CASTELLI
Tester Profiles
Jeff Valliere has been around bikes his entire life, as a toddler following his dad to bike races and bike shops, BMX racing as a kid, working in bike shops as a mechanic for 14+ years (10 at U-Bikes in Boulder where he met John Tribbia fellow RoadTrailRide and RoadTrailRun contributor). Jeff also raced as a professional road cyclist for several years. Jeff no longer races, but still loves to ride as he introduces his daughters to the joys of cycling. In addition to being obsessed with cycling, he runs mountains daily and has been reviewing running shoes/gear/tech for RoadTrailRun since 2015 and for other publications/companies since 2005.
John Tribbia is a regular technical reviewer for running-oriented product testing website RoadTrailRun with a large readership domestically and internationally. He has other writing about NAAWK Sunscreen and Yuba Cargo eBike (Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV).
He dabbled in bike racing both mountain and road as a junior Cat 5 and eventually upgraded to Expert on the mountain bike. After his brief stint of cycling racing and once in college, John crossed over to running and found success as a sponsored mountain/trail runner by placing atop the podium in domestic and international races. But he always kept his bikes nearby for cross training while injured, supplemental training, and commuting. Given that cross-over experience as well as 6+ years of working at University Bikes in Boulder, CO and over 20 years of competitive running, he loves the opportunity to test the latest and greatest in both sports.
Samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. No compensation was provided by brands for writing this article. RoadTrail Run does have affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased via shopping links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors’.