Today isn’t the hottest day of the summer in the UK, but with another heatwave forecast for later in the week, Rapha has launched its Pro Team Ghost clothing that’s designed to offer “advanced thermoregulation that cools body, engine and mind”. Rapha says that the fabric is the lightest and thinnest it has ever used, providing “an evolution in breathability, even when wet”.

2025 Rapha Pro Team Ghost upper
2025 Rapha Pro Team Ghost upper (Image Credit: Rapha)

You couldn’t say that hot weather is ever guaranteed in the UK, but we’re in danger of having a full, proper summer this year (yes, I know, I know! I’ve tempted fate… but I’m not entirely sure that’s how the universe works), so many riders will welcome the introduction of Rapha’s Pro Team Ghost clothing, which is designed for riding in 20-40°C. The Ghost Suit is currently being used in the Tour de France by EF Education-EasyPost riders, while separate bib shorts and jerseys are also available in the range.

2025 Rapha Pro Team Ghost fabric
2025 Rapha Pro Team Ghost fabric (Image Credit: Rapha)

“July in France, it’s hot as hell,” says EF Education-EasyPost sports director Tom Southam. “And the racing is even more intense. There’s less space for riders to cool down – both physically and mentally. If you’re packed tightly in a bunch all day, it’s an added stressor. Everything around is just radiating heat. The side of the road is packed with hot people, the tarmac’s baking. There’s cars everywhere, there’s helicopters. It’s intense.”

2025 Rapha Pro Team Ghost upper detail
2025 Rapha Pro Team Ghost upper detail (Image Credit: Rapha)

We’re guessing your weekend ride isn’t as full-on as all that, but Rapha has developed the Ghost range “with advanced textiles and construction techniques that aid cooling”. The idea is to keep riders as comfortable as possible and provide a competitive advantage.

“Rapha’s product team trialled a range of prototype material technologies on athletes in the climate chamber,” Rapha says. “Performing FTP tests within a 48°C heat index, using an existing Rapha jersey as the benchmark, the materials team settled on a fabric that not only increased heat loss and airflow, but also felt lighter to the wearer.”

> What is FTP? 7 key facts to learn about functional threshold power, a major training metric 

Ghost’s material is designed to offer a high level of breathability. We’ve not used it, but that’s very much the impression you get from the pics. 

2025 Rapha Pro Team Ghost short
2025 Rapha Pro Team Ghost short (Image Credit: Rapha)

“The open weave structure and advanced elastomer yarn maintain airflow, even when wet,” says Rapha’s Anne Weir. “The fabric also stretches with less force, enabling it to move with the body very naturally.”

Rapha says it has reduced the number of panels to increase comfort. The jersey (upper section) of the skinsuit is made from just one piece of fabric, for example, and seams and darts are reverse stitched – meaning they’re on the outside – to reduce irritation.

2025 Rapha Pro Team Ghost short section
2025 Rapha Pro Team Ghost short section (Image Credit: Rapha)

Rapha’s Sam Towner says, “The way that we’ve created the second skin feeling is to have an even distribution throughout. We’ve equalised the whole thing to sit the same everywhere. This makes it feel lighter, more intuitive. In fact, you don’t really feel it’s on.”

You’d better double-check to avoid embarrassment, then. You can’t be too careful.

Rapha says its Pro Team Ghost clothing is designed to be worn without a base layer underneath in 20-40°C temperatures. This is Rapha’s top-level performance kit,  so it’s not cheap.

  • Pro Team Ghost Jersey, £225
  • Pro Team Ghost Bib Shorts, £275
  • Pro Team Ghost Suit, £495

The Ghost Air Jersey, which is said to be designed “for hot and humid sub-tropical climates”, will be released in October.

rapha.cc