Rapha Merino Arm Warmers

Rapha's new Merino Arm Warmers are, as the name suggests, mostly merino wool with a bit of elastane (5%) thrown into the mix to add stretchiness, and they're exceptionally comfortable.

As you'll know if you own any Rapha wool clothing, they use only sheep that are washed and conditioned every morning, groomed twice daily and fed on a diet of nourishing, green-leafed vegetables. All the while, the sheep are watching newsreels of epic Tour de France stages from the 1950s.

And that is all absolutely true, which is why the wool is incredibly soft and fine and suitable for cycling. It really does feel great against your skin. No prickliness, no itchiness, no scratchiness.

These arm warmers aren't thick so I thought they'd let more air through than Rapha's standard (and £5 cheaper) fleece-backed arm warmers. But wearing them in tandem (not a classic look, admittedly), I'd say they offer about the same level of insulation. There's really not much in it either way, meaning they're a good weight for autumn and spring. They're certainly considerably warmer than skinny Lycra options.

Arm warmers don't usually have to deal with a ton of sweat - you just take them off if you start overheating; that's the whole point - but these stay comfortable even if they do get a bit damp and they're lightweight enough to dry out quickly.

The other good thing about wool as opposed to most synthetic fabrics is that it doesn't start reeking if it does get sweaty. So if you use these on the ride to work in the morning, say, you won't be pulling on minging kit for the ride home.

A rubber gripper at the top holds them in place and you can't even feel the flat-locked seam down the inside..

Verdict

Soft wool arm warmers with good insulation -although as ever with Rapha, they're pricey