Rapha Pro Team Jersey

Rapha's Pro Team Jersey is a light and airy performance top with some well thought out features, it's also Rapha's first foray away from Sportwool and in to synthetics, even so there's the usual Rapha caveat: it doesn't come cheap.

Most of the panels on the Pro Team jersey are made from a lightweight polyester/polyurethane fabric that allows good ventilation and wicks sweat well. It doesn't cling to your body much when it does get damp and dries out really fast - one quick descent usually does the trick.

There are lots of mesh areas too. The side panels are mesh, extending right around to the underside of the sleeves, as are the cuffs, the lower back below the pockets, and most of the collar. These areas let air through virtually unhindered and, again, they don't get clammy even when you're piling on the power in hot weather. The collar is low cut - in cycling jersey terms - extending just a couple of centimetres higher than the main body of the jersey and the full-length front zip provides yet more cooling when you need it.

The cut is race-orientated so there's no excess fabric to flap in the wind, and all the panels are very stretchy so you don't suffer any discomfort from that figure-hugging fit. In fact, this is a really comfy jersey all round. The seams on the raglan shoulders, for example, are bonded rather than stitched so you can barely feel them at all.

You get a few neat little finishing details too. The elasticated waistband comes with a silicone gripper inside that keeps it in place pretty well and there's an elastic loop in one of the rear pockets for holding a mini pump. It's just a small thing but I found it really handy. There's an internal zipped pocket around the back as well for holding your phone, keys, cash or whatever.

Sometimes, when you put a lot in the rear pockets of a stretchy jersey, the back gets pulled down really low, but I didn't find that here. It sticks at the right height even with a full cargo on board.

The Pro Team jersey features an anti-microbial and anti-bacterial treatment. It's silver ion technology; you'll sometimes find something similar in socks, helmet pads and so on, and there's good science to say that it works. After several weeks of use, this jersey certainly hasn't developed that lingering locker room smell associated with the buildup of bacteria.

The Coldblack technology used in the dye is designed to absorb less heat than usual too. That's impossible to quantify unless you have one jersey that features it and one without. For whatever reason, this is a notably cool jersey, though, so who's complaining?

The Pro Team Jersey is also available in cream with a black armband - a reverse of the model pictured - and in Rapha Condor Sharp team colours (same price).

Verdict

Neat styling and classy features in a lightweight performance jersey