Just in time for the approaching cold-weather season, Rapha have a couple of new items to keep you warm on the bike.
The £125 Winter jersey is a long-sleeve fleece back item, made from Sportwool. It's a very soft fabric and is just the right thickness to perform as either a mid-layer, or even a top-layer when it's dry. A full length zip reveals a brushed interior for more warmth, and the collar is higher at the front so more of your neck is covered when on the drops. The tail is slightly dropped, and there's three pockets on the back: two open and one zipped, with an easy-to-use loop zip. And if it all gets a bit hot inside, two long mesh backed zipped pits on the chest give plenty of ventilation.
Taking styling cues from traditional Belgian winter hats, the Winter training hat (£35) is made from the same Sportwool material as the Winter jersey. It's a seven panel design for a better fit, and is mesh lined. A large section of cotton/acrylic is long enough to easily cover ears and most of your neck, but can be folded up if it's not cold enough, and the stiffened peak can be flipped up or down.
We liked the Softshell jacket when we reviewed it last year: "What I really welcomed was that instant feeling of warmth and unparalleled freedom of movement that is rare in cycle clothing and although it costs a bag of cash, you certainly won't be boiling in this bag." (read full test)
Sounds hard to improve on,but the company has added a number of modifications. The main one is a new lighter fabric, underarm ventilation zips, and the hard-wearing patch on the left shoulder now extends also to right shoulder. The drop-tail is improved with a Velcro attachment, two extra zipped pockets (one front, one rear) and a better fit in the arms, and the best bit? It's lined in pink!
We'll be testing these products out over the following weeks, so stay tuned for a full review of them.
www.rapha.cc for more info
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