The latest version of Rapha’s Classic Softshell Jacket is the perfect choice for tough winter cycling. Packed with technical features, a synthetic membrane means the jacket’s softshell fabric is highly windproof, water resistant and extremely breathable.
Rapha’s Classic Softshell has an exceptional fit. Side panels give the jacket a tailored shape and the sleeves have an ergonomic design to increase a rider’s range of movement. A rubberised pad on the left shoulder keeps bag straps stable when riding and seams have been positioned to prevent them from chafing. Both shoulders are edged with reflective grey piping, as have the collar and sleeves.
The full-length zip has a reverse coil for a cleaner finish, a fleece-lined chin guard and a lockdown puller to eliminate rattles. A bite grip on the collar enables easy zip adjustment on the move and discreet zipped vents under both arms help regulate body temperature.
Three large cargo pockets make this an ideal cycling jacket for longer rides and the centre pocket has a pump sleeve stitched inside. The right-hand pocket has a buttonhole for an iPod cable and an additional valuables pocket has a hidden zip for extra security.
When conditions turn nasty, the jacket’s fold-out storm flap has a saddle grip to keep it in place and a reflective Rapha logo to make the rider more visible. Boasting stylish features inside and out, Rapha’s trademark left armband has a black embroidered logo. The inside of the jacket is finished in black with contrast pink details. These include cable routing loops, a drawcord with friction locks and a hanging loop. The jacket also features an exclusive story label.
Strengths: Durable, functional, well designed
Red colour has good visibility and bright reflective piping
Feels substantial, but not heavy
Warm but breathable
Excellent warranty
Weaknesses: Serious investment
Fit could be slimmer
Bottom Line:
This jacket is everything Rapha claims it is, and that's a lot. Using their sizing guide, I ordered a Red large (6'3", 180lbs), which fits well but as a slim guy, I find there's a litte too much material in the front. I don't love that it bunches, but wasn't going for a race fit.
On the bike, it feels great. Pit zips, offset front zipper, thumb loops, waist cinch, are all functional details that make sense and work well. Most importantly, it's very windproof without having too much insulation, and breathes very well. I was very comfortable with just a jersey underneath at 50 degrees on Sunday and never overheated during faster sections of my ride. With an extra layer, I stay warm into the lower 30's. No chance to try it lower yet.... We haven't had much rain, so I can't say how water-resistant it is, but it's kept me dry from moderate winter road spray. It just beads right off. I'm not sure how functional the fold-down flap is, you have to make sure you're sitting on it in the wet, but the reflective logo is bright at night.
This is a Rapha product, so of course it's stylish. Really stylish. And when it works so well and fells so good, I don't even feel slightly guilty about that.
Lastly, if you think about buying this jacket, get it off their website to be sure you have the warranty. On one of my first few rides, I slipped in the wet, went over the bars and cracked my wrist. The jacket took serious abuse, with two holes in the sleeves and a phone silhouette ground into the rear pocket. I sent it off to Oregon and a few weeks later, it showed up patched with softshell material and (nearly) good as new! You just can't beat that.
Strengths: The range of conditions this jacket can be used in. The design of the pockets. Comfort, fits perfectly.
Weaknesses: Price
Bottom Line:
I just used this jacket on "America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride" around lake Tahoe. I was wearing a wool jersey arm warmers and this jacket. I cannot say enough about how fantastic this jacket was. The ride started out with freezing rain and 36 degree weather. The jacket kept the rain out and the rear flap was very helpful from keeping my butt from getting soaked. Around 20 miles in the sun broke out and the rain cleared, I opened up the pit zips and the jacket kept me warm and comfortable. Later in the ride we had hail. On the last climb it was 76 degrees and the rain soaked road was steaming up so much you couldn't see in front of you. I still kept the jacket on and just unzipped the front. This jacket worked like a champ in the most extreme conditions.
Strengths: There's not really anything overlooked in the design. They really thought it through to the nth degree.
Windproof
Fit
Stylish (not a Euro-douche look)
It comes in all black
Understated fashion
Warm
Great pockets
It's Rapha and everyone will think you're cool.
Nice zippers
Thumb tabs
Warranty
Did I mention it's all black?
Weaknesses: Rapha's kick ass warranty only come with a purchase from Rapha.
Hip pocket is pointless, but you'll still find a way to use it.
Butt flap doesn't do a lot but say "Rapha" and make you look cool.
Grippy shoulder patch doesn't help anything.
Bottom Line:
I'm going to try to make this review as comprehensive as possible because there's a lack of good review over this jacket and it's expensive as hell. The previous review was great, but I will elaborate somewhat and basically tell you how it is collar to waist. After wearing it for a winter season (October-March) I have a good grasp on its limitations.
I had three reasons for choosing Rapha: 1, fit, Rapha gives exact measurements of every aspect of the sizing making it easy to figure out how well it fits--something completely ignored by competitors (most simply give chest sizing); 2, style, let's just be honest here, Rapha looks better than any cycling clothier out there and you won't look like a Euro-toolbag wearing it (think Castelli here), you really can pull this thing off for about any occasion if you dress carefully; 3, price, price isn't really that different from the other high end retailers.
