Rapha has just launched the brand new Brevet Flyweight Jacket which in the size small sample we have weighs just 68g.
It’s designed to be as light and packable as possible, and provide wind protection when you need it. As with all Brevet tops in the Rapha range, it has reflective stripes around the chest, making it ideal for night riding and commuting.
It’s made from a lightweight ripstop nylon fabric that weighs 20 grams per square meter and is highly packable. It easily rolls down into a tiny bundle that takes up little space in a jersey pocket. Despite being so thin and feathery, Rapha says the material is highly durable. We’ll be testing that out over the next few weeks so stay tuned for a full review soon.
You don’t get many details on such a minimalist jacket, they only add weight. But there is a storm flap behind the full-length zipper to keep out the wind, and laser-cut perforations on the side panels provide ventilation if you’re wearing it for a long stint.
Hidden inside the jacket is a small pocket into which the jacket can fold away into, with a popper to seal it up.
Rapha’s Brevet range has been well-received over the years, because it’s designed to boost visibility with reflective chest stripes and other smaller details, and providing insulation and wind protection for long rides through changeable conditions.
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While 68g is light, it’s not as light as the 50g Sportful Hot Pack Ultralight jacket though you do get the added usefulness of large reflective stripes on the Brevet Flyweight, so it depends on what is important to you. Trading a bit of weight for extra visibility might be no bad thing.
The new Rapha Brevet Flyweight jacket is available in three colours, rich burgundy, chartreuse and black and costs £120. You can check it out at www.rapha.cc
Check out tiny tin the press sample jacket was supplied in (and no you can't buy this tin) on Instagram here.
David has worked on the road.cc tech team since July 2012. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds.