Castelli Espresso 2 Jersey

The Castelli Espresso 2 takes what was already one of my favourite all-day summer jerseys and makes a few subtle but worthwhile improvements. Refinements include a slightly closer fit and better-supported rear pockets.

Materials

Castelli’s Air_O Stretch fabric has plenty of give, striking a nice balance between comfort, breathability and a close performance fit. I’ve used it on everything from steady all-day rides to tough chain gang sessions, and it has never felt restrictive, drying quickly after tougher efforts.

The Espresso is a lightweight summer jersey at just 112g. Whether it’s down to the lighter Mango Mojito colour of my test jersey or the updated fabric, this version does look slightly more see-through than the original, though not enough to bother me while riding.

Castelli rates it for 18–35°C, and based on my riding so far, that feels realistic. I’ve mainly used it in mild spring-to-early-summer conditions, where it has performed very well. While I haven’t yet had the chance to test it in properly hot temperatures, I wore the original Espresso on a 250km ride in 35℃ last year, and it was comfortable, breathable and quick-drying.

Fit

The jersey is described as a ‘tailored’ fit, designed to balance comfort, breathability and performance. This is one of the standout features. It is close-fitting without ever feeling restrictive and remains easy to wear, even on all-day rides in varying conditions.

The raw-cut sleeves strike a nice balance too: modern without creeping too far down the arm and leaving you with a two-tone tan.

Similarly, the slightly longer front cut is great, especially at café stops where some race-fit jerseys can ride up awkwardly.

Size

The Espresso 2 comes in seven sizes, XS-3XL. I tested the large (my usual size for Castelli at 178cm and 76kg). The size guide says this fits half a size smaller than the previous version but to stick with your usual size. I would agree with this. I reviewed the large for the original Espresso, and whilst this is a little smaller, it is not significant enough to warrant a different size.

At the back there are the usual three pockets. As with the original, the pocket capacity is excellent, but the revised support structure does seem to keep heavier loads feeling more stable.

There’s a thick band on the rear hem to help improve stability and security of the pockets when they’re overloaded for a big day out. I wore this riding up the steepest Yorkshire climbs, and the items in my pockets felt stable and weren’t moving about.

They easily fit extra clothing for when a 6℃ morning turned into an 18℃ afternoon during an all-day ride, as well as my phone, food, and an electric pump. This is my first choice out of the drawer when heading out on a long ride. There is also a zipped valuables pocket to give you peace of mind for your keys and a card.

There’s no zip garage at the top or bottom, but the low neckline meant it wasn’t really required at the top and this also helped keep me cool on some warmer days. The zip itself is a YKK Vislon one with a large tag, which makes it easy to adjust on the move.

The quality of the jersey is excellent. After a few months of regular use and washing, it still looks impressively fresh, with no signs of stretching or sagging, and the colour still looks good. I continued using the original Espresso after reviewing it last summer, and that jersey is still in great condition too, which gives me plenty of confidence in its long-term durability.

The Espresso is available in lots of different colours, so you’ll easily be able to find one you like. There’s no big logo and the understated look makes it easy to pair with other clothing.

Value

At £135 it isn’t cheap, but value in cycling kit often comes down to how often you actually wear it. The original Espresso was one of the jerseys I reached for most frequently last summer, long after finishing the review, and this version looks set for similar use.

Sam thought the Assos Equipe R Jersey S11 was excellent and it’s the same price as the Espresso 2 at £135.

If you are willing to push the budget then Michael thought the Q36.5 Dottore Clima Jersey was excellent, but it does cost £200.

I reviewed the Santini Ready to Ride Jersey which was great and is a bit cheaper at £90.

> Best summer cycling jerseys

Conclusion

The Espresso 2 refines an already excellent jersey, improving fit and pocket stability while retaining the comfort and breathability that made the original so easy to recommend. For long summer rides and all-day adventures, it remains one of my favourite jerseys.