At a glance A stylish, well designed winter jersey perfect for even the coldest winter riding
Tested by
Oliver Laverack
Performance
Rapha claim that their winter jersey "has been designed to keep you cycling through the worst of the winter". With 2009/10 being one of the worst winters on record it's possibly been the best year to put Rapha's claims to the test.
Thanks to the windproof front and shoulder panels the jersey offers great insulation when you first start riding and haven't quite warmed up yet. Then as you start to warm up the Sportwool (25% merino wool, 61% polyester, 14% elastane) used to make this jersey wicks your sweat to the outside of the fabric leaving you drier and therefore warmer. I found that a long or short sleeve base layer underneath the winter jersey combined with Rapha's winter tights has proven to be the perfect combination for even the coldest days. Then if you do get a little too hot after a steep climb you can let in some extra air by unzipping the chest vents.
Being slim myself I found the jersey's classic slim
fit offers a virtually tailored fit. The tall collar complemented
with a soft fleece chin guard create a welcome barrier to any cold
air trying to rush down your chest. As you'd expect there is a drop
tail and the front of the jersey has a higher cut keeping the fit
nice and snug when you're on the bike. The bottom of the jersey has
a bright pink elasticated drawcord and two friction locks (neat,
simple toggles) either side for adjusting the fit around your
waist. Storage comes in the form of two larger cargo pockets and
one zipped pocket ideal for your keys and money. The reflective
strip underneath the pocket area on the back is merely a token
gesture and although technically brilliant this jersey's stealthy
appearance doesn't offer the user much reassurance that they'll
definitely be seen on dark winter evenings. The classic, smart
black look does however mean that Rapha's jersey also wouldn't look
out of place worn off the bike. The jersey can only be washed cold
however it does wash well and continues to look new despite having
been washed many times.
Find out more and buy from www.rapha.cc
Rapha says:
The Rapha Winter Jersey has been designed to keep you cycling through the worst of the winter. Made from a heavy duty insulating Sportwool, it is the ideal mid- or outer layer for cold bike journeys.
- SportwoolTM (25% merino wool, 61% polyester, 14% elastane)
- Excellent moisture transfer
- Itch free
- Windproof front and shoulder panels for additional warmth
- Shaped collar for on-the-bike comfort
- Zipped, mesh-lined vents for temperature control
- Improved pocket configuration for flexible storage
Available In Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
