Rapha lightweight softshell jacket

Moaner

Despite some of Rapha's more weird offerings I do like the look of the Rapha lightweight softshell jacket.

Not cheap, but if it's really wonderful then I might persuade myself............

Has anyone got firsthand experience of using this jacket? Any info appreciated, but particularly:
1. "Water repellent" - how long can I ride in rain before it soaks through?
2. How warm is it e.g. is is suitable for 0-5 degrees with a jersey underneath?
3. Is it much more breathable than (say) a gortex paclite?

Thanks.

chocolateboy

Mine's last year's model but should be the same now.

1. Yes. Never actually observed seepage through but then have only worn during moderate rain and on-off showers.
2. Base + long-sleeve jersey plus softshell is OK for me during the recent cold snap.
3. I'm not 100% convinced on its breathability. No better than other waterproofs I've tried and certainly not as good as my (non-waterproof) Gore N2S jacket but I don't have a paclite to compare with.

cougie

I have had mine for a few years now -

1. Water will seep through eventually in heavy rain.
2. Yeah fine for cold weather - I wear LS Helly, LS poly bike top + Rapha.
3. Hmmm - V hard to get something completely breathable. I'd say about average.

I do ride in winter with a v light weight fluo gilet over the top too - a black jacket just isnt a wise idea on roads with dopey motorists.

Mark_K

Looked at these at the bike show but just couldn't justifie the cost so ended up with a Gore Phantom

BazookaMoor

Got a Red Lightweight Softshell for Xmas which I'm really pleased with.

Haven't tried it in wet conditions yet, but it's been great in the current cold snap with a long sleeved baselayer and a short sleeved top.

Excellent fit, looks really good, and blows the socks off my old Pearl Izumi windproof jacket in terms of breathability. (No more Boil In The Bag)

Pricey but Nice (Should be Rapha's catchphrase)

fasterbyelan

Moaner wrote:

Despite some of Rapha's more weird offerings I do like the look of the Rapha lightweight softshell jacket.

Not cheap, but if it's really wonderful then I might persuade myself............

Has anyone got firsthand experience of using this jacket? Any info appreciated, but particularly:
1. "Water repellent" - how long can I ride in rain before it soaks through?
2. How warm is it e.g. is is suitable for 0-5 degrees with a jersey underneath?
3. Is it much more breathable than (say) a gortex paclite?

Thanks.

I have had this jacket for 10 months now. The one I am using now is the second one as the original started to fall apart after very little use. (replaced by Rapha).

The jacket is very smart, comfortable to wear and practicable and ideal for longer rides as the pockets are good. I use the jacket when the weather is cold with only a long sleeve base layer and am plenty warm enough. An additional layer has seen me use the jacket at -6C. I do not find the jacket any more breathable than a Goretex one and hence normally end up with the base layer damp/wet if riding for more than 30 mins.

My main concern about the jacket is its lack of water resistance (Rapha state that the jacket is 'highly water resistant'). Both the original and the replacement allow water to pass through the fabric within minutes of the rain falling (the arms and shoulder first, other less venerable areas later). This occurred when the jackets were new and after washing (ie I have not done anything to damage the material).

This failing is a serious one as it limits the use of the product - getting wet through in the winter can have dire consequences. Hence my 7 year old Freestyle Goretex jacket is still in use (it is totally water proof).

I would be interested to hear from other uses regarding this issue.

Hope this help,

Karl

cougie

Have you tried washing it with Nik Wax water repellent stuff ?

giant_man

Why should you have to wash it any differently from any other jacket? The problem is the hype surrounding it.

'Highly water resistant' it obviously isn't.

fasterbyelan

cougie wrote:

Have you tried washing it with Nik Wax water repellent stuff ?

I have used this product on other jackets although the success rate is not good!

I am reluctant to use it on the Rapha jacket mainly due to the cost of it and any further deterioration it may cause - speaking the Rapha may be the best option.

Karl

fasterbyelan

giant mancp wrote:

Why should you have to wash it any differently from any other jacket? The problem is the hype surrounding it.

'Highly water resistant' it obviously isn't.

