With the women’s Brevet, Rapha has aimed squarely at producing a garment suitable for endurance riding. The resulting product isn’t just good for that purpose though – it also makes a soft, comfortable and immensely practical long-sleeved jersey for transitional seasons, and riders who aren’t a fan of traditional Lycra garments.
In fact, I found myself reaching for this jersey with increasing regularity for all my rides, as it's properties make it comfortable and practical for commuting as much as endurance.
Made of a merino and polyester blend, the Brevet Jersey has a natural, soft skin-feel so donning it is more like putting on a light (albeit fitted) jumper or top rather than sliding yourself into Lycra. We also noted the usual advantages of merino wool when using the jersey: hours of riding later and no smelly armpits. Good insulation and breathability provided by the Smartwool fabric kept the temperature stable whether exerting on climbs or in the face of breezy, cold descents.
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Forgiving fit
The Brevet has a looser fit which allows layering, and is also ideal for those who don’t want an all-out sport look to their cycling wardrobe. We did notice the garment began to bag a little at the elbows after several hours riding, but otherwise held its shape well.
We’ve tried a few wool jerseys and the fit and construction of the Brevet is certainly one of the best. A good degree of stretch and a ribbed knit in the fabric means it sits well on the body and moves easily as you do.
As it’s constructed from merino wool, it does require care when washing, using a sub-30 degree temperature setting on the machine. I’ve washed the test garment several times and it’s happily kept it’s shape and vibrancy.
Plentiful pockets
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