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Rapha Women's Souplesse Aero Jersey

7
£130.00

VERDICT:

7
10
Stylish, aero and cool, but needs to be closer to perfect for the price
Weight: 
111g
Contact: 

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Rapha Souplesse Aero Jersey is the top worn by the Canyon SRAM pros, redesigned with a new fit and new colour options. The close-cut fit doesn't leave much to the imagination, so no flapping to slow you down, but I didn't find it the most comfortable under the arms, which was a bit disappointing given the price.

Whatever else it does, it certainly looks the part. If you don't fancy the Canyon SRAM team colours, the options are dark blue or high-vis pink. Both are plain yet stylish with small detailing including Rapha logos on the sleeve, rear and front of the jersey. The textured material on the sleeves also adds a subtle new element to the design.

> Buy this online here

Rapha claims that this is its most aerodynamic jersey for women, combining a smooth fabric to enhance airflow over the body with textured sleeves to break up the airflow and reduce drag. At road.cc we don't have the resources to test Rapha's claims, but it certainly feels fast. It is a slim race fit with the collar, sleeves and hem sitting flush against the skin and no excess fabric left to cause unnecessary drag.

Rapha Womens Souplesse Aero Jersey - riding.jpg

Made from stretchy polyester and elastane, the body of the jersey leaves little to the imagination and is one of the closest fitting race jerseys I have ever worn. I am usually an 8-10 and wore a small, which Rapha equates to a women's 10. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to go any smaller but I found it to be a good fit and generally true to the size guide measurements. I would recommend focusing on the measurement chart as opposed to the 'size conversion' chart if these conflict when choosing a size.

Rapha Womens Souplesse Aero Jersey - back.jpg

I really wanted to love this jersey the moment I saw it but came away slightly disappointed. The main reason was that I found the seams attaching the sleeves to the body of the jersey quite uncomfortable. This improved when in a riding position as opposed to standing up, but still caused some soreness and chafing around the front of my armpits. A bit of Vaseline did the trick, though, and hasn't stopped me riding in it.

Rapha Womens Souplesse Aero Jersey - sleeve.jpg

The body of the jersey is thin and lightweight, wicking away sweat effectively and keeping me cool on hot rides. The textured sleeves are almost mesh-like and a mesh panel along the rear base of the jersey further helped to keep me cool. The low, close-cut collar is not only apparently aerodynamic, but also very comfortable, especially on a hot day.

Rapha Womens Souplesse Aero Jersey - collar.jpg

The jersey has three rear pockets with a mesh lining to increase ventilation, as well as a zip-up valuables pocket.

Rapha Womens Souplesse Aero Jersey - pocket zipped.jpg

With an RRP of £130, the Souplesse Aero Jersey doesn't come cheap. While it is stylish and high performing, I was disappointed with the discomfort from the seams around my arms, and for that reason I wouldn't be willing to pay this price.

> How to get more aero without spending a fortune 

Having tested the Rapha Souplesse Lightweight Jersey at the same time, I found that, which is made from largely the same fabric, more comfortable while still being lovely and light in the heat and a slim race cut. That, plus the slightly smaller price tag, means that unless Rapha can prove that the Aero jersey is significantly faster, I would choose the Lightweight over the Aero.

Verdict

Stylish, aero and cool, but needs to be closer to perfect for the price

road.cc test report

Make and model: Rapha Women's Souplesse Aero Jersey

Size tested: Small

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Rapha says: "The quickest women's jersey we've ever made. Proven by wind-tunnel testing and ridden to victory in the women's peloton. Streamlined and cut for racing, this is a cycling jersey designed for racing and high-performance riding."

Without the resources to properly test aerodynamics claims, it certainly feels fast and performs well when riding hard in the heat.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Rapha lists these features:

Streamlined, aerodynamic fit cut for racing and high-performance riding

High-stretch, smooth performance fabric on body

Aero-optimised, textured sleeves

Lightweight, breathable fabric

Close-cut aero collar

Lightweight zip (quick running moulded plastic teeth)

Zip lock to prevent jersey opening while riding

Three rear, expandable pockets with bonded-on reinforced panels

Mesh inner on rear pockets for improved ventilation

Rapha logo printed on left arm

Elasticated rear bottom hem for snug fit

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Feels very well made with good attention to detail.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

It feels fast and keeps you relatively cool on hot days.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Had no issues so far and seams appear durable and well made.

Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10

Close-cut race fit and stretchy fabric leaves little to the imagination, but if you want it aero then this is ideal.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
7/10

I wore a small and am an 8-10. I'd say it's definitely true to the size guide measurements but these don't completely match up with the "size conversion chart", which classes a small as a 10.

Rate the product for weight:
 
9/10

One of the lightest jerseys I've ever worn and performs well in heat.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
7/10

Mostly, the stretchy fabric and fit were very comfortable, but there was some chafing around the armpits, though not enough to stop me riding in it.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

At £130 it is expensive, and at this sort of price I wouldn't expect the seams to chafe. Having said this, you can pay a lot more for an aero jersey.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Washed fine on a standard 30-degree cycle.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Performed well. Stayed cool in hot weather and feels aerodynamic and fast.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Looks very stylish and extremely light weight.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

It chafed under my arms. A bit of Vaseline sorted it out, and didn't stop me riding in it.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? No

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Maybe

Use this box to explain your score

I spent a long time deciding between a 6 or 7. It is a high quality, stylish jersey and I really enjoyed riding in it, but the price tag and chafing under the arms are offputting. In the end, the more I rode in it, the less bothered I became about the seams, and I generally do love it otherwise, so I think a 7 is right: it's good, but I wasn't as impressed as I wanted to be.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 20  Height: 164cm  Weight: 56kg

I usually ride: Planet X London Road  My best bike is: Bowman Palace:R

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, commuting, club rides, track

Ashia is a Maths student at the University of Bath and has been riding and racing bikes for the past 6 years after a track taster session at her local velodrome had her hooked. Most weekends, she can be found out racing, be it track, road, criteriums, time trials, triathlons, or cyclocross.  Whilst she is fiercely competitive and loves to race, she is still on the look out for anyone hiring a "full time cafe rider" when she graduates.

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