Castelli Velocissimo Short

Castelli outfits the pros at the Cannondale Pro Cycling Team with an array of beautifully crafted kit each year, but we find it admirable that the brand also applies its legacy of impeccably fitting apparel to pieces created for the self-sponsored cyclist. The Velocissimo Bib Shorts stand as a perfect example of this: intended to be an everyday workhorse while you're logging weekly training miles, the Velocissimo features a nine-panel construction and a redesigned waistband to keep you comfortable in the saddle no matter what the day's ride calls for.

The Velocissimo's nine anatomically arranged panels are made out of Castelli's Affinity Lycra, a stretchy, moisture-wicking fabric that gives the bibs a contoured, streamlined fit. We generally see cycling bibs in an eight-panel design, and while we can't say for sure why Castelli adds an extra panel to the Velocissimo, we can assume it was added with the goal of improving fit. This year, Castelli also modified the waistband construction of the Velocissimo, so if you're replacing an older pair that has seen its fair share of rides, you can anticipate a softer, more forgiving fit around the midsection with this generation.

Castelli lines the Velocissimo with its popular KISS Air Chamois, which features dual-density cushioning in a strategic topography to ensure you stay comfortable in the saddle without any restriction to movement. Inspired by Castelli's top-tier Progetto chamois, the KISS Air also features a bacteriostatic, plush microfiber top layer that sits next to the skin for added breathability. Finishing touches like sublimated GIRO3 leg grippers to hold the shorts in place, reflective accents, and mesh bib straps that move with you in the saddle provide evidence to support Castelli's assertion that the Velocissimo is its best-selling pair of bibs.