Rapha Brevet Lightweight Jersey

Rapha's Lightweight Brevet jersey takes the recipe of the original short sleeve model and makes it lighter. In effect, it's a brilliant summer weight jersey for anything but the freakishly hot days.

Rapha's Brevet jersey came onto the scene a good few years ago now, designed for the rigours of ultra-distance riding and for those not necessarily wanting something that might have spent serious time in a wind tunnel. We reviewed the original back in 2015 (when it came packaged with a matching contrasting gilet) and again later that year when Rapha launched a high-vis version.

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Both of those were long sleeve, with a short sleeve version following, and then a Windblock style short sleeve option too. And now we've got the lightweight version for test. Phew. Keeping up? Good.

In short, we've rated each and every one highly (either 4 or 4.5 stars). They've performed really well each time we've subjected them to long days in the saddle, and in varying temperatures and weathers too.

Three sizeable ordinary pockets backed by a fourth large zipped cargo pouch, plus a front zipped one especially for your brevet card, AND a zipped side security pocket provides just about all the carrying capacity anyone could need on their person, while the fit and cut has always been superb for anyone not wanting to feel strangled in ultra-tight Lycra on long days (or indeed, on any ride). The shape of the design has changed marginally, but to me the Brevet jersey remains just as comfortable to wear as it did before, with plenty of space around the shoulders and torso without feeling baggy.

For this lightweight version, pretty much all those plus points remain, because over the past five-plus years the recipe has stayed pretty much the same. Except here, the whole construction is lighter, using a thinner summer-weight yarn that creates a really breathable, cool jersey.

Putting it on, it's noticeably thinner and lighter than the standard short sleeve version, weighing 221g in a large, and when you get going, air can penetrate right through to keep you cool, thanks to the 100gsm fabric on the main panels and mesh-like fabric on the flanks. On some of the warmer days this year, it's performed brilliantly.

Only in the very hottest weather – I'm talking over 30 degrees – do you ever feel like you might want something even lighter. The fabric, which has dropped the merino wool content, is brilliant at wicking moisture, and drying quickly too even when sat still.

When the temperature does dip into single figures on a clear early morning, a gilet – Rapha's Brevet or indeed any other – is a perfect accompaniment to keep the wind off the torso, and I found I could get away without one in anything other than single figures.

Often, the downside of a lighter construction is some loss in hardiness, but in the near two months that I've had the Rapha Brevet Lightweight jersey on test, I've seen no evidence of it here. The fabric isn't susceptible to fraying against rough surfaces, and even in the white colourway still looks fresh. Sun cream, road dust and sweaty marks wash out really well.

In the now traditional, distinctive Rapha style, the 'armbands' come with a second reflective band for added visibility in darker conditions. If you don't like white for the risk of dirtying it, there are three other colours to choose from.

> Buyer’s Guide: 25 of the best summer cycling jerseys

At £120, the Brevet Lightweight jersey is on the expensive side, but when you consider the sheer flexibility of use – long-range all-day rides, audaxes, sportives, general group rides and comfortable solo spins in warm weather – you'll certainly get your money's worth. It's £12 cheaper than the PEdAL ED Odyssey (now £132), which also features good levels of practicality – but there's no doubt in my mind that the Brevet's distribution of pockets is the stronger of the two. Throw in the great fabric for all-day riding, and the Brevet does emerge at the top of the (admittedly short) pile.

It's fast become one of my favourite summer jerseys, and I'll probably only switch to something warmer and rain resistant when I'm reluctantly forced to.

Verdict

The highly-rated Rapha Brevet loses some weight for summer – and is arguably even better for it