The Rapha Women’s Pro Team Gore-Tex Lightweight Rain Jacket uses next-generation Gore-Tex fabric that offers excellent waterproofing, is impressively lightweight and has good breathability. Sizing is crucial, though, since the jacket doesn’t have any stretch, and it also doesn’t pack down very small.
> Buy now: Rapha Women’s Pro Team Gore-Tex Lightweight Rain Jacket for £295 from Rapha
At the end of 2022, it was announced that Gore-Tex Shakedry fabric would be discontinued, partly due to environmental concerns around the use of forever chemicals like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in outdoor apparel. Since then, brands have been searching for alternatives that can match Shakedry’s performance.
This Rapha jacket uses next-generation three-layer Gore-Tex fabric, with a waterproof membrane sandwiched between two outer layers, designed to offer ‘best in class waterproof protection’. The technology is superb, and I can confirm that the waterproofing really is excellent. Water beads off the surface, and even in sustained downpours it keeps you dry.
With fully taped seams, a high-quality YKK AquaGuard zip, an internal storm flap, and an external Velcro flap across the chest, not a drop of water got through.
One of the main challenges with waterproof jackets is balancing protection from the rain with breathability. I tested this jacket on cool mornings (around 10-12°C) during a bikepacking trip in France, wearing it over a short sleeve jersey while riding at a moderate pace. It kept me comfortable, with some moisture build-up as expected, but nothing excessive.
The two-way zip is a useful feature as opening it from the bottom allowed for extra airflow which helped to regulate my temperature.
I did notice more build-up on the sleeves and shoulders, likely due to the close-fitting cut (more on that below), but overall, the breathability was impressive for a fully waterproof jacket.
Fit
True to its Pro Team label, the jacket has a close, performance-orientated fit. According to Rapha’s size guide, I should wear a size small (34.5in chest, 28in waist), but I couldn’t zip it up and it was far too tight across the chest and shoulders. I ended up in a medium, which was still snug in the upper body but wearable over the summer jersey. I wouldn’t size up again as it would become too baggy in the body (I’m 5ft 8in and currently 65kg, for reference).
The key issue is that the new Gore-Tex has zero stretch. It’s a race-fit jacket, and offers very little give, and even as someone who doesn’t necessarily have broad shoulders, I struggled to get a comfortable fit. It’s fine over a summer jersey but there’s little room for layering underneath in colder temperatures.
Sleeve length is good, and there’s an elasticated section on one side of the cuff, but getting it over your hands, especially with gloves on, can be a bit of a faff, particularly if you’re trying to do this while on the move.
Weight
At 122g, the jacket is impressively light – on a par if not lighter than some of the summer jerseys we’ve tested recently. Despite the low weight, the fabric is reassuringly robust and doesn’t feel fragile in use. However, while the low weight is a plus, packability isn’t quite as good.
The fabric is relatively stiff, so although it’ll fold down into a jersey pocket, it fills it completely and tended to stick out the top, leaving little room for anything else in the same pocket.
That makes it better suited to shorter rides where you don’t need to carry much else, or for trips like my bikepacking ride in France, where I had a handlebar bag to stash it in.
Other practicalities
There are a couple of neat little touches to finish off the jacket. The two-way AquaGuard zip allows for on-bike pocket access, and there’s also a soft fabric guard at the top of the zip to prevent irritation when fully zipped. A small loop inside the collar makes it easy to hang the jacket – a useful detail often forgotten.
Despite it being a very lightweight jacket, Rapha hasn’t skimped on these finishing touches.
The jacket is only available in one colour – this black charcoal. While the various white Rapha and Gore-Tex logos and stripes are all reflective, which helps with visibility, I personally prefer brighter outer layers when riding in wet or low-light conditions – though that’s down to individual preference.
Value
We have recently tested the Santini Magic jacket which is also part of the new breed of waterproofs using PFAS-free membranes. It’s less money at £200, but the Power Shield RPM fabric isn’t as waterproof as other fabrics out there.
