At a glance Well made, chic, comfortable and great-fitting Sportwool jersey with a patriotic twist and superb anti-pong properties.
Tested by
Oli Laverack, tester for The Bike List
Performance
Rapha’s jerseys are typically more stylish than the over-crowded team tops crammed with sponsor logos, and the Country Jersey is no different. Available in three colour/country combinations the jersey comes in red with a Spanish flag around the left arm, black with an Italian flag or white with a German flag. The jerseys have been created to pay homage to the leading cycling nations in Europe although amongst others, the Schlecks, Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins might have something to say about that. Perhaps those designs are still on the drawing board…
The short-sleeved, white German jersey on test has seen action on a number of big one day rides including Paris Roubaix Challenge and the Fred Whitton and also on two cycle touring trips, one of which was for 10 days across Holland and Germany. I wore the jersey for most of the 10 days with a few really long 10 hour stints in the saddle and impressively, thanks to the anti-smelling properties of the merino wool, it didn’t pong too much at the end. Unfortunately though, having chosen the white top specifically for the touring trip across Germany I had to take extra care not to touch the top with dirty hands – especially after any grubby mechanical issues. Remarkably, the jersey has appeared like new out the washing machine each time, in spite of having had plenty of greasy marks around the rear pockets. I’ve now started carrying a couple of pairs of latex gloves with my tools, just in case I need to handle grimy parts.
The three main cargo pockets at the back offer ample room to carry everything you might need, and being reinforced can easily hold the weight. It must be noted, though, that the jersey is more comfortable when the pockets aren’t crammed full of kit. As always, it makes sense to use a saddle bag for the heavier items such as tubes, tools and spares and the pockets of your top for energy gels and things that you might need during a ride. That way you won’t feel the weight swinging around when you get out of the saddle on climbs. The middle pocket has a handy sleeve which should fit most slim mini-pumps, but again I found it better to attach extra weight to the frame mainly for comfort. A fourth zipped valuables pocket is stitched into the right hand side cargo pocket. It’s perfect for loose change or small items such as a spare chain links and has a ring pull on the zipper for easy access – although it helps if you’re right-handed.
Made from Sportwool (40% merino, 60% polyester) this subtle yet distinctive jersey breathes well and does an excellent job of wicking away sweat. While perfectly suited to gloriously sunny days the fabric doesn’t offer much protection from wind chill on cooler days so an accompanying gilet is wise if the forecast is uncertain. For me, the Medium was a slim but comfortable fit with the fabric offering plenty of give to allow for flexibility of movement without feeling constrained. An adjustable, elasticated hem drawcord and silicone gripper do a good job of stopping the top from riding up. Letting off some steam as you tackle a long climb or start increasing your work rate is easy thanks to the full-length zip. This was useful on both touring trips – especially on several never-ending climbs in the blistering heat when laden with full panniers. The full-length zip also makes the top really easy to put on and take off.
Finishing touches include a Rapha logo on the chest and of course the signature flag armband. An earphone cable buttonhole is tucked away at the top of the right hand cargo pocket, and hidden on the inside of the same pocket is a short tribute to ‘The German’, more specifically Jan Ullrich. This is another nice touch to a jersey that has clearly been designed with superb attention to detail.
On the whole this is a great top, but for many, price will be the main sticking point; after all you can get a top of a similar standard for considerably less. If on the other hand you like the design and can justify the expense then this top is unlikely to disappoint and should easily stand the test of time.
Rapha Says:
All-round cycling jersey featuring national colours
A high-wicking, Sportwool jersey designed for cycling in spring and summer. Available in three vibrant colourways, Rapha Country Jerseys have been created as a homage to the leading cycling nations of Europe. The jersey is made from a merino hybrid fabric that breathes and wicks sweat superbly and has great stretch. The nationalities represented are Spain, Italy and Germany.
Key features:
Full-length zip to help regulate body temperature
Contrast armband in national colours
Embroidered country motif
Three rear cargo pockets for ample storage
Inner pump sleeve and discreet valuables pocket
Reflective tab
Headphone cable buttonhole
Itch-free, anti-bacterial and odour resistant
Made from high-wicking Sportwool for cycling in warmer conditions, this technical jersey has side panels for an enhanced fit and reinforced pockets for better load stability.
Fabric
Sportwool™ (40% merino, 60% polyester)
Features
Maximum wicking for warmer conditions.
Ergonomic side panels for an improved fit.
Reinforced pockets for improved load stability.
Full length zip for temperature regulation.
Care instructions
Machine wash cool: 30°
Wash dark colours separately
Do not bleach
Do not dry clean
Do not tumble dry
Cool iron: 1 dot
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Find out more and buy from www.rapha.cc
