Rapha Long Sleeve Pro Team Jersey

Starting today we’re looking at a selection of Rapha’s winter kit.

Today it's the Long Sleeve Pro Team Jersey, offering great versatility, breathability and race inspired performance and all of course with the ‘prestige’ of the Rapha label.

Photography – Andrew Clifforth

ABOUT

In the Southern Hemisphere it is freezing right now. To help combat the cold Rapha has sent us some kit that is designed to make those winter k’s more comfortable. Over the next two weeks we’ll be taking a look at each piece.

Over 10 years, Rapha has built a reputation around quality and style, yes it’s expensive, but when the conditions are harsh, having good kit is critical. With expectations high, we’ll take a look at Rapha’s Long Sleeve Pro Team Jersey. 

When you are paying top end prices for cycling kit, the quality has to be great and we expect flawless performance.

QUALITY

Rapha love working hard to bring you those extra little details, both in construction and in providing you with a story. Printed inside the jersey is the wording ‘Forçats de la Route’ that translates to ‘The Convicts of the Road’. Further exploring the Jeresy, you’ll find the story behind this expression in one of the back pockets.

We’re glad to say that the quality is right up there. The jersey is made using one of Rapha’s ‘high wicking technical fabrics’ that promises to protect from the cold, while remaining highly breathable.

There’s a nice stretch to the fabric, the seams are very nicely finished with a combination of stitched and bonded seams. There’s three back pockets, one with a zipped compartment with headphone slit, combined with two guides stitched into the jersey to keep the wire in place on its way to your ear.

There’s also reflective detailing, wide elastic waist band with silicone gripper to keep things in place and wide cuffs that are comfortable and stop and wind sneaking between your jersey and gloves. 

Just in case you have not noticed, our test jersey came in green. Yes it’s bright and very green, but once out on the road we soon loved having a highly visible colour that is likely to see a lot of use in low light.

RIDE

We’ve been riding in the Long Sleeve Pro Team Jersey for a few weeks now and have encountered some of the coldest conditions in Melbourne for quite a few years.

The first thing we noticed when pulling on the Long Sleeve Pro Team Jersey is the cut. It’s definitely ‘Pro’. We followed the size guide and were very happy with the fit, but if you like a little more room you might want to jump up a size.

The front waistline is cut high, and the neck cut low. In the upright position it’s definitely not a relaxed look, but get on the bike and this jersey just works, there’s no flapping fabric, the sleeve length is great with no pulling around the shoulders and the back sits in just the right spot.

Performance is where the jersey really comes into its own. We’ve put down some big efforts in this jersey (paired with Rapha’s Merino long sleeved base layer) both on morning sessions and during club races, in temperatures as low as 5 degrees. We loved that we could work at 100% and not overheat, with the fabric doing an amazing job of releasing excess body heat.

The only downside of this excellent breathability was that we found that the jersey doesn't do a great job of blocking wind chill, so pairing with a good base layer, wind vest or jacket was required when the temperature dropped into the low single digits.

Riding at a more ‘social’ pace in lower winter temperatures, the jersey makes as a great mid-layer. We’ve been out in temperatures of minus 3, layering a long sleeve base layer, the Long Sleeve Pro Team Jersey and Pro Team Jacket and were very comfortable once warmed up.

SIZE

Six Sizes – XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL – Our 188cm Tall / 98cm Chest / 79kg tester wore a medium

Colours – Green (as tested), Black and Blue.

PRICE

RRP - $190

WHERE TO BUY

Head to www.rapha.cc to check out the Long Sleeve Pro Team Jersey

OVERALL

We really like having the option of the Long Sleeve Pro Team Jersey, its range of useable temperatures is huge, it eliminates needing arm warmers, is highly breathable and very well put together. There's no doubt that it would be a handy addition to the kit bag during Autumn, Winter and early Spring in the Australian Southern states.

 SPECIFICATIONS

• Proprietary, high-stretch fabric
• Race fit with low-cut collar and high stretch cuffs for comfort
• Moisture wicking and bonded seams
• Reflective bars on rear pocket and front panel
• Three durable rear pockets
• Zipped internal valuables pocket