As for warmth and comfort, I wore it almost every day this winter and never once had a problem. Wind never cut through and slight rains didn't affect its warmth (not waterproof, but still good). It stays very warm below 20 degrees when layered properly (base layer, wool longsleeve, maybe a wind breaker)and hit its limits around 40-45 degrees.
The pockets on the back are excellent; easy to access, large enough to hold anything, and it has a sweet pump stash that really is as good as Rapha says. A zippered pocket is perfect for all the small things you don't want wet or lost, and it's easy to open with gloves. A hip pocket on the left hand waist is pretty useless, I usually just stash a tire lever and patch kit in there because it's too small for much else. Emergency key, maybe?
Waist cinches are great, but the jacket fits well enough that I never use them.
Thumb loops are great for keeping the sleeves down and in place when I'm riding. A+ you'll love them once you use them. But one thing I am a little bummed about is that the palm side of the thumb loops broke down and the seam came out. Not to fear!Rapha has the best warranty I've yet come across and they offered free repair immediately.
This brings me to a point I think is overlooked by other reviewers: whether to buy from a retailer on sale or full price from Rapha.cc. Here follows is my opinion: buy from Rapha. I picked mine up from Competitive Cyclist at 20% off which was a killer deal and actually made it affordable. The problem is Rapha's guaranteed replacement policy didn't follow over. So if you hit the deck, shred the whole left side and bought it from Rapha, it will be replaced no questions asked. Which is pretty awesome.
It really comes down to asking yourself "should I save some money now?" or "pay full price and never worry again?" If I did it all over, I'd totally buy direct from Rapha. For sure.
And the butt flap is pretty superfluous. In order for it to work and stay in place you have to be sitting on it, which gets hard to do when you're out of the saddle often. Whatever, it's worth it. They did have the forethought to put a velcro protector on it so that it doesn't rub and fray up your jersey.
The shoulder grip for you hipster-ass messenger bag actually makes it harder to utilize the benefits of said hipster-ass messenger bag. It makes it difficult to swing over your back for quick access. But it does not take anything away from the jackets overall performance. Just don't be a hipster and you're fine.
Strengths: Material quality, fit, perfect collar, great pockets, great understated styling, windproof and breathable, pit zips, offset front zipper, exclusivity (this is key to bolstering ego and making people ooh and aah at you at work or at the park with the kids)
Weaknesses: needs a chest pocket, consider adding a little insulation for added warmth, expensive (love the tax cuts George)
Similar Products Used:
Bottom Line:
This is a detailed review for the much touted Rapha soft shell. STOP reading if you are 1. Not extremely picky about your cycling clothing; 2. Do not have great difficulty finding cycling jackets that fit you; 3. Not willing to spend lots of money on quality clothing; 4. Do not have a wonderful wife who allows you to spend part of your tax return on "anything you want."
With that out of the way, this is the finest piece of cycling clothing I have ever worn. I am a slight 5'5", 125 lbs and have GREAT DIFFICULTY finding the perfect fit. With 300 dollars to spend on a new cycling jacket, I had lots of choices: Assos (can't say the name in front of the kids), Castelli (do not wish to look like a motocross rider), Giordana (too flashy), and umpteen others. After doing some research, I chose the Rapha because it 1. Was very likely to fit my body shape (it does perfectly); 2. It is understated and lacks words like "radiation" and "rosso corsa" and "Assoshole"; 3. Uses a very good synthetic known to be breathable and stretchy (Hytrel); 4. Has good pockets (needs a chest pocket though; 5. Has thumb loops (don't knock it till you've tried it, you'll never go back); 6. Has an offset zipper (same as 5.)
The Rapha has supreme build quality, a perfect fit, very supple soft shell material, and very nice styling. I hate fashion hype and blah, blah, blah. But, all the hype about wearing the Rapha soft shell off the bike is true. It actually is quite practical in the end. I routinely ride then go straight to work or meetings. I slip a pair of pants over my tights and leave the Rapha on...bam, presentable. Hair gets washed and dried in the sink, but that's another matter.
But, what really matters is performance. The jacket fits perfectly on the bicycle, is completely windproof, reasonably breathable, and has two critical strong points: 1. A PERFECT collar fit with soft fleece lining; 2. Nice long arms with thumb loops. These two features make the jacket for me. It is very hard to find the perfect collar for me, and the Rapha fits perfectly. I hate when arms are not long enough when extended in the cycling position. The thumb loops are comfortable and functional.
The rear pockets are huge and well positioned. Rapha needs to sew in an internal or external chest pocket though. Just do it and move on. 86 the little pocket at the waist, although this does fit keys and change perfectly.
The Rapha is not insulated. This means layers are required in extreme cold, something I ride in routinely. But it extends the range of use to higher temps. With an insulating layer, I am comfy down to the teens Fahrenheit. It is completely windproof! Don't you hate when expensive cycling jackets mix and match materials to provide "venting" and moisture management?! This is best achieved using great materials, proper fit, and pit zips. The latter are barely visible in the Rapha but they are there if you need them. I love pit zips.
I have not used the drop down butt cover.
Lastly, the bite guard. Pure hype Rapha! Since the collar fits so perfectly, I can't reach it with my teeth. It is not necessary anyway, since the zipper slides easily without counterpull.
