Rapha have launched a new winter glove selection developed with input from their sponsored pro team, Sky.
The British label are promoting the gloves as a modular system with a merino blend inner liner combining with outer gloves suitable for varying degrees of cold conditions, and a lobster claw option for very bad wet weather. The heavy duty combo could cost you up to £225/US$320/AU$330, making these the most expensive cycling gloves we've ever seen.
The slim Rapha Merino Liner inners (£40/US$60/AU$60) have a ribbed cuff and a nose wipe on the back of the thumbs, meaning they can be used on their own in slightly nippy conditions. There is an interesting, slightly heavier merino blend glove (£60/US$85/AU$85 - not yet available) for riding in dry, chilly conditions that feature goatskin on the palms, silicone grippers on the digits and a long ribbed cuff.
The new Standard Winter Gloves (£75 US$105 AU$100), created for 'cool winter weather and cold spring and autumn days', are slim fitting, breathable and windproof, say Rapha. They're made from nylon/polyurethane blends and are fitted with leather palms.
Their heavier counterpart, the Deep Winter Gloves (£95/US$135/AU$140), contain more waterproofing and insulation making them suitable for very cold and wet conditions.
The Rapha Overmitt - for seriously bad conditions
And if things get really bad, Rapha suggest complementing one of the core winter gloves with the Overmitt (£70/US$100/AU$105) – a lobster claw-style outer that's also waterproof, breathable, has taped seams, reflective fittings and a seriously chunky zip.
Rapha told BikeRadar that the glove system has been in development for 18 months, with lots of input from Team Sky. It's designed to be customisable to temperature and personal preference.