This little cracker from Rapha has proven to be the perfect antidote to cool spring and autumn rides where it cuts an excellent compromise between warmth and breathability to create a jacket that is comfortable across a wide range of conditions.
Wind and showerproof front and back panels contain a light stuffing of Polartec Alpha, just enough to take the chill off and protect from damp air. Alpha is a synthetic insulation designed to work when damp, promote drying and be stable through multiple washes without migrating and piling up on one side of the compartment. All these properties make it ideal for purpose here.
We wore it across a wide range of conditions and, with a little help from opening zips now and again, we rarely had to take it off to regulate temperature. Breathable lycra side and underarm panels boosted breathability in action too and even when we did have to finally take it off, it was superbly packable and stuffed into a jersey pocket without a problem.
Understated grey reflective bands worked superbly to increase visibility while only boosting the style of what is a handsome jacket, and we always had a wrestle on our hands to get it back from members of the test team when it came time to rotate out.
Our only criticism of the fit was the length. We definitely felt the cut could have been longer - in a jacket that otherwise fit perfectly we all felt it didn't extend past the waist far enough.
