Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey – Men's

The name of the Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey covers pretty much what it does – it has a figure-hugging fit, long sleeves and its mid-weight fabric makes it a bit warmer than a summer jersey and arm warmer combination. Its £165 price is far from cheap, but if you want a premium-level long-sleeve jersey, you could easily spend more.

> Buy now: Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey for £165 from Rapha

The Midweight sits above the £25 cheaper Lightweight variation in the Rapha Pro Team line-up. That weighed in at 165 grams when we reviewed it, where this mid-weight one weighs 213 grams.

2024 Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey - shoulder.jpg (credit: road.cc)

Rapha doesn't give much detail on the differences in the fabrics used, though the Lightweight jersey has a higher elastane content (88% polyester, 12% elastane), while this is made from 92% recycled polyester and 8% elastane.

In terms of warmth, Rapha recommends the Lightweight is about right for temperatures between six and 20°C, with this Midweight one suitable for 6-16°C.

The fabric used for the Lightweight gives sun protection up to UPF30, with Rapha saying this about the Midweight: 'Although this jersey would provide a significant amount of UPF protection due to the midweight fabric, it has not been officially UPF rated as it is designed for cool to moderate conditions.'

2024 Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey - drop.jpg (credit: road.cc)

Higher up in Rapha's range is its Men's Pro Team Long Sleeve Windstopper Jersey designed for 5-12°C. It features Gore-Tex's Infinium Windstopper Technology and retails at £220. Rapha's Core Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey costs £100.

Temperature range

It's always subjective to talk about this in a review, as I'm more towards the feeling-the-cold end of the spectrum, and when I'm out on a group ride, there are usually a few riders wearing a layer fewer than me.

There is no way this jersey would keep me comfortable in the 6-16°C range. And to be fair, Rapha does say to wear it with a gilet or jacket in cooler conditions.

2024 Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey - hem.jpg (credit: road.cc)

I found this jersey about right from around 10°C if it wasn't too windy. Anything colder than that and I'd need more layers.

Fabric

The fabric, mainly recycled polyester, has a waffled texture and doesn't feel thicker than a standard jersey, certainly nothing like a fleece-lined or windstopper-type material. But it is warmer than a standard jersey, and as it feels really nice next to your skin, there's no need to wear a base layer.

Features

You get the usual three rear pockets, which are perhaps a little narrower than most, but they're still easy enough to access. Depth-wise, they could take my iPhone 12 with an inch to spare.

2024 Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey - pockets.jpg (credit: road.cc)

The pockets are well detailed, with an elastic band turn-over to keep your valuables in, and there's a fabric return at the bottom to help full pockets sit more comfortably. The zipped pocket inside the right-hand pocket is accessed from the side, which purists might argue is not very Pro Team.

2024 Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey - back.jpg (credit: road.cc)

The Rapha-branded one-way YKK Vislon zip works well, and sports a zip-garage on the low-profile collar.

2024 Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey - collar 2.jpg (credit: road.cc)

The zip flap's reflective detailing reveals itself when the jersey is not fully done up, which is a nice touch. There's reflective striping on the rear middle pocket while the big Rapha logo on the left hand shoulder is also reflective. This is enough for you to be seen in the dark, without it looking hi-vis in daylight.

At the wrist, it's a stitched-from-the-same fabric cuff finish, which works fine.

2024 Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey - cuff.jpg (credit: road.cc)

The hem at the front is the same, and at the rear an elastic band is sown in with minimal silicone gripper detailing on the inside.

2024 Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey - gripper.jpg (credit: road.cc)

This was effective at preventing the jersey from riding up while I was pedalling.

In use

As you'd expect from Rapha, this works really well – the fit is good and it looks great, as long as you don't mind the less-than-subtle advertising. (I don't). I really enjoyed wearing it, and the fit makes it at least feel like you're fast.

Rapha chic

The midweight long sleeve is available in no fewer than seven on-trend (I assume) colourways: Urban Chic/White Alyssum; Green/White Alyssum; Black/White; Silver Gray/White Alyssum; Walnut Brown/White; Petrol Blue/White. It comes in seven sizes from XS-XXL.

As is usual for Rapha, there's a piece of cycling folklore hidden in the zipped pocket, in this case titled 'Embrace the elements'. This is about Bernard Hinault in the snowstruck 1980 edition of Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where he had only a waxed race cape and woollen gloves to keep him warm, until his team director told him to remove the cape...

Sizing

My measurements fall between S and M on Rapha's sizing chart. I normally go for a medium and this felt spot on, matching Rapha's description of how it should fit: 'Designed to sit close to the skin for a range of body-types.' I think if I had gone for for the small, the fit would be a little too 'Pro Team' for my liking...

Value

I think the £165 price is about right for a pro-fit premium-level long-sleeve jersey.

You can pay more. The Pas Normal Studios Men's Essential Long Sleeve Jersey costs £190, while the 7Mesh S2S Jersey LS Mens Butterscotch was a whopping £280 when we reviewed it. But it is now heavily discounted, and in its defence it is a hybrid jersey/jacket.

If you don't want to deplete your resources quite as much, the Gorewear Spinshift Thermo Long Sleeve Jersey is recommended by us and costs £114.99.

The Cycology Horizon Lightweight Long Sleeve Summer Jersey is yours for just £80, though as Steve wrote, the striking design might not be for everyone.

And when talking about cost, it is worth bearing in mind Rapha offers a free repairs service for crash damage.

Conclusion

I've enjoyed wearing this long-sleeve jersey. It is warmer than the fabric suggests it might be, the fit is fast, it feels comfortable, the detailing is on-point and it looks great. With a base layer, gilet and jacket, it will cover you for a wide range of conditions in spring and autumn. Whether you are happy to pay £165 for the premium-level Rapha experience is up to you.

Verdict

Excellent quality, great attention to detail and warmer than the thickness of its fabric would suggest

> Buy now: Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey for £165 from Rapha