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review

Rapha Commuter Shorts

7
£60.00

VERDICT:

7
10
Good quality, versatile baggy shorts for commuting, touring or bikepacking
Lightweight
Comfortable
Work well over bib shorts
A bit stingy on pockets
Belt is off-centre when you tighten it
Feel a bit like old-man trousers
Weight: 
145g
Contact: 

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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Rapha says the Commuters are 'a pair of shorts for the rigours of the commute' and they're certainly that. They're comfortable and lightweight, work well with and without Lycra, and they'd be a good option for a multi-day ride where you want something light and casual to sling on at the end of the day.

Rapha uses a 94% nylon/6% elastane mix for the Commuter shorts, and the fabric is light and easy to dry. It's not especially stretchy but the elastane adds a bit of give. You get two pockets, one either side at the front, and one of them is zipped for valuables. There are no back pockets, which is a shame. Still, at least the pockets they have are useful, unlike the Rapha Touring shorts I also own. You can get a big phone or your wallet in them.

> Buy these online here

Rapha has opted for a captive webbing belt which sits only across the front of the shorts. It has a magnetic clasp and is easy to adjust, although as you cinch it up the buckle migrates to the right, which makes the front of the shorts look a bit odd.

2020 Rapha Commuter shorts - waistband.jpg

Actually, everything about the front of the shorts is a bit odd. They're elasticated, so there's no button or fly; that means there's nothing to rub but they do have a bit of a house pants/old man trousers kind of a feel, and if you're not careful when tightening the belt they bunch up at the front which isn't a great look. You get used to pulling them flat across the front fairly quickly though.

2020 Rapha Commuter shorts - pocket.jpg

On the bike they work well. I've been to the shops in them, and I've done a four-hour gravel ride in them, and they work very well either with or without Lycra. You could wear them touring if you prefer a casual look, or they're light enough and small enough to stash for time off the bike.

2020 Rapha Commuter shorts - back 1.jpg

The material dries extremely quickly, and they didn't rub anywhere or cause any other issues. The hidden reflectives on the sides are a nice touch for a bit of extra visibility after dark. The material is holding up well, and they're simple to care for.

Overall I like them, and at £60 they're not especially expensive. They're a solid option if you're looking for something versatile you could wear for casual rides and off the bike too.

> Buyer’s Guide: The best casual cycling kit for commuting

They're not directly comparable to something like the Specialized RBX shorts I reviewed recently; really they're more like a bike-specific take on Rohan travel shorts, or something like that.

They're not dissimilar to Alpkit's Strada shorts, which are the same price, so I'd say they're decent value.

> Buyer’s Guide: 13 of the best baggy cycling shorts

One to try if you're not such a big fan of the Lycra look walking into the office of a weekday morning.

Verdict

Good quality, versatile baggy shorts for commuting, touring or bikepacking

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Rapha Commuter Shorts

Size tested: 34W

Tell us what the product is for

Rapha says:

A pair of shorts for the rigours of the commute.

These shorts have been designed to withstand day in, day out riding. With a fit based on our popular Randonnée short, they're comfortable, durable and carefully designed with a host of commuter considered features.

An elasticated waist with a high-rise at the back ensures a secure and comfortable fit as well as excellent coverage when you're on the bike. The integrated belt with magnetic snap closure allows easy fine-tuning of the fit. A zipped pocket keeps small valuables safe and reflective tape on the sides of each legs adds extra visibility on the road. Unlike the Randonnée short, these have cut slightly shorter for easy, unintrusive pedalling.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Rapha lists:

One zipped pocket for securing valuables

Elasticated waist for easy on and off

Belt with magnetic buckle

High rise at back for coverage

Reflective side tape for visibility

Hanger loop in waist for drying

94% nylon

6% elastane

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
7/10

Slightly odd belt/front arrangement.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
6/10

They size up fairly large.

Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Decent value, about the same as other similar shorts.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Simple cool wash has them nice and clean; quick to dry.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Light and comfy.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Odd belt/waist arrangement at the front.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

Same as the Alpkit Strada and similar to non-cycle-specific shorts like those from Rohan.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Maybe

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Maybe

Use this box to explain your overall score

Minor niggles aside, these are light and comfy shorts and I've worn them plenty. They're not especially expensive either.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 47  Height: 189cm  Weight: 94kg

I usually ride: whatever I'm testing...  My best bike is: Kinesis Tripster ATR, Merida Scultura, Dward Design fixed

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

Add new comment

9 comments

Avatar
The _Kaner | 3 years ago
2 likes

Have a look at Craghoppers stretch Kiwi Pro. 4 zipped pockets, water repellent. Glasses wipe included.
Currently less than £25.
No belt, has a zip fly and button fastening. 9 inch long. A variety of colours....

Avatar
fenix | 3 years ago
0 likes

I see these are only the 34W version. 

Do they do others for those with higher FTPs ?

 

smiley

Avatar
mtbtomo | 3 years ago
1 like

I'm with the rest, they don't look anything special and I bet Endura, Decathlon, Millets etc etc do shorts for half the price that are just as functional. Is there anything especially bike specific about these? Honestly really???

Avatar
brooksby replied to mtbtomo | 3 years ago
1 like
mtbtomo wrote:

I'm with the rest, they don't look anything special and I bet Endura, Decathlon, Millets etc etc do shorts for half the price that are just as functional. Is there anything especially bike specific about these? Honestly really???

Yup - they say "Rapha" on them  3

Avatar
brooksby | 3 years ago
0 likes

Is it me, or do they just look a bit - er - cheap...?

Avatar
michophull | 3 years ago
0 likes

Not bad but one can buy something not entirely dissimilar from Millets for £28 (or less). And no, I don't work for them.

Avatar
Capt Sisko | 3 years ago
4 likes

A bit too figure hugging if you ask me, given the material and styling your meat & two veg might be rather too prominant.   Also the buckle is in the wrong place. It ought to be around the side where the lumpy piece of plastic won't dig into you tummy when bent over.

Avatar
Sriracha | 3 years ago
0 likes

1g? Must be diaphanous!

Avatar
dave atkinson replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
1 like

yeah they're not *that* light. updated now  1

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