Castelli Espresso Jersey

The Castelli Espresso Jersey is an excellent option for summer, thank to its great breathability, excellent fit and stylish looks. Its large pockets help to make this my go-to jersey for long summer days out.

For more options, check our best summer cycling jerseys buyer's guide.

2025 Castelli Espresso Jersey - collar.jpg (credit: road.cc)

The Espresso is designed to be 'your favourite jersey' and focuses on performance and comfort. Yes, it is a close fit but it's more of an all-day comfort fit rather than a race-fit jersey.

Materials

The jersey is made from recycled fabric (80% polyester, 20% elastane) and has a good amount of stretch. I have worn it on long rides and demanding training sessions and it felt comfortable throughout.

The Espresso is a lightweight summer jersey that weighs only 114g. While it is featherlight, it is not also see-through – which I'm sure my clubmates and the people in the café appreciate!

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Castelli recommends this for temperatures between 18-35°C. I haven't had a chance yet to test it in the top end of the temperature range, but I have ridden it in temperatures from about 13-22°C – and it felt great. I've no doubt it would perform jsut as well when things turn warmer.

The Air_O Stretch fabric provides excellent comfort and breathability. After doing some high-intensity hill reps on a warm day, the jersey was a bit damp on the upper back when I reached to top of the climbs. However, it dried quickly on the descents, and I didn't feel damp by the time I got to a much-needed café stop.

Fit

The jersey is described as a 'tailored' fit, which is designed to balance maximum comfort, breathability and performance. I thought the fit was excellent, particularly around the shoulders and chest.

2025 Castelli Espresso Jersey - shoulders.jpg (credit: road.cc)

The raw-cut sleeves were a good length and fit. I don't want a two-tone cycling tan that will look odd in casual clothes, so I found the medium-length sleeves ideal. They stayed in place and were comfortable on all my rides.

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The cut is generous at the front, and there's no risk of you exposing your stomach when you're off the bike. I like this, I feel self-conscious off the bike if there's some belly on show!

Size

The Espresso comes in seven sizes from XS-3XL. Castelli's size guide said I was between medium and large, and as large is my usual size for Castelli, I tested that. I found this about the right size, but I think medium would also have been fine. I probably wouldn't size up from other brands as you may have in the past with Castelli.

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At the back, there are the usual three pockets, and these are excellent, easily fitting my gilet arm arm warmers, phone, food and pump. The items in my pockets felt stable, even when climbing out of the saddle up some steep climbs. If I were to do a long ride where I want to stash a lot in my pockets, this would likely be my new go-to jersey. It has been ideal for spring days when I want to remove a layer as the temperature rises.

2025 Castelli Espresso Jersey - pockets.jpg (credit: road.cc)

The thick band on the rear hem helps ensure the stability and security of the pockets, especially when they're fully packed.

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There is a zipped valuables pocket; it wasn't big enough for my Google Pixel phone but was perfect for keys and a card.

2025 Castelli Espresso Jersey - zipped pocket.jpg (credit: road.cc)

There is no zip garage, but with a low neckline, it wasn't really required. The neckline also did a good job of keeping me cool on warmer days.

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The smooth YKK Vislon zip has a large tag for easy adjustment. There's no zip garage at the bottom to protect your shorts, but this didn't cause any issues.

2025 Castelli Espresso Jersey - hem.jpg (credit: road.cc)

In terms of durability, the quality of the jersey is excellent. It looks as good as new after regular use and washing at 30°C.

I tested the navy jersey featuring an understated design, without large patterns or logos, which makes it easy to pair with any other cycling clothing. It is also available in a whopping 12 colours, making it easy to find one you like. Personally, I think the 'Vivid Orange' looks cool.

Value

At the £125 RRP, this isn't cheap, but it is a reasonable price for a high-quality and comfortable jersey.

Simon liked the Ekoi Monochrome Jersey, which has a similar style and is a little cheaper at £120. Though being Ekoi, it's likely to be available for a good deal less than this a lot of the time.

Mike gave the 7mesh Atlas Jersey a rare 10/10! It is a slightly heavier year-round jersey and is priced at £130.

If you want to spend a bit less, Madison Roam Jersey was a very good option, especially as it costs just £59.99.

Conclusion

Overall, this is an excellent summer jersey. It is very comfortable, has a great fit and is highly breathable. The large pockets make it ideal for changeable weather days or big adventures.

Verdict

Excellent option for summer with great comfort, a superb fit, large pockets and it's made from recycled materials