Rapha Women’s Range

Jun 12, 2010

Many cycling fans around the world would have heard of the cycling team, Rapha Condor Sharp, and many of those cycling fans would have seen the great looking Rapha kit that the riders wear.

For those cycling fans in Australia who have wanted to wear the gear, and that now includes ladies, Rapha was officially launched in Australia last October when Rapha Condor Sharp raced at the Jayco Sun Tour.

Whilst orders are fulfilled out of the UK, the Australian customer base now has everything priced in AUD, $20 flat shipping no matter what the amount, free shipping for larger orders and a quick 3-6 day delivery from Fedex. Australian Customers also have a local distributer contact as well.

The Rapha range already has a large female customer base, many of whom have been wearing the men’s range for years. Rapha thought it was only fair that female cyclists should be able to enjoy Rapha but with a completely tailored fit.  This leads me to being lucky enough to review a few items from the new Rapha women’s range.

From previous reviews that I have done I have mentioned that looking good on the bike is just as important as feeling good whilst on the bike, and the gear that I was sent will have you looking good on the bike.

When I opened the package from Rapha I was pleasantly surprised. The Rapha gear was in a soft waterproof plastic bag, not the crappy plastic bags that you just throw away. The bag could be used to store the gear in when traveling, not bad I thought, with recycling helping the environment.

When I pulled the jersey out of the packaging I was instantly drawn to the quality of the jersey, it looked great and felt soft. I was thinking this jersey is going to feel nice on.  The jersey is made from sportwool™ (40% Merino & 60% Polyester), slightly narrower waist with being wider at the hips.

A full-length zip with Zip guard, three rear cargo pockets with a zip pocket for valuables and a sleeve for a pump. The jersey also has a drawcord to make easy adjustments to the jacket whilst riding. It’s not very often that I take my hands off the handlebars, due to my fantastic riding skills I hold on for dear life, but it was actually very easy to adjust the bottom of the jersey when required.

The jersey didn’t feel uncomfortable at all and I was surprised with how well the jersey fabric soaked up perspiration (women perspire not sweat I’ve always been told) without feeling wet or cold.  I had no rubbing from the zip or edges of the jersey, with no feeling of tightness around forearms or hips.  The classic design with the cream strip around the arm looks good and with the red jersey, you are sure to be noticed by other riders.

When purchased you also receive a complimentary set of matching arm warmers. The arm warmers have a brushed fleece inner and soft gripper tape to hold them in place. The times that I have used the arm warmers I have had no problems with them falling down.  The arm warmers are finished with contrast piping and colour-on-colour logos.

The women’s classic jersey and the matching arm warmers can only be improved by wearing them with the Rapha women’s shorts.

The Rapha shorts are made from a lightweight, durable stretch fabric, with a panel construction and the chamois pad from specialist manufacturer Cytech. The Shorts are very comfortable and have been made to ensure there is no rubbing in those places that can make riding the bike uncomfortable for women.

The little detail of having no stitching across the front of the waistband I think is fantastic, a known place for chaffing and annoying rubbing for women. I noticed the waist was a little higher than normal shorts with the rear of the shorts even higher, which made them, feel very comfortable. They are also longer in the leg so no worrying about the shorts riding up whilst on the bike. It’s like wearing spankx, but looking and feeling much better.

The chamois is good and I had no trouble with rubbing whilst riding and was feeling pretty good when I got off the bike. The Rapha shorts look great with the cream detail at the rear waist, reflective tape on the legs and the Rapha logos on both legs.

I must say that the Rapha Classic Jersey, matching arm warmers and shorts look fantastic when wearing them all together as a complete kit. The colours are vibrant and the small matching colour details on the arm warmers and shorts to match the jersey are a stylish touch.

The whole kit is very comfortable to wear and looks amazing on. For all the women out there that enjoy looking fantastic whilst feeling good on the bike, the Rapha kit is the kit for you. Must say, I thoroughly enjoyed wearing the Rapha range and is looking forward to showing it off on my next ride.

I was also wearing the Rapha Stowaway Jacket and the Rapha Merino Socks with the rest of the kit which will be reviewed in the near future.

Rapha is supporting a grass-roots female cycling team in the UK which formed earlier this year. Rapha hope that it will further promote the growth of female cycling as it has been gaining momentum for some time.

If you would like to purchase this great looking kit or have a look at the Rapha Women’s Range then check it out here – Women’s Range

Images courtesy of Rapha