I just follow the washing/care instructions for the jacket.. They are different from any other jackets I have owned.

Karl

antfly

I`ve had one a few weeks.It`s plenty warm enough with a helly hansen ice crew {superb base layer}and I rode for 40 mins in the rain yesterday without getting wet but it doesn`t claim to be completely waterproof.Anyone who says it is no more breathable than a normal waterproof is talking nonsense,maybe it`s what they wear underneath,softshells are the most breathable of jackets.It looks good in the red.I reccommend the nikwax too,they do one for reproofing softshells and one for normal washing for waterproof stuff.All the label says is machine wash cool,hardly a great inconvenience.

wilwil

I've got the classic softshell couldn't see the point in the lightweight except if you don't want black. Fit is great (not baggy) and it keeps me warm. In current 0 temps I wear a merino long sleeve base layer and a Rapha long sleeve jersey under it. In warmer temps just the merino base layer. The base layer is wet with sweat after a ride but i can't see how you can stop the wind and avoid this. After all it would be the wind that would keep the base layer dry. I haven't tried it in heavy rain.

antfly

It`s not about the wind getting in but the water vapour getting out{breathability that is}.The lightweight is probably more breathable but presumably not as warm so can be worn in less cold weather.Wilwil,you sound a bit overdressed if you don`t mind my saying so.You should try the HH ice baselayer,it`s two layers in one,merino on the outside and the other poly stuff underneath.It`s really warm but hardly gets wet at all.

wilwil

antfly wrote:

It`s not about the wind getting in but the water vapour getting out{breathability that is}.The lightweight is probably more breathable but presumably not as warm so can be worn in less cold weather.Wilwil,you sound a bit overdressed if you don`t mind my saying so.You should try the HH ice baselayer,it`s two layers in one,merino on the outside and the other poly stuff underneath.It`s really warm but hardly gets wet at all.

No i don't mind. I certainly didn't feel overdressed yesterday. I also had tights with shorts underneath. Obviously not going fast enough although there are always plenty of hills round here. Not keen on poly stuff if I can help it.

cougie

antfly wrote:

It`s not about the wind getting in but the water vapour getting out{breathability that is}.The lightweight is probably more breathable but presumably not as warm so can be worn in less cold weather.Wilwil,you sound a bit overdressed if you don`t mind my saying so.You should try the HH ice baselayer,it`s two layers in one,merino on the outside and the other poly stuff underneath.It`s really warm but hardly gets wet at all.

Er isnt that a lot like the two layers he has already then ? except he's got two separate pieces of kit on ?

Its hard to say if he is overdressed - cos we all sweat differently, and different exertion levels will give different results.

The icebaselayer does sound good - but does it have pockets - cos I like a good few of them on the bike - and not just the ones in the softshell ?

cougie

antfly wrote:

It`s not about the wind getting in but the water vapour getting out{breathability that is}.The lightweight is probably more breathable but presumably not as warm so can be worn in less cold weather.Wilwil,you sound a bit overdressed if you don`t mind my saying so.You should try the HH ice baselayer,it`s two layers in one,merino on the outside and the other poly stuff underneath.It`s really warm but hardly gets wet at all.

Er isnt that a lot like the two layers he has already then ? except he's got two separate pieces of kit on ?

Its hard to say if he is overdressed - cos we all sweat differently, and different exertion levels will give different results.

The icebaselayer does sound good - but does it have pockets - cos I like a good few of them on the bike - and not just the ones in the softshell ?

giant_man

Hey just cheked out the base layer in question online and it is interesting have to say:

'The inner mesh features the unique, hollow Lifa® T3 (Thermic Tube Technology) that mimics the fur of polar bears.'

