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TECH NEWS
Rapha Bra June 2016 - 11.jpgRapha goes bust – and brings out a new cycling bra line
Cycle clothing brand Rapha has added bras to its range of women’s clothing. We haven’t seen them in the flesh, as it were, but the bras are, according to Rapha, “tailored specifically for the unique demands of riding a bicycle”.
There are two different styles, one providing light support, the other medium, to cover all kinds of road cycling, from gentle spins to high effort racing.
Aimed at longer, gentler paced riding, the Light Support bra (shown above) is cut from a high-stretch, sweat-wicking fabric with antibacterial treatment. It’s seamless, with a breathable, double-faced fabric with open-knit panels in areas of high sweat for, says Rapha, “exceptional ventilation”. Its wide straps and a wide knitted underband are designed to support the bust and reduce movement.
The Light Support bra is also suitable for other low impact activities such as yoga, Rapha says.
The Medium Support bra (above) is made from a lightweight, technical, high-stretch fabric and is designed to keep the bust secure during hard efforts and races, being “supportive without being restrictive”.
It has a slim underband and structured cups with removable pads. Rapha says it’s designed to give compression across the chest, the area that becomes smallest while in a racing position, while creating a slimline fit.
Laser cut holes in areas of high sweat are aimed at providing additional ventilation and a light mesh lining to increase heat transfer.
The cut-out back of the bra is designed to layer with the Souplesse Base Layer and Souplesse Bib Shorts.
The Medium Support bra is £50, the Light Support £40. Both designs are available in sizes XS to L, and in black or white.
“These two bras represent an exciting development in Rapha’s women’s collection,” says designer Maria Olssen. “They are the missing piece of the Rapha women’s cycling wardrobe and from the outset have been designed to complement our existing collections perfectly.”
For more information, see rapha.cc.
Tass is our production pedant, who boldly goes hunting for split infinitives, rogue apostrophes and other things up with which she will not put. She joined road.cc in 2015 but first began working on bike magazines way back in 1991 as production editor on Mountain Biking UK, then deputy editor of MTB Pro, before changing allegiance to road cycling as senior production editor on Cycling Plus. She's ridden off-road but much prefers on, hasn't done half the touring she'd like to, and loves paper maps.
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14 comments
Rapha ,a great british success. Like Land Rover, selling over priced stuff that you dont need and/or could buy cheaper and better from somewhere else.
The strange breed of men who buy rapha will doubtless see this new product as a good thing, allowing their fetish to be shared with their WAGs.
I`m guessing any sensible/ serious female athlete already knows what to buy and where from when it comes to bras. Those new to the game would be better served seeking the advice of such women, rather than opting for the nonsense this company sells.
Well, you know, everyone has issues.
Yours just happens to be Rapha branded women's bras.
Brave new world, and all that.
Given the price of most Rapha stuff, it could have been 'Rapha produce world's most expensive over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders'.
bravo on that headline
This is a serious question. Given that the upper body is mostly stationary during cycling, do you need a specialist bra as a female cyclist?
yes, sports bras offer more than just bounce control if thats what you were thinking they only did
Ignoring the cost, Rapha's size guide for both versions shows they only cover cup sizes A to D, so ruling them out as an option for many. Average UK cup size is now D or DD depending on who you ask (although tricky to find a supporting article that isn't tabloid-tastic....)
MOST MAMILS DON'T HAVE BOOBS BIGGER THAN D CUP.
Had to do it.
Re: specific bras, running is the hardest one to get right from what the missus says. She went through loads of bras training for her first marathon. Too tight, not tight enough, chafing in odd places, hot spots where parts would dig in after so many miles.
Cycling reqs are probably pretty low.. breathe well and be comfortable?
Who knows.. women probably, but they don't post much
I thought you might
Yup, we don't: most online cycling forums still feel like some archaic boy's club. I'd say it's time to change that. This was the kick I needed to sign up and make sure women feel safe and have a chance to be heard.
If I could reach your missus, I'd be asking her to join me.
Looking forward to engaging and respectful conversations about the sport we all love.
Welcome!
She dodges forums because any time she posts a comment anywhere some guy will snipe at it from some pointless perspective just to get a 1up.
Think most guys expect that now, I know that no matter what I post, how rational or factual it may be, someone, somewhere, will make a stupid comment after it. Immune to it now, but a lot of folk aren't and they'll waste their time responding and getting into a muck fight.
Glad you joined! Really need more women here.
I've gotten most my advice about women's cycling from guys lol. Usually need advice on women's stuff because, well I've no idea about it, but I'm trying to problem solve on a woman's behalf.. braking issues with reach, bike fit, are just a couple I've needed a woman's perspective on recently on road.cc.
Maybe road.cc should have a women's section
Thanks for the welcome!
Sounds like a smart lady. I have always been a sucker for punishment, so we'll see how this goes.
I'm sure she's been on there by now but totalwomenscycling offers some great perspectives, however, they're into other disciplines too so not all road focused. Highly recommended as a compliment to road.cc.
While I tend to hold the view that a women's section should be as unnecessary as a section for people who are tall or people who have brown hair, I do see the appeal more so for the accessibility for women who don't feel there's room for them on cycling sites.
Perhaps it's a transitional need for the cycling community: until the cycling community adjusts to the growing presence of women and until women feel they're represented in what they're seeing/reading. I read a handful of different cycling magazines and every now and then I just WISH there was a woman in the stock photo for the article or that a woman was interviewed etc. I care just as much about the gear and the results - my own or the pros - but man (pun intended), I do not see myself in those magazines anywhere.
[Insert joke about man-boobs on the average rapha wearing middle aged man here]
Missus was complaining about bras on her ride at the weekend. Ordered the medium one and some pink accessories, maybe shut her up for a bit. (lol if she ever reads this) She always find something to complain about.
Actually I'm worse come to think of it
Saw Castelli have a women's bra too. Even more pricey than this though, so was holding off on it. Used a code for this Rapha one but still feel it's a bit spendy.. Whatever. Anything that keeps them riding happy.