Rapha Pro Team Softshell

jbucky1

The Rapha Pro Team Softshell has been out a while now, does anyone have any feedback on it? It's quite expensive but is it worth it?

bendertherobot

I didn't rate the old one, many do though. You'll need feedback on the new one mind, it's a bit different. It has polartec, which suggests, to me, it might be a bit warmer. Up to you but the Gabba is about half the price most places. And the Mossa is cheaper and water proof.

ddraver

Got the old one, like it, but as bender says, the new one is different now...

jbucky1

Yeah, would love to know about the new one, supposed to be great. Different material than old. The use the designator "softshell"

ddraver

Have a google of other jackets made with the fabric to see what it's like

It seems like they ve made it a bit warmer but they say much less about the DWR so I wonder if it's less waterproof..? That's a total guess though

cazhadfield

I've had both the old version and the newer one....
I sent the old one back, whilst it was warm and reasonably waterproof I found it really poor in terms of breathability, it was like riding in a bin bag! As usual Rapha's customer service was great though, even though id worn it a few times they refunded my money when I told them the issues I had with it, I think they'd had lots of similar complaints
The new one is much better IMO, same in terms of warmth and weatherproofing but much more breathable.
Still couldn't say its worth double the cost of the Gabba though.

bendertherobot

jbucky1 wrote:

Yeah, would love to know about the new one, supposed to be great. Different material than old. The use the designator "softshell"

No. They always did. There's a Pro Team Jacket and a Pro Team Softshell. Rather confusingly I reckon these are the wrong way round as far as traditional branding goes.

The Pro Team jacket is a thermal jacket and a bit more soft shelly to me. The softshell is more stripped back, designed for foul weather.

Problem was the Pro Team Jacket came first and then they used the Softshell derivate on the foul weather one.

FatTed

What is the Shadow one all about?

bendertherobot

FatTed wrote:

What is the Shadow one all about?

No one really knows yet. It appears to be lighter, colder, less water resistant and more expensive.

jbucky1

Anyone know how the Pro Team Softshell (the breathable one) compares to the Gabba 2 ? much better, not much better, better fit?

bendertherobot

Both Pro Team jackets are breathable. That's rather the point. The fit of the Gabba is looser, depending on size, but we're talking marginally so.

Have you considered a Parentini Mossa? That's waterproof rather than water resistant.

cazhadfield

If I had to choose between the two would definitely go for the Gabba....the Rapha jacket is a little heavier and warmer, great for when its really cold but even though its much more breathable now I still couldn't imagine wearing it and riding hard once the temperature gets above 10 degrees. Love the styling and fit though!
For me the Gabba on the other hand is much more versatile, the slightly looser fit means you can put a couple of good base layers on and it will be good in very low temperatures, but its just as good with a lightweight baselayer in temperatures up to about 15 degrees.
The fact its half the price is an added bonus!
Haven't seen it yet but i'm guessing the shadow jersey is Rapha attempt to truly match the gabba....I love Rapha stuff and am not the type to moan about their pricing, but the cost of the shadow kit is IMO ridiculous and I still cant see it being any better than the Gabba...

bendertherobot

I doubt that the Shadow is even a Gabba. More like the Stolen Goat Arkaan or the Prendas Reef. Both of which are about £150 less.

Paul 8v

Even the die hard Rapha fans I know said the Gabba is better.

Does anyone know why Rapha stopped doing Jeans? I was just about to buy a pair!

FatTed

Paul 8v wrote:

Even the die hard Rapha fans I know said the Gabba is better.

Does anyone know why Rapha stopped doing Jeans? I was just about to buy a pair!

Because Hugo Boss are better and cheaper?

Paul 8v

Not quite the same really are they though.

jbucky1

Rapha have been slashing their line, looks like a little house cleaning here in usa. killed a ton of stuff.

thegreatdivide

bendertherobot wrote:

I doubt that the Shadow is even a Gabba. More like the Stolen Goat Arkaan or the Prendas Reef. Both of which are about £150 less.

But this is pure speculation because you haven't tried one.

ddraver

jbucky1 wrote:

Rapha have been slashing their line, looks like a little house cleaning here in usa. killed a ton of stuff.

Slashing to relaunch by the looks of it. Some hipster videos are already around...

bendertherobot

thegreatdivide wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

I doubt that the Shadow is even a Gabba. More like the Stolen Goat Arkaan or the Prendas Reef. Both of which are about £150 less.

But this is pure speculation because you haven't tried one.

Indeed. There's one review on the rapha site now mind.

I used the word doubt for a reason see. Otherwise I'd have said isn't as good. The reef is though. Very good.

Paul 8v

ddraver wrote:

jbucky1 wrote:

Rapha have been slashing their line, looks like a little house cleaning here in usa. killed a ton of stuff.

Slashing to relaunch by the looks of it. Some hipster videos are already around...

I've seen the new riding gear but it does look like they've got rid of most of the casual stuff :-(

bendertherobot

Paul 8v wrote:

ddraver wrote:

jbucky1 wrote:

Rapha have been slashing their line, looks like a little house cleaning here in usa. killed a ton of stuff.

Slashing to relaunch by the looks of it. Some hipster videos are already around...

I've seen the new riding gear but it does look like they've got rid of most of the casual stuff :-(

That may be what the Core range is going to be.

itboffin

FatTed wrote:

Paul 8v wrote:

Even the die hard Rapha fans I know said the Gabba is better.

Does anyone know why Rapha stopped doing Jeans? I was just about to buy a pair!

Because Hugo Boss are better and cheaper?

I've had two pairs and sent them back because the fit was terrible I now have a pair of Raeburn ones but rate Levi 511 commuter way over any of the Rapha jeans, oh and you can buy then for about £45 online

ddraver

Jeans are about as personal as it is possible to get though...

Paul 8v

That is a fair bit cheaper! I must admit, I only wanted the Rapha ones because when you roll them up it says Rapha :-)

I tried on a Gabba today, a little long in the arms but apart from that perfect. Ordered up this afternoon so I'm looking forward to wearing it in the wet weather. For now I have to make do with my sweaty and not waterproof (but cheap) b twin one!

ddraver

I'm thinking of ways to get my old Pro Team softshell replaces with a new one. Maybe if I pick at thew stitching a bit...

(just cos i want a shiny new one though)