Castelli Espresso 2 glove review - my pro-pick for a proper winter glove that works in all but the worst of the cold
The Cinderella slipper of winter gloves for above freezing riding temperatures
My relationship with winter cycling gloves often feels like a modern twist on a traditional fairytale. Although rather than Cinderella fitting a glass slipper, this time I'm the one searching for a perfect fit.
I'm also like Goldilocks—I want the ideal winter cycling glove that isn't too hot or too cold for the typical UK winter temperatures, which are usually above freezing but gray and wet. Oh, and I also have small hands, so I often feel like I'm trying to ride in boxing gloves rather than protective cycling gear.
The key components of the Castelli Espresso 2 gloves are Primaloft and Polartec Aircore fabrics.
These are both top-tier materials for winter gear, so it's no surprise to see them on these premium cycling gloves. Castelli uses Polartec Aircore, known for its wind and water resistance, on the backs of the hands, while a middle layer of Primaloft provides insulation. This combination is designed to keep cyclists' hands warm down to 3°C / 37°F and fairly dry.
The faux suede palms of the Espresso 2 gloves feature silicone contours to enhance grip and durability, with cross-hatching on each finger except the tips of the thumb and forefinger, which are smart screen-compatible.
The gloves are securely closed with a long YKK zipper that runs across the back of the hand, between the thumb and forefinger, and at the wrist. A simple tab on the palm helps pull the gloves on.
With winter gloves, it's not until I'm halfway through my ride that I realise my hands are either under or over-protected.
Fortunately, during my first few outings with the Castelli Espresso 2 gloves, I found ideal conditions and achieved a Goldilocks state of 'just right' comfort.
I was worried that the long zip across the back of the hand would irritate my touch sensors by having a cold zipper against my skin, but thankfully, the gloves are designed as a whole, so there are no seams to join; they simply fold the fabric closer together for a snug fit. I loved the gloves' low-profile design.
Even the best winter cycling gloves can balloon in size due to padding, which is arguably hard to avoid in true deep-winter gloves like the Giro 100 Proof, for example. However, the use of Primaloft and Polartec Aircore fabrics has allowed them to provide warmth without bulk.
This is especially true for the palm, which offers great grip and does not affect my radial grip. Even the fingers are a perfect length. I usually have at least one or two empty fingertips on most gloves, even in small sizes.
I also think it might be a world first for me to have touchscreen fingertips that actually work, so being able to keep the gloves on during winter rides to check a map, make a call, or even send a text is a big advantage.
The only downside to these superbly fitting gloves occurs when the rain starts. I understand that nothing is completely waterproof, and I accept that I am a more demanding user because I suffer from Raynaud's, but once my hands become really wet, they also get very cold, and there is nothing I can do to restore warmth.
But around 8-9°C / 46°F on a dryish day, these were perfect for me. Others will likely benefit from much lower temperatures; my daughter, for example, has borrowed them for riding a short commute to school in -2°C / 28°F, and she says they are perfect and have never left her with cold hands.
The Castelli Espresso 2 gloves are an excellent option for anyone who feels the cold but hates the bulk of traditional winter cycling gloves.
The fit is excellent, especially for small hands, and for me, they are a world first in the smart screen-friendly fingertips that actually work.
There's no getting around the price, which puts them in the upper-tier price category, but having (or not having) warm hands can make or break my winter riding, and investing in decent gloves that allow me to ride throughout the year is an expense I'm not willing to skimp on.