You could argue that Rapha is rather late to the ‘Gabba party’ as most brands have already launched their own version of Castelli’s game changer. But this isn’t a ‘me too’ product; Rapha set out to raise the bar.
- Rapha Shadow kit uses DWR and tight weave for breathable protection
- Giro Chrono Pro jersey and bib shorts review
The Shadow kit was developed for and with Team Sky, which used it during the 2015 Classics. Rapha didn’t start with the fabric, it went back to the yarn.
The thread itself has a Durable Water Resistant (DWR) coating applied before it’s woven into the fabric. It then undergoes a steam-pressure treatment, shrinking the fabric by half and creating a very dense weave that's claimed to greatly increase its resistance to rain and wind while retaining breathability. Finally, another coat of DWR is applied.
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The fabric is described as hydrophobic. That sounds like it’s scared of water but really it’s the other way around. When the two meet, raindrops run away screaming. As with all DWR products, you have to clean it with a technical wash and reproof it occasionally but Rapha claims that the two-stage coating means this is less frequent.
The fabric has slightly less stretch than normal kit and comes up a bit smaller, so make sure you try it on before you rip the tags off. The jersey requires a base layer as it isn’t designed to sit next to skin. Generally the cut is really good, though we’d like the sleeves to be angled forward for riding to eliminate the stretch across the back that’s visible in the main photo.
- Jersey: £220 / $320 / $385
- Bib shorts: £260 / $375 / AU$450
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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