For less money again, Sportful’s Women’s Hot Pack NoRain Jacket is now £140 (up £15 since we reviewed it), is also a race-fit rain cape and does a great job of keeping water out.
You can read more road.cc reviews of women’s jackets here, and check out more options in our guide to the best cycling jackets.
Conclusion
The Rapha Women’s Pro Team Gore-Tex Lightweight Rain Jacket offers impressive weather protection, low weight and good breathability. That said, the race-fit combined with no stretch in the fabric makes sizing tricky and limits your ability to layer underneath. And while it is light, the stiff material affects how well it packs down.
If you can get the sizing right and you’re after a performance-focused waterproof, it’s a strong – if expensive – option.
> Buy now: Rapha Women’s Pro Team Gore-Tex Lightweight Rain Jacket for £295 from Rapha
Verdict
Very waterproof and breathable, but sizing runs small and the new fabric offers minimal stretch
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Rapha Women’s Pro Team Gore-Tex Lightweight Rain Jacket
Size tested: Small
Tell us what the jacket is for and who it’s aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Rapha says, “The Ultimate waterproof jacket: Impossibly light, hard wearing and ultra packable. Delivering peak performance in the worst conditions.”
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the jacket?
Rapha lists:
Storm ready – Guaranteed to keep you dry with taped seams for ultimate protection from the elements
Next generation – Durably waterproof, PFAS-Free* Next Generation GORE-TEX Fabric
Made strong – 3-layer woven ripstop that is both hard-wearing and breathable
Ergonomic tailoring – Performance fit for aero racing positions
Ultra packable – Jacket weighs less than equivalent Pro Team SHAKEDRY™ Jacket: 110g (size S)
Two-way AquaGuard® zipper – For on-bike pocket access and airflow for cooling
How To Wear:
To be worn in cold to moderate conditions : (1-15°C / 34-60°F)
To be worn as an outer layer
Fit: Ergonomic fit designed for comfort in aero bike positions.
A really well made jacket. The fabric feels robust.
Really impressive waterproofing, breathability and low weight.
No issues so far. The fabric feels tough and robust, which is susprising given how light it is.
Rapha says that it has best-in-class waterproof protection and I was very impressed during testing as it proved to be very effective at keeping rain out.
Good breathability overall, with some moisture build-up in areas where the fit was tighter, particularly around the shoulders and chest.
The jacket is designed with a race-fit intended to feel comfortable on the bike, but I found it tight across the shoulders and chest, while the fit elsewhere was good.
According to Rapha’s size guide, I should wear a size small, but I couldn’t zip it up. The medium was still snug, particularly across the chest and shoulders, but wearable. I wouldn’t size up again as it would likely be too loose in the body. Overall, I’d recommend going up a size, especially since the fabric offers no stretch.
Very impressive weight – similar to many summer jerseys!
The jacket in general is comfortable to wear despite me feeling some restriction across the chest. It would be more comfortable if the fabric had a slight stretch in it though.
How easy is the jacket to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
No issues when washed. Rapha recommends washing at 40°C, rinse twice, do not use fabric conditioner, use liquid detergent only and tumble dry to reactivate water repellency.
Tell us how the jacket performed overall when used for its designed purpose
The jacket didn’t let any water in throughout the testing period, and this was combined with good breathability.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the jacket
Light weight and waterproofing.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the jacket
The size/fit of the jacket and that it didn’t pack as well as some waterproof jackets.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market including ones recently tested on road.cc?
There are other similarly expensive waterproofs but you can also spend considerably less and get a decent outer later.
Did you enjoy using the jacket? Yes
Would you consider buying the jacket? Maybe
Would you recommend the jacket to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
It offers impressive weather protection combined with a low weight and good breathability. However, the fit didn’t work 100% for me and the lack of stretch makes sizing tricky.
About the tester
Age: 25 Height: 175 Weight: 64
I usually ride: specialised tarmac sl6 My best bike is:
I’ve been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, commuting, club rides, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
