Rapha Pro Team Aero Jersey

Rapha first moved into the aero clothing arena with its Pro Team Aero Jersey developed in conjunction with Team Sky two years ago, and for this season the jersey has been completely updated with new sleeves and revised pockets. It's a very close fitting and fast feeling jersey that doesn't sacrifice comfort in pursuit of low drag, and performs well in hot weather.

Updates to the new version include new sleeves, which have a textured material that Rapha says creates turbulent flow. Rapha has wind tunnel tested the jersey but hasn't released any figures on its improvement over the old design.

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Long sleeves are fashionable at the moment and these are the longest short sleeves I've yet tested. They're comfortable but they really mess up your tan lines! There's a large Rapha logo on one sleeve that is certainly bolder than we're used to seeing from the British company.

A large part of the jersey's aero performance comes down simply to the close fit. Rapha describes it as having an 'aggressive, race-ready aero fit' and that's certainly the case when you first slip into it. Rapha has shaped and stitched together the various panels to ensure the Aero Jersey hugs every contour of the body, and the very stretchy fabric enhances the way it conforms to your body. A smooth fabric is used on the front and back panels, and all seams are offset to reduce drag. There are no ripples of excess fabric to catch the wind.

The fit is good and isn't overly compromised because of the focus on aerodynamics – it's not quite as restrictive as stretching on a skin suit, for example, but it's not quite as relaxed as a regular jersey. For that reason it's a jersey you'll want to wear when racing or riding as fast as possible, say in a chaingang or very fast club run, although, that said, I found it comfortable for a 100km ride the other day... But it certainly wouldn't be my first pick for a steady social ride. It's tighter fitting than most regular jerseys, but compares well to other aero jerseys.

A close-cut collar fits seamlessly when the smooth glide Vislon zipper is done all the way up. It looks a bit 'un-aero' when you're standing up, but that's because the jersey has been designed to fit perfectly when you're sitting on the bike, and when you are hunched over the handlebar the collar is a lot more comfortable than when standing upright for a photoshoot.

Rapha has also revised the pockets, with a gusseted construction for the three at the rear that provides more than enough capacity for your essentials and avoids any sagging. An extra zipped pocket is ideal for safely storing the keys to your house/car. There's also reflective piping and a mesh panel below the pockets to help with visibility and cooling respectively.

As with all Rapha jerseys, the Pro Team Aero isn't cheap, but the price does reflect the research and development that has gone into the jersey, and the quality of the fabrics, construction and finish are right up there with its most expensive rivals in this sector. You can, though, pick up the Castelli Aero Race jersey for £100 (and probably cheaper if you shop around).

> Buyer's Guide: 15 of the best summer cycling jerseys

I recently tested the Pro Team Flyweight Jersey, which costs £10 less and is lighter too. It offers a slightly more relaxed fit, with looser sleeves, that makes it a more sensible choice for long rides when you're not focusing on being as fast as possible. Both jerseys perform well in the heat, and there's not much to separate them. If you have the money, I'd suggest picking the Flyweight for casual riding and the Aero for racing and fast riding.

Verdict

Want to go faster? Rapha's revised Aero Jersey might help you, but at a cost...