Softshell jacket pilling/bobbling

snipsnap

Hi all,

No idea where to post this or what to do.

My (expensive) and much loved softshell jacket has developed a couple of bobbled lines down the back of it. I can only assume this is from my commutes when I wear a backpack. I don't carry much, just sandwiches and a pump/multi tool and the bag isn't fastened ridiculously tight to me (perhaps I should have done this).

Gutted. I have emailed the manufacturer to see if they have any advice, as only had it since January. I'm not optimistic however that it'll be good news back from them. Anyone Amy experience with similar issues and advice on how this can be fixed?

Thanks

goonz

What brand is it? A few of the expensive brands do offer repair service, but from the sounds of it, its not a reason they would cover in their repair service if at all.

snipsnap

Rapha.

I didnt expect it to happen if honest. But seems it's worst than first thought, and has bobbled or fluffed up all along the back of the jacket.

Gutted really. Can't think of anyway to fix it.

goonz

Is it their softshell jacket?

Strange, I have their softshell gilet and wear it a lot with my backpack and have not experienced any bobbing or pilling...its not the sort of material that should have any issue like that. Let them know you might get lucky.

rolf_f

snipsnap wrote:

Rapha.

I didnt expect it to happen if honest. But seems it's worst than first thought, and has bobbled or fluffed up all along the back of the jacket.

Gutted really. Can't think of anyway to fix it.

Glad to hear my Aldi softshell performs as well as Rapha

Does answer a question though - I did wonder if more expensive softshells would avoid bobbling when worn with a backpack and the answer seems to be no. I keep my nice Gore softshell away from the backpack. Don't need expensive kit for relatively short commutes.

goonz

Rolf F wrote:

snipsnap wrote:

Rapha.

I didnt expect it to happen if honest. But seems it's worst than first thought, and has bobbled or fluffed up all along the back of the jacket.

Gutted really. Can't think of anyway to fix it.

Glad to hear my Aldi softshell performs as well as Rapha

Does answer a question though - I did wonder if more expensive softshells would avoid bobbling when worn with a backpack and the answer seems to be no. I keep my nice Gore softshell away from the backpack. Don't need expensive kit for relatively short commutes.

Now you guys got me paranoid, going to get home and check it!

Another problem may be you having loose straps so there was friction between the jacket and bag or something causing a snag on the rucksack.

snipsnap

Gonna see what they say. The jacket is my favourite item of clothing ever and I'm totally gutted with this discovery. There doesn't seem to be anything on the net anywhere regarding bobbled softshell material (that I can find in my state of panic) so I'm at a loss currently. Should be no issue of friction, the backpack is full padded and has little to no weight to it.

Hope your gillet as faired better!

flasher

It's an item of sports clothing MTFU

goonz

Flasher wrote:

It's an item of sports clothing MTFU

I assume you never spent over £150 on an item of clothing and ruined it after only a few wears?

snipsnap

Flasher wrote:

It's an item of sports clothing MTFU

Nice! Cheers. Wished you could have seen me sob earlier.

Seriously, just asking others if there's a way to fix or remedy this. What's the harm?!

flasher

goonz wrote:

Flasher wrote:

It's an item of sports clothing MTFU

I assume you never spent over £150 on an item of clothing and ruined it after only a few wears?

Seriously, is it ruined, unwearable?

Light bobbling you bunch of sissies

danlikesbikes

Flasher wrote:

goonz wrote:

Flasher wrote:

It's an item of sports clothing MTFU

I assume you never spent over £150 on an item of clothing and ruined it after only a few wears?

Seriously, is it ruined, unwearable?

Light bobbling you bunch of sissies

Hardly think the OP is being anything other than questioning what would appear to be clothing damage possibly much quicker than he would have expected.

Had my soft-shell for 4 years now & no such issues used with a backpack & messenger back quite a bit last year and looks brand new.

Sprool

let's blame Wiggle

littleprawn

Rolf F wrote:

snipsnap wrote:

Rapha.

I didnt expect it to happen if honest. But seems it's worst than first thought, and has bobbled or fluffed up all along the back of the jacket.

Gutted really. Can't think of anyway to fix it.

Glad to hear my Aldi softshell performs as well as Rapha

Does answer a question though - I did wonder if more expensive softshells would avoid bobbling when worn with a backpack and the answer seems to be no. I keep my nice Gore softshell away from the backpack. Don't need expensive kit for relatively short commutes.

+1 for Aldi....

My red softshell has done quite well since I purchased it at the tail end of last year...hope I do not need to wear it much if the weather improves....

Hope you geta good response from Rapha!

goonz

In case it helps I did email Rapha about my club jersey where the stitching had beguin coming loose in the first week of wearing it!

They did agree to let me return it and they would replace it with another but in the end I thought it was too much hassle for it so just left it.

Hoping you get similar treatment.

snipsnap

cheers. I dropped them an email yesterday so will await their response.
end of the day, it will still function, but what I bought into when making the purchase was a jacket to last me several winters, then i could justify the cost.
hoping for a good outcome also, especially considering it was a cyclist backpack, full padded, and that the softshell jacket is even displayed on the website photos with a backpack over the top.

snipsnap

excellent response (so far!) from Rapha. Personal response, and after reviewing photos of the affected areas, a request to return for an assessment. Also, it appears that the item will be exchanged as being "faulty".

I know this is the level of service that should be expected when purchasing particularly expensive items, but IMO you get a better indication of service levels when things go wrong. so far so good in my experience with Rapha.

just providing an update to reflect the current position, good customer service should be shared as much as problems with specific items.

If i do get an exchange, i dont know if I'll dare wear a backpack with a softshell jacket again in future however..........

danlikesbikes

Had to send something back to them before & they were V good.

Glad to hear you are getting somewhere with this though.

goonz

Yeah good to hear positive feedback.

Makes you want to spend that bit extra if you are going to be treated well for it.

You shouldnt have an issue with a backpack, but just check the pack for any loose threads etc that might rub against your back.

thegreatdivide

I bet you don't get this level of service with Monton ;-)

Good news re your jacket OP. I've never had a problem dealing with them, hence the reason I always go back for more kit.

Slightly off topic - I received a small matte black padded envelope the other day from Rapha. I hadn’t ordered anything from them so got quite excited. Turned out it was a 'thanks for your custom' gift from Imperial Works – a gold and black Rapha tape measure that comes in a small black embossed box and has the seat pin measurements of 13 Pro cyclists marked on it. Hilarious item – but it made my day after some fuxker had walked into my house and walked out with my new MTB while I was in!

owenlars

I think you will be pleasantly surprised by Rapha's service, they are very good indeed. They repaired my venerable lightweight soft shell jacket which acquired a hole in the arm as a result of an encounter with Tarmac in about a week at no cost and with absolutely no fuss.