REVIEW: LIAM FRIARY
DISTRIBUTOR: IRIDE / RAPHA
RRP: $155
“The jersey comes with a neat little repair kit with colour-match iron-on patches. You can also get a full repair service from Rapha, should you need it.”
Riding jerseys have come a long way. I think they still have some way to go, but we’re in a good place right now. An interesting observation is that we have gone full cycle, with young shredders now wearing baggy cotton tees. I’m not one of them but do like the appeal of a baggy tee, however, not the gross sweat that lingers on said cotton afterwards.
With that said, let’s talk about the construction of the Rapha Trail ¾ Sleeve Jersey. The main body area is constructed from 100% polyester, 68% of which is recycled. The sleeves are woven from a more durable blend of nylon, polyester and spandex, resulting in a thicker fabric that still retains a degree of stretch. This blend of woven material has been specially developed to add abrasion protection from rogue foliage, branches and involuntary trail lie-downs. The whole garment is finished with an antibacterial treatment, specifically for sweating. Another nifty feature is that the jersey is accompanied by a neat little repair kit with colour-match iron-on patches, for any wear and tear your jersey might suffer from. You can also get a full repair service from Rapha, should you need it. Today, having longevity in the apparel you purchase is super appealing.
The jersey fit is very good; it’s certainly form fitting, so you’ll want to be in good shape. I personally like a bit of room between me and a garment, however, nothing binds or pulls and there is little in the way of extra fabric flapping in the wind. As with most of their garments, Rapha have designed this piece with material that is breathable and feels so bloody nice against the skin. Heck, it still feels good even when you’re a hot, sweaty mess from climbing, or soaking wet from an unexpected rain shower. I’ve got large shoulders and arms, which have been growing over the past wee while – thanks to getting jacked in the gym – so the arms felt a bit tight; and the cuff has been tight since before the jacking programme. They are so slim fit that they pull on the rest of the sleeve when riding. For me, they’re better pulled up nearer the elbow, but could also offer better manoeuvrability. Whilst the body of the jersey is super breathable the sleeves don’t offer the same feature. I would even make some sacrifice for ‘less durable’ but ‘more breathable’ sleeves.
With the cost of living at an all-time high, the RRP does seem like quite a bit for a riding jersey. However, it’s a quality, made-to-last garment, constructed with high attention to detail; it’s comfortable, has subtle style and comes from a prominent and prestigious name within the cycling industry. What’s more, the repair kit means it offers future-proofness, which means a lot in this day and age.
