The Castelli Espresso 18 sock is well-made and versatile. It’s simple to put on, breathable, and good in the heat. At £18, it’s reasonably priced for what you get.

The construction is 85% nylon and 15% elastane, which gives a slightly more substantial feel than a standard summer sock whilst still being light and breathable enough for warm weather riding.

The fit is snug without being tight and they stayed in place consistently throughout testing without bunching or slipping. Despite this snug fit, I also found that they were easy to put on too, which is always nice.

There is an 18cm cuff – which is about right so that you don’t look like Wiggo or an aero nerd – and the branding is minimal, with a small Castelli logo on the cuff.

The range of 11 colourways is wide enough to match most kit too without having to think too hard about it, and they’ve held their shape well after repeated washing.

2026-Castelli-Espresso-18-Sock-Unisex-2.jpg
2026-Castelli-Espresso-18-Sock-Unisex-2.jpg (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

The £20 Veto Cycling 1.0 Socks that I reviewed in 2025 also come in a wide range of colours, although I’d say the Castellis are better made.

Also £20, Matt gave the Fizik Performance cycling socks a good write-up earlier this year, but there are only three colour options.

There are also the Pas Normal Solitude Socks which come in at £18 and offer a similar level of performance, but again you get fewer colour choices.

These are versatile socks that work across a broad temperature range, rather than being purely a hot weather option. If you want one sock that covers most of the year outside of winter, these are a sensible buy.

Test Report

What does the manufacturer say about this product?:

The perfect complement to your favorite Espresso kit.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of this product:

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

Rate the product overall for quality (1-10):
8/10
Rate the product for performance when used for its designed purpose (1-10):
8/10
Rate the product for value (1-10):
5/10

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested?:

There are a fair few options around this sort of price.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

They are socks that perform and you get a load of different colour choices

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 38Height: 182cmWeight: kg

I usually ride: Orro VenturiMy best bike is: Specialized Diverge

I’ve been riding for: 10-20 yearsI ride: A few times a weekI would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: Gravel riding, Commuting, Club riding, Sportives, Fitness riding, Leisure riding