Castelli bills their Volo Bib Short as a close second (still a podium finish!) to the worship-worthy Free Race bib. The bottom line is that with the Volo, you get a high performance, mileage absorbing bib short with excellent performance features at a greater value. Many Castelli sponsored pro cyclists choose the Volo for everyday training, which no doubt makes the bean counters happy. Since Castelli started with Team Sky, this pattern has held true. Perhaps it is the workhorse durability and a slightly more relaxed fit, or the all-day comfort of the Kiss Air seat pad, but don't disregard the performance. The combination of the Affinity Lycra® fabric on inside of leg and the Affinity BLC aero fabric on the rest of the leg combine to deliver excellent comfort, anatomic fit and aerodynamic advantage. In other words, pretty much all the features every rider wants.

Team Sky riders aren't going to settle for features without finish, and neither should you. The panel structure follows anatomic and ergonomic form, with necessary flatlock stitching placed off sensitive areas. The legs are finished with the wide, flat GiroAir leg gripper that offers some compression and holds the short portion of the 10" inseam in place. The upper is constructed from a lightweight mesh that is designed to stretch and move with the body, while providing the proper level of support. It removes and releases moisture quickly. The finished edges are soft and lay flat on the skin, especially on the wide straps. Although it won't be seen when a jersey is worn, the Team Sky stripe design is sublimated on the bib upper, a nice touch. The outer legs and upper butt panel carry more Sky and sponsor logos.

The Kiss Air seat pad differs from the top-level Progetto X2 in several ways, but due to personal preference there are many cyclists who prefer the Kiss Air. The pre-curved anatomical shape provides a starting place for fit, with the stretch and structure delivering the rest. The seamless top cover is a super soft, brushed microfiber that maximizes comfort and fit, while preventing abrasions and chafing. The natural flexibility and lack of seams allows you to feel one with the pad, so that you really don't notice it as you ride. Castelli uses a bacteriostatic treatment to prevent saddle sores and keep you skin healthy. The dual density foam pad is sculpted with infinitely variable padding levels, maximized where you need it most with no-edge transitions down to where you need less. Reverse dimple perforations in the pad create some loft, but exist to allow the conforming shape to take in and release moisture and excess heat, ensuring you stay as cool and dry as possible on the long hot days that deliver podiums throughout the season and into cyclocross.

The cliche is something like "if it is good enough for Team Sky, it is good enough for you". Well perhaps, but the real truth is that Castelli has offered the Volo Bib Short with their own logo for a few years. Everyone can enjoy and thrive with the comfort and performance of the value-packed Volo Bib Short, and maybe that is more than good enough for Team Sky too. So if you want pro-sumer performance with Team Sky logo's you can keep the bean counter at home quiet with the Castelli Team Sky Volo Bib Short.