Like everything else in Rapha’s Pro line the Gilet is tight fitting – and this is how it should be. Rapha have used stretch fabric at the edges the bottom around the arm opening and in the thin mesh that covers most of the back. Therefore the Gilet shapes it self to the body and does not feel tight but sits firm. In other words; The fit is very good and the same goes for the build quality.
Rapha’s Pro Team Lightweight Gilet can pack down to little more than a handful. Although not as small as the very lightest Gilets on the market in return this Gilet balance between packable size, and usability very well. In contrast to the very small light Gilets on the market, then Rapha’s is of a much more usable quality. Here you can see that Rapha have received constructive feedback from riders of Team Sky.
With a weight of 73 grams in size small – which is approximately half of Rapha’s classic gilet – then there is no excuse not to bring it when riding in the mountains where weight matters to many.
Despite the gilet’ slender 73 grams Rapha has struck a really good balance between light weight and wind resistance. With the lightweight there follows a little let protection than what you get from the classic Rapha Gilet when I decent down the Etna here in Sicily where I tested both. I also notice that the Rapha Pro Gilet flaps a little bit on top of the shoulders when speed is high. It’s a bit annoying to hear when you are used to Rapha’s classic Gilet that is completely silent.
The Double zipper design I have not seen before on a Gilet. It is well thought out of Rapha, because when the Gilet sits close to the body, then you can very easily reach the back pockets in the cycling jersey by unzipping from the bottom.
Rapha Pro Team Lightweight Gilet is not completely waterproof, but takes a little shower with ease. It must be said that the mesh fabric on the back is similar to the fabric that Rapha use in their Pro Team baselayers, and it is certainly not waterproof. So if you are riding in a more rainy day then it is not the Pro Team Lightweight Gilet you want to bring.
Here in Sicily we do a lot of climbing. Especially on Etna where you reach high altitude the temperature can swing dramatically from the start to the top of the climb. This is where Raphas Pro Team Lightweight Gilet excels. In Sicily it is so hot 8-9 months of year that you do not bother to have a Gilet on when riding the climbs – you simply overheat and your baselayer and jersey will likely be soaked by sweat. If that happens, then riding downhill will be a cold pleasure and increase the likelihood that you catch a cold. Because the Rapha Pro Team Gilet is so light and small it is the perfect Gilet for bringing in the mountains and a must to wear on the descent.
Because of the mesh material used on the back, it is very breathable. But it also means that it is not as warm as Rapha’s classic Gilet. Therefore it works best in temperatures between 13-24 degrees Celsius. In Denmark, this means that the best use is in late spring, all summer, and early autumn on hot days. Here in Sicily it can be used practically all year round. However, there may be days in January and February when the temperature drop below 14 degrees, and the classic Rapha Gilet will be a better choice.
By having a Gilet that fits small in your pocket I would be more likely to bring it with me when training in the mountains. So in a terrain with variable height meters – and therefore shifting temperatur –it is really brilliant. But even in flat terrain if you’re the type who would rather avoid wearing a Gilet but would like it in reserve should the weather change. Then it sneaks almost unnoticed into a jersey pocket.
Pros: Elegant design, Low weight, sneaks easily into a jersey pocket, double zipper for easy access to jersey pockets, very breathable.
Cons: Flapping a bit at high speed. Does not keep out the rain very well. Like everything else from Rapha the price is high.
RAPHA PRO TEAM LIGHTWEIGHT GILET
WORDS: THOMAS OPSTRUP
PHOTOGRAPHY: ELISA COCO
Rapha Pro Team Lightweight Gilet
Like everything else in Rapha’s Pro line the Gilet is tight fitting – and this is how it should be. Rapha have used stretch fabric at the edges the bottom around the arm opening and in the thin mesh that covers most of the back. Therefore the Gilet shapes it self to the body and does not feel tight but sits firm. In other words; The fit is very good and the same goes for the build quality.
Rapha’s Pro Team Lightweight Gilet can pack down to little more than a handful. Although not as small as the very lightest Gilets on the market in return this Gilet balance between packable size, and usability very well. In contrast to the very small light Gilets on the market, then Rapha’s is of a much more usable quality. Here you can see that Rapha have received constructive feedback from riders of Team Sky.
With a weight of 73 grams in size small – which is approximately half of Rapha’s classic gilet – then there is no excuse not to bring it when riding in the mountains where weight matters to many.
Despite the gilet’ slender 73 grams Rapha has struck a really good balance between light weight and wind resistance. With the lightweight there follows a little let protection than what you get from the classic Rapha Gilet when I decent down the Etna here in Sicily where I tested both. I also notice that the Rapha Pro Gilet flaps a little bit on top of the shoulders when speed is high. It’s a bit annoying to hear when you are used to Rapha’s classic Gilet that is completely silent.
The Double zipper design I have not seen before on a Gilet. It is well thought out of Rapha, because when the Gilet sits close to the body, then you can very easily reach the back pockets in the cycling jersey by unzipping from the bottom.
Rapha Pro Team Lightweight Gilet is not completely waterproof, but takes a little shower with ease. It must be said that the mesh fabric on the back is similar to the fabric that Rapha use in their Pro Team baselayers, and it is certainly not waterproof. So if you are riding in a more rainy day then it is not the Pro Team Lightweight Gilet you want to bring.
Here in Sicily we do a lot of climbing. Especially on Etna where you reach high altitude the temperature can swing dramatically from the start to the top of the climb. This is where Raphas Pro Team Lightweight Gilet excels. In Sicily it is so hot 8-9 months of year that you do not bother to have a Gilet on when riding the climbs – you simply overheat and your baselayer and jersey will likely be soaked by sweat. If that happens, then riding downhill will be a cold pleasure and increase the likelihood that you catch a cold. Because the Rapha Pro Team Gilet is so light and small it is the perfect Gilet for bringing in the mountains and a must to wear on the descent.
Because of the mesh material used on the back, it is very breathable. But it also means that it is not as warm as Rapha’s classic Gilet. Therefore it works best in temperatures between 13-24 degrees Celsius. In Denmark, this means that the best use is in late spring, all summer, and early autumn on hot days. Here in Sicily it can be used practically all year round. However, there may be days in January and February when the temperature drop below 14 degrees, and the classic Rapha Gilet will be a better choice.
By having a Gilet that fits small in your pocket I would be more likely to bring it with me when training in the mountains. So in a terrain with variable height meters – and therefore shifting temperatur – it is really brilliant. But even in flat terrain if you’re the type who would rather avoid wearing a Gilet but would like it in reserve should the weather change. Then it sneaks almost unnoticed into a jersey pocket.
Pros:
Elegant design, Low weight, sneaks easily into a jersey pocket, double zipper for easy access to jersey pockets, very breathable.
Cons:
Flapping a bit at high speed. Does not keep out the rain very well. Like everything else from Rapha the price is high.
BUY THE RAPHA PRO TEAM GILET HERE
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