Yeah right. :roll:

cougie

I have visions of cyclists being culled now for their polar bear outers.

antfly

Well he did say he gets quite wet.I sweat a lot too if a wear 3 layers.I think the more layers you wear the harder it is for the sweat to escape.The ice is more like wearing one layer than two but with extra warmth than a normal base.It doesn`t have pockets as it is a base not a jersey.Just how many pockets do you need anyway?
No-one`s tried to cull me yet but if it`s good enough for a polar bear...

cougie

You'd be surprised how much cr*p I take out on the bike with me ! Keys, phone, cash, multitool, more crap, pump, energy bar, god knows what else....

antfly

Sounds like the sh#t I carry but I manage to get it all in my pockets and a little saddle bag for the essentials which I would forget if they weren`t attached to the bike.

fasterbyelan

I have been in-touch with Rapha regarding the lack of water resistance this jacket has. They do not recommend the application of a Nikewax type product as it could damage the material -

'Sholler (the fabric manufacturers) don’t endorse any re proofing products for their fabrics. We don’t support it because it could actually damage the fabric'

Karl

Monty Dog

My experience with Schoeller fabrics is that often the material properties dimish significantly with frequent washing. I only wash my kit at 30 degree using non-bio detergents. If you want something durable, windproof that washes well then look at clothing made from Gore Windstopper fabrics.

fasterbyelan

Monty Dog wrote:

My experience with Schoeller fabrics is that often the material properties dimish significantly with frequent washing. I only wash my kit at 30 degree using non-bio detergents. If you want something durable, windproof that washes well then look at clothing made from Gore Windstopper fabrics.

Mine let water in from day one and I do hand wash the jacket using soap flakes (as with all the Rapha kit I have). Goretex is obviously the way to go - as I said eariler, my Freestyle jacket is still waterproof after 7 years use!

Karl

antfly

fasterbyelan wrote:

I have been in-touch with Rapha regarding the lack of water resistance this jacket has. They do not recommend the application of a Nikewax type product as it could damage the material -

'Sholler (the fabric manufacturers) don’t endorse any re proofing products for their fabrics. We don’t support it because it could actually damage the fabric'

Karl

All I can tell you is I used the nikwax product which is specifically for schoeller soft shells on my howies soft shell and it didn`t do it any harm.It feels nice and soft now but it`s still not very waterproof though,but then it never was.Softshells aren`t supposed to be waterproof only showerproof.Anyone who wants to ride in the pouring rain should get something else.

fasterbyelan

[/quote]
but it`s still not very waterproof though,but then it never was.[/quote]

I was beginnig to think I was the only one who's soft shell leaked.............!

Karl

antfly

fasterbyelan wrote:

but it`s still not very waterproof though,but then it never was.[/quote]

I was beginnig to think I was the only one who's soft shell leaked.............!

Karl[/quote]
That`s my Howies "eight miler" jacket,so called because it is supposed to keep you dry for eight miles.In reality it`s about one mile in a light shower.Still a great jacket though,as long as it doesn`t rain.

wilwil

antfly wrote:

fasterbyelan wrote:

but it`s still not very waterproof though,but then it never was.

I was beginnig to think I was the only one who's soft shell leaked.............!

Karl[/quote]
That`s my Howies "eight miler" jacket,so called because it is supposed to keep you dry for eight miles.In reality it`s about one mile in a light shower.Still a great jacket though,as long as it doesn`t rain.[/quote]

I have a howies jacket i bought for mountain biking. Its made from Schoeller with a fleece lining. I found that more sweaty than the Rapha which has a different make of fabric, the zip is a nightmare to do up and it's totally useless for cycling in because the pockets are at the front. I have 2 of their Merino base layers that are really cut to too baggy for cycling, even the small. I think they specialise more in baggy kids stuff.

steowen

It's the best jacket I've ever owned (which is for just over a year in fact) and I've been through a fair few!

True, it's only water resistant, but I'm a bit of a sweater and always found fully waterproof, regardless of how breathable they claim to be, to leave me as wet inside as not wearing at all.

What really delivers for me is the windproofing, comfort and fit. I need only wear a merino baselayer underneath - even in this weather - and I don't feel the icy wind. It's beautifully cut with nice long arms and backflap and it hugs my body but moves with it so I never feel restricted.

Also, come March when the weather warms up, it rolls up small enough to fit inside my jersey back pocket if I get to hot mid-ride.

As a previous post has said, if dryness is your primary aim, buy a waterproof. Otherwise you can't go wrong with this IMHO.