Rapha Men’s Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey and Pro Team Lightweight Tights Review
By Brandon Bilyeu
Cost:
Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey $215
Pro Team Lightweight Tights $250
How obtained: review sample from company
Available: online, retail
Colors:
Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey: Black, Silver Gray, Walnut Brown, Petrol Blue
Pro Team Lightweight Tights: Black, Dark Navy
Website: Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey , Pro Team Lightweight Tights
RBR Sponsor: No
Tested: 15+ hours
Sizing: XS-XXL
Reviewer Measurements and Fit Comments: 5’10” (178cm), 150 lbs (68 kgs), 33″ (84cm) waist, 38” (96.5cm) hips, 33″ (84cm) inseam, 38″ (95cm) chest. Based on the size chart I fall between sizes Small and Medium. A snug fit is important for cycling bottoms so I went with size small and the fit is indeed snug, but a Medium probably would have been a bit too loose. For the top I went with size Medium for a little more relaxed fit, though it still fits like a second skin.
Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey – Works Great Alone or Layered
Hot!
- Good warmth and breathability
- Excellent layering piece
- Full zip in front
- Three standard pockets in the back + zippered pocket
- Men and Women versions available
Not!
- Pricey
Rapha’s naming scheme may be a bit of a mouthful, but at least it helps you quickly understand what you are looking at. The “Pro Team” indicates the kit is designed for racing, training, and generally high-performance cycling. The “Long Sleeve” is self-explanatory. “Midweight” describes the insulation level of the jersey which is constructed using a thin fabric that features a raised texture interior to create an insulating air gap (shown in image below). The skin tight fit of the jersey makes for warmth and excellent sweat wicking even without a base layer underneath. Sadly, my testing didn’t occur in any warm weather, but I would expect the jersey alone to be comfortable up to Rapha’s claimed 61F (16C).
My testing took place in temperatures ranging from 32F (0C) to 50F (10C). The Midweight jersey proved to be very versatile as part of a layering strategy to keep warm and dry in changing temperatures and intensities. Combined with a base layer, gilet, and jacket I could always find the right combination to stay comfortable. The thin fabric breathes well and the full zip front can be used to dump heat during intervals or climbs. Combined with a wind blocking jacket the jersey’s light insulation holds heat well.
The jersey features three standard rear pockets with good stretch and an elastic flap added at the top. This flap acts as a gentle barrier to help stop your gear from getting ejected out of the pockets. Additionally, there is one zippered pocket on the right rear for smaller items like keys and credit cards, but won’t hold modern cell phones.
As expected from the Pro Team line, the jersey is tailored to fit snuggly and very comfortable to wear. The sleeves are extra-long for full coverage in aggressive positions and a short-cropped front waist avoids bunching. The large gauge zipper is easier to move one handed than small gauge zippers found on many jerseys and a zipper garage keeps neck irritation at bay. The overall quality is top notch, as would be expected at this price point.
Bottom line
The Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Midweight Jersey is a classically styled, warm, versatile upper for mild to cold weather rides. The price is high, but so is the quality.
Pro Team Lightweight Tights – Surprisingly Effective Leg Protection
Hot!
- Tights don’t restrict movement
- Surprising warmth from plain lycra
- Good fit and comfortable chamois
- Men and Women versions available
Not!
- Pricey
The Rapha Pro Team Lightweight Tights are best described as a pair of bib shorts with full leg coverage. There is no fleece lining or other insulation, just lycra construction from your waist to your ankles. I typically ride in bib shorts down to about 65F (18C) and below that I switch to midweight bib tights lined with fleece as I don’t like wearing knee/leg warmers. Fleece can be a little warm at 65F, so I suspect these Lightweight Tights would be perfect for the transition from shorts to tights.
It’s been too cold to actually test these tights in warm weather, but I was initially concerned they would only be effective over a small temperature range before the need to switch to fleece. But I was surprised to find myself comfortable in the Lightweight Tights down to 40F (4.5C). This included gravel rides where the tights got splashed from puddles and covered with mud. They proved to be quick drying and provided enough wind protection to keep my legs warm.
One of my least favorite parts of cold weather riding is heavy tights restricting leg movement. It’s not a lot of resistance, but the first day in the Spring riding in shorts always feels so ‘free’. The Lightweight Tights feel about as close as you can get to wearing shorts which means more enjoyable riding in the shoulder seasons.
The Tights are well tailored for a great fit over the leg contours and articulate smoothly at the knees. The lycra is soft and slippery on the skin, so it moves around a bit rather than tugging with every pedal stroke. The Tights are held in place by a combination of elastic ankle cuffs (no grippers), moderate compression, and hardy flat elastic bib straps.
The Pro Team chamois’ moderate thickness bucks the recent trend of thicker chamois’. Dense foam under the sit bones provides support and comfort, while a center channel provides perineum relief. I got on very well with the chamois on multiple-hour rides outdoors and even an initial indoor test. The excellent chamois combined with a great fit make these Tights a go-to for shoulder season rides.
Bottom Line
The Rapha Pro Team Lightweight Tights are super comfortable and work in a surprisingly large temperature range. They are the perfect middle ground between shorts and fleece lined tights. It’s safe to say they are my new favorite shoulder season bottoms.
Brandon Bilyeu is an avid recreational roadie who lives in Regensburg, Germany. He’s a year-round bike commuter and is a mechanical design engineer by trade. Click to read Brandon’s full bio.
