Rapha says its new Pro Team Shadow collection, launched today, is “dialled for your hardest efforts on the most unpredictable days”. There's a jacket, a gilet and a long-sleeved jersey, all available for men and women, alongside a hat and gloves to finish off your weatherproof ensemble.
Rapha has had a Pro Team Lightweight Shadow jacket in its range for a few years. The former version of the jacket didn't include a membrane, but was double-treated with a DWR coating.
However, with brands phasing out PFAS ‘forever’ chemicals, the new Pro Team Shadow collection has a PFAS-free water-resistant surface treatment.
There’s also a microporous membrane built into the new jacket, which was absent from its predecessor, and Rapha says its new fabric is high-stretch and windproof, too. There’s internal taping on major seams to help keep the rain out, and you can load up with your ride stuff thanks to the usual array of rear pockets.
According to James Stannard, Rapha’s head of product management: “When we developed the Rapha Pro Team Shadow range, we wanted to address some of the key pain points which riders experience during winter.”
Stannard says Rapha tested its fabrics and design in a climate chamber, as well as letting riders including Lachlan Morton loose to test the new Pro Team Shadow range in real-world conditions.
Morton praises the gilet’s versatility and packability, while Noah Streif of the EF Education-Aevolo development team reckons the new jacket can replace three or four layers, keeping out wind and cold.
“We opted for high-stretch fabrics for comfort across a range of body types and an all-over membrane to eliminate cold-spots. This combination hits the sweet spot between protection and breathability, so you can head out and ride in changeable conditions whilst remaining totally comfortable,” Stannard continues.
Rapha isn’t the only brand to have launched new lightweight weatherproof jackets recently. Castelli has just unveiled the Perfetto RoS 3, offering a trifecta of windproofing, water resistance and low weight, alongside the Do.Di.Ci jacket, which sacrifices water resistance in favour of breathability that Castelli says is 12 times greater than the original Gabba.
Rapha’s new Pro Team Lightweight Shadow range will be available to buy from Tuesday 30 September, while Rapha Cycle Club members get early access from today.
The Pro Team Shadow jacket is priced at £325, the gilet at £225 and the long-sleeved jersey at £275. There are four colours available for men and two for women. The matching hat costs £48 and the gloves £70.
