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Rapha Women's Brevet Jersey

9
£130.00

VERDICT:

9
10
Gorgeous to look at, super high quality temperature regulating fabric and loads of pocket space
Weight: 
260g
Contact: 

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Rapha's Brevet short sleeved jersey is designed primarily for long distance riding such as audax, and as such is cut slightly more generously than most race orientated jerseys. Yes it's expensive, but it really is lovely to wear, made from a Sportwool fabric containing merino for extra long-term comfort.

The cut is noticeably roomier for its size than other Rapha jerseys I've worn, most similar to the Classic, and curvaceous women in particular will find it a refreshing change from many 'straight up and down' so-called women's fit jerseys.

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And it really was extremely comfortable, with the high quality soft fabric being very pleasant next to the skin, breathable and good at maintaining a constant temperature, no matter how hard I was working.

It's a fabulous looking jersey, too, with bold contrast stripes, including Rapha's famed hi-vis pink, and features include three roomy rear pouch pockets, a side zipped pocket just about big enough for an iPhone 5, and a mesh-lined zipped lumbar pocket that goes the whole width of the back and doubles as a ventilation option should you need it. There's hem gripper tape to keep it in situ and also a drawcord.

It's an expensive jersey for sure, but the fabric is top notch, the finish is great and it will last years if treated right, so it's a safe investment if you're happy to splash the cash.

Check out our guide to everything you need to know when buying a cycling jersey here

Coupled with the striped lightweight Brevet Gilet (available separately or as a bundle with the jersey) it's an amazing combo, looks wise. I just can't help thinking that Rapha is missing a trick by not having hi-vis pink arm warmers too, as that's what I wore with it!

Verdict

Gorgeous to look at, super high quality temperature regulating fabric and loads of pocket space

road.cc test report

Make and model: Rapha Women's Brevet Jersey

Size tested: Large

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Aimed at long distance female riders.

Stacks of pocket space and a Sportwool fabric that keeps the body a good stable temperature make it ideal for audax and touring use.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

60% polyester/40% merino fabric

Reflective stripes and accents

3 rear pouch pockets

1 small zipped side pocket

1 large mesh-lined zipped gilet storage pocket

Full length zip

Machine wash at 30 degrees

Available in sizes XXS-XL

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
10/10

Super high quality fabric and excellent attention to detail.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Very comfortable and did just what it set out to.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Provided it's treated right, it should last for years, but keep it away from Velcro.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10

Not the lightest but it's Sportwool so temperature control and comfort are more important than weight.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
10/10

Extremely comfortable.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Yes it's expensive but it's a high quality, well made jersey with lots of good features.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Style, rooomy pockets, matching gilet.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes, very much.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes, but probably in the sale.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

Smart, well made and nicely featured. An investment, but a safe one for long distance use.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 73kg

I usually ride: Boardman Hybrid Fi  My best bike is: Specialized Ruby Elite

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, sportives, general fitness riding, mountain biking

 

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

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4 comments

Avatar
AJ101 | 9 years ago
0 likes

nice jersey but let's face it, that's a hell of a lot of money.

Avatar
riotgibbon replied to AJ101 | 9 years ago
0 likes
AJ101 wrote:

nice jersey but let's face it, that's a hell of a lot of money.

you win the £5 Aldi voucher for the first moan about Rapha pricing!

Avatar
vonhelmet replied to AJ101 | 9 years ago
0 likes
AJ101 wrote:

nice jersey but let's face it, that's a hell of a lot of money.

Torm have just started selling ladies' jerseys for £54 a go, which may be a bit easier to swallow.

Avatar
Thrustvector | 9 years ago
0 likes

I'm not always convinced by Rapha's designs, but I really like this - I wish the men's brevet jerseys were still using this design and colours.

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