Castelli

Velocissima Short - Women's

The Velocissima Shorts bring the world of Castelli-grade endurance comfort to a bib-free, women's-specific design. We can't speak for every cycling group, but many of us contend that restrictive bibs are a men-specific design, ill-suited to a woman's body, so kit like the Velocissimas have become a common site on our multiple-hour weekend rides.

The Velocissima's main fabric, Endurance Evolution, is the heart of the shorts' straightforward functionality. This is the same material used in Castelli's long-distance men's shorts, the Endurances, and it provides the same compressive support and effective moisture management. Staying dry is a nice benefit on a long ride, but the shorts' real strength is the compression, which reduces the fatiguing effects of road noise and muscle oscillation so your legs stay fresh beyond the 60, 80, or 100 mile mark. The Velocissima shorts are also finished off with the same Giro 3 leg grippers as the Endurances, which omit the pinching elastic more commonly used in favor of a wide, gripping band.

The Velocissima Shorts addresses the fit issues that often plaque bib-free shorts with flat-form waist paneling, which comfortably compresses above the waistline without any abrading stitching or pinching elastic. The KISS4 Air Donna chamois brings up the rear, incorporating women's-specific padding strategically laid-out to relieve pressure. The shorts are finished with reflective elements to help keep you visible in low-light conditions.