Rapha Pro Team Climber's jersey

A lightweight cycling jersey designed for the hottest weather, the new Rapha Pro Team Climber's jersey offers excellent function in hot weather conditions with stupendous levels of breathability making it much more comfortable compared to regular jerseys when the going gets warm, whether climbing or riding on the flat.

Rapha's Pro Team clothing range is the product of a close partnership with Team Sky, and many of the garments have been developed at the request of the team to suit the many demands of racing around the world in a wide range of conditions. Racing in hot weather is a particular challenge, hence the Pro Team Climber's Jersey.

Find the the Rapha Pro Team Climber's jersey online here
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For the construction of the jersey, Rapha has used what it calls an eyelet-based mesh for the front, which is claims provides a better structure than an open mesh fabric. There's a much more open mesh used in the side panel, and the shoulders and back panel are made from a solid fabric, to help resist sunburn, a potential risk when wearing such a meshy jersey.

The jersey is light on the scales, my size small sample is 104g - but that's somewhat heavier than the 70g Adizero Jersey or the 91g Castelli Climbers' jersey. Despite being heavier than its rivals, the Rapha Climber's jersey still has a very floating feeling, you hardly notice it on.

I've been able to get some riding in on the mountains of Majorca and Italy recently to put the jersey through its paces, and there is a tangible difference when compared to a regular jersey used in the same conditions. On the longer climbs when sweat is dripping off your body, the jersey simply keeps you cooler and heat retention is noticeably lower. It makes hot sweaty climbs a bit less uncomfortable. I didn't notice it helped me get to the top any quicker though.

It's definitely a jersey for hot weather, as I had to resort to a gilet during the early morning phase of the ride when the previous day I had gotten away without a gilet with a regular weight jersey. That's the difference the lightweight fabric makes. It is a jersey designed for very specific conditions so it's not quite as versatile as other jerseys in Rapha's range. It makes a lot more sense than if you live in the mountains than if you live in the Cotswolds.

The fit is excellent, as I've come to expect from the Pro Team range, but it's clear it's been designed with skinny professional athletes in mind. It's figure hugging, very well fitted, but there's no restriction around the shoulders when climbing out of the saddle. There are two stabilising bonding lines running up the rear of the jersey and these, along with a high stretch fabric on the outside of the pockets, ensure that the pockets don't sag to your buttocks and beyond even when fully laden.

A full-length zip is a essential on a climbing jersey so you can open it all the way for the full pro look, and extra cooling of course. Rapha has neatly added two small tabs of heavier material to the end of the full-length zipper, which makes it easier to locate and zip an open jersey back up again at the top of the climb. 

Despite the lightweight construction, it's a very durable jersey, and has been through multiple washing machine cycles and used in some grubby conditions, and the daring coral colour still looks box fresh.

It's a very nice jersey - and I love the colour - with an excellent fit. The lightweight fabrics see the Climber's jersey excelling in the heat, which is fine if you anticipate riding in some hot weather or live in the mountains where its benefits are more pronounced.

Verdict

Lightweight jersey that excels in hot weather and mountain climbs, but heavier than its rivals