Rapha launch new training and racing collection

Rapha have now launched their autumn/winter training and racing clothing, adding to the range updates we told you about earlier in the week.

Rapha have added more colour options this time around. Whereas at one time pretty much everything from Rapha was black or pink with the odd splash of something else thrown in, they’ve cut loose with a whole bunch of different choices available now.

There’s a lot more chartreuse in the range than before, for example, the vivid yellow colour really catching the eye in low light conditions. When Rapha came visiting road.cc a few weeks ago, they told us that one of their aims for this collection is to offer extra visibility for those who want it. They’ve also introduced more subtle ‘old gold’ options for the first time this autumn/winter.

The main picture is that old gold colour in action on the updated Hardshell Jacket (£240). This one is designed to be both windproof and waterproof, with taped seams throughout and a water-resistant zip. It’s also available in chartreuse and black colour options.

The Sportwool Long Sleeve Jersey (£140) comes in old gold too, along with light grey and dark fig (a dark purple). Women get to choose between grey and purple.

The Merino Hat (£35) is available in an old gold option as well. It’s designed to be worn either with or without a helmet over the top.

The Long Sleeve Brevet Jersey (£195) will be available later in the month. The idea here is that you have plenty of storage for all the gubbins you need on a long ride, so you get the usual three pockets in the lower back as well a chest pocket and what Rapha call ‘a zipped ballast pocket’ in the middle of the back for carrying the hi-vis, windproof Brevet Vest (or gilet) that comes as part of the package.

The Brevet jersey is made from Sportwool (a combination of merino and polyester) while the stripes are designed to get you noticed. The grey version, for example, comes with white and chartreuse stripes, and the vest that goes with it is chartreuse too.

The Classic Wind Jacket (£170) comes in a couple of bright options too – chartreuse and orange – as well as in a black version. Those stripes down the arms are reflective, and the jacket rolls up small enough to fit into a jersey pocket when you don’t need to wear it. A women’s version is also available in cream, red and purple options.

The Long Sleeve Country Jersey (£140), made from Sportwool, comes in three different designs, the brightest of which is the Netherlands version – orange with red, white and blue chest stripes. The blue US version comes with red, white and blue stripes too, although there are little stars on the blue stripe. It looks pretty cool to us.

The same colour options are available in the new Country Winter Hat range. They’re priced at £35 each. Again, the US one gets our pick.

If that’s not for you, the same hat is available in those classic Rapha colours, black and pink.

Rapha are also offering a new Women’s Knitted Winter Hat which looks similar but it has a 100% merino outer with cable-knit details. It’s £35 too.

The polyester/elastane Long Sleeve Pro Team Jersey (£150) is made from a heavier weight fabric than the short sleeve summer version, and it’s now available in bright blue and hi-vis pink colours, as well as black.

The Souplesse is essentially the women’s version, with a stripe running the length of the back and a polka dot lining to the collar. And it’s a tenner cheaper at £140.

The Thermoroubaix Classic Winter Tights (£170) are back, of course. For the men, from early November there will be an option with chartreuse details, while the ladies will have a version with hi-vis pink highlights. As before, these come without a seatpad – you wear them over a pair of shorts.

The oversocks (£25) come in chartreuse too, as well as black and white, and there’s a new hi-vis pink option added this time around.

Rapha have added a couple of new products to the line-up for the really cold weather. The Deep Winter Sock (£20) is long, mostly merino wool, and comes with a wind-resistant front panel and toe. We’ve reviewed windproof socks here on road.cc before but I’m not sure we’ve ever tried socks with windproof panels. Don’t you go wearing these without tights over the top, will you?

Rapha are now offering some new Deep Winter Overshoes too (£60) that look pretty hardcore. Unlike most overshoes that are made from neoprene, these use a three-ply laminate fabric with a DWR (durable water repellent) treatment and fully-taped seams. 

For details on the entire range go to www.rapha.cc.