Rapha Long Sleeve Jersey £120
Preparing for a winter ride is all about choosing the right layers. Most important is a baselayer, but the next layer up can have perhaps more of an influence on your temperature and conditions during any given ride.
With Rapha's new Long Sleeve Jersey, in essence a long sleeve version of the popular Club Jersey, you're getting a jersey that's as versatile as it is stylish. Rapha use a lot of Sportwool in their garments, and the Merino wool and synthetic polyester combination is one that is well suited to cycling. The thickness of the material has been judged to perfection for typical British weather, so you neither get too warm nor too chilly, and makes it ideal not just for winter but also in warmer autumn and spring weather.
The London-based company has honed the fit and shape of its clothing range over the years, and this jersey is no exception. And should you feel the need, the fit can be tailored using the draw-cords on either side, with an elasticated waist and gripper tape location along the rear of the dropped tail keeping the jersey in place. There's three large pockets and a small zipped pocket on the back, that last claiming to be waterproof, the zipper of which has a large hoop puller for easy opening and closing of the pocket.
The wide cuffs are cut at an angle, and the zipper finishes its full-length journey with a small turn-over of material at the top to cover the snap-down zipper. Loops inside provide routing for your MP3 headphones, and there's a large reflective tab on the rear pocket.
Available in sizes from S to XXL. Three colours, red, purple and blue, challenge typical road cyclists' fashion direction.
Verdict
The quality feel of this jersey, from when you first remove the packaging to slipping it on, combined with the lovely colours, makes this a jersey that we can only recommend whole-heartedly. Pricey perhaps, but you'll get one of the nicest long sleeve jerseys available.
Fit, stylish, warm, excellent in range of conditions
Pricey perhaps
www.rapha.cc
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